In 1862, M.W. Simkins at age 19 left the farm to seek fame and fortune. Arriving in Kingston, he saw a Toronto ad in the British Whig seeking a salesman for the Kingston area. With only $4.50 in his pocket, and only enough education to read and write his name- he took the chance. He rode in the dark, in the "hold" in the ship to Toronto as freight for only $1.50. Though he had never traveled in any city, he located the address of the advertisement, and was given the job, and a hand-operated sewing machine, for demonstration.
His convincing sales pitch of the household need for such a marvel in the home that he was soon a very busy man. He was never satisfied with the status-quo, and was soon buying and selling sewing machines, and was soon known as "The Great Sewing Machine Man". He opened a sewing machine store at 9 Montreal Street in 1866, and later as the city expanded west, he moved to 366 princess street. He had already purchased a large building lot in the village of Newburgh. As soon as his finances permitted, he was building a large home, complete with showroom and repair shop. Having never been inclined to borrow money, the big 12 room house and business was built in stages and was finished in 1875.
His convincing sales pitch of the household need for such a marvel in the home that he was soon a very busy man. He was never satisfied with the status-quo, and was soon buying and selling sewing machines, and was soon known as "The Great Sewing Machine Man". He opened a sewing machine store at 9 Montreal Street in 1866, and later as the city expanded west, he moved to 366 princess street. He had already purchased a large building lot in the village of Newburgh. As soon as his finances permitted, he was building a large home, complete with showroom and repair shop. Having never been inclined to borrow money, the big 12 room house and business was built in stages and was finished in 1875.
He married the first time in 1870, but illness of his wife took her life in 1889. He forged on alone for 4 years, and was married the second time in 1898. From 1866 to 1867, he hired a trusted friend to keep his Kingston operation running, while he served in the militia during the year of the Fenian raid from the Americans.
M.W Simkins had already became a trusted and prominent business man, and was one of the key re-builders of the village of Newburgh after the fire of 1887, that destroyed over 30 buildings in the little town.
The second marriage birthed a family of 4- 1 daughter, and 3 sons. As the originator Miles Wesley Simkins enjoyed the best of health, until a stroke took him at age 93 in 1936.
Though both older sons were employed in the two stores in the village, they continued repairing sewing machines, and the second son, Vernon B., sold a few machines as well, and the sewing business continued. In 1937, the two older sons formed a partnership and bought a grocery store that came available and expanded it into a general store operation, including the sewing machine sales and service.
In 1957, Some 20 years later, all three brothers split up, and went their separate ways. Hubert the oldest son stayed with the General store, with the help of Anah. Vernon, the second son, opened the first egg-grading station in Kingston, but still repaired sewing machines at home, but soon he sold that business, and bought a two-story building at 181 Sydenham street in Kingston, that he operated until his passing in july 1979. Eric, "Mr. Sewing Machine Man", grandson of the Founder, conducts the business like his grandfather and his technical abilities conducts a positive business in the computerized machines of the second millennium.
This is a remarkable achievement in the field of business that started with a $1.50 trip to Toronto in the dark freight room of a lake boat in late 1862!
-This history was written by Ivon Simkins, the youngest son of the founder, and is on this website in memory of him. (1920-2004)
In 1957, Some 20 years later, all three brothers split up, and went their separate ways. Hubert the oldest son stayed with the General store, with the help of Anah. Vernon, the second son, opened the first egg-grading station in Kingston, but still repaired sewing machines at home, but soon he sold that business, and bought a two-story building at 181 Sydenham street in Kingston, that he operated until his passing in july 1979. Eric, "Mr. Sewing Machine Man", grandson of the Founder, conducts the business like his grandfather and his technical abilities conducts a positive business in the computerized machines of the second millennium.
This is a remarkable achievement in the field of business that started with a $1.50 trip to Toronto in the dark freight room of a lake boat in late 1862!
-This history was written by Ivon Simkins, the youngest son of the founder, and is on this website in memory of him. (1920-2004)
