The Keefer Family
Historic Pictures
The Keefer Family can trace its early roots to France and later to Germany. In the 11th or 12th century, when acquiring a surname became fashionable, the family selected “Le Tonnellier” (The Cooper). After a move to the German influenced region of Alsace (now France), the name was changed to Keiffer (translated to Cooper) because of the large cooperage (barrel making) business that was operated by the family for generations.
Immigrating to New Jersey in 1749, the Keefer family (spelling now changed to ensure proper pronunciation) remained loyal to the King during the revolutionary war. As a result, the newly formed U.S. government confiscated the family farm, and mandated that the farm be vacated once the two young boys reached adulthood.
In 1790, George, 17 and his brother 15, set out on foot to make the hazardous journey along Indian trails to Upper Canada in search of a new life. Crossing the Niagara River, they arrived to this current location and found a lone squatter and a small hut. The boys reached an agreement and purchased the property spending the next 2 years clearing land and building a ‘commodious’ log home. Once complete, the boys walked back to New Jersey and returned a short time later with the rest of the family. Upon their return, George received a land grant of 600 acres in the area now called Thorold.
History of the Keefer Mansion
By 1885 the original log cabin, (shown in a photograph located in the main hallway of the inn) was getting quite dated and in need of replacement. The log cabin had stood since 1792, and according to records was still “completely plumb and square” when it was finally removed in 1885.
The current Mansion took just over a year to construct. When complete, it was reported to be “one of the most splendid homes opened in 1886 between Toronto and Rochester”. Just the stone was reported to cost $30,000 in 1885. Notable features of the 9000 sq foot structure include; the new Harris hot water system, indoor plumbing, extensive wood details, ornate hardware, a tunnel to the canal, and an upper widow’s walk feature.
The Mansion remained the home of the family for only 8 years. The Canada Permanent Loan and Savings Company repossessed the Mansion in 1894 after John and Hugh Keefer’s dwindling fortunes could not cover the back property taxes.
The Mansion had several tenants from 1894 until 1904 (including T.F. Paterson 1902-1903) and was finally purchased by John and Mary Jane Conlon as a private residence in 1904. Mary Jane was the principal owner until 1913, when she then rented the property to Warren J. Curtis. Mr. Curtis was the general manager of the new Ontario Paper Company, sent to Thorold by the Chicago Tribune to build a new paper mill. Niagara Falls supplied an ideal source of low-cost power and the Welland Canal provided the waterways necessary to transport the paper.
The Mansion held several more tenants including owners of several local enterprises until 1934. Residents included names such as: Charles Lee, Arthur Anderson, Pasquale Santarelli, Victor Weaver, Walter Windsor, and John Wilson.
The Mansion was purchased by Mary J. Brittain (a nurse) for $10,500. Ms. Brittain and her family lived onsite while converting the rooms to accommodate a maternity hospital. In 1936, Mary lost the Mansion due to a default on the mortgage. The superintendent of the hospital; Florence Stevenson purchased the building at public auction for $3500 plus municipal taxes. The Mansion continued to operate as a minor surgery hospital (e.g. tonsils and babies). Triplets were born at this site in 1946. Helen Lohnes, a local nurse living in Port Dalhousie purchased the Mansion in 1953 along with a drug clerk, Marguerite Charron.
In 1973, Basil Griffis purchased Maplehurst from Lohnes and Charron and put forth an application to build a three-story addition to the property that would expand the original Mansion. After four years, the Thorold Historical Society lost the battle for conservation and in 1978; Mr. Griffis was given permission to convert the property. The addition however was never built, as the Ministry of Health eventually refused approval, citing a surplus of nursing home beds in St. Catharines/Thorold area.
Maplehurst, operated as a chronic care facility from 1974 until it closed in March 1999 as the result of a provincial consolidation of long term care hospital bed licenses. Mr. Griffis, unable to sell the property, applied for a demolition permit. Mayor Robin Davidson and the council of the day intervened, and purchased the building from Mr. Griffis after denying the permit.
In 2002 the City of Thorold entered into a long-term lease with Keefer Developments Ltd as part of a significant downtown redevelopment project.
George Keefer
George was a cabinetmaker by trade. He also worked as a surveyor; conducted a general store, built two saw mills and built and operated a flour mill, shipping his product to Montreal and England. George was also a magistrate and active in the Lincoln Militia rising to the rank of Captain by 1815. He was active at the battles of Beaverdams, Chippawa, and Lundy’s Lane. A “Record of the Library of Niagara” founded in Niagara on the Lake in 1800, details in all probability the first Public Library in Canada. George was an active contributor and subscriber.
After the war, George focused his attention on the development of the many enterprises in which he was interested. George Keefer, William Hamilton Merritt and John De Cew all owned mills on Twelve Mile Creek. The water supply was very uncertain in dry weather and the mills were frequently idle. Mr. Merritt is reported to have had a sudden inspiration and to have said “Keefer, would it not be a good thing to have a canal from lake to lake? Then every one could have an ample supply of water.”
Following a survey of a proposed route, the necessary legislation was passed on January 19th, 1824, incorporating George Keefer, George Adams, Thomas Merritt, Wm. Chisholm, W.H. Merritt and others as the Welland Canal Company, with a capital of 40,000 Pounds Sterling. As the largest stockholder, George Keefer was appointed President.
During the construction of the Canal, the company advertised throughout Canada and the United States, a free grant of water power forever for two flour mills to any person, or, persons who would build them, with four run of stones ready to begin grinding when the Canal was opened, and water let in.
The offer was only accepted by George Keefer. Locals continuously advised George that the Canal would never be completed, and the mill would be a dry one, and a dead loss. George Keefer had faith in the enterprise and he built the mill in the woods in a location where the Canal was surveyed to pass. He said he felt like Noah when his neighbors derided him for building the Ark. The mill was completed in 1827, before the Canal opened, and so George Keefer and his heirs received free waterpower for all time.
In his 84 years, George laid the foundations for Thorold and in many respects had a large impact on the development of Canada. He was married four times, and widowed three times. His fourth wife was the niece of Laura Second whose daring act of heroism distinguished herself in the War of 1812.
George had ten sons and five daughters by his first and second marriages. He did not have any children by his third and fourth marriages. He also had five step children making twenty children in all. George died in 1858 at the ripe old age of 84.
First Canal Thru Thorold
Keefers first mill 1827
John Keefer
John was born January 13th, 1813. His mother Catherine died of typhoid fever contracted while nursing sick and wounded American soldiers only a few months after his birth, on this site.
After his mother died, John was taken to Erie Pennsylvania and raised by his sister. Returning to Thorold as a young man, John was a successful merchant and farmer.
John lived in the original log home located on this property for over 40 years. The log home was demolished to make room for the current day mansion. At the time the mansion was built the property was known as “The Orchard, Residence and Garden, of John Keefer” and was a block of land 6 acres in size.
Located directly in front of the log home was Thorold was a general store and post office, opened by Johns father just after the war of 1812.
John and his wife had 4 sons including Hugh Keefer who acted as the General Contractor in the building of the present day mansion. John died at home, November 6th, 1892.
Augustus Keefer
Son of George Keefer and his second wife Jane McBride, Augustus was born on October 21st, 1819 in the original log home located on this site. Augustus, settled in Ottawa where he married and was a leading lawyer and railway financier in the early years of the capital then called Bytown.
In 1847, Augustus took in a young articling student, Samuel Strong. Augustus held a keen interest in Samuel and provided him the foundations for a distinguished legal career. Strong later went on to serve as a legal adviser to Prime Minister John A. Macdonald. He also created the legislative proposal for the creation of a national supreme court, where he would later serve as Canada’s Chief Justice. Strong continued to credit Keefer throughout his career for his training.
Samuel Keefer
Samuel, George’s son from his first marriage, attended Upper Canada College and was heavily influenced by the member’s of the engineering community that constantly visited his father at their home. When he was not in school, Samuel worked as a labourer on the building of the canal.
At the age of 30, Samuel was appointed to the highest engineering position in Canada, First Chief Engineer of Public Works. This was a significant position. Samuel oversaw the expansion of the Welland Canal, building of the stone locks on the 2nd Canal as well as development of several smaller canals, particularly along the St Lawrence and Richelieu Rivers.
In 1843 he built the first suspension bridge in Canada at Ottawa, called the Union bridge. The structure connected Ottawa and Hull.
In 1853 Samuel resigned his position of public service to become an engineer for the Grand Trunk Railway. While in this capacity, he worked with his half brother Thomas on a number of projects, including rights of way and surveys of bridge crossings. Samuel was also responsible for the construction of the Brockville Tunnel in 1854. This 500 metre tunnel is still in use today.
In 1869 Samuel built the longest suspension bridge in the world at that time at Niagara Falls with a span of 400 metres. The design won Samuel a Gold Medal at the Paris Exposition in 1878.
He was Second President, following his half brother, of the Canadian Society of Civil Engineers. He held the positions of Civil Engineer; Chief Engineer and Commissioner of Public Works; Inspector of Railways and was engaged in many public works, including the Victoria Bridge over the St. Lawrence at Montreal and the Suspension Bridge at Niagara Falls. Samuel was also a Fellow of the Royal Colonial Institute in London.
In 1859 Samuel returned to public service and selected the plans for the new Parliament buildings in Ottawa. He not only directed construction, but arranged the three buildings as an open quadrangle as they are today.
First Fallsview Suspension Bridge 1869
The second son of George, by his first wife, Jacob Keefer was born November 8th, 1800. After the early death of his mother, Jacob moved to Erie Pennsylvania, to live with his sister until adulthood, after which he returned to Thorold.
Jacob operated a general store and was Postmaster of Thorold for fifty years. He was also a Magistrate and School Superintendent. He married and had fifteen children, only seven of whom lived to adulthood.
In 1845 Jacob Keefer founded and built the largest flour mill in Canada and called it Welland Mills. This mill is located in Thorold and later became the Maple Leaf Flour Mills. Today the building is the only remaining original mill of the Maple Leaf Flour Mills Company.
The Welland Mills was capable of manufacturing 300 barrels of flour per day and the store house was capable of storing 70000 bushels of wheat and 5000 barrels of flour. The cooperage, when in full operation, employed 12 hands.
The Welland Mills went on to have many important owners. Thomas Rodman Merritt, son of William Hamilton Merritt, owned a one-third interest in the Welland Mills in 1858. The Howland family controlled the business for a number of years thereafter.
Welland Mills was designated as a heritage building in 2005 and is now owned by Keefer Developments Ltd. The building will house retail and residential apartments with eight town homes being built on the Mill's adjacent property.
Hugh Keefer
Hugh Forbes Keefer was born October 4, 1848 on this site. In 1866, Hugh fought in the Fenien raids, giving him a taste of adventure at an early age. In his early years, he and his father John were partners in a general store.
By 1879 Hugh had given up merchandising and was traveling the North West United States searching for rail routes across the mountains. Hugh wrote a letter to the editor of the Thorold Post:
“I am one of a party of six…we have a splendid outfit…three fine spring wagons, good mule teams, two good tents, lots of blankets, lots of grub of good quality, six new Sharps rifles, and enough ammunition to stand off all the Indians in the West”
Hugh further detailed his encounters with Indians particularly those from Chief Sitting Bull’s camp, noting that they were “a bad looking set, and not pleasant to meet on the open prairie.”
Hugh was a colourful personality and did not fit the typical contractor profile. His adventures made him a wildly romantic figure in Thorold. He is said to have accumulated large sums of money at U.S. gambling tables, and to have been a frequent gambling partner of Jesse James. Rumours also swirled that he married Jesse James’ sister, although this has not been proven.
After completing much exploration for various railways, including the CPR and selecting routes through the mountains, Hugh returned to Thorold in 1886.
Hugh acted as general contractor on behalf of his father and likely financed the building of the present day mansion. Reported as one of the most amazing houses from Rochester to Toronto on the day it was completed, the historic grand mansion almost bankrupted the family. The number of steps leading to the house was reported to be designed to represent the number of cards in a euchre deck.
In 1890, Hugh built Vancouver's first sewer system and further established his reputation as a contractor and property speculator. By the turn of the century he owned real estate, granite and sandstone quarries and a brickyard. Hugh died in 1912.
Brockville Tunnel
Thomas C. Keefer
Born November 4th, 1821 Thomas Coltrin Keefer, was educated at Upper Canada College, Toronto and in 1838 began his career as an engineer. He worked on the Erie and Welland Canals until 1845.
Thomas C. Keefer was a pre-eminent canal and railway engineer and respected author. He was President of both the Canadian and American Societies of Civil Engineers. He is also known as the, “Dean of Canadian Engineers” and credited for developing engineering in Canada as a profession with high ethical standards of conduct both on and off the job.
In 1850 he was commissioned by the government to survey the rapids of the St. Lawrence River in order to improve shipping lanes. He was also asked to explore the country between the head-waters of St. John’s in New Brunswick and the St. Lawrence River.
In 1851 Thomas resigned from government service and was appointed Chief Engineer of the Toronto and Kingston section of the Grand Trunk railway. During this time he made preliminary surveys for a bridge over the St. Lawrence. The present Victoria Bridge being the outcome of his plans. He constructed water-works for Montreal, Hamilton, Ottawa, and other cities.
Thomas was Canadian Commissioner at the International Exhibition in London, 1851, and Chief Commissioner at the Paris Exposition in 1878
The engineering dominance of the Keefer’s was further enhanced when Thomas married Elizabeth McKay. The McKay family constructed and lived in what is now Rideau Hall. In fact at least one of Thomas’ children was born at Rideau Hall while the Keefer’s lived there.
Later in life, Thomas and his family resided at Earnscliffe in Ottawa, the majestic former home of Canada's first Prime Minister, Sir John A. Macdonald. It is perched on a cliff overlooking the Ottawa River and is now home to the British High Commissioner. Thomas knew the home was well constructed, as his brother in law John McKinnon built the magnificent home.
The descendants of Thomas Keefer enjoyed great success in the engineering field. Two of his sons were prominent in the field, as was a nephew and a grandson. Keefer engineers drove the railway through the Rocky Mountains; built infrastructure in Vancouver and developed mining operations.
Thomas was active in his profession into his 80’s and 90’s. He was almost eighty years old when he delivered a keynote address to the Royal Society of Canada. He spoke of water power or Canada’s newest resource called ‘white coal’. He foresaw railroads operating on electricity; hoped for cleaner manufacturing plants and an end to the ‘poisonous smoke’ associated with coal operations. Thomas died at the age of 92 on January 7th, 1914.
Philosophy of Railroads
Hamilton Water Works
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