Levi Edward Fleck

L. Edward Fleck was born at Wabash, Indiana, in 1882. His anscestors were German origin and carried the surname "Von Fleck" before emigrating to the United States in 1822.

 At and early age Edward took an interest in paper making which was a revolutionary industry during his apprentice years. He studied paper technology at evening courses and subsequently worked for paper companies at Hamilton, Ohio and Kalamazoo, Michigan.

 In 1905 when Barbar Paper Mills Ltd. in Georgetown were planning to open a "coating" mill, the expertise of ed Fleck was summoned.  He relocated to Georgetown from Kalamazoo, Michigan, and was the first superintendent of the Barber Coating Mill which has been known as Provincial Paper and in now owned by Abitibi.

 Within a few years the operation at Barber Mill was successful and the "challenge" for this ambitious young man was no longer there. Mr. Fleck advised that he would be returning to Kalamazoo.

 John A. Willoughby, of real estate fame, drove Fleck to the station and it was during this ride that an agreement was made between the gentlemen to start a new coated paper mill in Georgetown.

 It may seem coincidental the "new" mill was to be erected directly across the road from the Barber mill.  When one conciders the proximity to the railroad lines and station and the fact that Georgetown was a railroad terminal at this period of its history, the location of both mills was ideal.  It is interesting to note that although both mills were actually in competition the barber firm supplied some raw paper to Fleck's mill from the old "lower" paper mill, now the site of Delta Craft.

 It was May, 1910, when the Georgetown Coated Paper Mills came into existence.  The original building which has been altered and added to through the years was sub-contracted by J. B. Mackenzie and was the first building in the area constructed of reinforced concrete.  This, like the Barber Mill, was not a paper making venture. Paper was purchased from mills and "coated" and this apparently was a real necessity with the modern printing technology being developed at this period of time.

 The firm manufatured coated book and coated litho papers, coated cardboards and coated britol boards and several other coated papers.  Two of the first large customers were lLaura Secord Chocolates (for their box covers) and Saturday Night Magazine.

Officers of the Georgetown Coated Paper Mills included John A. Willoughby, president; L.E. Fleck, vice president and amnager, Herbert Gage, brother to Sir William Gage, founder of DRG Stationery, which is now situated in Georgetown, sat on the board of directors.

 In 1928, the company amalgamated with Howard Smith Papers under the name Alliance Paper Mills and Fleck continued to manage the operation.  When Domtar Fine Papers purchased all Howard Smiths assets in 1959 the firm name "Howard Smith" was retained until the mid 1960's.

 Edward Fleck retired from the firm in 1947 but quickly accepted an invitation from Kruger Paper Co. to supervise revamping a mill at Bromptonville, Quebec. By 1952, five years after his "retirement," he supervised Kruger's expansion in Venezuela and had two mills erected there!

 L.E. Fleck was an active citizen in his community. He sat on several boards and committees, was the youngesat Halton County Warden when he accepted the position for the 1915-1916 term and sat on Georgetown council.  Ironically he was not a Canadian citizen during many of his years in public office.

 Fleck headed the local Victory Bond campaign during the wars and was a charter member of the Willoughby Golf Club (now North Halton). He was a very active Conservative. A great horseman. Fleck owqned the second place runner in the Queen's Plate in 1911.

 Mrs. Fleck, formerly Maude Anderson, was also active in the community.  She tried to introduce some culture into the village and organized a club for young girls called "many Merry Maidens." Mrs Fleck organized the very formal New Year's eve Balls held at the old town hall and spearheaded Red Cross activities during the World Wars. No one was ever turned away from her "soup kitchen" kept during the depression years at the fleck home.

 The Fleck's were married in 1902 (* 2 Apr 1904* ) in Indiana. Mrs. Fleck died in 1939.  A son, Paul, died in 1928 and his two sisters Mrs. Clice Snyder (Milderd) and Mrs. Carl Martin (Marie) presently reside in Burlington and Milton, respectively.

In 1961 L. Edward died at Marion, Indiana only 15 miles from his birthplace, while on a vacation trip.  The present Domtar Fine Paper Mill, originally Georgetown Coated Papers, is a monument to Edward Fleck, a pioneer in developing fine papers in Canada.

• Reference: Find A Grave Memorial - SmartCopy: Apr 29 2016, 23:09:48 UTC