English immigrant Henry R. Wales (1822-1905), who began as a blacksmith and learned the trade (in the United States[1]) which led to the founding of Phoenix Carriage Works.
[2] Besides his business, Wales was a school trustee and magistrate under the Liberal governments of Oliver Mowat and James Whitney.
[3] Wales and his wife Elizabeth had 6 children (including daughters Adelaide Emma, Bertha E, Lottie A.
), whom lived at Maple Villa, the only reminder of the Wales that remains in Markham today.
[4] Their factory was located next to 159 Main Street North and ceased making carriages after 1915 with focus on repairing automobiles and ceased altogether in 1923 after death of son-in-law Levi Webber[5]