1829–1899
Mount Pleasant Group
Plot G Lot 9
Born in Huntly, Scotland, William Mellis Christie began his career as a baker’s apprentice before seeking new opportunities across the Atlantic. Arriving in Canada in 1848, he briefly tried banking but soon returned to his true passion: baking. In 1850, Christie joined Mathers and Brown, a biscuit manufacturing firm. Within a year, Mathers retired, and Christie became a partner with Alexander Brown. After several changes in leadership, the company was renamed Christie, Brown & Company, a name that would become synonymous with quality biscuits and cookies in homes across Canada.
Christie’s innovative approach and commitment to excellence helped his company dominate the Canadian market, laying the foundation for what would later become the iconic Christie brand, famous for treats like Arrowroot and Oreo.
William Christie passed away on June 14, 1899, at his home on Queen’s Park Crescent. His family plot at Mount Pleasant also holds his wife Mary Jane, his son Robert Jaffray Christie, who succeeded him as company president, and several other children, reflecting both a family legacy and a unique and tasty, Canadian success story.
Sources:
• Dictionary of Canadian Biography – William Mellis Christie
• The Canadian Encyclopedia – William Mellis Christie
• Wikipedia – William Mellis Christie
• Mount Pleasant Group – William Mellis Christie
Photo: Adobe Stock
