HOSKINS, John MacIntosh (1850-1944), an architect who lived and worked in Petrolia, Ontario from 1882 to 1889. Born in Sarnia, Ont. on 1 August 1850, he may have received his education and training in the building trades, and began his career as an architect in Petrolia after 1882. In addition to obtaining commissions in Petrolia, he won a competition in 1887 for a large hotel in the northern Ontario town of Port Arthur. In early 1889, it was noted that J.M. Hoskins, architect of Petrolia, had “...left for Chicago where he has entered into a partnership with one of the leading firms of that city” (Petrolia Advertiser, 8 March 1889, 8). The following year, in 1890, he opened his own office at 1264 West Madison Avenue [Chicago City Directory, 1890], and continued to practise there until after 1920, then retired and returned to his home town of Sarnia. He died at Glen Ellyn, Illinois on 31 July 1944, and was later buried in Sarnia (obituary Chicago Tribune, 2 Aug. 1944, 14; inf. Ian Mason, Sarnia).
PETROLIA, ONT., McKay Block, Main Street near Greenfield Street, for Donald McKay, 1887; still standing in 2022 (Petrolia Advertiser, 25 March 1887, 8, descrip.; inf. Ian Mason, Brigden, Ont.)
PORT ARTHUR, ONT., a large four storey hotel for an unnamed client, 1887, a commission won in a limited competition, 1887 (Petrolia Advertiser, 3 June 1887, 8)
PETROLIA, ONT., Eureka Street Public School, c. 1887; demol. (drawings and specifications in the possession of Rick MacKenzie, Sarnia)