William James Lumbers 1816 - 1886

Early Toronto Businessman

William Lumbers was born in England in 1816. In 1837, he travelled to Lower Canada (today’s Québec) where he joined the army. It led him to fight against Les Patriotes during the Lower Canada Rebellion. He eventually settled in Toronto in 1842 and engaged in various business activities.

Lumbers ran what was likely the largest dairy farm in Toronto. He had over 400 cows grazing the fields near the Gooderham and Worts Distillery (today’s Distillery District). At the time, it was not unusual to see cattle near breweries and distilleries as instead of discarding the mash (mixture of grain, water, and yeast) used in the beer or whisky-making process, it was fed to animals.

Lumbers’ dairy farm supplied most of Toronto’s milk over a period of 10 years.

Lumbers also studied herbs and roots and their use for medicinal purposes. Lumbers Botanical Recipes was created in 1881 and sold natural medicines. He did very well from it and died a rich man a few years later.

Lumbers and his wife had 10 children. Their daughter Elizabeth “Eliza” Lumbers married businessman, politician, and Cabbagetowner Daniel Lamb.

Lumbers owned quite a bit of real estate around the neighbourhood and donated the land on which the St Enoch Church (now the Toronto Dance Theatre) now stands at Metcalfe and Winchester streets.

His family house built in 1881 at 288 Carlton Street is one of the largest in Cabbagetown and a neighbourhood landmark. It is a fine example of the Second Empire style of architecture. After the Lumbers, the house deteriorated and became a boarding house. It was eventually bought by the Weenen family (Weenen General Contracting Ltd.) and was restored to its former glory with a few additions.

Lumbers and his family are buried in Cabbagetown’s St James Cemetery. The female figure holding an anchor topping the monument represents hope.