George D. Forbes

When Hespeler was incorporated as a town in 1901, one of the leading industrialists, George D. Forbes, became the first mayor, serving until the end of 1913.

Forbe’s distinguished father, Robert Forbes, who came to Canada from Scotland in 1836, had founded a woollen mill, the R. Forbes Company Limited in 1870. George Forbes succeeded him as president in 1888 and developed the industry into the largest woollen mill in Canada. The business was sold to Dominion Woolen and Worsteds Limited in 1928.

Forbes donated Victoria Park and Forbes Park to the community. He was an ardent Presbyterian and it was while he was a member of the board of managers that the present Presbyterian Church was built. He was a generous supporter of Freeport Sanatorium and other worthy organizations.

His business interests were many and varied and he served on the boards of several financial and industrial institutions.