[Dr Awesomesauce]

T.B. McQuesten is another great choice. Of course, most will be familiar with the family estate at Jackson and MacNab, Whitehearn.

Again, off the top of my head (because I can't be f*cked right now), T.B. was the grandson of Calvin, a wealthy industrialist (and doctor I think) who made his fortune in the foundry business. Thomas' father, Isaac, is best known for being a drunk and amongst other things, a bad businessman. He died, as I recall, rather abruptly from a drug overdose (perhaps intentionally); he did owe various lenders lots and lots of dough, after all. The family managed somehow without him, however, holding on to that beautiful home until, I think, the 1950s when it was donated to the city.

Anyway, Thomas was a lawyer and politician (shocking combination, I know). Perhaps his greatest legacy to the city was bringing McMaster to town in the late-20s. I think he's responsible for the long-gone Sunken Gardens on the same site, too. He's also responsible for the High Level Bridge, The Rock Garden, Gage Park, Chedoke Golf Course and likely lots more - feel free to fill in the blanks. He also left his mark on Niagara but I'm gonna stick with what he accomplished in the Hamilton area.

He was also a 'confirmed bachelor.' There's likely a lot more to that story, I'm sure.