Wharf Street 1881

 

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Introduction

Historical Background of Victoria

City Description

General Progress on Wharf Street

List of Wharf Street Businesses

Profiles of Business Owners

Building Profiles and Architecture

Conclusions

Sources

Footnotes

John Herbert Turner

John Herbert Turner was born in 1833. Turner left England for Charlottetown where he worked as a wholesale merchant. In 1860, he married Elizabeth Eilbeck and two years later, at age 29, he moved to Victoria. In 1865, he established the precursor to the greatly successful Turner, Beeton & Co. The company was involved in general imports and clothing manufacturing. Aside from this business on Wharf Street, Turner also maintained the London House on Government Street, a store that sold millinery and fancy goods. Furthermore, he was in business with J.H. Todd in the fish canning and merchandising industry at the Victoria Produce Market.34

Turner served as mayor of Victoria from 1879 to 1881. The Turners were well known for their love of horticulture and their home on Point Ellice was renowned for its beautiful gardens. Mrs. Turner was one of the only wealthy white women in Victoria to get her hands dirty in the garden. Upon the retirement of his good friend and partner H.C. Beeton, Turner took up the position as British Columbia’s agent-general in London. Turner retired in 1918 and died in December 1923.35

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Portrait of John Herbert Turner - 1866

 

Portrait of Mrs. Turner - 1861

 

Portrait of J.H. Turner - Date Uncertain