Lt. Col. B. B. Morrill - Historic Rock Island

Benjamin Benton Morrill

Dédicace de la première édition à Col. Benjamin B. Morrill (1869-1941) [+ Portrait photo]

"Colonel Morrill was born in Stanstead on November 9, 1869, being the eldest child of Eugen William and Harriet Pomeroy (Benton) Morrill. [...] The late Colonel Morrill was educated at Stanstead College, and after completing his studies he operated for some time the home farm at Dufferin Heights. Having an imaginative mind he invented a ski "harness" when skiing was very new in Canada, and began the manufacture of skis in the Neveu factory on Foundry Hill in Rock Island. Forming a partnership with the late J. A. Tilton shortly thereafter, the Neveu factory was purchased and their business, which also included the manufacturing of chair seats, was carried on under the name of The Rock Island Manufacturing Company. In 1913 the business was merged with the Three Villages Building Association, the late A. Lee Holmes becoming the other large stockholders and the original president of this association".

PA. F2T2. Danielle Parent, file 1 of 1. « Historical Geography of Canada : Stanstead Township », Term Paper by Danielle Parent, Bishop’s University, décembre 1988, 14 p. [+ annexes].

Traite de l’ouverture des terres dans le canton de Stanstead ainsi que du développement industriel des villages de Stanstead et Rock Island.

"In 1876, Mr. Neveu established his D. Neveu Cabinet Factory which produced bedroom sets, side boards and chairs to be sold in all parts of Canada. This building afterwards became the property of Col. Benjamin B. Morrill who, in partnership with J. A. Tilton, continued the manufacturing of chairs along with manufacturing skis. The business continued under the name of the Rock Island Maunufacturing Company which merger with th Three Villages Building Association in 1913".

SHA - ST. F3T1. Frank Sleeper, file 1 of 1. « Museum Evidence of Early Settlers’ Ingenuity », [s.d.].

“Benjamin Morrill (1869-1941), invented a ski harness and began the manufacture of skis in Rock Island in the early years of this century when skiing was a new sport in Canada”.

p. 279

TILTON, John Albert, [...]in 1912 sold interest in business and formed partnership with Lt.- Col. B. B. Morrill of Rock Island, Que., as Rock Island Mfg. Co.; two years later stock company was formed as the Three Villages Building Association, Rock Island, Que., John A Tilton, vice-pres. and general manager of said firm.

p.233

MORRILL, Benj. Benton, Lieut.- Col. (See also Military Section) — Born at Stanstead, Nov. 9, 1869, son of Eugene William and Harriet Pomroy (Benton) Morrill; English, ancestors coming from New England in 1803 among first settlers; E. Stanstead Wesleyan College; manufacturer, being member firm of Three Villages Building Society; early took an interest in military matters, being oldest cavalry officer in Eastern Townships, now in active service; joined Stanstead Troop of 5th Dragoons in 1886 at age of 17, qualified for commission at Quebec and was gazetted lieutenant 1892; O.C. Stanstead Squadron 1898; major 1901 in command C. Squadron after amalgamation of 5th Dragoons and 6th Hussars; 1904 O.C. A. Squadron 13th S. L. D's; 1908 to 1913 Lieutenant-Colonel commanding 13th Scottish Light Dragoons; 1913 acting brigadier 2nd Cavalry Division; Turner Shield was won four years in succession during his term of command, General Williams in a letter stating that his regiment was best he had inspected in Dominion; on outbreak of war, 1914, volunteered his services; became associated with late Col. Baker in organizing 5th C.M.R. as 2nd in command; later O.C. Reinforcing Camp, 3rd Can. Div., France; married Jessie, daughter of C. W. Humphrey, Dec., 1896.

Col. Benjamin B. Morrill (1869-1941).