Forman Hawboldt: A Forward Thinker
Forman’s life story contains several examples of how he was able to look ahead to his own advantage. This occurred when he decided to purchase land on the site of an old lumber mill on North Street.
Although he was still building marine gas engines in his backyard foundry, he recognized the new property could accommodate a much larger machine shop and foundry. He also negotiated rights to use an adjacent stream for water power as well as a property on the north side of the street. A few years later he relocated the foundry to North Street and eventually built his second home across the street after a fire destroyed his home on Queen Street in 1935.
Another example of Forman’s forward thinking occurred when he and Cottnam Smith, a Chester resident and North Street neighbour, decided to purchase land from John Meisner at East River Falls several years in advance of any detailed plans to build a hydro generating station. At a time when oil lamps were still being used to light homes in rural areas, buying the land secured an option for Hawboldt and Smith to pursue future opportunities as circumstances would allow.
Purchase Agreement page 1
Purchase Agreement page 2; purpose: to accommodate a much larger machine shop and foundry.
He also negotiated rights to use an adjacent stream for waterpower as well as a property on the north side of the street. A few years later he relocated the foundry to North Street and eventually built his second home across the street after a fire destroyed his home on Queen Street in 1935.
Water rights agreement
North Street, Chester, showing the locations of the foundry land and residence
Deed For Land Audio
Transcript for this Audio Clip
Water Rights Audio
Chester Municipal Heritage Society