Sayward, Joseph Austen
No name figures more conspicuously on the pages of the business history of Victoria than Joseph Austen Sayward, and this city also claims him among its native sons, his birth occurring here on the 17th of July, 1862. His father, William Parsons Sayward, is numbered among the Victoria pioneers of 1858. He was a native of the state of Maine, born December 9, 1818, and there he received his education and learned the carpenter's trade. Subsequently he went to Key West, Florida, and was there engaged in the lumber business until 1849, when he journeyed to the gold diggings of California, making the journey in a sloop to the Isthmus, and thence on to San Francisco. He was a resident of that city during all the exciting times connected with the reign of the Vigilantes, and at all times performed his full share in maintaining law and order.
In the year 1858 he came to Victoria and erected a sawmill at Mill Bay, and over a quarter of a century ago erected another in this city, continuing in the prosecution of a successful business until the 13th of July, 1896, when he put aside the active cares of a commercial life and has since lived in quiet retirement.
Mr. Sayward married Mrs. Ann Chambers, a native of the north of Ireland and a daughter of Bernard Connor. She came to the Province about the same time as her husband, and her death occurred in 1870, while her husband still survives and resides in San Francisco, in the eighty-sixth year of his age, honoured and respected by all who have the pleasure of his acquaintance. He is a member of the Church of England, with which Mrs. Sayward was also connected.
Joseph A. Sayward, the only child of these parents, has spent his entire life in the city of his birth, and he early became connected with his father's business, which he has carried on alone since the latter's retirement. He is engaged in the manufacture of sash, doors and other house material, and from its inception the business has constantly grown in volume and importance, keeping pace with the growth of the city. In political matters Mr. Sayward is a Conservative, and, although not an active politician, is a public-spirited citizen and advocates all measures of progress and reform, doing all in his power to promote the general welfare.
In 1884 occurred the marriage of Mr. Sayward and Miss Margaret Livingstone, she being a native of Scotland and a daughter of Duncan Livingstone. One daughter has come to brighten and bless their home, Miss Margaret Livingstone, and the family reside in one of the delightful homes for which Victoria is noted, and enjoy the high esteem of a wide circle of friends.
R. E. Gosnell, A History of British Columbia, (Vancouver, B. C.: Lewis Publishing Co., 1906). pp. 345-346.