The Globe File Manufacturing Company — Outram Summary. Frederick Outram (1846-1922) established the Globe File Manufacturing Company in Port Hope in 1888 on the former Beamish Mill property, Cavan Street. Frederick's father, George Outram (1814-1906) had founded the Dominion File Works in Montreal in 1869 or 1870. Frederick was a partner in that business, which was closed in favour of the Port Hope factory. The Outrams were file manufacturers in Sheffield, England before George came to Canada in 1863. Some of the Dominion File workers followed the Outrams to Port Hope. George Alfred 'Alf' Outram (1872-1948), eldest child and only surviving son of Frederick, eventually became a partner in the business. In 1901 the Globe was sold to the Nicholson File Company of the United States. A new File Factory building was opened on Peter Street in 1955. Nicholson File was taken over by Cooper Industries in 1972, and remained in Port Hope until NAFTA (1994) led to its being moved to Mexico. For years Alf Outram ran a hardware store at 102 Walton Street, two doors east of Cavan. from The Dominion Annual Register and Review - 1882 firm name or style: Dominion File Works when established: 1871 [date varies with the source from 1869 to 1871] nature of manufactory: Files and rasps names of partners: George Outram, Sr; Fred Outram, Jr hands employed: 30 general results for 1881 & 1882: Much improved from Industries of Canada - Montreal 1886 Dominion File Works, G. Outram & Son. Offices and Works, St. Gabriel Locks.—One of the largest and most important file works in the city are those conducted by the firm of G. Outram & Son, and known as the Dominion File Works. They were established by Mr. George Outram, who has since associated with him his son, Frederick Outram, and during the time the business has been carried on, it has been successful, and the reputation of the files and rasps manufactured has made them popular in all the markets. The premises occupied by the firm at St. Gabriel Locks are ample and spacious, and the works are fitted up in the best manner. The business is divided into the forging, annealing, grinding, cutting and finishing departments, and about twenty-five hands are continually employed. The files manufactured are both hand and machine made, and every kind and size are produced, and special files are manufactured for all kinds of iron work. The trade of the firm is with the trade direct, and extends over all parts of Canada. Possessing an extended experience in this line of manufacture, the firm are enabled to produce files and rasps which for excellence and superiority and finish are not surpassed by any others made on this Continent, and which will stand the severest tests. The Dominion File Works are highly commended, and as the firm conduct business on a sound, liberal basis, they will be found prompt and reliable in all transactions. Their goods stand foremost among the best and command the attention of the trade, and are always in demand. from the Daily Colonist  Victoria, BC Wednesday October 25, 1893 Injured by Machinery PORT HOPE , Oct 24 - A Outram, proprietor of the Globe file works, was caught in the machinery at his factory and badly hurt yesterday. from the Weekly Guide Friday July 20, 1906 THE OLDEST ODDFELLOW Mr George Outram, Who Had Been 78 Years in the Order Died Monday from the Montreal Witness Monday July 16, 1906 The oldest Oddfellow on the continent, and possibly the oldest in the world, passed away this morning, in the person of Mr George Outram of No 484 Magdalen street, Montreal. Mr Outram was in his ninety-third year, and owing to the infirmities of age, had been confined to his residence for some time. Within the last week or two he had become much weaker, and his death was not unexpected. Mr Outram was born at Dronfield, Derbyshire, on May 3rd, 1814. On the twenty-fourth of the present month it will be exactly 78 years since he was made a member of the Manchester Unity, Lodge No 312, IOOF, Sheffield district. He filled all the minor offices in his lodge, was made Noble Grand six times and Grand Master seven times. He subsequently joined Mechanics Lodge, Attercliffe, No 1107, IOOF, MU, of which but four members remained at the time, but which had a membership of over forty when he left. In 1836 he was presented with a silver medal in recognition of his services to the lodge. Coming to Canada in 1863, Mr Outram bought a farm of two hundred acres near Kincardine, Ont. Agriculture claimed him but a short time however, for he soon sold out and went to the United States, where he started a file factory. He remained in this business until 1869. In the following year he returned to Canada and established himself in business in Montreal as a file cutter. At this time all file cutting was done by hand. His files were at that time among the best on the market; it was a common saying that they would cut through anything. In 1878 he secured the gold medal and diploma at the Paris exhibition in competition with the world, the United States taking second place and England third. On his return to Canada he became connected with Loyal Victoria Lodge, No 5896, IOOF, MU, of which he was a member at the time of his death. In 1894 he was appointed a JP for the district of Montreal. Mr Outram was a man of great vitality, and was hale and hearty until after he passed his ninetieth year. The word 'tramway' takes its name from Mr Outram's great uncle, who owned large iron works at Butterley, and was the first to use carriages running on grooved rails to convey coal from the mines seven miles distant from his works. It was locally known as the Outram Way, the name being afterwards contracted to tramway. [The word 'tramway' pre-dates this appealing story.] Mr Outram's wife passed away many years ago. He leaves a daughter, who kept house for him, and a son, who went from Montreal to establish a file business in Port Hope, and now lives, retired, in that place. from 1907 Port Hope Businesses Nicholson File Company The above concern is one of the foremost institutions of its kind in Canada. The office and factory is located on Cavan street. This enterprise was originally established here some 20 years ago and has been carried on under its present title for six years. This company are manufacturers of files and rasps in different shapes and sizes. The goods are sold almost exclusively wholesale. The motive power of the factory is both steam and water. This season's output has been larger than any in the history of the firm. 125 to 150 hands are employed. The premises occupied are embraced in a number of modern buildings giving ample room accommodations for supplying the most extensive demand. Nowhere in Canada can be found such a thoroughly reliable and comprehensive stock of goods in this line. It is immense in size and variety, conveniently arranged in departments, and reflects the highest credit upon the taste and judgment of the proprietors. Without attempting to describe the same, it can be stated that it covers everything the trade needs or uses, and merchants can here find a stock well calculated to meet all their requirements. A number of salesmen represent the house on the road and shipments are regularly made all over Canada. An export business is also done. The members of the firm are Samuel M Nicholson, President; E M Thurber, Resident Manager; Jas E Nicholson, Superintendent. They are practical business men, worthy of every trust and confidence. from Inventory of Major Canadian Tool and Die Manufacturers from 1820 to 1914 name: G Outram & Sons (Dominion File Works) place: Montreal years: 1869-1888 production field: files workers: 25 (1882) 30 (1885) 25 (1886) 25 (1888) 30 (1888) other: owner originating from Sheffield, England; driving force: hydraulic, 15 hp (1888); company moved to Port Hope, Ont. in 1888 name: F Outram (Globe File Manufacturing Co.) place: Port Hope years: 1888-1909 [should be 1901] production field: files and rasps workers: 52 (1895) other: capital $60,000 (1895); came under ownership of the American company, Nicholson File Co, c1909 [1901]        click a picture to enlarge, click to shrink

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