Wilson, Maxwell Stevenson “Max”

Maxwell “Max” Wilson was born around 1874 in Lucknow, Ontario. He married Emily Pavey in Vancouver, BC on July 22, 1908. At the time of their marriage, Max Wilson was a painter. He died in Essondale Hospital, in Coquitlam, BC, on February 11, 1939. 

He is mentioned in the October 26, 1901 edition of the Similkameen Spotlight but it is unclear if he was a resident of Princeton or passing through on his way to Vancouver via the Hope Trail.

In March 1903, he was living in Hedley and in April he was awarded the contracts to paint L.W. Shatford’s “big store” and Dr. Roll’s drug store in Hedley. In July, the “Wilson Brothers” (William S. and Max S. Wilson) were getting together a band of horses they planned to sell “on the outside.” They also were involved with mining, working the Iron Mask on the south fork of the Tulameen River in September 1909. That same month, the Similkameen Star reported that he intended to move to Princeton (from Chilliwack) because of “rheumatic tendencies.”

He started building a cottage (of the bungalow type) on the corner of Lime and Billiter Avenue in July 1911 and it was completed in November. 

In November 1911, he purchased a lot from D.G.R. Philip on Vermilion Avenue and laid the foundation for a 14’ x 60’ paint shop that included oil storage. This store was completed in February 1912. His first advertisement was in the Similkameen Star on June 19, 1912. This same month he was awarded the contract for the Similkameen Hotel and Dr. McCaffery’s new residence on Fenchurch that was being constructed by the Wilson Brothers. 

Max Wilson was a sign painter, an interior and exterior painter, and interior designer. He received numerous contracts: painting and decorating new residence of J.D. Andras on Knob Hill (1912); wall papering the Otter Flat Hotel in Tulameen (1913); renovating the Canadian Bank of Commerce (1916); decorating a bungalow at Copper Mountain as well as painting and decorating the cottages (1916); painting the school house (1917).

In addition to his painting and decorating business, in 1913 he was advertising the sale of “tents, awnings and camping goods.” And, in January 1917, he allowed William Firth, customs collector, move his office (from Keremeos) to the front part of Max Wilson’s store, near the Post Office.

Max and Emily Wilson and a group of friends were in a car accident May 1916. No one was seriously injured. 

He and Emily moved to Chilliwack in December 1917.