John A. Pillow

Standing deservedly high in the respect of all who knew him, John A. Pillow was regarded as a progressive business man and valuable citizen of Montreal, of which city he was a native. He was educated in the public schools and for many years ranked as one of Montreal’s oldest and best known manufacturers. In his business career he made advancement step by step, gaining thus a broader outlook and wider opportunity. He made wise use of the advantages that came to him and eventually reached a position of prominence in manufacturing circles. It was in the late ‘60s that he succeeded to the rolling mill business of T. D. Bigelow & Company, which was one of the oldest establishments of the city, having been founded for a century. Forming a partnership with Randolph Hersey, he continued the business under the firm name of Pillow & Hersey. Later this was converted into a stock company and Mr. Pillow was elected to the presidency. He stood deservedly high in the regard of his contemporaries in commercial circles. Business men knew him as one whose word was thoroughly reliable, who met every obligation and kept every engagement, and the record which he thus made was one which any might envy. He was very thorough and competent in all that he did, neglecting no details and at the same time developing his interests along the broad lines characteristic of business enterprise at the present day.

Mr. Pillow was united in marriage to Annie Elizabeth Hillyer, and their surviving children are two sons, Laurence B. and Howard W. He was a man of domestic tastes, devoted to the welfare of his family and finding his greatest happiness in promoting their interests. He rejoiced in his prosperity not merely from the standpoint of success but because of the opportunity which it gave him to provide liberally for his family and to give generously to the poor and needy. He attended the American Presbyterian church and in his life exemplified his Christian faith. He was much interested in the welfare of his native city, cooperating in many movements that have promoted its interests along various lines. He belonged to the Board of Trade and his social nature found expression in his membership in St. James Club, the Forest and Stream Club and the Manhattan Club of New York. Death called him February 16, 1902. He had remained a lifelong resident of his native city and his worth was widely recognized by those who had been his associates in business and by those who met him in social relations.