Phoenix Carriage Works

English immigrant Henry R. Wales (1822-1905), who began as a blacksmith and learned the trade (in the United States[1]) which lead to the founding of Phoenix Carriage Works.[2] Besides his business, Wales was a school trustee and magistrate under the Liberal governments of Oliver Mowat and James Whitney.[3] Wales and his wife Elizabeth had 6 children (including daughters Adelaide Emma, Bertha E, Lottie A.), whom lived at Maple Villa, the only reminder of the Wales that remains in Markham today.[4]

Their factory was located next to 159 Main Street North and ceased making carriages after 1915 with focus on repairing automobiles and ceased altogether in 1923 after death of son-in-law Levi Webber[5]