Doherty

(from Lambton Heritage Museum files)

Thomas Doherty (1843 - 1916) was born in Lanark County, Canada West, the youngest child of James and Rachal (Garrett) Doherty. His paternal grandfather, a native of the small town of Uttoxeter in Staffordshire, England, was a British half-pay officer who settled in Canada at the end of his military service. He had several children, including a son James (1819 - 1857). In the late 1830s, James married Rachal Garrett, also of Lanark County. They had three children: William, Annie and Thomas. 

In 1849, James Doherty moved his family to Uttoxeter in Plympton Twp., Lambton County. When Thomas was 14 his father died and his formal education came to a sudden end. 

In 1864, Thomas married Elizabeth Brown. He became an early, and active, member of the Canadian Grange Movement. Canadian farmers in the late 19th century had gradually come to the realization that they were exploited and poorly paid. Groups like the Grange were organized to agitate for reforms such as improved marketing facilities and increased availability of farm credit. In 1874, he wrote "I can not see why the farmer shall not have an association as well as the mechanic, the merchant, and the professional man."

Watford Agricultural Works advertisement. Courtesy Lambton Heritage Museum.

From early childhood, Thomas has displayed an aptitude for things mechanical. Before long it was obvious he possessed a unique combination of technical skills, engineering ability and business acumen. For a time, he operated a small repair shop on the farm, repairing a variety of machinery, and gaining valuable experience in foundry methods. It is believed he built a thresher of his own design in his shop. 

In late 1874, Thomas learned that the Village of Watford was offering a free building site to anyone who would establish a foundry and machine shop. Watford Councillors held the view that their community's location on a major railway line should be enough of an inducement to potential investors. Thomas Doherty agreed with them. In 1875, with a wife and five children to support, he left the farm to establish the Watford Agricultural Implements Works. This firm produced a full line of farm implements, including threshing machines, ploughs, mowers and cultivators. He soon partnered with the innovator David Thom of Paris, Ont.

Doherty took out his first patent in 1881, for "Doherty's Improvements in Thrashing Machines." His threshing machine perfectly separated the grain from the straw by means of an improved mechanical movement. This threshing machine first appeared at the Warwick Village Spring Fair on April 29, 1881. In 1881, the foundry operated day and night, producing 100 reapers and movers, twelve steam threshers, 100 hay rakes and double the number of other implements produced in previous years. By 1883, the firm, now know as Thom & Doherty, occupied three acres at the corner of Warwick and Ontario Street in Watford. 

An event that became a July tradition was delivery day. Farmers brought their teams and wagons into town to pick up all the machinery they had ordered. After the implements were loaded, the wagons were lined up and photographed for posterity. The procession, led by the Arkona Brass Band, made its way through Watford Village streets. The day ended with dinner at a local hotel, compliments of Doherty and Thom. The parade showed that the local farmers preferred buying at home and were confident that Watford-made machinery was the equal of any other. 

Throughout his career as a successful businessman, Thomas Doherty always maintained an interest in the affairs of the community. He not only believed in public service, it became an integral part of his life. In 1880, when his agricultural works was undergoing expansion, he found time to serve the citizens of Watford as Councillor. 

In 1882, Thomas Doherty expanded his business to Sarnia. He believed that because of its location, and the efficient shipping and rail connections, the town of Sarnia had the potential to develop into a major industrial centre. He located his stove works and iron foundry, Doherty Manufacturing, there. The name of the Watford firm became Thomas Implement Works. 

Doherty continued his community involvement in Sarnia. His red two-seater gasoline powered vehicle. called and "auto-bicycle" which he created in 1900, was the first automobile in Sarnia. He soon became the head of the newly formed Sarnia Automobile Club. In the early years of the century, one of Thomas' main interests was securing a safe supply of water for Sarnia, which had been plagued in the past by outbreaks of typhoid fever. Thomas Doherty expended much energy in solving the problems by designing and patenting a filtration process.

Chapter 24 of 25 - Doherty Family

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