Background
He was born in Toronto and was the youngest son of department store magnate Timothy Eaton and his wife, Margaret Wilson Beattie Eaton. Upon the death of his father in 1907, he inherited five million dollars and the T. Eaton Company.
He was born in Toronto and was the youngest son of department store magnate Timothy Eaton and his wife, Margaret Wilson Beattie Eaton. Upon the death of his father in 1907, he inherited five million dollars and the T. Eaton Company.
Upper Canada College.
He became its president at this time, and the company flourished under his control. He greatly influenced the company and expanded the stores nationally. He built Ardwold, an enormous residence of 50 rooms in Toronto, beginning in 1909 and finishing in 1911.
He also acquired a resort home from his mother in Oakville, Ontario, called the Raymar Estate (the estate has since disappeared). He was a noted philanthropist. Perhaps his most lavish public contribution was the gift, made together with his mother, of land and funds for a large Methodist church on St Clair Avenue in Toronto.
Named Timothy Eaton Memorial Church after his father, it was constructed in 1912–14. These donations included Coronation Hall (1911), and the manse and organ for Trinity United Church. Sir John's grandson, John Craig Eaton II, served as chairman of Eaton's in its later years.