Person Record

Metadata

Name

McLauchlan, Joseph Kent

Othernames

J. K. McLauchlan

Born

June 15, 1870

Birthplace

Williamsford, Holland Twp., Grey County

Places of residence

Williamsford, Grey County
Owen Sound, Ontario
Balmy Beach (near Owen Sound)
Toronto
Wintered in Florida

Titles & honors

Received a 60-year Jewel from the St. George's Lodge, A.F. & A.M., and was a Life Member.
When he was 92 years of age, he was reportedly the oldest living Shriner in Canada. He was a member of the Rameses Temple of Toronto.

Father

James McLauchlan

Mother

Hetty McLauchlan (nee Dillane of Holland

Nationality

Canadian

Education

Northern Business College, Owen Sound, 1885 graduate

Notes

Joseph Kent McLauchlan was one of the sons of James McLauchlan and the former Hetty Dillane (her name is also seen as Hettie Delaine). As a young man, he attended the Northern Business College at Owen Sound, when it was operated by C. A. Fleming, and graduated in 1885. He also apprenticed to an Owen Sound watchmaker, Mr. J. P. Vick.

His father, James McLauchlan, was a Scottish-born Confectioner who began a firm that was eventually called McLauchlan & Sons Ltd. J. K. McLauchlan was a member of this company, but also pursued other business interests. In 1904, he advertised that he was a "Wholesale and Retail dealer in hard and soft coal, general storage, warehouse and Steamship Agent". In old harbour scenes of Owen Sound, one can sometimes see the McLauchlan name on a roof of one of his buildings. This building was situated on the west side of the harbour, relatively near the G.T.R. station. This area along 1st Ave. West is where the "McLauchlan Supply Co." was located.

One of the unusual items he sold were "Kill-kare" child arm restraints, to keep children from choking on small objects. These Killkare devices (patented in October, 1910) were manufactured in Owen Sound by J. K. McLauchlan (The Killkare Manufacturing Co.). There is an advertisement for them in OWEN SOUND ON THE GEORGIAN BAY, 1912 p. 32. Their production likely was short-lived. They had aluminum strips and leather straps with metal buckles. When the First World war came along, the metal would be needed for military items, so products like this were less likely to be produced. More research is needed to determine how long they were in production. The factory was located at 1099 1st Ave. West, Owen Sound. The 1911 publication, MAGAZINE OF INDUSTRY describes the company thus: "One of the new industries in Owen Sound is the KillKare Manufacturing Co., located at the corner of 1st Avenue West and 11th St., manufacturers of the useful and reliable Killkare device, which, when in use for small children, prevents them from swallowing pins, needles, tacks, buttons, etc. or rubbing the eyes or face, sores of any kind, and at the same time, owing to its careful construction, gives almost perfect and normal freedom to the arms. The use of this device is perfectly harmless, and is, as its name suggests a "Kill Care", relieving the mother or nurse from unnecessary worry. These devices are sold at all drug stores or can be procured direct from the manufacturers for 25 cents and 35 cents each. This device has a great future, for its merits are unexcelled."

An advertising thermometer in the Grey Roots Museum collection also shows that the McLauchlan Supply Company also was a wholesaler / retailer of food products and confectionery for a while.

J. K. McLauchlan and his brother John H. McLauchlan were involved with the Georgian Bay Summer Resort Co., that operated the King's Royal Hotel at Balmy Beach, just northwest of the town of Owen Sound. He possibly owned (or invested in?) the steamer MAZEPPA, which ferried visitors from Owen Sound to Balmy Beach, circa 1902. Grey Roots museum and archives has a number of archival documents and images pertaining to this hotel business. John H. McLauchlan had started McLauchlan Park c. 1899, and the hotel officially opened in 1902.

The steamer MAZEPPA acted as a ferry boat at Owen Sound. According to a souvenir booklet (1993.024.019) about Owen Sound: "About three miles down the bay is an exceedingly popular summer resort, owned and controlled by Mr. J. McLauchlan, whose energy is not confined alone to his other extensive business, and he deserves credit for having opened up this beautiful spot. His steamer MAZEPPA runs to Balmy Beach every hour, and a Stock Company gives performances every night in the auditorium which has recently been completed." The Steamer CANADA was also used as a ferry to this locale.

J. K. McLauchlan's obituary mentions that he died at St. Petersburg, Florida, on April 9, 1963. He was a life member of the St. George's Lodge, A. F. & A. M., and had received a 60-year jewel. He also was a member of the Rameses Temple of Toronto, and when he was 92 years of age, was believed to be the oldest Shriner in Canada. He was born at Williamsford on June 15, 1870, a son of James McLauchlan and Hetty Dillane McLauchlan. He was a member of James McLauchlan and Sons Ltd., later conducted a coal and shipping business, and was a director of the Chicago and Duluth Steamship Co. For some tme he operated a manufacturer's brokerage business in Toronto, returning to Owen Sound to manage the National Grocers confectionary plant. Retiring in 1930, he spent the winters in Florida, and summers at his home at Balmy Beach. "Mr. McLauchlan was married on Feb. 1, 1905 at Owen Sound to Marion Freeman, who predeceased him. He is survived by a son, Scott, and a brother, George D., both of Owen Sound. There is one grand-daughter, Gayle. Mr. McLauchlan was predeceased by a son, George W., and a sister and three brothers, Hetty (Mrs. W. J. Stewart), William G., James M. and John H.

J. K. McLauchlan's mother, Hetty/Hettie Dillane was born at Tarbot, Ireland in 1835, and emigrated to Canada with her parents, settling in Holland Township. Her obituary gives her name as "Hettie Delaine", but usually it is seen as Hetty Dillane McLauchlan. She passed away at Hamilton in March, 1904, and was buried at Owen Sound.

Occupation

James McLauchlan & Sons Co. Ltd.
King's Royal Hotel
Georgian Bay Summer Resort Co.
McLauchlan Supply Co.
Kill-Kare Devices / Manufacturer
Steamship Agent
National Grocers Manager

Publications

McLauchlan, Gayle, THE McLAUCHLANS OF OWEN SOUND
OWEN SOUND ON THE GEORGIAN BAY, 1912 (has a small image of J. K. McLauchlan, and p. 32 has a small ad for the Killkare Manufacturing Co.)
MAGAZINE OF INDUSTRY, 1911, p. 7 (published by the Owen Sound Herald)

Relationships

Brother: John H. (Jack) McLauchlan
Brother: W. G. McLauchlan
Brother: George Dillane McLauchlan
Brother: James McLauchlan
Sister: Hetty / Hettie Alice McLauchlan (Mrs. W. J. Stewart)