1

Even before the fire in 1906, Frost & Wood had been experiencing financial troubles. In 1893, much of Frost & Wood's income was tied up in credit issued to farmers, and many could not make payments on their debts. Frost & Wood's Collections Department worked overtime in attempts to resolve the impending financial crisis.

Unable to make their loan payments, Frost & Wood was forced to shut down for the remainder of 1893. Soon thereafter, the Molson's Bank demanded Frost & Wood's loans be paid in full or the bank would shut down the company for good. Francis Frost transferred the company's accounts to the Bank of Toronto and Frost & Wood reopened in 1894.

2

The Frost & Wood Plant
28 March 1907
Smiths Falls, Ontario, Canada

Credits:
Heritage House Museum

3

After the financial crisis in 1893, business gradually improved for the Frost & Wood Company, but problems continued to arise. Since the fire in 1906, renovations, construction, and modernization of the plant had been extremely costly for the company in their efforts to rebuild. In addition to the growing financial strains, the Frost brothers' heath was declining.

Francis was still recovering from a fall down an elevator shaft in 1903, but his attentions also were increasingly focused on his Senatorial duties in Ottawa. This left Charles to oversee much of the factory's reconstruction after the fire and perhaps under the strain of it all, on April 22, 1909, unexpectedly passed away. Francis then became company President and brought long time employee, Jack E. Ruby to Smiths Falls to help with the restructuring.

Ruby began working for Frost & Wood in 1884 as an accountant in the Smiths Falls office. Ruby was later transferred to Winnipeg, Manitoba and worked for many years as a Branch Manager. When Ruby returned to Smiths Falls in 1909, he was promoted as General Manager and Treasurer of Frost & Wood. In 1917, Ruby was promoted to company Director and later became President in 1939.

Still the company continued to struggle. Francis Frost's health continued to decline and in an attempt to capitalize on the company's instability, two Frost & Wood employees made an attempt to seize control. The two men had pressured the Bank of Toronto to call up Frost & Wood's loans in an effort to oust Francis as President. Francis discovered this act of mutiny and fired the two men on the spot. With the company falling apart at the seams, Francis contacted the Cockshutt Plow Company.

4

J.E. Ruby
Circa 1940s
Smiths Falls, Ontario, Canada

Credits:
Heritage House Museum

5

In an agreement between Senator Francis Frost and Senator Harry Cockshutt, the Cockshutt Plow Company bought 27 percent of Frost & Wood Company Limited stock in 1909. Despite owning a large portion of the company, Cockshutt became the company's Director and Vice-President and Frost remained company President.

As part of the joint sales and distribution agreement, Frost & Wood was responsible for selling Cockshutt products east of Peterborough, Ontario, and Cockshutt responsible for selling Frost & Wood products to the west. This partnership also strengthened sales and distribution for both companies by combining Frost & Wood and Cockshutt branches throughout the country.

6

Partnership with the Cockshutt Plow Company
Circa 1912
Smiths Falls, Ontario, Canada

Credits:
Heritage House Museum

7

In 1877, James G. Cockshutt founded the Brantford Plow Works in Brantford, Ontario. The little shop first began producing stoves, scufflers and walking plows. In 1882, the company was renamed the Cockshutt Plow Company and soon added new machinery to the production line.

In 1885, the company's founder, James, passed away of Tuberculosis. At the time of his death, the Cockshutt Plow Company, the Frost & Wood Company and Massey-Harris dominated the Canadian farm implement market. This was helped in part by the high tariffs the Canadian Government placed on American imports.

By 1903, the Cockshutt plant covered 23 acres of land and like the Frost & Wood Company in Smiths Falls, was one of the largest employers for the town of Brantford.

8

The Cockshutt Plow Company Limited
24 December 1943
Brantford, Ontario, Canada

Credits:
Heritage House Museum

9

Born on July 8, 1868 in Brantford, Ontario, Henry Cockshutt was the younger brother of Cockshutt Plow Company founder, James. Known as Harry, Cockshutt began working for the company at sixteen years old in the blacksmith shop, while older brother Frank served as company President.

Frank was known to be quite conservative, whereas Harry had often worked alongside the men and was well liked by employees. Concerning the subject of expanding the company, Frank resigned as President after differing opinions on the subject continued to arise. Harry had been Secretary-Treasurer of the company since 1891, and took over as President in 1911.

Like the Frosts, the Cockshutts had a strong presence within their community. During World War I, Harry volunteered his services for the war effort and was tasked with recruiting men for the Brant County Battalion. From then on, Harry was affectionately known as "The Colonel."

At 31 years old, Harry became Brantford's Mayor and was also known for buying the second automobile in town. In addition to serving in the Senate, Cockshutt was also Ontario's Lieutenant-Governor from 1921 until 1927.

10

Henry Cockshutt
Circa 1920s
Brantford, Ontario, Canada

Credits:
Heritage House Museum

11

Tragedy struck on August 25, 1916, when Mrs. Frost noticed Francis slumped over in his chair while playing a game of Solitaire and would later die of a stroke. His death effectively ended any family involvement in what had become a home-grown company.

Harry Cockshutt then became President of the Frost & Wood Company.

12

Francis T. Frost Dies
Circa 1916
Smiths Falls, Ontario, Canada

Credits:
Heritage House Museum