1

Ebenezer Frost died on January 26, 1863, leaving sons, Francis Theodore and Charles Beriah, to partner with Alexander Wood.

2

Frost & Wood and the Wood's Mill Complex
Circa 1900
Smiths Falls, Ontario, Canada

Credits:
Heritage House Museum

3

Charles Beriah Frost was born in Smiths Falls in 1842 to Caroline and Ebenezer Frost. As a young man, Charles worked for the Frost & Wood Company as a clerk, and upon the death of his father, took charge of purchasing and production for the company.

Charles understood the intimate details of how Frost & Wood operated and was largely responsible for the growth and expansion of the company during the 1850s to the 1880s. Charles focused a lot of his energy modernizing the factory as well. At the time of Ebenezer's death, production and shipments of machinery largely relied on the pace of the workers.

To meet increasing demands, Charles and his younger brother, Francis, incorporated the company in January 1899. Charles then became President of the Frost & Wood Company Limited until his death on April 22, 1909.

4

Charles B. Frost
Circa 1893
Smiths Falls, Ontario, Canada

Credits:
Heritage House Museum

5

Francis Theodore Frost was born in Smiths Falls on December 21, 1843 to Caroline and Ebenezer Frost. Like his older brother Charles, Francis started working for the Frost & Wood Company as a clerk. When his father died, Francis handled sales, financial administration and promotions for Frost & Wood and later became the company's Vice-President. In addition to his responsibilities at Frost & Wood, Francis pursued political interests as well.

Frost was elected Reeve of Lanark County from 1867 until 1883. Frost was also Warden of Lanark County from 1879 to 1880, and then became the first Mayor of the newly incorporated town of Smiths Falls in 1883.

In 1903, Frost was appointed to the Senate by the Laurier Government to the delight of the citizens of Smiths Falls. As a tribute to his character and stature within the community, the day Frost left for Parliament, 450 factory employees gathered at the train station in Smiths Falls to see the new Senator off to Ottawa.

6

Francis T. Frost
Circa 1893
Smiths Falls, Ontario, Canada

Credits:
Heritage House Museum

7

One of Frost & Wood's most valuable and long-standing partnerships was with the Smiths Falls Malleable Iron Works. Later known as "The Malleable," the company was co-founded in1878 by the youngest Frost brother, William Henry.

The company used and worked wrought iron to produce items such as, axes, tools, rivets, horseshoes, farm machinery, as well as steel. All these items would have been created by hand, with the help of moulds and large kilns.

8

The Smiths Falls Malleable Iron Works
Circa 1900
Smiths Falls, Ontario, Canada

Credits:
Heritage House Museum

9

Perhaps to benefit from the direct access to the railway spur-line, the Malleable was built next door to Frost & Wood along Centre and Bay streets. The two companies were so close together, workers from Frost & Wood would walk over to the Malleable carrying patterns for machinery, and then the Malleable workers would bring over the pattern castings using a wheelbarrow.

Both Frost & Wood and the Malleable benefitted greatly from the close relationship the companies shared. In the end, Frost & Wood and the Malleable were staple industries in Smiths Falls.

10

Employees of the Smiths Falls Malleable Iron Works
Early 20th Century
Smiths Falls, Ontario, Canada

Credits:
Heritage House Museum

11

In this silent film, workers at the Malleable work on iron castings.

12

The Malleable
Circa 1938
Smiths Falls, Ontario, Canada

Credits:
Heritage House Museum

13

Taking advantage of the direct rail link from Smiths Falls to Montréal, Frost & Wood opened a new agency in Montréal in 1865. This agency allowed Frost & Wood greater shipping access to larger markets across Canada and overseas.

14

Frost & Wood: Machines Agricoles
Circa 1917
Unknown

Credits:
Heritage House Museum