Volume III - ElectricCanadian.com

420 MEN OK"Y\/ILLIAM DAVID HEPBURN,r- \ of the firm of Hepburn & Co.,Shoe Manufacturers, Preston, Out.,was born in the Township of EastWhitby, Ontario County, Ont., October2nd, 1835. His parents were John andHelen (Williamson) Hepburn. Theformer was a prosperous and wellknownfarmer in that township. Mr.Hepburn began and finished his educationat the public schools.His earlylife was spent on a farm. When ayoung man, he learned the waggonmaking business, but afterwards concludedto farm on his own account,which he did for several years. Lateron, he bought a shoe factory,then being conductedat Oshawa, Ont. After conductingit there for a shorttime, he removed the plantto Guelph, where he carriedon the business for severalyears, manufacturing andselling boots and shoes,both wholesale and retail.In 1875, he commenced tomanufacture in Preston, andhas remained there eversince. He does a largewholesale business in Ontarioand the North-West,extending to British Columbia.They manufactureprincipally men's and boys'boots and shoes, and kindredgoods, and have obtaineda first-class reputationfor their various lines.His success as a manufactureris due largely to histhorough understanding ofthe public demands, hisstrictly honorable methodsof doing business, and hisinvincible determination tohold his own against allcompetitors. Mr. Hepburnis a member of the Municipal Council,and has also been a member ofthe School Board for many years. Heis, in religion, a member of the PresbyterianChurch, and in politics, a Reformer,but does not take an activeinterest in the affairs of the party.He is a member of the A.F. & A.M.,Workmen, and Royal Arcanum. Hehas been married twice :first, on thethird of March, 1859, to Miss CatharineE. Bartlett, and again on theeleventh of November, 1862, to MissIsabella Stark. His family consistsof three children, two daughters andone son.