William Trench III

Who was William Trench III?

William Trench III was the reeve of Richmond Hill, Ontario from 1875–1879 and 1881 - 1882.

Born in Dunbar, Scotland, Trench came to Elgin Mills, Ontario with his family in 1842. Trench learnt the blacksmith trade from his father and set up a shop in Richmond Hill in 1857. In 1866, Richmond Hill set up its first fire brigade, and Trench was chosen the first fire chief. Trench later owned a carriage factory named the "Trench Carriage Works" in Richmond Hill that was one of the village's leading employer during the 1870s through 1890s. The Carriage works would go out of business in the 1920s

Trench Street in Richmond Hill is named in his honour.

Trench died in Richmond Hill in 1896.