Person Record

Metadata

Name

LePan, Henry

Othernames

Henry Charles Philip Le Pan
Henry C. P. Le Pan / Lepan

Born

04/30/1845

Birthplace

United States

Places of residence

Paterson House hotel at Owen Sound, Ontario (c. 1892)

Nationality

American

Notes

There is a variety of Henry Le Pan & Co. crockery jugs that have survived over the years. A few examples are in the Grey Roots Museum collection, and some have also been kept by private collectors over the years. It is not known yet where he ordered his jugs from, but it was likely a southern Ontario pottery, as they are stoneware jugs, and 19th-century Owen Sound potters did not produce stoneware jugs, but made earthenwares.

The 1901 Census of Owen Sound listed Henry Le Pan as American-born, and born April 30, 1845. In 1901, he was 55 years of age, Single, Church of England, and his occupation was listed as "Labourer", rather than as the "Merchant" he was in the 1881 Owen Sound census. Therefore, jugs with his company name on them would likely pre-date 1901.

Henry Le Pan is buried in Greenwood Cemetery at Owen Sound and his year of death was recorded as 1918. He is buried alongside with Frederick D'Orr LePan, and Frederick's wife Nancy. Henry's birth year is recorded on the stone as b. 1844, and that he was 74 when he passed away.

The following was published in OUR DOMINION (1887): "H. LePan, Dealer in Groceries, Provisions, Wines and Liquors, Poulett St.---Prominent among those identified with the grocery and liquor trade of Owen Sound is Mr. H. LePan. This gentleman began business here some fifteen years ago, and has since built up one of the largest and finest trades in the town. He occupies spacious premises that are well fitted up, being specially adapted to the business carried on, and his large and well assorted stock comprises full lines of staple and fancy groceries, provisions, and wines and liquors, of which a specialty is made. Mr. LePan imports his wines, brandies and gins, and secures his whiskies direct from the distilleries. He also deals largely in flour and feed, and in crockery and glassware, and is an exclusively cash buyer. His facilities are unrivalled, and in addition to a large and representative local trade, he carries on a large jobbing trade, principally in wines and liquors, extending to the upper lakes. Mr. LePan, who is a native of the United States, is an energetic, enterprising and thorough man of business..."

The 1892 Rutherford's Directory (Owen Sound) listed "Le Pan, H. & Co., Wholesale Wines and Liquors, at 89 Poulett St. (which is now along 2nd Ave. East). At that time, Henry LePan lived at the Paterson House hotel.

The 1881 census of Owen Sound listed Henry LePan as age 36. Frederick D'Orr LePan was listed as age 61.

The Grey County Archives has a firefighting image that shows volunteer firemen around their steam pumper, c. 1880. In the background can be seen the large painted sign for "H. LePan & Co. / Groceries, Provisions / Wines & Liquors", as well as a painted brick wall sign for the Redfern & LePan Hardware store. See photograph 968.62.66

Occupation

Wine & Spirits Merchant
H. Le Pan & Co. (Groceries & Provisions)
Wholesale and Retail Dealer in Wines & Liquors, Bottled Ales and Porter.
Labourer (later in life, c. 1901)

Publications

OUR DOMINION, 1887 (provides information about his business)
THE SATURDAY GLOBE, Sat. August 24, 1889, has an advertisement for H. Le Pan & Co.
THE LEGAL AND COMMERCAL EXCHANGE (MERCANTILE AGENCY) OF CANADA, Jan. 1894, lists H. Le Pan.