William W. Hiltz
Encyclopedia
William Wesley Hiltz called 'Bill Hiltz' was Mayor of Toronto in 1924. During his term, he introduced time clocks for Toronto
city workers. He had a son and grandson, Bill Hiltz, with the same names.
Prior to becoming mayor, Hiltz was Chairman of the Board of Education. He changed the spelling of his name from "S" to "Z" for personal reasons soon before becoming Mayor.
He began his career as a high school teacher transitioning to a building contractor, real estate developer and politician. During this transition, he had been known to take his students out to the construction sites to dig foundations by shovel. It was the time before the proliferation of digging machinery. He accumulated much real estate properties to the extent that he became the second highest tax payer in Toronto metro. The highest taxpayer was the founder of Eaton Department Stores, T. Eaton, and the two were friends.
He and his son Bill Hiltz were the superintendents at Danforth Methodist Church where they presided over the largest Methodist Sunday School in Canada.
Originally from Georgetown, Ontario
, Mayor Hiltz died in 1936 at age 63 as reported in this newspaper article.
William W. Hiltz descended from the Hilts family that previously immigrated from Europe
presumably Germany
. The Hilts families left the Palatinate part of Germany with the other Palatinates, because of the wars and famine, and came to the New World. The ancestors of Hiltz arrived in America in the early 18th century. They were pushed back into the western part of New York
where they farmed in the Mohawk Valley
area. During the American Revolution
in 1779, Joseph Hilts as a small child was brought by his grandfather Joseph Petrie to the Niagara
area of Ontario
, Canada
. In Ontario, Joseph's sons received land grants in Esquesing and Erin Townships. That is where they homesteaded and is where William W. Hiltz was born.
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
city workers. He had a son and grandson, Bill Hiltz, with the same names.
Prior to becoming mayor, Hiltz was Chairman of the Board of Education. He changed the spelling of his name from "S" to "Z" for personal reasons soon before becoming Mayor.
He began his career as a high school teacher transitioning to a building contractor, real estate developer and politician. During this transition, he had been known to take his students out to the construction sites to dig foundations by shovel. It was the time before the proliferation of digging machinery. He accumulated much real estate properties to the extent that he became the second highest tax payer in Toronto metro. The highest taxpayer was the founder of Eaton Department Stores, T. Eaton, and the two were friends.
He and his son Bill Hiltz were the superintendents at Danforth Methodist Church where they presided over the largest Methodist Sunday School in Canada.
Originally from Georgetown, Ontario
Georgetown, Ontario
Georgetown is a community in the town of Halton Hills, Ontario, Canada and is part of the Regional Municipality of Halton. It is situated on the Credit River, located approximately 60 km west of Toronto making it part of the Greater Toronto Area...
, Mayor Hiltz died in 1936 at age 63 as reported in this newspaper article.
Throngs Pay Tribute To Ex-Mayor Hiltz
Funeral Service in Danforth United Church Attended by Many.
A tribute to the career of public service of the late W. W. Hiltz, ex-mayor of Toronto, was recorded in the large attendance at his funeral service held this afternoon in Danforth United Church, where the deceased had been superintendent of the Sunday school for a quarter of a century. Four of his predecessors assisted the minister, Rev. Gordon Sisco.
Mayor McBride, members of city council, members of the board of governors and staff of the Toronto East General hospital, and representatives of numerous other organizations helped to swell the crowd that filled the church.
Rev. J.J. Coulter of Sarnia, associated at Danforth with the late Mr. Hiltz for 16 years, paid tribute to his sterling qualities. His achievements as a teacher, business man, public figure and faithful servant of the church were traced by Mr. Sisco. Dr. R.J.B. Simpson, Rev. C.W. Watch and Rev. G. E. Large were the other assistants. Interment took place at Mt. Pleasant cemetery.
The pallbearers were two brothers of the late Mr. Hiltz, George and Herbert, John Brick, W. Wiggins, T. E. Richardson, and R. G. Elliott.
This is the death notice:
HILTZ - Suddenly on Wednesday, February 26, 1936, at his residence, 682 Broadview Avenue . William Wesley, dearly beloved husband of Annie E. Laidlaw, in his 63rd year.
Funeral Saturday, February 29th, from Danforth United Church, Danforth Avenue, 3 p.m. Interment Mount Pleasant Cemetery.
William W. Hiltz descended from the Hilts family that previously immigrated from Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
presumably Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
. The Hilts families left the Palatinate part of Germany with the other Palatinates, because of the wars and famine, and came to the New World. The ancestors of Hiltz arrived in America in the early 18th century. They were pushed back into the western part of New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
where they farmed in the Mohawk Valley
Mohawk Valley
The Mohawk Valley region of the U.S. state of New York is the area surrounding the Mohawk River, sandwiched between the Adirondack Mountains and Catskill Mountains....
area. During the American Revolution
American Revolution
The American Revolution was the political upheaval during the last half of the 18th century in which thirteen colonies in North America joined together to break free from the British Empire, combining to become the United States of America...
in 1779, Joseph Hilts as a small child was brought by his grandfather Joseph Petrie to the Niagara
Niagara Peninsula
The Niagara Peninsula is the portion of Southern Ontario, Canada lying between the south shore of Lake Ontario and the north shore of Lake Erie. It stretches from the Niagara River in the east to Hamilton, Ontario in the west. The population of the peninsula is roughly 1,000,000 people...
area of Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. In Ontario, Joseph's sons received land grants in Esquesing and Erin Townships. That is where they homesteaded and is where William W. Hiltz was born.