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his large, yellow brick home, located at 258 Cochrane Street, was built about 1874 by William Tate, a successful Port Per- ry businessman. Mr. Tate was honoured in 1872 by being elected to the first council of the new municipality of the village of Port Perry. Ironically, the man who sold him the property, Joseph Bigelow, became the first reeve of Port Perry. Wm. Tate was an astute businessman who operated the Paxton & Tate Foundry on Perry St. for more than 20 years. The company, whose partners included Thomas Paxton and Joseph Bigelow, manufactured turbine and water wheels and was one of the largest and most successful turbine manufac- turers in Canada during the 1880s. Paxton & Tate also built three different styles of shingle machines, bark mills, lathe machines, water wheel governors and lumber trimmers. An 1885 illustration of the Paxton and Tate Foundry, which was located at approximately 247 Perry St., where a private home is located today. 24 FOCUS - MARCH 2008 William and Hannah Tate resided in their beautiful home for about 15 years before he died at the age of 65 in August 1889. Hannah con- tinued to live in the home for another 10 years Before selling it to Charles W. Jon Mr. Jones was a Port Perry busi- nessman who worked in partnership with his brother William operating a general store on the north side of Queen St. known as Jones Brothers. It was regarded as one of the best general stores in the County of Ontario, with departments including dry goods, gent’s furnishings, house furnish- ings, groceries, inery and dressmaking. Charles and William had two more broth- ers, Richard and George W. Jones, who were doctors with medi- cal practices in Port Perry. Charles Jones moved into the sprawling resi- dence in 1899 but 3 only remained for about three years _ before offering the house for sale. Albert Orchard was next to pur- chase the home. Mr. Orchard operated a lumber and coal business in the village, and was a member of the local board of education. Mr. Orchard lived in the beautiful Cochrane St. home for about 10 years, before selling it to Robert Murray in 1912. Robert Murray was an automotive dealer, taking on the Gray Dort line of cars in 1918. Robert and his wife Hattie lived comfortably in the home until Mr. Murray died in 1928. . Murray stayed on for a few months after the death of her husband before selling it. In 1938, Norman P. Aldred purchased the house and with his wife Lucille raised their family. Mr. Aldred sold the home to his son Joel in 1973 at which time he built a large addition on the west side. Joel Aldred was a successful farmer, but also went on to become a nationally recognized star of radio and tele- Continued on following page focus@observerpub.ca