In the late 19th century Newmarket had a thriving industrial core. There were sawmills, tanneries, carriage makers, a furniture factory, breweries, brick manufacturers, and more.
Among the wealthy businessmen helping to transforming Newmarket from an agricultural community to one with a modern diversified economy was barrel maker John Arnott.
The son of farmers William and Ellen Arnott, John Arnott was born in Northumberland, England in 1821. His parents were of modest means and his childhood was not one of comfort. As a young teenager Arnott apprenticed himself to a village cooper, or barrel maker.
Barrels were used for packing and transporting everything from grain and flour to apples, cider, molasses, sugar, nails and whiskey. And they were revolutionary in their day. With their cylindrical shape, barrels could be loaded and unloaded onto wagons, rail cars, and ships faster than crates and bags. Their uniformity meant greater quantities could be shipped. And, because they provided airtight storage, barrels prevented spoilage of perishable items, facilitating long-distance trade. Barrels underpinned the growth of international trade in the 19th century.
Consequently, barrels, and the men who made them, were in great demand. Becoming a cooper seemed like a good career move for Arnott.
Around 1845 Arnott married Jane Douglas. Their first child, Olive, was born two years later. In 1854, Arnott packed up his small family to emigrate to Canada, no doubt chasing the dream of prosperity that lured so many settlers across the ocean.
Arnott initially settled his family in Toronto, where he found employment for a few years in a large barrel factory. Then, apparently having saved enough money to open his own enterprise, he moved to Newmarket in 1857 and became one of the partners in the firm Arnott and Fox, Coopers and Manufacturers. Two years later a second daughter, Anne, was born.
In addition to the cooperage, Arnott and Fox operated their own sawmill on the south side of Water Street. This not only provided the cooperage with the staves it required but also cut lumber and produced sashes and doors for wholesale. Arnott was prospering; the promise of the New World has been realized.
Things were going great for Arnott in Newmarket when he suffered his first loss with the death of Jane. Arnott was heartbroken and at a loss as to how to raise two young daughters on his own. But he would marry again. In 1869, Arnott married recently widowed 37-year-old Mary Ann Stratton. In a stroke the Arnott home was suddenly overflowing as Mary Ann brought four young children with her. Arnott welcomed them all.
In 1892, Arnott fell ill. He began withering away and, after what was described as ‘a lengthy illness’ died on Dec 8. Mary Ann would marry for a third time, be widowed for a third time, and then herself pass away in 1919.
We can’t know which of Mary Ann’s three husband’s she favoured most. But it was undoubtedly John Arnott, who rose from humble apprentice to prosperous businessman, who was the most accomplished. Indeed, when he passed the town of Newmarket was said to have mourned deeply.
