Thomas Ahearn facts for kids
Thomas Ahearn (born June 24, 1855 – died June 28, 1938) was a Canadian inventor and a successful businessman. Born in Ottawa, Thomas Ahearn played a huge part in creating Ottawa's large streetcar system, the Ottawa Electric Railway. He was also the first leader of Canada's Federal District Commission in 1927, which helps plan and develop the capital region. He held many patents for electrical inventions and led companies that provided electricity to Ottawa for many years. Thomas Ahearn also helped start the Ottawa Car Company, which built streetcars for cities across Canada.
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Thomas Ahearn's Early Life
Thomas Ahearn was born in Ottawa in 1855. He started working at a young age as a messenger for a telegraph company. A telegraph company used electric signals to send messages over long distances. He quickly learned a lot and was promoted.
When he was 19, he moved to New York City and worked for another telegraph company for two years. He then came back to Ottawa and became the main operator for the Montreal Telegraph Company. In 1880, he became a manager for the Bell Telephone Company office in Ottawa.
Building New Companies
In 1881, Thomas Ahearn started his own company, Ahearn & Soper, with his friend Warren Y. Soper. They were electrical contractors, meaning they designed and built electrical systems.
He also created the Chaudière Electric Light and Power Company in 1887. This company later joined with others to form the Ottawa Electric Company in 1894, which provided electricity to the city.
Amazing Inventions
Thomas Ahearn was a true inventor! In 1892, he received patents for two important inventions: an "electric oven" and a "system for warming cars using electrically heated water."
He showed off his electric oven in a very cool way. He cooked a meal using electricity and then delivered it by streetcar to a hotel! The local newspaper, the Ottawa Journal, said it was the first time anyone had ever cooked a meal entirely with electricity. Thomas Ahearn had a total of eleven Canadian patents for his inventions.
Ottawa's Streetcar King
Thomas Ahearn was the founder and president of the Ottawa Electric Railway Company. This company ran the electric streetcar service in Ottawa. His company was the first to use streetcars with electric heaters, thanks to his own invention! The streetcar system was very successful for over 50 years before it was taken over by the city.
In 1893, Thomas Ahearn, along with William Wylie, also started the Ottawa Car Manufacturing Company. This company built the streetcars themselves!
In 1901, the Ottawa Electric Railway Company tried to build a canal near the Britannia Boathouse Club to create Hydroelectric power from the river. Even though the power project didn't work out, the unfinished canal was later used in 1951 to create the Britannia Yacht Club's main harbor, which is still used by boats today.
Leading Ottawa's Growth
Thomas Ahearn was a very important person in Ottawa. In 1908, he created a large company called the Ottawa Light, Heat and Power Company, Limited. This company owned the Ottawa Gas Company and the Ottawa Electric Company, which meant he was a major provider of gas and electricity in Ottawa for many years.
In 1927, the Prime Minister of Canada, MacKenzie King, chose Thomas Ahearn to be the first chairman of the Federal District Commission. This group was in charge of planning and developing the capital city. During his five years in this role, many of Ottawa's parkways (scenic roads) were built, as well as the Champlain Bridge across the Ottawa River.
In 1928, Thomas Ahearn was given a special honor when he was appointed to the Queen's Privy Council for Canada. This is a group of important Canadians who advise the King or Queen.
Thomas Ahearn passed away on June 28, 1938, and is buried in Beechwood Cemetery in Ottawa.
Ahearn & Soper Company
Ahearn & Soper was an important company started in Ottawa in 1881 by Thomas Ahearn and Warren Young Soper. They were both skilled in telegraphy. Their company was key in creating many other businesses related to communications, heating, lighting, and power, including the Ottawa Electric Railway Company.
They worked on big projects for major companies like the Canadian Pacific Railway and Bell Telephone Company. In 1926, they built a new office building on Sparks Street in Ottawa, which is still there today.
Thomas Ahearn's Family
Thomas Ahearn was married twice. His second wife was Margaret Howitt. Margaret was very involved in community work. She was the president of the Victorian Order of Nurses, a group that provides healthcare in homes. She also worked with other women's organizations. The couple lived in a home called Buena Vista in Ottawa.
Thomas Ahearn's son, Frank, became famous in his own right. He owned the Ottawa Auditorium and the original Ottawa Senators professional ice hockey team.
His daughter, Lilias Ahearn Southam, married Harry Southam. Harry was a newspaper publisher and part of the well-known Southam newspaper empire.
Lasting Legacy
Thomas Ahearn's contributions to Ottawa are still remembered today. A street in Ottawa, Ahearn Avenue, is named after him.
In 1949, a monument was built in his honor in Lansdowne Park. It's a stone pillar with a bronze plaque showing his face, along with his name and the years he lived. The monument was moved a few times and is now located at the corner of Bank Street and Holmwood Avenue, reminding everyone of his important work in Ottawa.
