Fonds F2963 - Dr. Mahlon W. Locke fonds

Dr. Mahlon Locke was born in Matilda Township in eastern Ontario in 1880. He graduated from Queen's University with a M.D. C.M. in 1905. Locke practiced first at Brinston and then to Sault Ste. Marie for a year, but quickly went on to further his medical education at the universites of Edinburgh and Glasgow in Scotland. Upon returning to Canada, Locke took over a general practice in Williamsburg, Ontario in June of 1908, where he remained for the length of his career. While maintaining a general family practice Locke became known for his treatment of arthritis through the manipulation of the bones of the foot. Thousands of people from around the world would make the pilgrimage to Williamsburg for his services. The growth and industry of the town was attributed to the success of Dr. Locke's clinic.

Dr. Locke also created "cookies" which were a “corrective” shoe insert, which lead up to the production of the full-fledged Lockewedge shoe. Dr. Locke is said to have disposed of his rights in terms of the manufacture and sale of the shoes by the Lockwedge Shoe Corporation , which manufactured the footwear in Columbus, Ohio, thereby not profiting personally from the sale of the shoes. Locke married Blanche McGruer and they had three daughters, Marion, Ruth, Jean and one son, Parker. Mahlon William Locke passed away in 1942.