Walter Reid

The name “Reidsville” was given to a settlement that developed by a small stream and lake in North Dumfries Township in 1831. The lot had been purchased by John Reid, a Native of Boghall, Scotland.

In 1857 four of Reid’s sons established a shingle mill and later this was expanded to a chopping mill and sawmill and steam power was added. In 1885 one of the sons, Walter, bought out his brothers. In 1899 the sawmill was moved to Ayr and a lumber yard was started in Galt in 1909.

Reid was a keen athlete and sportsman and was the champion quoit player of Ontario in 1877. He built a bowling green on his front lawn and a curling rink on his millpond, one of the first enclosed curling rinks in Ontario.

He was also a poet and musician and conducted an orchestra consisting mostly of his own family.