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of the most modern distilling machinery was introduced. A notable feature that took place in December, 1928, was the removal from maturing warehouse, and the subsequent bottling of some of the origâ€" inal "83", the famous brand which was introduced in the year 1883, and from which it derives its name. Seagrams have cause to be proud of their aged products and the utmost care is taken that these ancient stocks are maintained at all times. Joseph E. Seagram has grown up with the Dominion and can righteously claim the distinction of being one of the Pioneers of Canada. of international fame. The distilling plant has a capacity of producing some 1,000,000 proof gallons of spirits annually, and when turning out this quantity, employs up to 150 men in the plant alone. In 1911, the Company was incorâ€" 2. <age j " \l H? porated under the name of Joseph s “'. % __\_fi’:‘,.»_,{,q 3 E. Seagram & Sons Limited, and in x E‘ Seate 1928 was merged into the immense Oe ',':, o ‘â€"‘j‘ organization which was comprised | S a ts principally of the Distillers Comâ€" * pany Limited of Great Britain and ' the Distillers Corporation Limited, Montreal, Quebec. It has one of the most upâ€"toâ€"date distilling plants Today the name of Seagram, due to the high place occupied in the realms of sport and industry, is a household word on the North American continent and has become However, the early Directories and Gazetteers did not confer on Mr. Seagram much prominence, for in the Gazetteer of the Counties of Perth and Waterloo, published in Toronto 1870â€"71, and where some twenty odd names were listed, names of manufacturers, lawyers, and ministers, only one name appeared in small print. This was the name ¢')f Joseph E. Seagram, whose name has travelled across Canada and the United States since those days, whose name today is not only woven into the history of his adopted town, but into the finest of all sportsâ€"the sport of Kings. Mr. Seagram' during the‘period of Mr. Hespeler‘s absence took a keen interest in the business; thus from this beginning to dominence in a great line of production, to a seat in the House of Commons and to ownership and control of a famous stable of thoroughbreds, â€"this breach was spanned within 35 years. Joseph E. Seagram was truly the architect of his own fortune. Mr. Seagram soon realized the opportunities presented and in a few years was fortunately able to obtain the funds to purchase the combined interests of Hespeler & Randall, leaving the proprietorship vested in Seagram & Roos. Mr: Seul"am soon decided to take full control of the flourishing business and accordingly purchased the interest of Mr. Roos. From_ this time the business was conducted under the Seagram name. * 18 5 7 ,___Some years after the Granite Mills were established, William Roos, a brotherâ€"inâ€"law of George Randall, entered the firm. Their business was expanding rapidly and on Mr. Hespeler wishing to go on a visit to Europe, he engaged Mr. Joseph E. Seagram to look after his interests. ' . â€" Canada and as late as 1928 and 1929, thousands of dollars worth Founder of the Distillery, and Onner of kamous Stable of Thoroughbreds The Early History of Joseph E. Seagram THE LATE JOSEPH E. SEAGRAM The HOUSE of SEAGRAM Not Much Prominence in 1870 The History of One of Canada‘s Pioneers ®ne of TWlaterloo‘s Oldoest Families VIEW OF SEAGRAM DISTILLERY, ONE OF THE LARGEST IN CANADA. It was quite common in those early days for a grist mill to have a distillery in conjunction therewith and in this respect the firm of Hespeler & Randall was no exception. They must have been men of exceptional enterprise and varied interests for they ‘also owned and operated a general store. Indeed, at the first, the store seemed to be the big feature as their advertisement appearing in Sutherland‘s County of Waterloo Gazetteer and Directory of 1858 gave much prominence to this line of business, a lesser amount to the milling industry and a still lesser amount to the distilling. In any case their interests were interlocked, as in those days energetic merchants always kept a barrel of liquor with a dipper handy, just inside the door of their stores so that the tired and thirsty customer could avail himself of a refreshing draught before attending to his purchases. No doubt the merchant figured this would make a better customerâ€"in any case it doubtlessly proved quite an attraction and.most likely returned the merchant good dividends as good liquor retailed in those days at the magnificent sum of one shilling per wine gallon. possessed a great deal of civic pride for had their Waterloo not just become an incorporated village (1857) ! Reference to the firm of Hespeler and Randall in Sutherland‘s County of Waterloo Gazetteer and Directory of 1864 will reveal these words, "The Granite Mills were established by Hespeler & Randall, the mill contains four run of stone and cost with machinery $6,000.00 ; in connection with the mill is a distillery which has cost $10,000.00 and has the capacity of distilling 50,000 gallons of proof spirit per annum. The proprietors uée steam power and give constant employment to about fifteen men. Waterloo can look forward to a bright future. Its manufacturing establishments are conducted by men of capital and enterprise and combined with this, a careful and ptudent system of doing business will insure success to themselves and prove to the utmost benefit to all classes and add to the general prosperity of the village." * The Granite Mills from the start manufactured the highest grade of spirits. While many other distillers were using a predominant quantity of potatoes in their produce, Hespeler & Randall specialized in their "Alte Kornschnapps" or Old Rye. The German version was used as, of course, their fame was still local and an almost entire German settlement like Waterloo had no desire to refer to their spirits by any other name. The population of Waterloo in the days to which we refer was slightly more than 500 people, and the citizens and municipal fathers The wisdom of these prophetic words becomes more evident as the years go by. About a Farmer and a Kitchener Merchant THOMAS RANKIN Manager According to the Waterloo Direcâ€" tory, published in 1884, the Waterâ€" loo Distillery employed at that time 30 to 40 hands in the manuâ€" facture of pure spirits. This interesting _ publication _ further stated "In connection with the Distillery, an immense number of cattle and hogs are fed here annualâ€" ly and a good deal of slop is sold to farmers in the neighborhood, who find it a cheap and nutritious article of food for their cattle. The flourâ€" ing mill in connection, is a combined roller and stoneâ€"mill, with a capacity of one hundred barrels daily." Before going further, we feel we should briefly outline the subseâ€" quent lives of the founders. Mr. Randall remained with Waterloo to the end of his life, during which, he cheerfully assumed community duties and obligations, being Mayor of the Town for one term. Wm. Hespeler prior to 1870, sought other fields, and shortly after the creation of the Province of Manitoba, was elected to membership in the Legisâ€" lature, becoming speaker of the House and subsequently German Consul. 1 9 3 6