I would appreciate assistance with any family information pertaining to Harold Joseph Mills. He was a florist who managed /owned the Bedford Park Floral Co. Ltd in Richmond Hill from about 1913 until his death in 1980.
His birth was registered 1st qtr of 1888 at Colchester, Essex. His father was Joseph Mills born 1841 at Runcorn,Cheshire, Essex. Harolds mother was Jessie Pollard born 1848 in London. He had siblings Guy Edgar, born 1890 at Colchester and Joseph born 1894 at Colchester.
The 1891 and 1901 census taken at Colchester Essex gave Harold living with his parents and siblings. Cant find a 1911 census for him but it appears he had already emigrated to Canada.
A 1912 Directory for north Toronto gave Harold as the superintendant of the Bedford Park Floral Company on McDougall Street in the Bedford Park area of the city.
By about 1913 he left the Bedford Park company; moved to Richmond Hill and opened his own greenhouse company under the name of H.J. Mills.
On August 14,1920 he married Mary Lavina Houle, in Toronto, York, Ont. Mary was the daughter of Albert James Houle (1868-1929) and Millicent Kenney. Marriage record states Harold was of Richmond Hill, a florist. His wife Mary was born 1899 in Toronto,,Ont. Mary was living at 35 Bedford Park Rd in Toronto at the time of the marriage and witness J.W. Mills was living at the same address as her. Her father was born at Niagara on the lake.
In about 1930-1932 Harold bought the Dunlop Greenhouse business in Richmond Hill when Mr Dunlop died in 1930. Harold continued the business in Richmond Hill as "H.J. Mills "until his death in 1980. He passed his business to his son (who was he?) but the business did not last due to economic reasons. I do have a burial record for a Harold Joseph (Wock) Mills born May 3,1922 and died Feb 24,1980 who was the husband of Audrey Baker and buried in Richmond Hill at the Presbyterian Church Cemetery but I don't known if or how he is related to the Harold I am inquiring about (perhaps he was the son ?)
Any information about Harold and his family in Canada would be appreciated. Would also like to known details about when he emigrated to Canada and if he came alone etc.
