Hart Massey
Winning Speech of Sir William Osler Public Speaking Contest, Trinity College School,
April 2004
“Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with all thy might.” - The Revd J. Allen, officiating at
Hart Massey’s funeral, used this bible verse to describe the life of Hart Massey, one of Canada’s
greatest entrepreneurs. Hart Massey died in 1896, but his name lives on today. Let’s go back to
1823 and we’ll discover why.
In April 1823, Daniel Massey became the proud father of his eldest son, Hart Almerrin Massey.
Hart was born on his father’s farm near Cobourg, Ontario. At the early age of 11, he was sent to
Watertown, New York, to begin his formal education. He also attended Upper Canada Academy
and Victoria College in Cobourg. Hart developed a positive attitude to hard work, a business
mind, a dedication to his church and community, and faith in God.
In 1847 Hart’s father moved to Newcastle to start a foundry business that made and sold farm
machinery. Hart took over the family farm and married Eliza Ann Phelps. Shortly after, the
couple’s first two children were born, Charles and Chester. Even with all these new
responsibilities, Hart longed for another challenge. His wish was answered when he went to
Newcastle to work with his father at the foundry. The business grew and became known as The
Massey Manufacturing Company. Hart took over the business in 1855 when his father officially
retired.
The business grew rapidly until the factory burned to the ground in March 1864. Undefeated,
Hart rebuilt the factory. Three years later, just after Canada became a country, the Massey
Manufacturing Company participated in the International Exposition in Paris. Hart won the grand
prize for the Massey harvesting equipment. After the Exposition, the Massey Company received
an order from Germany, and the Emperor of France declared that he wanted the Massey
machinery to be used on his farms.
Three years later, Hart’s health declined and he placed his oldest son, Charles, in charge of the
business. The Massey Manufacturing Company grew tremendously under Charles’ leadership.
During the summer of 1878, Hart and Charles decided that the company would be moved to
Toronto where there was more business opportunity. The new plant in Toronto was completed in
1881. It included a four-storey factory, office building, foundry, blacksmith shop, and engine and
boiler house. The Massey family also moved to Toronto and purchased a Victorian-styled house
on Jarvis Street.
At age 36, Charles Massey died of typhoid fever, leaving his father in complete shock. It was
Charles’ inspiration that had kept Hart involved with the business. Then, Hart lost another son,
Fred Victor, his youngest - Fred was only 22 years old. Determined to honour the memory of his
two sons, Hart built the Massey Music Hall in memory of Charles and the Fred Victor Mission in
memory of Fred.
This brings us back to 1896 when Hart Massey, after growing increasingly ill, passed away at
his Jarvis Street home. Hart House and Massey College were built at the University of Toronto
in his memory. Hart Massey left a legacy of business success that his children and
grandchildren would carry on for generations to come. Hart’s grandson, Vincent, went on to
become the Governor-General of Canada. What started with a small foundry in Newcastle,
became one of Canada’s most successful businesses under the leadership of a great
entrepreneur, Hart Massey. I now leave you with the Revd J. Allen’s simple summary of Hart’s
life - “Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with all thy might.”
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