114 - 116 Wentworth Street: Architecture: Heritage Resources Saint John

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114 - 116 Wentworth Street

Construction of the building located at 114 and 116 Wentworth Street started on July 29, 1877, and finished on August 18, 1878. The design of the building is attributed to prominent Saint John architect, G. Ernest Fairweather. The residences were built for, and owned by, John Byers, who purchased the property from E.E. Lockhart in mid-1877. Mr. Byers, a well-known resident of Saint John, was the former manager and director, of the Albert Mines outside Hillsborough, New Brunswick.

John Byers came to the city when the Albert Mines closed down, and resided here until 1897, when he moved to England. Mr. Byers died in Newcastle-on-Tyne, England on July 11, 1902 at the age of 84. Mr. Byer's grandchildren owned the building until 1985. Several other prominent individuals have lived in the building including two Mayors: Simeon Jones, who was elected as mayor in 1881 and Henry J. Thorne, who was elected as mayor in 1888. Other notable residents include B. Lester Peters, F.J. Harding, manager of the Marine & Fisheries Department, and F.W. Daniel, president of Daniels department store. More thorough descriptions of the lives of Simeon Jones, and Henry J. Thorne follow.

Simeon Jones (1828 - 1915)

Originally from Prince William, York County, New Brunswick, Simeon Jones came to Saint John in 1852 and became one of its most influential citizens. After leaving school, Simeon Jones spent two years farming under his father before he was employed by Robert Keltie, a local Saint John brewer. He remained the manager of the brewery, which was located at the corner of Union and Caermarthen Streets, for eight years until he purchased the brewery in 1860 from Mr. Keltie when he retired. Then, in 1874, Mr. Jones started a successful private banking house under the name S. Jones and Co.,with partners Oliver T. Stone and Joseph R. Stone. Mr. Jones was a shrewd manager, and almost all of his business ventures were prosperous. In 1879 he was elected a member of the city council, where he served for two years as chairman of the finance committee. He performed his duties so well that in 1881 he was elected as mayor without opposition, a mark of distinction which had never occurred before. During his three year term of office he was one of the most popular mayors Saint John ever had. Mr. Jones served as a vestryman of Trinity Church for many years, and was a generous supporter of various religious and benevolent societies. In 1861 he married Annie McLaughlin, daughter of Daniel McLaughlin of Saint John, and had eight children. After retiring from active business in Saint John, Mr. Jones moved to New York and later went to London, England where he died in 1915.

Did You Know?

The Maritime Beer Co., located in Halifax, NS, recently named a beer after Simeon Jones.

Henry J. Thorne (1842 - ?)

Mr. Henry J. Thorne was born in Fredericton, New Brunswick on February 20, 1842. He was educated at the Collegiate School in Fredericton, and in 1864, he entered the firm of J. & F. Burpee, Iron and Hardware Merchants, of St. John, as a clerk. The business conducted was both wholesale and retail. In 1870, in conjunction with Mr. William Kerr, Mr. Thorne bought out their retail store on Prince William Street. He successfully carried on this business until the Great Fire of 1877, when Messrs. Burpee retired from business and sold the business to the firm of which Messrs. Thomas Clark, H.J. Thorne, William Kerr and R.C. Thorne were members. Henry Thorne was a member of the St. John School Board for during the three years of 1885-7, and was elected Mayor in the last election. He belonged to several societies, was a Master Mason, Royal Arch Mason, a member of the Royal Arcanum, a Knight Templar, and was Worthy Chief Templar for New Brunswick of the Temple of Honour and Temperance. Mr. Thorne took an active interest in church matters, and from 1880 to 1886 was Superintendent of the Centennary Methodist Sunday School; he was also a Trustee of that Church. Mr. Thorne was an active, progressive man, foremost in enlightened advocacy of all practical public improvements and measures. He was a shrewd business man, and held the position of mayor (1887 - 1889) with dignity to the chair and with general satisfaction to all concerned.

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