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MATTHEW BEATTY
[Welland Telegraph 1900]
His 85th Birthday
The Founder of the firm of M. Beatty & Sons Celebrates his natal day, surrounded by his children and grandchildren.
Still Hale and Hearty
On Saturday, August 25th, at the home of Mr Matthew Beatty, there was a very happy gathering, the occasion being the celebration of Mr Beatty’s 85th birthday. For the past forty years Matthew Beatty’s figure and kindly smile have been known to Wellanders who point with pride to him as the originator of the firm that now enjoys a Dominion reputation. Gathered round him on Saturday, glad to do honor to one who has been a kind and loving parent, were his entire family, with the exception of two grandchildren (J.B. and Florence Young, who were unable to attend).
Those present were- Mr and Mrs Wm. Beatty, with their daughter, Miss Nellie, and son Eugene.
Mr and Mrs Alvin Beatty, their son Roy and daughter Helen.
Mr and Mrs Harvey Beatty
Mrs Nelson Young (nee Sarah E. Beatty)of Niagara Falls South.
Mrs J.V. Bergen, (nee Almira Beatty), of Austin, Texas.
Mrs Milton and Mrs Perine.
After receiving his congratulations of his guests, and partaking of family dinner, an adjournment was made to the lawn, where a group picture of those present was taken by Artist Morden.
Mr Matthew Beatty was born north of Ireland, near Londonderry, on the 12th day of August 1815. His parents were James and Mary Beatty, both natives of Ireland. When he first came to America he remained a short time at St Johns, New Brunswick. He went from there to New York, where he learned his trade. From there he removed to Michigan, and was in that state and on the lakes four or five years. He then lived for a year and a half in Buffalo, and a like period in Rochester. In the autumn of 1842 he came to Canada, and after working at his trade in St Catharines for a period of eighteen years, he settled in Welland. He purchased from A.L. Haun a small shop used as a foundry and in it established the business which has since expanded to the large proportions the Welland Iron Works have attained to-day. At present 35 men are employed by the firm, and this number is augmented in the busy season to 50. From the small repair shop of forty years ago has grown the fine shops and business that now has made M. Beatty & Sons’ name a household word among contractors the Dominion over. The chief manufactures of the firm are contractors’ plants of all kinds, mining machinery, steam ditchers, steam derricks, and steam shovels, hoisting engines, stone derrick irons, gang stone saws, centrifugal pumps, etc.
To Matthew Beatty the town of Welland owes much of its prosperity to his keen business instinct and integrity of character much of the success of the present firm is due. For years and years “Beatty’s” has been the backbone of the town. Nearly all the men engaged are skilled mechanics drawing high wages, and no apprentices are employed at all. Welland without Beatty’s would be like a ship without a rudder.
The Telegraph cordially joins his many friends in wishing that Beatty may yet be spared to enjoy “Many happy returns of the day”.
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