In 1888 this firm was making engines, sawmills and related machinery.

Undated photograph taken in front of the Chatham Engine Works. Image courtesy Bruce Thompson

Information Sources

• The 1888 edition of Alphabetical Business Directory of the Cities, Towns and Villages for the Counties of Essex, Kent and Lambton.

  Chatham Engine Works
  PARK BROS.
  Manufacturers of Agricultural engines, traction and plain, portable saw mills and heavy saw mill machinery, engines, boilers, shafting, pulleys, &c. Hoop and stave machinery. Iron and brass castings, iron pope and fittings, engineers' brass goods, circular saws, rubber belting, hose and packing, stave and jointer knives, Korting injectors, hancock inspirators, special attention given to repairing all kinds of machinery and boilers.
  CHATHAM, — ONTARIO

• 1920 edition of Sessional Papers - Legislature of the Province of Ontario includes a report from the Inspector of Factories. In a "list of accidents" is included a January 19 incident at Chatham Engine Works. Alfred Moore had "face and hands burned by explosion of natural gas".
• According to a smokstak.com forum discussion, "David Park Sr. bought out an even earlier engine builder,Hyslop & Ronald in the late 1870's, to begin building his own line of machinery. In mid 1880's he sold this business to his 3 sons; Archibald, David Jr., and John, who continued on with the Chatham Engine Works." Other parts of the discussion say that J. D. Ronald, after selling the Chatham Engine Works, set up the Brussels Steam Fire Engine Co. There is also mention of a Hyslop and Cleghorn Co., Chatham, which built "at least one steam marine engine".
• The 1902-04 Vernon's City of Chatham Directory lists "Parks Bros, props Chatham Engine Works, William", and "Park Arch (Park Bros), h Dufferin ave", and "Park, James M (Par Bros), bds Park e, and "Park, J M, iron foundry, h Queen"
• The 1918 Vernon's City of Chatham Directory lists "Parks Bros. Foundry, A Park, mgr, 165-171 William s", and "Park, Archibald (mgr Park Bros) h 19 Dufferin av", and "Park, Geo, sec-treas Park Bros, h 173 Park", and "Park John R (Park Bros), 265 Queen", and "Park, J Roy (Park Bros), h e s Adelaide n, 1 n Ellwood".