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John Mowat was born in "the little town of Wick Scotland, July 10th1840." Moved to Toronto after working with his brother in the printing business. He apprentice work for seven years for Jacques & Hay Furniture Manufacturers", Toronto. This is one place where he learned the "wood carvers' trade".
This is the time when the hand carving was done for University College in Toronto. (Photos of this work is in his biography) How much were his designs is anyone's business. His company was famous for all kinds of fine furniture which has been written in a book recently. He received some of his training in 1862, married in 1864 in Boston before moving to Detroit Michigan with Berkey & Gay. He was vice-president of the Grand Rapids Chair Company at the time of his death close to 77 years of age in 1917. He was involved in many ways to business and kept a sharp lookout for improvements in the industry.
Came to Canada with his parents and one brother. Brother had a printing shop in Stratford Ontario where John does a little printing.
1855c apprenticeship with Jacques & Hayes (at 15 years of age)
1862 Went to Boston to learn furniture business
1864 Married at Cambridge (Miss Marg. de Quedville
1865-7 Worked for "Pullman Company', Detroit
1867=79 worked for Berkey & Gay
1879=82 Worked for Robert Mitchell & comp. (Spring)
1882 Worked for grand Rapids Company (July)
1893 Company survived financiao disaster (world Fair)
1900 Elected Vice President of grand Rapids Chair Comp.
1913 august 26th "First wife died".
1815 married Daisy wheeler, April
1817 died suddenly, May 17th
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