There is a fairly full discussion of Thomas Topliss paper manufacturer/importer in Cubbons bib - would appear that William Topliss was in partnership with William Walker of Liverpool -
Thomas Topliss, New Paper Mill — probably the newly-erected Lower Mill at Laxey (1820) - advert in 1821 'This Warehouse was open on Wednesday and Saturday; at any other time paper was obtainable from Mr. Topliss at the Laxey Mill'
The firm suffered a serious setback on February 16th, 1824, when the mill together 'with the old machinery for Spinning linen yarn, and a quantity of paper, rags, &c.,’ Was consumed by fire. The Manks Advertiser of February 19th, 1824, reported the disaster
in June of 1837 that the control of the Laxey paper mill passed from Thomas Topliss to his son William, who announced that he now carried on the Paper Warehouse on the North Quay on his own account, and there kept a stock of ‘ Writing, printing, ornamental and wrapping papers, cards, shalloon, and mill boards, and every other article in the Paper and Stationery line.’(Manks Advertiser, June 27th, 1837)
Meanwhile his father carried on at the Woodside Mill, and his death on October 1st, 1840, seems to have been due in a large measure to business worries. We read in the news-papers:— We regret to record the death of Mr. Toplis, paper-maker, Woodside, near the Strang, who was found on Thursday last in his own mill, suspended by the neck and quite dead. . . . He had resided long and industriously on the Island, and was a man of irreproachable conduct. We believe that the embarrassment of his affairs induced a morbid state of nervous irritability, which led to the final catastrophe. He has left a widow and family whose affliction we commiserate. Manx Sun, October 9th, 1840
Topliss appears to have been twice married, for the death of
‘ Sarah, wife of Mr. Topliss, occurred in Laxey on September
She was aged 32, Manks Advertiser, September 23rd, 1824..
A daughter, Mary, married Mr. Henry Taubman, brewer, of Ballaugh, on August 23rd, 1831.Manks Advertiser of the same date. They were married at Kirk Braddan
William Topliss was a publican - see my inn's pages for Douglas
http://www.ee.surrey.ac.uk/Contrib/manx/gazateer/inns/do.htm
Edward Topliss formerly of Lonan mentioned in Gold diggings in Australia in Dec 1 1852 - see http://www.ee.surrey.ac.uk/Contrib/manx/famhist/v11n1.htm