Timothy Eaton

Date of birth

1834

Point of origin

Ireland

Eaton travelled to Canada West in 1854, taking up work as a clerk in a general store near Georgetown.

Labour & Economy

two women talk across a shop counter with piles of products behind them.

During the Second World War, Canadians could use ration coupons to shop at Eaton's department stores. Rationing affected many necessary supplies for the war effort, including foodstuffs pictured here.

Matteo Omied / Alamy Stock Photo

a shop counter with many staff standing behind it and in the background.

The staff of the candy department of the Toronto Eaton's store, c. 1904. The flagship store included many innovations meant to attract shoppers. Customers could find optical services, décor advice, party supplies, and more.

History and Art Collection / Alamy Stock Photo

Timothy Eaton came to Canada West in 1854. After working in general and dry goods stores, he established his own business, Eaton’s, that was at the centre of Canadian retail throughout the twentieth century.

History and Art Collection / Alamy Stock Photo

sepia photo of two rows of women at sewing machines.

The success of Eaton's retail enterprise required support from many kinds of workers, including seamstresses as seen here.

History and Art Collection / Alamy Stock Photo

colour graphic of map of Canada with two black and white photos of large buildings.

Eaton's grew to be a national retailer, as emphasized by this 1908 advertisement, touting their mail-order sales "from British Columbia to Nova Scotia."

Historic Collection / Alamy Stock Photo

Timothy Eaton, 1834-1907, Ireland.

Eaton travelled to Canada West in 1854, taking up work as a clerk in a general store near Georgetown. He moved to owning general and dry goods stores, and in 1883 he opened a three-storey shop on Yonge Street. By 1907, it was a sprawling department store, covering 22 acres in downtown Toronto. Eaton’s operated for cash at fixed prices, and took mail orders, making goods available to Canadians even in remote communities.