BRANT COUNTY, ONTARIO BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES Brantford Township - Part 1

These Brant County, Ontario biographical sketches have been transcribed by Bill Bowman from Warner and Beers History of Brant County 1883. They are being posted as Bill completes them. A big thank you to Bill for his hard work!

Please use your browser's Find feature to make sure you don't miss your surname, which might be buried inside a different surname biography.

Brantford Township - Part 1

Part of Page 551

THOMAS ADAMS, farmer, Cainsville. The father of our subject was John Adams, who was born in England in 1757, and died in 1852. He was a farmer through life, and accumulated a comfortable competency. He lived single until in the meridian of life, when he married Sophia Pressgraves, of English birth; she died after a union of a few years, of consumption, leaving five children. she and her husband were members of the Methodist Church. Of the five children, one lives in London, England; three in the United States; and Thomas, of whom we now write, is the only one living in Canada, where he came in 1847. He was born in England in 1832. Five years after reaching Canada he married Elizabeth Kingdon, of Brant County but a native of England. To this union ten children have been given, viz., Mary A., John T., Joseph H., William J., Charles A., Walter R. (deceased), George E., Wesley M., Emma E. and Arthur F. When Mr. Adams came to Canada he had no money, and started empty-handed, but industry and economy have placed him among the well-to-do citizens of this county, and he now owns a home of 73 acres. He has served three years as School Trustee, and is deeply interested in the education of his children. He and wife are members of the Methodist Church.

Part of Page 551

WALTER ALLAN, farmer, Cainsville P.O., is a son of William and Jane Allan, both natives of Scotland, where they were married in 1819; ten years later they came to Canada, settling in the Province of Quebec, but after a stay of nine years pressed on to the Township of Onondaga, Brant County, Ont., where they both died- she, July 3, 1872, and he, August 10, 1878. They had for many years been members of the Presbyterian Church. Of their nine children seven are now living. Walter is the seventh of the family, and was born in the Province of Quebec, February 8, 1833, but from the age of five years has been in Brant County, and now owns a good farm of 50 acres in Brantford township, which he cultivates. He has thus far in life, as well as his father before him , been a tiller of the soil. He takes special pains in raising good horses, and is one of the well-to-do citizens. In 1871 he married Elizabeth Knox, who is, with him, a member of the Presbyterian Church. Their children are Jane C.C., William, Isabelle M., Mary, John K., and Adam M. Mrs. Allan was born in Oneida in 1852.

MORRIS ANDERS, farmer, Brantford P.O., was born in the State of New Jersey, January 11th, 1819, and is a son of William and Priscilla (Vansickle) Anders, of german Descent. Mr. Anders died in New Jersey in 1825, leaving a wife and six children, viz., Margaret, Jacob and Elsie (twins), Morris, Sarah and Manda. Mrs. Anders came to Canada with three children in 1836, settling in Jerseyville, where she died in 1865. Morris Anders came to Canada in 1837, and since 1866 has made Brant County his home. He has been three times married: his first wife was Miss Sophia Howell; his second, Martha Misner; and the third, who he married in October, 1873, was Mary A. Steele, of Brantford. Mr. Anders owns 100 acres of good land, and makes a specialty of stock-raising.

Part of Page 552

MARK ARMSTRONG, deceased. This gentleman was a brother to Thomas Armstrong, whose sketch appears in this work. Mark was born in the north of England in 1832, but when ten years of age his parents moved to the County of Brant, Ontario, where he reached maturity. From 1852 to 1856 he, with his brother thomas, was in Australia digging gold, but since the last date mentioned, he was a resident, and land-owner of seventy-seven acres in Lot 19, first concession, in the Township of Brantford, until his death. Here he devoted his time to its cultivation. His wife, Sarah, daughter of James Hanson, of Westmoreland, England, was born in 1836, and they were married in Melbourne, Australia, in 1856. They have had nine children, of whom eight daughters still survive. Mr. and Mrs. Armstrong belong to the Baptist Church. Mr. Armstrong died on Monday, the 12th of March, 1883, of pneumonia, after a short illness. He was scarcely past the prime of life, but recently entered upon his fifty-second year.

THOMAS ARMSTRONG, farmer, Paris, P.O., is a grandson of Thomas Armstrong, who was of Scotch Parentage, and was born near Carlisle. He was raised and spent almost his entire life in the north of England. His occupation was farming. Of his ten children, Mark, the father of our subject, was the youngest and was born on St. Mark's Day, in April, 1799. He matured to farm life, but after his marriage, engaged in mining, which he followed until 1842, when he, his wife and eight children, started for Canada; while on the vessel one child died and seven reached the new home in the Township of Nelson, Ontario. In September of the same year he came to Paris, where he became the counsellor of Coleman, Curtis & Capron, owners of the plaster beds, as to the best methods of procuring the material. He had previously been unearthing it, but his knowledge of mining enabled him to mine it out, which was very satisfactory to the proprietors. In `847 he bought land in South Dumfries, but finally he settled near Mount Pleasant, where he died January 13, 1883. On coming to Canada he endured many privations and hardships in clearing up his two farms, although he was a stout hearty man. He buried his wife in 1865; she left a family of seven children, six of whom are now living. Thomas is the second eldest son, and was born in the north of England in 1827, but since the age of fifteen years he has resided in the County of Brant, near Paris, where he owns a good farm of 170 acres, which he cultivates. He married Margaret, daughter of Richard Sanderson; she was born in the County of Brant, and is now the mother of eight children, seven of whom are living. Mr. and Mrs. Armstrong spent from 1852 to 1886 in Australia digging gold, with favourable results.

Page 552

WILLIAM ATKINSON, farmer, Brantford Township, a native of Westmorelandshire, England, was born October 4th, 1835, and came to Canada in 1846 and located in Brant County, He was a son of Thomas and grandson of Edmund Atkinson, the former of whom settled in this county about 1846, where he died in 1854. Thomas married Eleanor Whitehead, and had eleven children, of whom George, Thomas, William and Robert are living; and Maria, Margaret, Mary Anne, Edmund, Isabella, Eleanor and Richard are dead. William, of whom this biography is written, married June 8th, 1858, Sarah Bellhouse, daughter of John Bellhouse, granddaughter of Thomas Rycroft, who came to this country in May, 1840 and established himself in the county. Their marriage resulted in nine children, viz., Margaret Ann, born April 12th, 1860; Sarah E., born Aug. 25th, 1861; William H., born Dec. 23rd, 1864; Charles E., born Sept. 29th, 1866; Nellie, born Sept. 17th, 1868; Hannah, born Dec. 6th, 1870; Grace, born Feb. 13th, 1873; John T., born June 1st, 1875; Maud M., born Feb. 19th, 1877. The family are members of the Church of England. Mr. Atkinson owns a farm of 62 acres of excellent land, six miles south of the City of Brantford, and is comfortable and well-to-do.

M. D. BALDWIN is of English extraction, and a native of the State of New York, where he was raised to farm life. He came to Brant County in 1843, at the age of 22 years, and settled on his present farm, where he engaged in hop-growing quite extensively for a about 37 years. Subsequently he engaged in sweet corn growing and drying, and in 1880 in his present business, which is mentioned in the manufacturing chapter of this work. Mr. Baldwin has been very successful through life, and now owns a fine lot of land of about 220 acres. His family consists of a wife and four daughters. Mrs. Baldwin is Mary A., daughter of Benjamin Hopkins, who was born near St. Catharines, and she near the same place.

Page 553

HERBERT BIGGAR, one of the oldest and most honoured settlers of brantford Township and Brant County, was born in Queenston, Ont., Jan. 6, 1809, and is a son of Robert Biggar, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this work. he was but seven years of age when his father located on the farm now owned by the former, and being reared to farming pursuits, he early assisted his father. At the age of thirty years he went to Brantford, and engaged with his brother Hamilton in mercantile business. He then moved back to the farm, and drove the first team that ever crossed the bridge over the Grand River at Brantford. He purchased a farm on Whiteman's Creek, Brant County; but six months later, in 1838, on the event of his father's death he came to the home-farm, and has since resided there. This farm consists of 114 acres on first range, Lot 10, Brantford Township. Mr. Biggar, who is a Reformer in politics, represented South brant for seven years, between 1850 and 1860, in the Upper Canadian Parliament. He has been a member of the Township and County Councils, as well as Reeve in Brantford Township. He is a member of the Wesleyan Methodist Church, and is a life member of the Oddfellows fraternity. Mr. Biggar was married in April, 1831, to Jane Ellis, a native of Mt. Pleasant, and to this union seven children were born, four living - Mary, widow of Archibald McCallum, of Hamilton; Hannah, wife of Rev. Mr. Griffin, of Guelph; Herbert, on farm adjoining that of his father; and Sarah. Mr. Biggar's first wife died about the year 1868 or 1869, and he again married in 1874, his second wife being a Mrs. Marion Long, of Brantford, who died Dec. 15, 1882. His first wife was an adherent of the Methodist body, and his second originally attended Zion Presbyterian Church, but on her marriage with Mr. Biggar joined the Methodist Church.

WILLIAM BIGGAR, farmer, Brantford Township, was born Feb. 23, 1827, and is a son of James and grandson of Robert L. Biggar, a native of Scotland, who came to Canada and settled in this county toward the close of the last century. He died here. James Biggar, his son, was born in this county in 1803, and married (1825) a lady of his own name, jane Biggar, daughter of William Biggar, a native of Scotland. Their family was seven in number, viz., William, Robert L., Charles, Mary, Eliza, Jane (deceased), and Nancy. He died in August, 1879. William Biggar, of whom this biography is written, married Jan. 3, 1854, Mary Jane Clement. She was a daughter of john Clement, a native of Ireland, who came to the Province early in the present century and settled in brantford Township, where he died at the ripe age of 95 years. Their marriage resulted in four children, as follows: Sarah Elizabeth, born Feb. 12th, 56, died may 28, 1861; Eliza Jane, born july 30, 1860, died june 24, 1868; James, born may 28, 1864; William, born April 18, 1866. Mr. Biggar is one of the leading men in the township, having for a period of six years been a member of the Township and County Councils. He is a successful farmer, owning a well stocked farm of 200 acres near Mohawk P.O., and another fine farm containing 175 acres in the Township of Burford. His family has always stood foremost in the ranks of pioneer settlers in Brant County. He is a member of the Canada Methodist Church.

Page 553 and Part of Page 554

THOMAS BIRKETT, farmer, Brantford P.O., is a son of William Birkett, who was born near London, England, in 1793. He grew up to farm life, but afterwards learned weaving fancy goods, which he followed a number of years. He married eleanor Bateman, of English birth, and about 1835, with six children, came to Canada, settling below Toronto; but two years later they came to the County of Brant, where he died in 1874; his widow survived him until 1879. On reaching Canada he had no means, but he soon engaged in farming, and thereby accumulated a neat competency. He and wife had a family of thirteen children, nine of whom are now living. Of these thomas is the fifth, and was born in England in 1828. He now owns a fine farm of 116 acres in the Eagle's Nest, in Brant County. He spent from 1847 to 1855 in Illinois, but returned to Canada, where he married Lucy Hickox, a native of Prince Edward Island, who was born in 1836, bur since 1843 has lived in the County of Brant. Thomas and wife have six children, viz., Theodore L., John W., Frank B., Robert R., Annie M., and Nellie B. Mr. and Mrs. Birkett are members of the Baptist Church.

ELEM BONHAM, retired farmer, Brantford P.O., was born near hamilton, in 1819. His father, Jeriah Bonham, was born in Pennsylvania, and now at the age of ninety-five years, lives with his son Elem in this county. He came to Canada before the War of 1812, and served through that war, being now one of the old pensioners. His wife was Mary White, who died in Canada in 1848, leaving Elem and Amelia, who is now the wife of Rev. Wm. Willoughby. In 1823 Jeriah and family came to Canada, settling near St. George, where he cleared his farm from a dense forest. Elem Bonham since a boy of three years has watched the growth of this section from a bush to its present well developed condition. He married Elizabeth Bausslaugh, of German descent. Mr. Bonham, soon after marriage, settled near Brantford, where he has since lived, and where he now owns 115 acres and a lot of 12 acres. Mr. Bonham belongs to the Methodist Church, and id the father of six children, viz., David and Dinah, deceased; Harriett, Peter, Mary and Jeriah.

Page 554

HENRY BOOK, farmer, Langford P.O., is a son of George and a grandson of John Book. The latter was born in germany, but died July 2nd, 1827 (aged 73 years), in Wentworth County, Canada, where he had settled in 1788, having come from his native country to York State two years prior to coming to Canada. He was married about 1777, bringing with him a family from Germany. His wife, Charity, died in Wentworth County, December 13th, 1822, aged 77 years; she was the mother of ten children, viz., George, Mary and Catharine (twins), Ann, Henry, Adam, Phoebe, John, Margaret and Christina. All were raised and part born in Wentworth County, but now all are deceased, though some of their posterity are now living in different parts of Canada. Of the entire family it is seen that George, the father of our subject, is the eldest; he was born in Germany in 1778, and died in Wentworth County, Ontario, August 31st, 1857. From eleven years old he endured the hardships of a pioneer life in the county where he died. His entire life was devoted to farming, and in the War of 1812, as orderly sergeant of the Volunteer Flank Company, in which he was the second man to enlist, he participated in the battles of Lundy's Lane and at Queenston Heights, where General Brock was killed. He was a man of five feet eleven and a half inches, and weighed 240 pounds, good health and strong constitution. About 1806 he married Mary A. Misner, a native of New York State, who came to Canada at an early day; she died in 1848. They both worked hard , and accumulated a neat competency. Their family of thirteen children were, Charity, John, Mary, George, Barbara, Lydia, Margaret, Adam, Peter, Henry, Elizabeth A., William and catharine. Of this number six are now living. Henry is the tenth of the family, and was born in Wentworth County October 20th, 1823. He was raised to farm life, and has thus far followed it for a livelihood, but nine years in Oxford County. In 1863 he came to Brant, and one year later bought his present farm. It was in an unimproved condition, but by his own efforts it is now second to no farm in the vicinity, which he cultivates scientifically, ornamented with a neat brick house of his own planning. In 1850 he married Nancy, daughter of John Oles; she died August 16th, 1866, leaving six children, viz., Millicent, Mary J., Margaret A., Marvel, Emervilla and Emerson. Mr. Book's second wife was Anna Smith, daughter of Allen Walker, a native of Michigan.

Page 554 and All of 555

GEORGE BRAZIER, farmer, Brantford Township, is a native of England; was born Aug. 6th, 1818, came to Canada in 1836, and settled in this county. He was a son of John Brazier, born in West Kent, England, Aug. 6th, 1777, who married, 1816, Harriett Branchley. Their children were: Friend, born June 9th, 1817; George, born August 6th, 1818; Emily, born July 19th, 1819; died April 29th, 1850; William, born June 27th, 1822; John H., born Dec. 14th, 1824; Jesse, born May 17th, 1827 (deceased); Edwin, born May 17th, 1830; James, born Dec. 2nd, 1834. The mother died Oct. 17th, 1853, and the father June 28th, 1855. George Brazier married, March 4th, 1837, Mary Bye, daughter of James Bye. She dying, he married a second time, Mary Ferris, daughter of James and granddaughter of James Ferris, natives of England. They have two children- George, born Nov. 5th, 1880 and Wallace, born Sept. 10th, 1882. The subject of this sketch received only a common school education, and started out in life with the meagre pittance of $10, but his energy and frugality have been rewarded by the possession of a fine farm of 100 acres, situated about five miles from the city.

RICHARD BROOKS, retired farmer, and one of the representative pioneer residents of Brantford Township, was born in Berkshire, England, August 14, 1805. His father, Thomas Brooks, was a native of Oxfordshire, England, and a gardener by occupation. He attended market in Berkshire, and lived there till his death, which occurred about fifteen or twenty years ago. He married Rachel Beachey, also a native of Oxfordshire, and their family consisted of three sons, two of whom are still living. Mrs. Brooks died about ten years after her husband's death. The eldest son living is about eighty-three years of age and has never known a day's sickness. The youngest of the three sons, and the subject of this notice, became a slater and plasterer in early life. He came to Canada in 1832( the first year of the cholera epidemic) , and located at Brantford, where he worked at his two trades for about three years. He then purchased eight acres of land on the Mount Pleasant Road, near Brantford, and since that period has made various purchases of land, till he finally possessed a fine farm of 200 acres. He subsequently apportioned a farm to each of his three sons, and retired from active labour some years since, with competence sufficient for old age. He is a member of Farringdon Independent Church, and has officiated, in his day, as elder and deacon. He married about 1834, to Elizabeth Holden, born near Blackburn, England, and had a family of six children, five of whom are living- Thomas, on a farm near his father's residence, and married to Sarah A. Pickersgill; Rachel, wife of William Whittaker, tinsmith in Brantford; Ann, at home with her father; Elizabeth, wife of Edwin Bellhouse, and Richard, a resident of Manistee, Michigan. William is deceased. Mrs. Brooks departed this life November 27, 1846 and Mr. Brooks again married, about three years later, Elizabeth Nightingale, who came from England to Toronto, when quite young, and died July 17, 1864, leaving no children.

ENSIGN BUCK, farmer Brantford P.O., was born in the State of New York in 1813, and is a son of Lideral and Vashta (Waterhouse) Buck, who were natives of New York State, where Lideral Buck died in 1816. The widow, with her second husband, Captain Marshal Lewis, came to Canada in 1821, settling in Brantford; here the mother of our subject died in 1823. Ensign Buck has since 1820, been in Brantford County. He was left an orphan at an early age, but by toil and perseverance he has accumulated a neat competency of 140 acres of land, after liberally providing for his children. He has taken his farm from a dense wilderness and made of it a beautiful home. He married Margaret Swartz, of Princeton, Blenheim County. They have the following family of children, viz., William E., Caroline M., James H., Margaret M., Mary E., George S., Charles W., Edward A., Alice J., Albert W., and Minnie H. - all living. Mr. Buck was associated with the building of the first bridge across Grand River. Mr. and Mrs. Buck are members of the Wesleyan Methodist Church.

Page 556

JEREMIAH BURCH, farmer, Brantford P.O., was born in Dutchess County, N. Y., Oct. 31, 1827. He is a son of Jeremiah and Ellen (Simpson) Burch, and came to Canada with his father in 1838, settling in this county at what is now called Mount Vernon. The grandfather and grandmother of our subject were of English descent, dying in Canada; the latter whose name was Jemima, at about the age of 100 years. His father, Jeremiah Burch, was born June 22, 1791, and married Ellen Simpson, of Dutch descent; he was in the War of 1812, and died in August, 1864. They had four children- Titus, Elizabeth, Jerome and Jeremiah, who married January 1, 1850, Elizabeth Waterhouse, of Welsh descent. He has a family of five children, viz., Emma, born March 20, 1851, and died Sept. 29, 1871; Henry L., born Nov. 10, 1852; Siles, born April 3, 1855; Luther, born April 23, 1858, died August 27, 1859; Barton, born April 2, 1862. Mr. Burch owns 170 acres of well improved land, located at Back Street of Mount Pleasant, overlooking Brantford City. He received in early life a common school education in New York State, and is a member of the Canada Methodist Church.

WILLIAM BURRILL, retired, Brantford P.O., is a son of William and grandson of William, both natives of Lincolnshire, England. The latter was through life a boatman, and while thus engaged he was unfortunately drowned. William Senr., the father of our subject, was one of 14 sons, 3 of whom fought, bled and died in the Battle of Waterloo. William last mentioned was for a bout half a century a shepherd on the "Hall Farm," which belonged to Lord Alaby. While thus engaged he was so attentive that as a compensation Lord Alaby provided a home for him in his last days. His wife was Catharine Cooper, of English origin also, and both died in their native country, having for years been members of the Church of England. Of their twelve children two are now living, one of which is our subject, and the only one who ever came to Canada. He was born on Lincolnshire, England, June 22, 1808. While in minor life he spent a part of the time with a clergyman. He was married July 8, 1830, to Ann, daughter of William and Mary Brown, of Lincolnshire. She was born in 1805. On October 10 of the year in which they were married they set sail for the American soil, and on January 1, 1831, landed in New York City. Subsequently he was employed as carman, and on the Crooked Lake Canal in New York State, until Aug., 1833, when he, wife and one child, came to Canada by way of steamer and waggon to Caledonia. Near there this little family started on foot for their destination near Cainsville, through the dense forest, a distance of 14 miles, he carrying their then only child the entire distance. Upon reaching their home he began working for an Indian, John Hill. Subsequently he was engaged in the erection of the first bridge across Grand river at Brantford. He laboured as renter and hired man until 1840, when he bought the first land in the Township of Onondaga, but with good health and management his wealth continued to increase, until he now owns over 400 acres of land in the Brant and Norwich Counties. He has served repeatedly in the Council of Onondaga, and was prominently identified for a number of years with the schools of his township. In the Agricultural Association he always manifested a deep interest, and served it as President. Until 1838 he and wife belonged to the Church of England, when they took up with the Wesleyan Methodists, to which they still belong. Mr. Burrill and wife remained on the farm until 1874, when they retired and moved to Brantford. Their children are nine, viz., Mary, deceased; Rebecca, Charles, William, Elizabeth, deceased; Anna deceased; Henry, deceased; Alfred and Ellen. All those deceased, save the son, were married, and the five survivors are married. July 8, 1881, William Burrell and wife celebrated their golden wedding.

DAVID BURTCH, farmer, Brantford Township, a native of this county, was born Nov. 23, 1815, and is a son of Stephen and grandson of David Burtch, a native of England, who went to the American colonies about the middle of the last century, and died at Albany, in what subsequently became the State of New York. Stephen Burtch, the sire, was born at Balltown, New York, in 1767, and came to Canadian 1796, locating near Niagara until 1813, when he removed to Brant County. About the year 1807 he married Margaret Belingar, daughter of Jacob Belingar, a native of Germany, their union being blessed with nine children, viz., Lucy and William (deceased), Esther, David, Adelia, Ann, Mary (deceased), Charlotte, Susan and Jane. After battling with the forests of Brant County for twenty years, this brave old pioneer was gathered to his fathers in 1833 at the age of 66, leaving behind him a record of good deeds for emulation by his posterity. David Burtch, the subject of our biography, was twice married. His first wife was Anna Smith, daughter of Amos Smith, a native of New York State, to whom he was married June 20, 1835. The result of their marriage was six children, as follows: Daniel, born Nov. 6, 1836; Jane, born Sept. 17, 1838, died May 24, 1867; Stephen, born Nov. 3, 1840, David, born Jan. 15, 1842; Silas, born July 16, 1844, died Oct. 6, 1845; Honickel, born Nov. 23, 1847. His wife dying June 1, 1856, he again married Jun 12, 1861, Nancy Ann Clarke, who is still living. Mr. Burtch is in independent circumstances, being the owner of a splendid farm of 172 1/2 acres, upon which he has resided since his birth, and 92 acres of excellent land in the Village of Mount Pleasant, all of which is well stocked and under a superior state of cultivation. He has held the office of Justice of the Peace for the past few years, having received his appointment from the Dominion Government. He is a member of the Baptist Church. David Burtch, Jr., his son, married Lucretia Clark, daughter of William and Susan (Huffman) Clark, of Glanford. He resides on the farm of his father.

WM. GRAHAME and ROBT. CLOWE C. CARLYLE, Brantford Township, farmers, sons of Alexander, grandsons of James and great-grandsons of thomas. They now occupy "Bield" farm, formerly owned by their father, who settled theeon in the year 1844. He emigrated with his wife and family, from Dumfriesshire, Scotland, to New York State, in June of 1843, and came to Canada in the following spring. he married Janet, daughter of Thomas Clowe, a native of Scotland, by whom he had seven children, viz., James W., Thomas, Jessie, John, Alexander, Wm. G. and Robert C. James, Father of Alexander, was born in 1757, and died 24th January, 1832. He was twice married; the only issue by first marriage was John, who emigrated to Canada in 1837 or 1838, and, settling near Brantford, resided in the neighbourhood until his death. By the second marriage were four sons and four daughters- Thomas, the eldest Known as one of the greatest literary men, born 4th December 1795, died at Chelsea, London, 5th February, 1881; Alexander, born 4th August, 1797; John Aiken, Doctor of Medicine, translator of Dante's Inferno etc., born July 7th, 1801, died September 1879; Jean, Mary, James and Janet. The first Carlyles came to Scotland along with the Bruces in the time of David II. A Sir John Carlyle created Lord Carlyle of Torthorwold, near Dumfries (ruins of old castle still extant), in reward for a beating he gave the English at Annan. The name of Michael, the fourth Lord Carlyle, is found on the Association bond signed by the Protestant Lords when Mary Queen of Scots was sent to Lochleven Castle. The arms of the Carlyles were two griffiths' heads , and the motto "Humilitate," adopted by Carlyle, the Historian.

Page 557 and Part of 558

ROBERT A. CHATTERSON, farmer, Brantford Township, was born in Ancaster Township, County of Wentworth, March 9th, 1820, and came to Brant County in 1839. his father, Joseph, was born in New Jersey, and came to Canada with his father Elias. Joseph married Sophia, daughter of John Kerlin, of English descent. The said John Kerlin, was an officer in the Revolutionary War on the English side. His wife, Susannah Burns, was related to Robert Burns. Robert A. Chatterson was one of thirteen children, two of whom died in infancy, the remaining being John Burns, Ezekiel, Elias, Robert A., Susannah, Solomon, Charlotte, Henry, Albert, William and Eliza J. Robert married, November 23rd, 1841, Elmira, daughter of John W. and Laura Cook, natives of Duchess County*, New York. They are the parents of three children, viz., Emily L., born April 4th, 1843, married Israel T. Dawson August 27th, 1867; Mary L., born July 11th, 1849, married Chas D. Smith September 6th, 1876; Joseph M., born September 25th, 1855, now practising law in Louisville, Kentucky. Mr. Chatterson is now owner of ninety acres of fine farming land in Brantford Township. He is Justice of the Peace, and a member of the Canada Methodist Church of which body he is a trustee and Steward. He is also Secretary of the Mount Pleasant Bible Society, holds a first-class certificate , and has taught school a period of twenty years in the Counties of Brant and Oxford. He is now enjoying the fruits of his labour.

SETH CHARLTON, farmer, Cainsville, is a son of Michael and Maria Charlton, who both died in Brant County- he, September 21, 1854, and she, September 19, 1877. They had a family of five children, three sons and two daughters. Seth was born July 18, 1840, in South Dumfries Township, Brant County, where he was raised to farm life, which he still follows. He now owns twenty acres of land near Cainsville, where he is pleasantly and comfortably located. This is the result of his own legitimate efforts since arriving at maturity. He and his wife are members of the Zion Church and he, since 1879, an Elder. For three yearspast he has been chosen as amagistrate. His marriage with Elizabeth Hunter was celebrated December 29, 1865.

*Bill's Notes: This should be Dutchess County The next Biography will be Solomon Chatterson! They are out of sequence in the book!

Page 558

SOLOMON CHATTERSON, Esq., farmer, Mohawk, was born in the County of Wentworth, Oct. 27, 1824, and is a son of Joseph and Sophia (Kerlin) Chatterson. His father was born in Canada and his mother in England; the former was a pensioner of the War of 1812. The subject of this sketch was twice married. His first wife was Eliza Ann, daughter of Robert McAlister, and was the mother of three children, viz., Almanza, born Feb. 5th, 1850; Alceona, born May 11th, 1851, died March, 1872; Arrinthea, born Sept. 30th, 1852. He again married Nov. 1st, 1871, Sarah Calista Terhune, daughter of Garret and Olive J. (Dresser) Terhune, whose biography appears fully elsewhere in this work. She was born, June 29th, 1846, and also has four children, as follows: Leslie M., born July 14th, 1872, Alice E., born Sept. 28th, 1873; Emma R., born June 18th, 1875; Effie O., born Oct. 19th, 1881. Mr. Chatterson, who came to this county in 1845, owns 395 acres of superior farming land on Mount Pleasant Street, has for a number of years held a commission of Justice of the Peace, and is a member of the Methodist Church. In his youth he received a common school education, and his career through life has been one of probity and honour.

HORACE CHISHOLM, farmer, Paris, P.O., was born in Brantford Township, and is a son of John and Janet (Campbell) Chisholm. John Chisholm was born in Scotland in 1813, and came to Canada in 1833; here he married Janet Campbell in 1837, and in 1839 they settled in brantford Township, seven miles from Brantford and four from Paris. Mr. Chisholm resided on this place until his death, March 19th, 1882. He received a limited education, in Scotland, and had but 25 cents when he started in life for himself. He had, by his own industry, acquired before his death a neat competency of 150 acres, with good building, which his widow and family now enjoy. His children are James, Horace, Jenny, Jessie, Malcolm and John, all members of churches. Mrs. Chisholm, to whom we are indebted for the foregoing facts, is now 73 years old, but retains all her mental faculties, and possesses the vigour of a much younger body.

558 and Part of 559

JAMES CLARK, farmer, Langford P.O., is a son of Walter Clark, who was born in Scotland, and came to Canada in minor life, where, in 1838, he married Ann Holding, who was born in England. They settled in Brant County, where he followed farming until his death in 1852, when he was drowned in the canal. His widow still survives him. They were both members of the Church of England. Of their six children James, the eldest son, was born four miles south of Brantford, October 18, 1840. He was raised to farm life, which he has always followed. His education was acquired in the common schools, and as he was the eldest son, much of his time at school was broken by supplying the demands at home. He was married in january, 1867, to Sarah harold; she was born in England in 1845, but came to canada in infancy. they have seven children- John W., Emma J., George H., James H., Bertha A., Thomas W., and Sarah J. Mr. and Mrs. clark are both members of the Canada Methodist Church.

GEORGE COLE, farmer, Cainsville P.O., was born in the States, 1830; son of Southworth Cole. He came to Canada when a boy, and in 1851 married Mary Johnson. In the war of 1861, he enlisted in the 12th N.Y. Cavalry, and rose to sergeant. Being captured at Hatteras Inlet, South Carolina, he was imprisoned at Andersonville, where he died in 1864. He left four children, viz., Joseph B., Frank S., George H., and M.K. Mrs. Cole was a daughter of Joseph Brant Johnson, and a granddaughter of Rolph Johnson, who was born near Albany, N. Y. He served in the ranks of the British army during the Revolutionary War, as ranger, with Captain Joseph Brant. He camr to Canada after the battle of Bunker's Hill, about 1778. He was the father of five children, viz., John, Ahey, William, Hannah, and Joseph Brant. The latter was the father of Mrs. Cole, and named in honour of Captain Brant. He married Catharine, daughter of Jacob File, whose history may be found elsewhere in this work. They had one child, Mary, now the widow of George Cole. She was born in this county in 1831, and is now living on the Johnson homestead. Of her children, all are married except George H., who makes a specialty of stock-raising.

Page 559

WM. J. COLEMAN, commercial agent, Cainsville P.O., was born in Antrim Co., Ireland, December 28, 1838. his grandfather, John Coleman, a native of Ireland, emigrated to Canada in 1854, at the age of ninety-three years, visiting his son John in Wentworth County, where he died in the winter of the same year. John, the father of our subject, came to Canada in 1841, settled in Dundas, where he carried on the boot and shoe business about four years, and then removed to Lot No. 10 West Flamboro', Wentworth County, where he now resides. His family consisted of eight children- Nancy, died May 23, 1880, at the age of fifty-two; Joseph, married Mary Jane Pierce; James died, aged nineteen; William J., who was married twice; Elizabeth married John H. Cripps; Sanders married Annie McCollom; Andrew married Matilda Cripps; and Samuel now resides in Erin Township. Wm. J. Coleman married Martha Gartley, November 14, 1861, who died, leaving two children- Mary Alice, born May 24, 1863, married Thomas Nicholl; and edwin, born November 19, 1865. He married his second wife, Amanda Glover, June 30, 1869; she was born June 29, 1835, and was a daughter of Wm. Glover, who married Margaret Laitham. They were the parents of two children- William, born May 18, 1870; John, born August 6, 1872. William, the subject of this sketch, received a common school education, belongs to the Presbyterian Church, and is a member of the Independent Order of Oddfellows, and of the Ancient Order of United Workmen.

Page 559 and Part of 560

CORNELIUS COOK, farmer, Cainsville P.O., was born near Montreal, and is a son of Cornelius and a grandson of Silas Cook. The latter was born in New Jersey about the middle of the last century, and was of English parentage. After marriage he endured the hardships of the Revolutionary War, he and his wife being both captured by Capt. Joseph Brant on the Susquehanna River, Pennsylvania. They were brought to the Mohawk Village, in this county, with many other prisoners, and were the only ones to escape the death of the scalping knife. After spending three years with the tribe they were released, and settled quietly in the vicinity of Beamsville, and subsequently in Toronto, where he owned at the time 200 acres of land now in the city limits. He died near Prescott, leaving eight children, the father of our subject being the second. He was born in Canada in 1788, and died in Brant County in 1855. He had a family of eight children, our subject being the youngest. Cornelius Cook married Catherine Miller, by whom he had five sons. She died in 1876, and he for a second wife married Miss B. Spence, of Brantford, but a native of Scotland. They are members of the Methodist Church. Mr. Cook owns the homestead, where he carries on farming and stock-raising.

JOHN EDWIN COOK, farmer, Mohawk, was born in this county Sept. 30, 1834, and is a son of John W. and Laura (Marshall) Cook, and a grandson of Daniel and Phoebe (Andrews) Cook. He married, Nov. 3rd, 1858 Euphemia Smith, daughter of John W. and Euphemia (Glover) Smith, who are further referred to in the biography of Daniel Smith, Esq., of Northfield; she was born April 10th, 1837; their children number four, viz., Mary Eliza, born Oct. 25, 1859; Ada G., born Nov. 15, 1862; Annie L., born Jan. 4, 1867; George E., born July 7th, 1872- all living. Mr. Cook is a prosperous farmer, and resides on the farm where he was born, adjoining the Village of Mount Pleasant. He owns 140 acres of fine land at Mount Pleasant and 34 acres of woodland in Oakland Township. He is a Justice of the Peace, and in politics a Reformer.

Page 560

BENJAMIN CORNWELL, farmer, Langford P.O., is a son of henry and grandson of Benjamin Cornwell. The latter was of English parentage, born on Long Island. He was raised in the State of New York, where he married Elizabeth Abrams, who was also of English extraction. In 1811 they, with their family, came to Canada and settled west of Brantford, but a few months later bought a lot of land, east of Fairchild's Creek, from Captain Brant. This they transformed from its natural to an improved state, and endured many privations in the early part of this century. He was by occupation a cooper, but did nothing at his trade after coming to Canada. He buried his wife in 1836, and he died in 1842. They had born to them three sons and as many daughters, all of whom lived and died residents of Brant County; two were in the War of 1812; their names were respectively Elizabeth, Priscilla, Henry, George, Daniel and Deborah. Henry, the first son, was born May 28, 1792, in the State of New York, but from the age 17 was a citizen of Canada. He was a farmer through life, of a wiry disposition, and accumulated a neat competency. He married Fannie Heverland*, who was born in New York State, May 27, 1793, and died in Canada Nov. 11, 1874, having buried her husband on March 9, 1865. They had six children, viz., Lottie, Margaret, John, Daniel, Benjamin and Morgan; the second and third are deceased. Benjamin was born january 20, 1833, and was raised to farm life,. which he continues to follow, in connection with stock-raising. He has been twice married; first in 1862 to Helen Lampkin, and in 1855* to Ann Warbrick, a native of Brant County but of English parentage; she is the daughter of James and Elizabeth Fields. Mr. And Mrs. Cornwell have six children, viz., Annie H., Martha E., Alice M., Henry d., August B., and Mary C. Bill's Notes: *Heverland should be Haviland! Date: 1855 is as recorded in the book Must be wrong as first marriage is recorded as 1862!

JOHN COULBECK, farmer, Brantford P.O., is a son of James Coulbeck, and one of ten children. He was born in Lincolnshire, England, where he matured, but came to Canada in 1851, and two years later married, since which he has been a resident of Brant County, where he now owns 21o acres of land, well improved and under cultivation; this is mostly the result of his own untiring efforts, coupled with good management. He has been identified with the Agricultural Association for a number of years, and raises good stock. He has always taken an active interest in the cause of education, and has given each of his six children a liberal education.

Page 561

JAMES COWHERD, farmer, Newport, was born in England Feb. 7th, 1824, and came to Brantford with his father when 13 years old. He is a son of William and grandson of James Cowherd, who died in England. William was born in 1790, emigrated to this country in July, 1837, settled in the city, and died in the Township of Brantford in August, 1864. He married Mary Cooper, by whom he had three children, viz., Margaret, Thomas and Mary, the latter of whom died in England. Mrs. Cowherd died, and for a second wife he married Sarah Tenant, by whom he had one child, James. Margaret and thomas reside in Brantford. James, the subject of these remarks, was twice married. First he married Elizabeth Hartly, their issue being one child, Sarah jane, now the wife of Henry Green. His second wife was Jane Broughton, daughter of Richard and granddaughter of Thomas Broughton, a native of England, where he died. Richard is still living in this county. They were married Nov. 18th, 1850, and are members of the Baptist Church. Mr. Cowherd has a first-class farm of 79 acres, about five miles from Brantford, under an excellent state of cultivation.

WILLIAM COWIE, farmer, Brantford P.O., was born in Hamilton Ont., May 17th, 1840; he is a son of John and Isabella Cowie, who are at present residing in Onondaga Township. The subject of this sketch was married May 22nd, 1867, to catharine File, by whom he had three children, viz., John, William Alexander and Annie Elizabeth. Mrs. Cowie died december 4th, 1873, and for a second wife Mr. Cowie married Rachel McLellan, by whom he has four children, as follows: James, Anthony McLellan, Elizabeth Kerr and Isabella, all members of the Baptist Church. Mr. Cowie resided on a farm of 100 acres on Big Creek for eighteen years, but recently be removed and took up his residence in Brantford Township.

Page 561 and Part of 562

THOMAS CRAIG, farmer, Brantford P.O., is a son of Samuel Craig, who was born in the County of Antrim, Ireland, in 1778. he matured in the native land, and about 1800 he came to Canada, settling in Lower Canada for a few years, where in 1824 he married Jane Roseberry, who was born in Ireland about the first of the present century, ands now lives in Brantford. Samuel and family, about 1838, reached the limits of brant County, and four years later the city of Brantford, where he lived until 1880, when, at the age of 102 years, he passed into the spirit land. He was through life farmer and distiller. He and wife had born to them five sons and as many daughters. Of the family our subject, the third, was born in 1831 at St. Catharines, but since 1838 he has lived in the County of Brant, and by occupation is a tiller of the soil. In 1859 he married Ellen Edmondson, daughter of Christopher Edmondson, elsewhere mentioned. Mr. and Mrs. Craig have a family of eight children, all living. Mr. Craig* was born in 1837, but since 1844 has been a resident of the County of Brant. Bill's Note: I believe this date should be for Mrs. Craig!

THOMAS D. CRAWFORD, farmer, Brantford, P.O., was born in Brant county, October 28th, 1828. His father Seth Crawford, was born at Saratoga, New York State, November 1st, 1801, and was of Scotch descent. He came to Canada in 1821 as a missionary among the Indians about Brantford. He did much good among that race, and in 1822, with their aid, built the first mission house on what is now the Keer Farm. In 1823 he married Laura Mead, who was born in August, 1822, in Greenfield, Saratoga Co., New York State. Mr. Crawford followed his ministerial duties up to the time of his death, which occurred May 13th, 1848. His wife died in 1852. they were the parents of twelve children, of whom Thomas D. was the second. He followed the missionary work with his father until 1857, when he settled on his present farm, which his father procured from the Indians. In 1851 he married Eliza, daughter of Abel Weaver. They are members of the Baptist Church, and have a family of five children. Mr. Crawford has been Assessor and Tax Collector for two years.

JOHN DANIELS (deceased) was a son of John Daniels, Senr., who was of Irish extraction, born in the State of new York, where he married. About 1812 they settled near Ancaster, Ontario, where both died. He was a strong hearty man of large frame. Of his nine children eight came to Canada, where two yet survive. John, our subject, was born in 1783, in the State of new York, where he learned the blacksmith trade, which he has followed mostly through life. He came to Canada at the time his father came, but about 1840 located at Langford, where both he and wife died. Her maiden name was Elizabeth Stills, one year his junior, and born in New Jersey. They were both members of the canada Methodist Church. their seven children were Elijah, Phoebe, Letitia, Sarah A., Eliza, Lydia H. and William J. Sarah A. still resides at Langford, and is conducting a millinery store and dressmaking.

Page 562

GEORGE DAVIDSON, farmer, Paris P.O., was born in England, April 11, 1829. He emigrated to America with his parents, Thomas and Isabella Davidson, in 1851, came to Canada in 1861, and settled in Brantford Township. His father was a miner by trade, and died in 1872; his mother died in 1874. George Davidson married, in 1862, Mrs. Ann (Robinson) Crawford, a widow with three children. They had one daughter, named Maggie Isabelle. Mr. Davidson has one brother in the State of Kentucky, and another in the State of Indiana. Mr. Davidson owns a well improved farm of 130 acres, and keeps a good line of stock. His family are members of the M.E. Church.

WILLIAM DAWDY, farmer, Langford P.O., was born in Welland County, Ontario, in 1833, and is a son of James Dawdy and a grandson of Jeremiah Dawdy, of Irish descent. His father, James Dawdy, was born in Welland County, in 1812. He was through life a farmer and miller, marrying Mary Osborn (now deceased), who was born in Canada in 1810. they were members of the Episcopal Church, and had a family of eight children, our subject being the eldest, and only one living in Brant County. He married Elizabeth Sweazy, who was born in 1835 in Wentworth County. They were members of the Episcopal Church, and had ten children, viz., Mary L., Orton J., Bertha A., Hiram H. (deceased), Laura A., Lincoln, Emma J., Earl A., William H., and Colborn H. Mr. Dawdy has made farming his special vocation, and as such has been successful. Mrs. Dawdy died in 1882.

Page 562 and Part of Page 563

DANIEL DAY, farmer, Langford P.O., This gentleman is a son of Isaac W., a grandson of Solomon, and a great-grandson of John Day. The latter, a native of Dublin, Ireland, came to America in minor life, and married an English lady. They came to Canada in the early part of the present century, and both died in Brant County. They had a family of eleven children, three of whom became patriots in the War of 1812. Solomon was born in the States, and came to Canada when a boy with his parents. He followed farming exclusively through life, save a little attention given to his saw-mill, with he erected on Fairchild's Creek about 1840. His wife was Sarah, daughter of Isaac Whiting, an early settler in Brant County. Solomon and wife held to the Methodist Church. He died in Brant County and she near Waterford, while visiting there. Of their family of fourteen children nine are now living, of whom Isaac W. is the second eldest, and was born in Brant County in 1809. He was raised, through the pioneer days, to farm life, and always followed that pursuit and now lives retired. His wife was Susan Barton, who was born in Pennsylvania, and came to Canada in 1821, and died in 1859. He and his wife belonged to the Methodist Church. Their children were six, viz., Daniel, Morris (deceased), Anna, Ira, George and Melina. Among the positions of distinction Isaac had filled in the Church we mention that of class-leader. Our subject is the eldest son of the family just given, and was born in Brant County in 1835. He was raised to farm life, and remained at home until 1862, when he married Elizabeth A. daughter of P. H. Swartz, an early settler near Niagara, where Mrs. Day was born, but since 1869 she has been a resident of Brant County. Mr. and Mrs. Day are both members of the Canada Methodist Church, of which he had been Trustee a number of years, is at present Steward and Treasurer, and Assistant Superintendent of the S.S. He and wife are pleasantly located on their farm of 70 acres, which they have owned since 1866.

Page 563

JOHN DAY, Sr., farmer, Langford P.O., is a son of Solomon and Sarah (Whiting) Day, who are mentioned in Daniel Day's sketch. John was born in brant County in 1806, and was raised to farm life, which he has followed ever since. He now lives retired. On April 12, 1832, he married Adeline, daughter of Allen and Elizabeth Sage; she was born in Oxford County on March 26, 1808, and died in Brant County January 13, 1854. John and wife belonged to the Canada Methodist Church, in which he filled the office of Trustee three years. He inherited 136 acres of land, on which he now lives. His success through life had been good. He and wife had a family of five children, viz., Emiline, Eunice, Sampson, Lydia and Solomon. Eunice died in 1871, aged 36 years, and of Sampson a sketch appears in this volume.

SAMPSON DAY, farmer, Langford P.O., Another of the descendants of a pioneer family is Sampson Day, who is a son of John Day mentioned in this work. Sampson was born in the Township of Brantford March 14, 1838, and raised on a farm, imbibing the principles of that noble industry which he still continues to follow. He now owns a fine farm of 138 acres, well improved and under a high state of cultivation. He was married in July, 1864, to Hannah Ludlow, who with husband and children belong to the Canada Methodist Church. Their children are Ariel A., John H. H., Adie E., Fred S., and frank E. H. Mrs. Day is a daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth (Harris) Ludlow, who were both born in Ireland but were married in Canada.

Page 563

EDWARD J. DENTON, farmer, Brantford. The gentleman whose name heads this sketch is a son of Thomas and Jane N. (Clark) Denton. The latter wa a direct descendant of Sir William Wallace, the hero of Scotland, and also a descendant of Lieutenant-Colonel Cameron of the 92nd Regiment, who fell in the Battle of Waterloo. Thomas Denton was a direct descendant of General Fairfax, who figures so prominently in English history. Thomas Denton and wife were both natives of Yorkshire, England, where they matured, and on November 5, 1841, they were married. In 1845 they came to Canada, purchasing land of Chief Jacob Johnson near Brantford, where he followed farming until death in 1864, forty-eight years of age; his widow survived until 1880. Their children were three in number, viz., Edward, James and Walter. The last two died in infancy, and Edward, is the only one surviving to relate the history of so noble a family of Brant County. He is of English parents, but in Holstein, Germany, near the borders of Denmark, on Sept. 24, 1842. Since three years of age he has been a resident of Canada, and owns a good farm near Brantford, Johnson's Settlement. He has enjoyed two trips to England, one in 1855 and one in 1865. He received a fair education, and is a well-to-do citizen. In 1865 he married Jane O. Ottley, second daughter of Captain Ottley, of Stamford, who died in 1871, leaving three daughters- Mary, Edith and Jennie. His second wife, whom he married Sept. 1st, 1873, is Mary M., daughter of Abram Law Esq., Reeve of Richmond Hill. They have one child, John Edward, born in 1874.

WILLIAM DEPEW, Paris P.O., was born in Canada in 1830. He was a son of William and Dezire (Goodhue) Depew, natives of Canada. They were the parents of seven children, William being the third. He was married in 1864 to Lydia Steel, a native of Canada. They have a family of five children, viz., Herbert, Alice, Mary, George and Edwin. Mr. Depew received a common school education in Glandford. Wentworth County, in his youth. He now owns 81 acres of land, and is a Reformer in politics.

Page 563 and Part of 564

JOHN DIAMOND, farmer, Brantford Township, was born July 30, 1844, and is a son of Abraham and grandson of Joseph Diamond, a native of the United States, who died in this Province. John, our subject, married September 16, 1874, Jane Eddy, daughter of John Eddy, of Oakland township. He owns 35 acres of land five miles from Brantford, in an excellent state of cultivation. Mr. Diamond is a member of the Canada Methodist Church. John Eddy, father of Mrs. Diamond, was born November 25, 1805, and married Abigail Smith, daughter of John Smith, a native of Pennsylvania, who emigrated to Canada. She died February 14, 1881, aged 64 years. Mr. Eddy is still living in Oakland Township, and is one of the oldest surviving pioneer settlers in the county. COL.

HIRAM DICKIE, farmer, Brantford Township, a native of New Brunswick, was born October 4, 1826, came to this Province in 1838, and settled on the farm where he now resides. His father's name was hector, as was also that of the paternal grandfather. The latter was Commissary in Lord Rawdon's Regiment in South Carolina during the American Revolutionary War, until he was removed to the West Indies, and subsequently to New Brunswick. Hector, Col. Dickie's father, held a commission, and served his king and country as Ensign in New Brunswick during the War of 1812. Col. Dickie married in 1863 Mary Jane Kerr, daughter of Captain George Henry Kerr, and his family consists of two daughters- Mary and Eloner Jane. He has in his possession the rifle that was the trusty companion of Captain Joseph Brant, the renowned Chief and warrior of the Six Nation Indians. The subject of this biography received what was at that time considered a good education at the common school and by private instruction. He was commissioned Colonel of the Volunteers February 11, 1876. He owns a fine farm of 150 acres, beautifully situated on the banks of the grand River, two and a half miles above the City of Brantford, and is at present living the pleasant enjoyment of a retired life.

Page 564

DANIEL DOWLING, farmer, Langford P.O., is a son of Michael Dowling, who was born in the County of Kildare, Ireland, in the early part of the present century, and died in Brant County, Ontario, Canada, during the eighth decade of the present century. He was of Irish parentage , and his father died in his native land, but his mother came to Canada and died in Brant County. Michael matured in Dublin, Ireland, but came to Canada shortly before the Rebellion, and in 1845 married Mary, daughter of John Whiting. They settled in Brantford Township, where he followed farming until his death, owning the farm our subject from the year of his marriage. Michael and wife had a family of eight children, viz., John, Rachel, James, Daniel, Ann, Jane, Mary, and Elizabeth- all now living. Of the number, Daniel, the fourth, was born on the farm he now owns, in 1854. He was brought up to farm life, and still follows that occupation. He was married in 1880 to Ida Daniels, whose father, John, was an early settler and blacksmith in the vicinity of Langford.

564 and Part of 565

CHRISTOPHER EDMONDSON, deceased, was a son of christopher Edmondson, Senr., who is mentioned in the sketch of William Edmondson. The subject of this sketch was born in Yorkshire, England, in 1829, but from twelve years of age was a resident of Brant County until his death, in june 1850.* While at a barn-raising a piece of falling timber struck him and ended the career of one of the citizens of Brant County. He was through life a farmer and stock-breeder. In 1875 he, with Robert Snider, went to Scotland and imported the first heavy horses of the county, also Suffolk pigs, Cotswold sheep, and a superior breed of chickens. Mr. Edmondson, in addition to this enterprising spirit, was a man of honour and ability, and was repeatedly elected a member of the County as well as the Township Council; also served three years as Reeve. He was married about 1855 to Mary Renwick, who was a native of Canada, and died in Brant County in 1871. Of their eight children, six are living, viz., Jane, Ellen, Alexander, Christopher, Mary, and Maggie. Bill's Note * Date is wrong, he was not married until 1855! In 1875 he went to Scotland!

WILLIAM EDMONDSON, farmer, Brantford P.O., is a son of Christopher Edmondson, and a grandson of William Edmondson. The latter was a native of England, and could trace his ancestry in the parish church for many years. He lived and died in his native land. Of his children, Christopher, the first son, was born in 1800 in Yorkshire, where he grow up to farm life, and married Ellen, daughter of Benjamin Lambert, in 1823. They came to Canada in 1841, with four children, viz., Christopher, William, Ellen and John. The latter died at Montreal. The family settled in Brantford, where they remained until 1846, when they bought land and cultivated it until his death. He died in 1871, leaving a widow, who still survives at the age of 82 years. Of their children, William the only son living, is a native of England, bur from childhood has lived in Canada, where he now owns a good farm of 115 acres on Lots No. 37 and 38 in the third concession. A part of his time he handled blooded stock, but now devotes his time exclusively to farming. His ability has resulted in placing him in the Council and he has recently been appointed Justice of the Peace. His first wife was Cassandra Renwick, who died , leaving one child. His second wife was Ellen, sister of Robert H. Snyder. she died, leaving three children. He married for his third wife Magdalena, sister to his second wife.

Page 565 and Part of 566

J. R. ELLIS, Postmaster at Mount Pleasant, Township of Brantford, was born about one mile east of the present post office, Sept. 11th, 1810, and is a son of Allin Ellis, a native of "big Bend' Susquehanna River, Pennsylvania, where he was born in 1788. He again was the son of Henry Ellis, who came to canada in 1800, settling on a farm of 200 acres, on Lot 7, east side of the mount Pleasant road. He was a weaver by trade, an occupation he followed up to his death in january, 1831. His farm was the first to exist on the 4,000 acre tract of land which was surveyed and laid out by Captain Joseph Brant, and was at that time a portion of the Gore District, in the Township of Haldimand, County of Wentworth. Henry Ellis was by birth a Welshman, and a descendant of the Earl of Strambeau, whose crest was a castle with two swords. He married margaret Mahan, a native of Donegal, Ireland. They were the parents of several children, four of whom came to Canada- now all deceased. Mrs. Ellis died during the War of 1812. One son, Allin, father of our subject, was the seventh son. He was twelve years of age when he came to Canada, and was reared on the home farm. He was a natural physician, and held in much requisition in early days, as he proved himself a valuable friend to the sick. When the War of 1812 broke out the grandfather and his sons offered their services to assist in repelling the invading foe, but the former was seized with camp fever, and compelled to return home. His wife, in washing his clothes, contracted the disease and died of it. Allin Ellis was one of these volunteers, and drove a yoke of oxen at the battle of Lundy's Lane, serving under the command of captain Thomas Perrin, nicknamed "Barefoot," because, on training days, he was wont to drill his company in his bare feet. Allin was engaged in farming till the day of his death, in September, 1849. He married Hannah Sturgis, from Pennsylvania, who died February 15th, 1874. She was a daughter of Amos Sturgis, of Upper Miriam, Chester County, Pennsylvania, who was a Captain in the Continental army, Under General Washington. Rachel Randall, her mother, was born in Philadelphia, in 1757, died in 1814. Amos Sturgis was a son of thomas Sturgis, also a native of Philadelphia, born there in 1722, died in 1802; and those two sons, Amos and Thomas Sturgis, came to Canada along with the Ellis family. To Mr. and Mrs. Allin Ellis were born four boys and eight girls, and of these three boys only are now living- Henry in Chicago Ill.; J. L. and A. W., both in Mount Pleasant. John R. Ellis was reared on the farm, and worked on the homestead farm till he became of age, when he learned the trade of carpenter and worked at it for some years. He erected his own residence, as well as those of george Bryce and Herbert Biggar; subsequently he applied himself to the cabinet-making business for a period of 35 to 40 years. In September, 1880, he received the appointment, under Sir John Mcdonald's administration, of Postmaster at Mount Pleasant. Mr. Ellis, who is a Conservative in politics, has never held any other office of consequence. He married December 25th, 1844, Janet Carlyle, a native of Cumberland, England, and daughter of John Carlyle, a half brother of thomas Carlyle. Her mother was Margaret Bend, an English lady. Mr. and Mrs. Ellis had a family of six children, three of them dying in infancy, and three boys are living: John Fitz Allin, the oldest son, is a member of the firm of Barber & Ellis, bookbinders and manufacturers of envelopes; Robert Baldwin, a broker in Toronto, and W. R., manufacturer of mackinaw hats , Detroit. Nettie, an adopted daughter, is at home with Mr. and Mrs. Ellis. Mr. E. was formerly a member of the Congregational Church in Brantford, and his wife attends the Canada Methodist church, Mount Pleasant. A. W., the second son of Allin Ellis, was born on the home farm, May 11th, 1819, and has been engaged in farming all his life. He lived on the old homestead until he sold it, when he bought property in Mount Pleasant, a farm of fifty acres. He is a Reformer in politics, and has been Trustee of the Village Grammar School for nine years. Has also acted as Returning Officer since 1879, and was married July 1st, 1852, to Isabella McDonald, a native of Glasgow, Scotland, who came to Canada with her widowed mother. They have a family of eight children- Isabella, wife of Archibald St. Clair, hardware merchant, Paisley, Ontario; James, at home; Alexander, book-keeper, for the Canada Paper Manufacturing Company, Toronto; Albert E., book-keeper for William Patterson, Belleville, Ont.; William Walllace, with W. F. Cockshutt, hardware merchant, Brantford; Martha S., Herbert H., and Julia M., all three at home. Mrs. A. W. Ellis is a member of the Presbyterian church of Mount Pleasant.

Page 566

STEPHEN FAIRCHILD, farmer, Brantford Township, was born in Townsend, county of Norfolk, Ont., Jan. 15, 1825, and is a son of Timothy Fairchild, a native of Brant County, where he was born in 1799. When five or six years of age, Mr. fairchild removed to Oakland Township, where he married, and then returned to Townsend, but soon after again made his way back to brant county. When a young man, he taught school, first at what is now Section No. 7 of the Township of Brantford, and subsequently at Bealton, in the Township of Townsend; then at Waterford, Ont. In this occupation he was engaged for five winters, and a portion of one summer. He was then married July 7, 1852, to Charity McMichael, of the Township of Townsend, by whom he had five children- R. Melvin, registered practitioner of medicine; Anna, wife of George F. Miles, agricultural agent on Mr. Fairchild's farm; Harry A., studying law with Crear & Muir, Hamilton; May and Charles G. At the time of his marriage, being poor, Mr. Fairchild put all his energies to his work, and secured a farm of 160 acres, on which he resided 28 years, and which he still owns, and then bought his present farm of 80 acres, the old homestead, where he now lives. His father gave him 80 acres of the first farm he owned, and to this he added 80 acres. Mr. Fairchild has always taken an interest in fine stock, but has never made it a specialty in his farming operations until of late. He is a Reformer, but does not take an active part in politics, and has filled the office of Justice of the Peace for about ten years. He attends the Presbyterian Church, and his wife and oldest daughter are members of the Baptist body.

Page 566 and Part of 567

PHILIP FAIRLIE, farmer, Brantford Township, a native of Renfrewshire, Scotland, was born in the parish of Erskine, March 17, 1825, and came to Canada in 1852. He is a son of Homer Young and Flora (McDonald) Fairlie, and married Oct. 16, 1854, Eliza Cleator. She is a daughter of John and Mary (Renwick) Cleator, the latter of whom was born Feb. 5, 1826, and migrated to this country from Cumberland, England, in 1828. Her father and mother were natives of Whitehaven and Cockermouth respectively. The family of our subject were: Henrietta, born June 4, 1857; John H., born Aug. 12, 1858; Josephine, born Oct. 6, 1860, died Dec. 14, 1864; Daniel H., born may 1, 1863; Philip, born Nov. 11, 1866; James E., born Sept. 6. 1869. John Cleator, father of Mrs. Fairlie, was at one tome prominently engaged in the business of distilling, and about 1833 erected a grist and oatmeal mill, but subsequently constructed it into a plaster mill, and occupied himself largely in the manufacture of land plaster. He owned the plaster beds at the River Bend, in the vicinity of Brantford, and was the first white man who owned the farm on which Mr. Fairlie now resides. He was a miller by trade and died in 1849.

Page 567

CHARLES E. FILE, farmer, Cainsville P.O., is a son of John J. File, and grandson of John File, Senr. The latter was of German descent, and born in 1760, near Albany, New York. When a boy his father sent him on an errand to the troops of the Revolutionary War, from whence he did not return. He remained with the army, and gradually drifted into Canada when the war was over, and became one of Brant County's first white settlers. He became a strong hearty man, of indomitable perseverance, and did much towards the improvement of the county, which is elsewhere mentioned in this volume. At one time while clearing, he was limited to three potatoes, per day. He settled in what is known as Smoky Hollow, in the dense unbroken forests, that gave way to the muscle and sinew of a noble pioneer. He married Sarah, daughter of William Crum, who was in all respects a helpmate to him. She was born in the Mohawk Valley, in N. Y. State, but with her father came to Canada at an early day. The living of John File and wife was plain as well as their clothing, all raised and manufactured at home. He and wife both died in Brant County at advanced ages. Nine of their family grew to maturity, viz., Joseph, Malekiah, Benjamin, Mary, John J., Catharine, Elizabeth, Charlotte and Lavinia. John J., is one of five now living , and was born in this county in October 25, 1800. He grow up to farm life, and has always followed it in connection with stock-raising. He became one of the well-to-do citizens after many years' toil and manual labour. On the 6th of July, 1830, he married Rebecca Clark. She died March 13, 1867, aged 56 years. They had a family of seven children- Levi, William H., Charles E., Mary, George A., Morris and Rebecca A. Four are now living. Charles E., the third , was born on June 26, 1841. He was raised to farm life, and now owns and cultivates 109 acres. He was married in June 1869, to Elsey File, who was born in Brant County in 1843. They have seven children, five living- Asa, Arthur, Theodore, Alice and Orphy.

Page 567 and Part of 568

DAVID FILE is a son of John and grandson of Jacob File. The latter was born in N. Y. State, where he matured and married, raising a family of four sons and three daughters. He with his family moved to Canada in 1815, and settled in what is now Brantford Township, he being among the first white settlers in the neighbourhood. He followed farming through life. He and his wife both died on Lot No. 2 in the east end of the township; their children all settled in the county, and were among the pioneers of the same; all were successful in life, and their posterity dot the county here and there. John, third son of Jacob file, was born in New York State, 1801, and died in this county, June 1881, having lived here sixty-six years, enduring all the privations of those early days. He was without doubt one of the most thorough and successful farmers in the county. He first married Elizabeth Hazel in 1826, who died in 1839, leaving him the care of eight children. His second wife was Anna, widow of Jabez Myers, and daughter of Daniel Barton. By this marriage he had five children. She still lives, surrounded and loved by children and step-children. The subject of this sketch is second son of John File, and was born in 1832 in this county, where he has always resided. He also followed farming in Onondaga Township, where by hard toil and strict economy, he hewed him out a home in the bush. He was successful in business, and in 1872 he retired, and moved to the pleasant Village of Cainsville May 9, 1859. He married Flora Oliver. She was born in the County of Peel, 1837, and removed with her father to this county in 1845. She and her husband are active workers in the Temperance cause.

Page 568

WILLIAM FORD, Mount Vernon, merchant and custom miller, was born Sept. 26, 1840. He is a son of William and grandson of George Ford, who was born and died in Cornwall, England. Our subject's father was also born in Cornwall, and after twice visiting the United States, where he worked for some time at his trade, milling, returned to his native country, and died Nov. 20, 1882. he was one of a family of fourteen children- six brothers and eight sisters- of whom two brothers, Samuel and Charles, came to America to reside permanently. He had a family of nine children, viz., John W., Mary T., William, Samuel, Francis W., George, Alice, Charles and Patty J. William, our subject, came to Canada September 30, 1861; he stopped at Oakville about ten years; from there to Albion and Adjala Townships, where he resided some time, removing to this county in 1881, and going into the milling business on the site of the old Perrin Mills. He married May 9, 1867, Eliza A., daughter of Samuel and Mary (Atkinson) Bird, of English parentage. Mr. Ford was brought up a miller, as was his father and all his uncles on his father's side. They are the parents of eight children, viz., William S., Mary J., John H., Charles E., Annie B., Fanny M., Albert H. and George Mc., who died July 29, 1878. Mr. ford is a member of the Free Masons, Independent Order of Oddfellows, and Orange Society. He has at present a half interest in the mill, which does a business of about 8,000 barrels per year, besides the custom trade of about 7,500 bushels.

Page 568

DANIEL S. FOULDS, one of the pioneers of the Township of brantford, and residing on what is known as the "Phelps Tract", on the Mount Pleasant Road, was born in Lancashire, England, August 1st, 1813. His father was William Foulds, a native of the same county in England, and a weaver by trade, and emigrated to Canada in 1841, settling in Brantford. He resided there for a period of eighteen years, when he returned to England, and died there in his 85th year. He married Susan Sutcliffe, who bore him nine children, five of whom are now living, and two of these are residents of Brant County. Mrs. Foulds died the same year as her husband, in the 80th year of her age. The subject of this biography early learned the trade of a weaver, but subsequently worked as a butcher and farm labourer, until he came to Canada in his 28th year. He soon after purchased a farm of 54 acres, on the "Stewart and Ruggles Tract" where he resided for 20 years. In March 1872, he purchased his present farm of 130 acres, where he has since lived. Mr. Foulds has always taken an active interest in the Brant County Agricultural Society, and has several times filled the office of Director, besides officiating on several occasions in the capacity of Judge. While residing on his farm, he served 19 years as Trustee of School Section No. 6. He is a member of Farringdon Independent Church, and a Deacon of that body. Has been a member of the Township Council for two years, and twice Collector of the Township Taxes. Mr. Foulds was united in marriage, May 1st, 1844, with Ellen Leeming, a sister of Henry B. Leeming, Collector of Customs at Brantford, and their family numbered eight children, of whom seven survive, viz., John, with T. S. Shenston, Registrar, County of Brant; Henry A., Collector of Market Fees, Brantford; William, a farmer on the Newport Road, in this township; James F., at home; Robert L., book-keeper for frank Cockshutt & Co., Brantford; Margaret S. and Norman D. Mrs. Foulds, who was a member of Farringdon Independent Church, died Feb. 16, 1877. Margaret, Henry and William are also members of the same church.

Page 568 and Part of Page 569

EDMUND FOULGER, retired, cainsville P.O., was born in Norfolk County, England, in 1823, and emigrated to Canada in 1846. He was son of John and Sarah (Cook) Foulger, who had a family of nine children, of whom our subject is the only one living in Canada. The father of our subject was a carpenter by trade, and died in his native county at the age of 60 years. Our subject learned the tailor's trade, which occupation he followed for a period of four years, when his health failing from confinement, he sought the more active occupation of farming, and continued that business for a period of 33 years. In 1844 he married, at the age of 21 years, Harriet, widow of William Stewart, whose maiden name was Atkins. She had by her former husband five children, two of whom are now living, viz., Elizabeth and William. Our subject's family of five children- John, now a merchant in Brantford; Sarah A., Edward, merchant in Cainsville; Henry and Harriet- were all born in the County of Brant. Sarah died in 1881. Mrs. Foulger's father was John Atkins, who was born in England, coming to Canada in 1837, settled in Brantford, where he and his wife died, leaving five children, all now living in this county.

Page 569

GEORGE FRANKLIN, farmer, Brantford township, was born May 9th, 1829, and is a son of Henry and grandson of Henry Franklin, natives of Buckinghamshire, England. Henry, father of George, was born in 1795, came to Canada about 1840, and located in this county about five miles southward from the City of Brantford. In England he married Rose, daughter of Henry Burris, who was born in 1797, and died in August, 1863. They had eleven children, three of whom now survive, viz., George, Job and William; those deceased are Reuben, Fanny, John, Henry, Ann, Sophia, Mary and Thomas. The subject of this sketch was twice married. His first wife was Caroline Stratford, daughter of James and Martha Stratford. They were married Nov. 20th, 1851, their children being James, born July 25th, 1852; George, born Dec. 4th, 1853; Walter, born August 23rd, 1856, died May 10th, 1881, and Rose, born Sept. 23rd, 1857. He married the second time, Sept. 24th, 1872, Annie Thompson, daughter of William Thompson, born Dec. 1845; their children are Nettie B., born Sept. 25th, 1873; Maggie M., born July 22nd, 1875; Mary Jane, born March 3rd, 1877; Rachel E., born Feb. 18th, 1879; Henry, born March 3rd, 1881. Mr. Franklin and family are members of the Baptist Church. He owns a fine farm of 50 acres, well cultivated, five miles from Brantford.

THOMAS FRAZEE, farmer, Brantford P.O., was born in New Brunswick, April 28th, 1805; he is a son of Louis Frazee, who was a soldier in the Revolutionary War, and who fled to New Brunswick, where he followed military life, afterwards becoming a captain in the British army. He married catherine Thorn, and had nine children, viz., Timothy, Abigail, Joseph, Hannah, Esther, Martha, Morris, William and Thomas. Thomas Frazee married Lydia Riley, who was born August 24th, 1806; she was a daughter of William Riley, a native of Ireland. Their children are Sarah A., born December 23rd, 1828; Emily, born Nov. 18th, 1830; Catherine, born May 9th, 1833; Abigail, born Nov. 19th, 1835; Ezra, born June 9th, 1838; Lewis, born Oct. 5th, 1840; Harding W., born Aug. 23rd, 1844, died August 6th, 1849; Oliver, born August 8th, 1847, died July 12th, 1849, and Esther M., born May 28th, 1850. Mr. Frazee is owner of 80 acres of valuable land, situate three miles from Brantford, upon which is an orchard that yields in a good season upwards of 2,000 bushels of apples, and other fruit in abundance. He and his family are members of the Canada Methodist Church, and he is a Reformer in politics.

Note! I am doing this entry out of sequence to satisfy a very curious lady in Texas! So Brantford is not complete yet. More to follow...

Page 569 and Part of 570

THOMAS GEDDIE, farmer, Paris P.O., was born May 10th, 1842; he was a son of Robert and Estena (Mason) Geddie, natives of Scotland. Thomas Geddie came to Canada in 1871; he first lived in Paris; from there he removed to Dumfries township, where he remained two years, and then settled on his present farm, upon which he has lived three years. Mr. Geddie married, in 1866, Catharine Arthur, by whom he had two children, Robert, born April 29, 1868, and Janet (deceased). They are members of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Geddie owns 120 acres of improved land, which he bought of John Robinson, pleasantly located, two miles from Paris and seven from Brantford.

REV. PETER GERMAN, minister of the canada methodist Church, was born in Welland county in 1818, and is a son of Lewis and Nancy (McGee) German, who were married in Prince Edward County, Canada, afterwards settling in Welland, where he remained until 1823, when he came to this county, burying his first wife here. He married again, and for forty years he held land in dumfries. He was a patriot in the War of 1812, and participated in the battle of Queenston Heights, where he was injured. He had by his first wife four children, viz., George, Mary, Jane and Peter; of the number, Mary is dead; the other three live in Brant County; the youngest being the subject of this sketch. Peter German came to brant County in 1823, with his parents. He was brought up on a farm, and enjoyed the privilege of the early pioneers' school. At the age of 15 years he united with the Wesleyan Methodist Church, two years later was licensed as an exhorter, and three years later as a local minister. He was again advanced to itinerant minister, taking a four years' course of study in theology; and during the time attended regularly to his circuit, which was at Norwich. In 1856 he was stationed at Cornwell, on the St. Lawrence, for three years; from thence he located in Brant County, where he remained seven years. Having derived the Church in Port Stanley and Port Rowen, he returned to this county, and has for five years resided in his comfortable home, one mile east of Brantford. He married in 1838 Martha Neff, of Wentworth County, Ontario. They were the parents of three children, two of whom are living- Eliza, wife of Rev. Able Edwards, now of Muncie, and Rev. John F. German, a graduate of Victoria University in 1864. He is now located at Picton, Prince Edward County.

THOMAS ALLEN GOOD, farmer, Brantford P.O., was born in the County of Brant in August, 1843, where he now ranks among the successful farmers and stock raisers. In 1875 he married Mary Addington, eldest daughter of George Ballachey, Esq., an english barrister. He is the son of Allen Good, Esq., who was born in the city of Cork. Ireland, in the year 1799. He was married in the year 1830 to Eliza, daughter of Charles Carroll, Esq., of the same city. He came to Canada in the year 1839, and established the Bank of British North America, in Montreal. Subsequently, he bought a farm of six hundred acres in the Township of Brantford in this county, where he held the positions of Councillor and Warden for a number of years. In politics he was a Conservative, and in religion a staunch member of the Episcopal Church of England. He died on the 21st day of December in the year 1876.

Page 570 and Part of 571

GIDEON GOODFELLOW, farmer, Brantford Township, born in 1815 in Roberton Parish, Scotland, is a son of Gideon Goodfellow, a native of roxburghshire, Scotland. He emigrated to Canada in 1834, returning in 1838, and again coming to Canada in 1839, in which year he married Elizabeth, daughter of William and granddaughter of Henry Burton, at Toronto, she having emigrated in the year 1839. This union was blessed with seven children, viz., William, born October 12, 1841, in Lincoln County; Elizabeth, born 1843, now residing in Manitoba; married James Chisholm, and has a family of five children, viz., Annie, Hettie, Gideon, John, and Helen; Jenny, born March, 1845, Catharine S., born April, 1847; Mary A., born 1850, died 1852; Mary, born 1854, died in 1863; Gideon, born August, 1852, died January, 1864. Mrs. Goodfellow and family are members of the Presbyterian Church, and now occupy one of the finest and best farms of the County of Brant, of 160 acres, pleasantly situated on the banks of Grand River, about one mile from the City of Brantford ; it is known as "Riverview Farm" having been so christened ten or twelve years ago.

CHARLES GRANTHAM, carriage-maker, Cainsville P.O., was born February 8, 1836, in Brant County. His father, Thomas Grantham, was born in 1809, in Yorkshire, England, where he learned blacksmithing. He came to brantford in 1830, where he married Ruth Silverthorn, who was born in London, England, in 1803, and came with her parents to Canada in 1817. They started life with a very limited capital, but by honest industry accumulated a fortune, and live now in brantford City. They had seven children, the oldest being the subject of this sketch. Charles Grantham followed farming life until 1865, when he removed to Cainsville and began waggon-making. He married December 25, 1857, Fanny, daughter of James and Agnes Montrose, of German and Scotch descent. Mrs. Grantham in Brantford in 1836, and now has seven children.

Page 571

SAMUEL GREENWOOD, Cainsville, a native of England was born may 11th, 1809, and came to Canada in 1843, He was a son of John, and grandson of Richard Greenwood, natives of the Town of Knightly, Yorkshire, England. Richard Greenwood died in England at the age of eighty-eight years. John, his son, was born about the year 1772, and died in 1852. He married Rebecca Widdop, of English parentage, who died about the year 1847. This union was blessed with five children, of whom Widdop is dead, and Sarah, joseph, John and Samuel are still living. Samuel Greenwood settled in this county, and commenced life upon a bush farm, which he had the satisfaction of converting into a valuaable homestead. He was married in England to Mary Ann Smith, a daughter of Jonas Smith, in 1839. She died Nov. 8th, 1853. Their children were five in number, of whom three are living- Elizabeth, John and Peter; Rebecca and Edward are dead. Mr. greenwood took for his second wife Jane McCallum, daughter of Duncan abd Barbara McCallum, natives of Campbelltown, Argyleshire, Scotland. Her mother was one of fifteen of a family, and came to this country with four daughters, her husband having previously died. The subject of this outline received a common school education, and set out in life, with but very little capital, but firmly impressed with the motto "where there's a will there's a way" and honestly earned a substantial competency. His grandson, one of Rebecca's family, is now residing with him at Cainsville.

PETER J. GRIFFIN, merchant miller, Mount Vernon, is a son of Robt. Griffin, a native of Canada, whose father was born in the United States. Robert Griffin was born at Waterdown in 1815, and came to Norfolk County in 1836. He was raised to farm life, was a member of the Wesleyan Methodist Church, and a Conservative in politics. He married Margaret, daughter of Peter Johnston and granddaughter of George Johnston, a native of Scotland, who came to America in 1842, dying in 1866 in Ohio. They were the parents of nine children, viz. : Isabella, Solomon, George, dead; Sophronia, Peter J., James, Mary, Elizabeth and Enos. Peter J. Griffin, on October 24th, 1868, married Mary J. Tapley, daughter of Samuel and granddaughter of Nathaniel Tapley, a native of New Brunswick. He came to Canada and settled at tapleytown, after whom the place was named. Samuel Tapley was born in new Brunswick in 1798, and came to Canada with his father, and to this county about forty years ago; he died in 1870. He had a family of four children by his first wife, three of whom are dead; Sarah is still living. He married for his second wife Mary Hubble, widow of Asa Tapley, by whom he had ten children, viz.: Drusilla, Mary J. Elizabeth, Chester, caroline, Virogna, Wellington, Josiah, Palmer and Nettie. The Subject of this sketch had four children, viz. : Rosamond, born September 30, 1872; Desamond, born August 18, 1875, died May 24th, 1876; George J., born January 2, 1877, died January 17th, 1877; and Margaret A., born September 20th, 1878. Mr. griffin is a member of th A.O.U.W. and an adherent of the Methodist Church. He is the owner of the mill standing at present on the site of the Old Perrin Mills, and doing a business the profits of which are about $3,200 per year.

Page 572

CHARLES GURNEY, farmer, Paris P.O., was born in Canada in 1833. His father was Charles Gurney, a native of England, who emigrated to Canada in 1832, and settled near Beamsville, where he engaged in mercantile pursuits. He afterwards removed to Paris, carrying on the same business there for five years. At the expiration of this time, Mr. Gurney bought a land right of Mr. Chambers, paying the Government for it in 1842. He taught the first school in the neighbourhood of Paris. His family were members of the Baptist Church. Charles J. Gurney, our subject, married December 4th, 1861, Phoebe Lovett, by whom he had two children, named Charles W. and Amanda. Mr. Gurney having been brought up to farm life, is succeeding well. He owns a well regulated farm of 300 acres, has it completely stocked, and has an abundance of fruit laid out. He is a Reformer in politics.

JOHN HATCHER, deceased, was the only son of John Hatcher, an eminent scientist and machinist of his time; was born in 1813 in Biddenden, Kent, England. He developed in early life a talent for science, and applied himself particularly to the manufacture of watches and clocks, in which he was successful, having completed, at the age of 19, a clock of excellent workmanship. In that business he was engaged for some years; then afterwards became interested in the brick and tile business, in which he and his father invented a tile machine which took the lead in the manufacture of that article. After his father's death he became sole proprietor, and extensively engaged in brick and tile manufacturing, in which he was very successful. He was brought up in the Church of England; at the age of 25 he was converted, and united himself with the Bible Christian Society, taking very active part, and becoming a local preacher. He was the prime mover in establishing a church in the place of his birth. He also became a zealous worker in the temperance cause, and in 1846 he was the first in his neighbourhood to institute a lodge called "Star of Kent Tent Bechabites;" it was up-hill work for temperance workers at that time; he continued an active worker and total abstainer in every sense of the word, down to his death, every member of his family having followed his example in this respect. In 1841 he married the youngest daughter of Samuel Watts (a most amiable woman) ; she was born in Biddenden, County of Kent, England, 1819. The issue of the marriage was 4 children; William Preab, Thomas, Mary A. (deceased), and Susanna. In 1852 he emigrated to the United States, settling in Wayne County, New York; after three years he saw the prospects of war looming up on account of slavery; he then came to Canada, and settled in Brantford. In 1856 he moved on his farm of 100 acres, in Lot 43, third concession (County of Brant), where he lived quarter of a century. He had great love for stock, and spent much time among his cattle, taking great delight in farming pursuits. On leaving England, the absence of his chosen society caused him to join the Methodist body, in which he continued unto death. On October 5th, 1880, he died full of years and ready for his departure, having lived a most industrious and useful life. The strict attention he gave to his business sowed the seeds of his ailments; in the last three years of his life he was afflicted with "rheumatic paralysis," which rendered him almost helpless. His illness at last was short, and he died in peace, leaving his family well provided for. "The sweet remembrance of the just Shall flourish when they sleep in dust."

572 and Part of 573

GEORGE HAWLEY, farmer, Langford P.O., is a son of Sands Raymond Hawley, and a grandson of Daniel Hawley. The latter was born in the United States, where he married Sarah Raymond. They came to Canada in 1812, and he was engaged in the war of that time. He died in 1844, his wife having died about 1819. He was possessed of a strong frame and a vigorous constitution. Of their children, Sands Raymond, the first child born in Canada, was born September 1, 1812, and was raised to farm life, which he always followed. In frame and constitution he partook of his father's traits. He married Sarah Odell, a native of Ernestown, who came to Canada in minor life, where she yet lives, but buried her husband on May 5, 1881. They had seven children, viz., Catharine, George, Henry, Edward, Elsie, John and Ira, all now heads of families. Of the number, George, the first son, was born in 1840, and was raised to farm life, which he still follows, now owning a good farm of 45 acres. He was married in January, 1871, to Mary Sumler, who was born in 1849. Two children are the fruits of this union, viz., Anna L., and Arthur W.

ELVIN HILL, farmer, Paris P.O., was born near Hamilton in 1837; he is a son of Amos Hill, who was born in the State of Maine, in 1798. He came to canada in 1819, settling near Hamilton, where he buried his first wife. He married widow Coudon, daughter of John Cox, of Niagara; she died in 1880, leaving five children, viz., Bryant, John, Elvin, Joseph and Stephen. Mr. Hill removed with his family to Brant County in 1840, where he bought 500 acres of land, of which eight acres only were cleared. After much toil and labour he put it all under cultivation, and at his death left a neat competency for his family. Of his sons, Elvin was the third. He married charlotte, daughter of Charles Mitchell, who soon after died leaving one child. Mr. Hill married for his second wife Susan, daughter of James Miller. He now owns, and has under good cultivation, 106 acres of land.

JOSEPH E. HILL, farmer, Paris P.O., was born near hamilton in 1840; he is ason of Amos Hill, whose history appears with that of his son Elvin, in this volume. Our subject, was brought up to farm life, anmd received a common school education. He married Angeline, daughter of Thomas Osbay, by whom he had three children. Mr. Hill owns 438 acres of the finest wheat-growing land in Paris Plains. In the year 1882 he reaped a harvest of 7,000 bushels of wheat. He devotes all of his time to farm and stock-raising.

Page 573 and Part of 574

JOHN HOPE, Superintendent of the Bow Park Farm, Brantford Township, was born in Cumberland, England, Jan. 3, 1845, and is a son of Edward hope, a farmer by occupation, and who married Frances Sharp, by whom he had three children, all living. One brother came to Canada but returned home, and is now a farmer in Dumfriesshire, Scotland. John Hope, the subject of this sketch, left England in July 1865, and came to Markham, Ont., where he was engaged in farming one year. From Markham he went to Bourbon County, State of Kentucky, where he lived two years; from there he migrated to Cass County, Missouri, and resided there two years also, and then returned to England for one year. Again, facing the western hemisphere, he next found his way to Lake County, State of Illinois, and engaged in farming for two years; thence back to Markham, Ont., for five years. In July, 1877, he came to Brant County to assume the superintendence of the cattle of the Canada West Farm Association. In 1881 he was appointed manager of the farm, and he now controls both. Mr. Hope is neutral in politics, and is a member of no society, as his time is fully taken up with business and he travels a great deal in the interests of the association.

THOMAS HOULDING, farmer, Newport, was born in England, March 14, 1808, and is the son of Thomas Houlding referred to in William Houlding's sketch. He came to Canada in the fall of 1831, and settled in this county. He married Jan. 5th, 1836, Elizabeth Carter, daughter of William and granddaughter of John Carter, natives of Berkshire, England, the result of their union being twelve children, as follows: George, born June 14, 1838; William C., born June 21, 1839, died Aug. 13. 1839; Ann and Mary, born July 3, 1840; Jane, born April 14, 1843; Thomas D., born July 7, 1844; Elizabeth, born Nov. 1, 1845; Margaret, born Feb. 14, 1847, died Aug. 22, 1848; Martha E., born Nov. 13, 1848; Sarah M., born May 4, 1850, died Sept. 20, 1872; Henry, born Nov. 26, 1851; Joseph, born Sept. 28, 1853. Mr. Houlding owns a fine farm of 113 acres, four and a half miles from the City of Brantford, which he farms in excellent style. He also has some thorough-bred short-horn stock (registered) which goes to prove him one of the enterprising farmers of this county. He and his family belong to the Independent Church.

Page 574

WILLIAM HOULDING, farmer, Newport, was born Oct. 9, 1816, and is a son of Thomas, grandson of Thomas, and great-grandson of William Houlding, a native of Lancashire, England, who died in the lad of his birth. The grandfather of our subject came to Canada in 1831, and settled in Brant county. He married Ann Draper, also a native of England, and had seven children, viz., Thomas, Ann, Betty, and William, who are living, and Jane and Henry, now dead.* William Houlding, of whom this sketch is written, came to Canada from England in 1831, and married July 1st, 1848, Betty Birkett, daughter of William Birkett, of english descent. The children of this marriage number fourteen, as follows: Thomas, born May 5, 1842; William, born May 29, 1843; Ann, born June 14, 1845; Ellen, born Aug. 16, 1847; James, born May 15, 1849; Mary J., born March 15, 1851; Henry A., born December 31, 1853, died June 24, 1864; Rachel and Rebecca, born April 8, 1855 (Rebecca died April 10, 1875, and rachel July 25, 1876); Isadora, born March 15, 1857; George, born Feb. 23, 1859; Charles D., born Feb. 24, 1861; John A., born July 27, 1865; Martha E., born March 31, 1867. Mr. Houlding owns a splendid farm of 160 acres on the Grand River, four miles below the City of Brantford, and is a prosperous farmer. He and his family belong to the Independent Church.

AUGUSTUS HOWELL, farmer, Brantford P.O., is a son of Isaac and grandson of John Howell. The latter was born in New Jersey, but in minor life came to Canada and settled in the County of Wentworth, near Copetown, where he and wife both died. She was Rachel Kitchen, and born in Canada. their family consisted of the following children: the eldest who was killed in his youth while shearing sheep, Isaac, Sarah, Levi, John, William, Rachel and Hannah (twins), and the youngest, Lewis. Isaac, the father of our subject, and oldest with one exception, was born in Wentworth in 1812, and died in the County of Brant in 1877. He matured in his native county, but in 1837 became a resident of the county in which he died, where he had laboured for many years, and acquired a neat and comfortable home, having cleared Lots 46, 42, 43, of the first concession, in Brantford Township. He was a man who never aspired to any public position, but was contented with the quiet routine of farm life, which covered the period of his entire existence. His wife was Lucinda Wells, born in the State of New York, in 1814, and died in Brant County, Canada, in December, 1882. The children of Isaac and Lucinda were: Julia (deceased), John E., Mary A. (deceased), Augustus, Rachel, Ada, Wellington, Lucinda J. (deceased), and Frederick E. (deceased). Augustus is the fourth child, and was born in Brant County in 1844. He always followed farming, and now owns 100 acres of good land on Lot 42 of Brantford Township, in the first concession. He married Sarah A., daughter of George Chittenden; she was born and raised near Paris. They have two children, viz., Eva Gertrude and Florence Edna. Bill's Note* It says seven children, but only lists six!

Page 574 and Part of 575

ISAAC HOWELL, Farmer, Paris P.O., was born July 9th, 1818, at Ancaster, Ont. He was a son od Garrett and mary (Ogden) Howell, natives of the State of New Jersey, who emigrated to Canada in 1810-12, and settled near what is now called Ancaster, where they died, leaving six daughters and three sons. Isaac was the second son, and was married January 19, 1847, to Harriett Waugh. They came to Brant County in 1854, and settled near Paris, where they still live. His family consists of six children, viz., Marcia A., Alice E., Cordelia M., Franklin, James A., and Herbert B. Mr. Howell owns 150 acres of improved land located near Paris, and is successful as a farmer.

JAMES IRELAND, Farmer, Langford P.O., was born january 15th, 1833. Mr. Ireland married August 14, 1859, Mary Jane (McMurry) Allen, daughter of Alexander McMurry, of Ireland. Mrs. Ireland having no regard for her stepmother came to Canada in 1850. she worked in the counties of Wentworth and Brant until her marriage with Mr. Henry Allen, a native of Pennsylvania. Mr. Allen died January 22, 1859, leaving a family of two children, viz., Jacob, born November 15, 1854; Phoebe, born June 30, 1857, died July 15, 1881. Elizabeth Ireland eldest daughter of James was born April 15, 1860, died June 25th, 1860; Martha Ann was born April 15, 1861- she was married on Christmas Day, 1882 to Dennis Legacy, of Norwich, Ontario; Robert George was born February 19, 1863; Charles James was born January 3rd, 1865; Thomas William was born January 28, 1867; John McMurry was born October 28, 1868; Richard was born may 5, 1870; Mary Jane elizabeth was born May 20th, 1874. Mr. and Mrs. Ireland now live on the line between Onondaga and Brantford. they are doing a fair farming business, and are highly respected.

Page 575

FRANCIS IRWIN, farmer, Brantford, is a great-great-grandson of Abraham Irwin, who fought under King William. The great-grandfather of our subject was Francis Irwin, who was born in County Armagh, Ireland, where he was through life a farmer; he died in his native country. The grandfather of our subject was Francis also, and was born in the last mentioned county, where he married; but in about twenty years his wife died, leaving nine children, the eldest of which came to America about 1820, and has not since been heard of. In 1820 Francis, with three sons and five daughters, came to Canada, settling at Ancaster, in the County of Wentworth, where he died. Of this family, only two now survive, but many relatives are in Wentworth county. William, the father of Francis (our subject), was born in the County of Armagh, Ireland, November 15, 1793, but since 1820 has been a resident of Canada, and since 1836 of the County of Brant, being the first white owner of Lot 23 of 1st concession in brantford Township. He cleared this land from a dense wilderness to its present state, making his home by starting with little or no means at all. He was married to Martha Qua, who was born in Ireland in 1794, and died in the County of Brant, March 31, 1870. Their children were six in number. Three sons died in early life. One daughter is the wife of George Pike; one remains with our subject (unmarried); and Francis, whose name heads this sketch, has always chosen the path of single life also. He, as well as his brothers and sisters, were born on the farm where he now lives. He cultivates 127 acres, and raises some "short-horned" cattle, as well as the "Leicester" sheep.

JOSEPH JARVIS, Farmer, Brantford P.O., was born in 1834, and is a son of joseph Jarvis, a native of Leicestershire, England, where he died. His wife, Mary Jarvis, died in 1845, leaving eight children, three of whom came to Canada; Joseph came in 1859, and soon after began work for Mr. David Christy. By industry and economy he soon accumulated means enough to rent land. In 1863 he married Eliza Brown, and in 1877 he bought his present farm of 100 acres, which is well improved. They have a family of eight children, viz., John, Henry, George, Lewis, William Brown, Charles Andrew, Thomas Edward, Mary Alice, Charlotte Ann, and Ellen Josephine.

Page 575 and Part of 576

G. B. JONES, apiculturist, Brantford P.O. Mr. jones is a native of Toronto, where for a time he was a student of architecture, after which he spent eighteen months at the Agricultural College, Guelph. He then engaged with W. A. Jones, of Beeton, in Simcoe County, in the study of bee culture. In October, 1882, he settled on the old homestead of Captain Brant, next to the Mohawk Church, where he established the Blackburne Apiary, and commenced, in connection therewith, the manufacture of bee-keepers' supplies, making any style hive, but using and having constantly on hand a sawdust-packed hive adapted to the Langstrath frame, known as the "Blackburne Hive." He raises and sell bees, but makes a specialty of pure honey both in the comb and extracted. His stock of supplies consists chiefly of hives, frames, sections, smokers, extractors, comb foundation, shipping crates, honey cans and jars, labels, etc., etc., and literature of the apiary.

JOSEPH KENDRICK, farmer, Cainsville P.O., was born in Wentworth County, in 1826, and is a son of Ira B. Kendrick, who was born near Toronto, in 1792. He followed the carpenter trade, and came to Wentworth in 1828, where he married Margaret Book. In 1837 he removed to Port Huron, where he died in 1876. Their children were Sarah, Joseph, and John B.; Joseph Kendrick married in 1852 Miss Margaret Lampkin, a native of England, who was born in February, 1833. They have had six children, namely, Elizabeth, Ira B., George, Alfred, Usual O., and Alem R., deceased. Mr. Kendrick holds 321 acres of valuable farming land, 100 of which lies in Wentworth County.

JOHN KER, farmer, Brantford P.O., was born in England, December 4, 1819, and is a son of William Ker, who was born in Cumberland County, England, in 1772. he learned cabinet-making in early life, and in 1816 married Mary Dobinson, who was a native of the same place. They came to Canada in 1835, settling in Brantford, where he bought his farm at the Indian land sale in 1835. He, with the aid of his family, made one of the finest farms of the county out of it: it is situated in the valley of the grand River. He had three sons, viz., William, John and Robert, all residing in this county. John Ker married in 1856, Miss Elizabeth Holme. They are the parents of five children. Mr. Ker has a good farm of 170 acres, and carries on stock-raising principally.

Page 576 and Part of 577

MRS. MARY KERR, widow, Brantford Township, a native of the State of Pennsylvania, was born near the city of Philadelphia, Nov. 17, 1797. She came to Canada with her father, Benjamin Kiter, in 1807, and settled in Ancaster Township, County of Wentworth. She was married, March 18th, 1817, to George Henry Kerr, who was born April 27th, 1794. Her Husband's father, Robert Kerr, was a highland Scotchman, and surgeon in the British army during the American Revolutionary War. Her mother was of german descent, and a daughter of Nicholas Kizer. Mrs. Kerr's family were seven in number, viz., Walter, born Dec. 7th, 1817, died May 5th, 1872: William, born May 2nd, 1820; George H., born April 30th, 1823; Robert J., born Sept. 4th, 1826, died July 19th, 1854; Obed C., born jan. 17, 1829; Mary J., born July 11th, 1831, died May 28th, 1882; Isabella, born Jan. 9th, 1833, died April 4th, 1854. Walter was a man of great strength, and stood 6 feet 10 1/2 inches in his stockings. Mary J. was the wife of Col. Hiram Dickie. The subject of this biography came to this county about 1834, and settled on the farm where she now resides, and, with her mental faculties, she is enjoying a green old age. her farm comprises 354 acres of very fine land along the Grand River, about a mile west of Brantford. She is an adherent of the Church of England.

JAMES KING, farmer, Brantford Township, was born in wentworth county, April 10, 1820, and settled in this county February 22, 1860. He is a son of James and grandson of Charles King, who, some time during the last century, settled in Wentworth County, where he died. James, his son, was born May 12, 1789, and married Susan Gingery, a native of Pennsylvania, who has previously come to Canada with her father. They had nine children, of whom John, James, Abraham and Susan now survive, and Charles, Sarah, Nancy, William and George, are dead. The father died February 4, 1840. James King, of whom we write, married May 20, 1856, Ann Hedley, daughter of Robert and granddaughter of Thomas Hedley, a native of England. Robert Hedley came to Canada about the year 1834, locating first in the County of Wentworth and later in Haldimand County, where he died. By the above marriage there were six children, viz., Joshua, born February 14, 1857; Sarah E., born October 7, 1858; Robert O., born October 23, 1860; Adeline, born December 17, 1863; Mary Helena, born December 2, 1865; Isabella, born December 20, 1869. the educational advantages received by Mr. King were from the common school. He owns a first class farm of eighty acres, well stocked , six miles south of Brantford. Religion, Canada Methodist.

Part of Page 577

ABRAM KINNARD, farmer, Mohawk P.O., was born January 4, 1821, in Ancaster, County of Wentworth; he is a son of Sela and grandson of Abram and Catherine (Minor) Kinnard. Sela Kinnard came to Canada with his father, settling in Monck County. He married Julia Ann Daniels, and had a family of six children, viz., Kelvin, Abram, John D., Catherine, Andrew and Wesley. Abram Kinnard married May 17, 1853, Sarah Fairchild, who was born Feb. 6, 1831, in Brant Co. She was a daughter of Timothy, and a granddaughter of Isaac Fairchild, after whom the Fairchild Creek was named. They had four children, viz., Elbern S., born August 24, 1854; Timothy L., born August 5, 1862; Calvin, born November 9, 1865; Benjamin, born August 29, 1867. Mr. Kinnard was educated in New York State. He followed the architectural business about thirty years; afterwards engaged in mercantile pursuits; and in 1865 came to brant County, settling on his present premises, consisting of 107 1/2 acres of fine farming land.

JOHN KINNEY, farmer, Brantford P.O., is a son of William Kinney, who resides in St. George. Our subject is the fifth of eight children, and was born in South Dumfries in 1840. He was raised to farm life, and acquired a common school education. His father received the benefit of his labours until february 8, 1865, when he married, and soon after settled on his present farm of ninety-eight acres. His home is well improved and under good cultivation. For a time he devoted considerable time to raising stock, but more recently is turning his attention to buying and selling horses. Mr. Kinney and wife have a family of five children, viz., Mary E., Sarah A., James T., William F., and John R. Mrs. Kinney was born in South Dumfries in 1846m and is Mary, daughter of Firman Howell one of the pioneers.

EDWIN R. LANGS, Cainsville, is a grandson of Jacob and Elizabeth (Fowler) Langs and Major John and Elizabeth (Gage) Westbrook, and a son of John and Sarah (Westbrook) Langs, the former born in Northumberland Co., Pennsylvania, August 16, 1799, and died March 30, 1855; and the latter born February 7, 1800, and died April 5, 1880. They were the parents of ten children, viz., Martha, Nelson, Squire, Elizabeth S., S.W. Wallace, Major S., Edwin R., Scynthia V., George A., and Livina. Our subject was born in the Township of Brantford, County of Brant, Province of Ontario, on the 2nd of September, 1836. On February 4, 1863, he married Miss Annie Duncan, who was born September 7, 1841; she was a daughter of William and Elizabeth (Simpson) Duncan, of Aberdeenshire, Scotland. To this union six children have been born, namely: W. Orpheus A., born Dec. 2, 1863; Mary E., born Feb. 28, 1866, died June 5, 1867; Major H., born March 20, 1869; Annie A., born March 7, 1872; Clara R., born Sept. 7, 1876; and Edwin R., born November 25, 1881. Mr. Langs received a fair education, and devoted some twenty-five years of his life to farming. He is a Reformer in politics, and in 1878 was appointed Justice of the Peace, an office he still occupies.

Page 577 and Part of 578

NELSON LANGS, farmer, Langford P.O., was born in 1827, in Brant county: he is a son of John and grandson of Jacob Langs, one of the first settlers of Northumberland county, Pennsylvania. In 1807 he removed to Canada, purchasing a large tract of land, densely covered with forest. Here he shared the perils, hardships and privations of a pioneer life, converting this unbroken wilderness into productive fields. He had eight children, John, the father of our subject, being the youngest. He was born in 1799, in Pennsylvania, and at the age of eight years settled with his parents in this county. he followed farming through life, and at his death he owned 270 acres of land. He died of small-pox in 1855. His wife was Sarah, daughter of Major John Westbrook, whose history appears in this volume. She was born in 1800, in Brant County, and died in 1880, leaving twelve children, three of whom are dead. Nelson the eldest, was born on the old homestead, and has always resided in the vicinity of his birth. He married, in 1854, Eliza Sands, who was born in Halton County in 1828. Mr. Langs owns 130 acres of land, situated near Langford, and has four children, viz., Martin, Susan, Ella and Flint.

ALFRED LAYCOCK, deceased, was a native of Lancashire, England, where he was born about the year 1824, and was a son of James Laycock, a dealer in dry goods. Mr. Laycock, our subject, was reared in his native land, and in about the year 1842 he came to Brantford, Ont., and soon after entered into employment with Ignatius Cockshutt, one of the pioneer merchants of Brantford. By strict attention to his employer's business, he gained steady promotion to positions of trust and honour. He purchased in course of 140 acres of land on Mount Pleasant road, near brantford, and in february, 1850, was united in marriage to Jane Cockshutt, a sister of his employer. Mr. Laycock still continued his duties in Mr. Cockshutt's store until May, 1850, when a severe attack of inflammation of the lungs proved fatal to him. He was interred at the burial place near the farm. His widow still resides at the homestead, 100 acres of which is farmed by George Houlding for the widow. Mr. Laycock was a member of Farringdon Independent Church, as is also his widow. The latter is a quiet, unostentatious lady, and from a sense of duty and benevolence to the unfortunate has fitted up, and maintains at her own expense, a large building on the farm, filled with orphan children. This one act of charity alone has developed for her in the community and among acquaintances a very great amount of respect and admiration, while good deeds and kind acts make her name a household word and her presence a blessing.

Page 578 and Part of 579

NICHOLAS LEE, farmer, Harrisburg P.O. Nicholas Lee, the father of our subject, was a native of Saxony, Germany, born in 1792, and died in Brant County, Ont., in 1879. He matured in his native county, where he followed farming. While in Germany he married , and in 1834 he, wife and three children, came to Canada and settled near St. George, where he followed farming the remainder of his life, with the exception of a few short intervals that he engaged in store and tavern keeping. About 1850 he buried his first wife, who was the mother of three children, burt his widow, or second wife, still survives. he was a man of strong mind and constitution, and transformed many acres from a wilderness to productive fields. Of his children- Magdalena, Mary A., and Nicholas, our subject- the two eldest are deceased, and Nicholas is the only one left to give the untold story of the above family. He was born in Saxony, Germany, in 1821, but since thirteen years of age has been a resident of Brant County, where he now owns 136 acres on Lots 47 and 48, of the first concession of Brantford Township. His farm is well improved, and is mostly the result of his own efforts. In 1846 he married Julian Lane, who died in 1852, leaving two children, who are also deceased. Mr. Lee's second wife was Mary Pepper, a native of Canada, who died May 21, 1882, leaving a family of six children. Both of his deceased companions were members of the Baptist Church, to which he also belonged until recently, when he connected himself with the Methodists.

W. H. LEE, Junr., fruit grower, Cainsville P.O., is a son of W. H. Lee Senr., of Burford Township, where our subject was born march 5, 1846. He was raised to agricultural life, and enjoyed a common school education. In early life he began fruit growing in his native township, where he continued until the fall of 1876, when he bought his present property of 25 acres near Cainsville, where he cultivates all kinds of berries, among which he makes a specialty of Strawberries. His successful experience in the county justly places him among its leading horticulturists. He was married September 11, 1867, to Emma, daughter of David Misener. The issue of this union is eight children. He and his wife belong to the Canada Methodist Church, and he had for a time been Superintendent of the Cainsville Sabbath school. The grandparents of W. H., Junr., were Samuel and Anna (Shaver) Lee. Samuel was born in the State of Maryland in 1786, and died in Saltfleet Township, Ont., in 1848. He was, at the tender age of six years, brought by his parents to canada, where his earthly cares ended. He, in the latter part of his life, embraced the Christian religion. His occupation was farming through life. His wife, Anna, daughter of John and Margaret Shaver, was born in the State of New Jersey, April 5, 1791. When three years old her parents removed into Canada as refugees, walking the entire distance, her father carrying an axe and a bundle of bedclothes, and her mother a child six months old, while the oldest child rode on horseback and held Anna before her. They settled in the Township of Ancaster, Wentworth County, and at the time their only neighbours were the Indians and the wild denizens of the forest. They erected a rude hut, and life commenced in earnest. Under such surroundings Anna matured, but after a long, useful, and faithful life in the walk of the church she, on December 13, 1875, fell asleep in death, and her remains rest in Stony Creek Cemetery.

Page 579

MORRIS LOUNSBURY, lumber manufacturer, Mount Vernon, was born in Saltfleet Township, Wentworth County, Nov. 23, 1831, and is a son of William B. and Sarah (Corey) Lounsbury. His father, William B., was born in Queen's County, New Brunswick and came to Canada about 1823, settling in wentworth County. He married Sarah, daughter of Thomas Corey. Their children are Charlotte, Susan A., John, Edward, Harriett, Morris and Sarah. Morris Lounsbury received a common school education, was brought up a farmer, and came to Brant County in 1845. He married, February 9th, 1851, Sarah Ann, born March 3, 1831, daughter of Samuel Tapley, of Brant County. They have a family of six children, viz., William R., born April 9th, 1853, who, on the eve of his marriage to an estimable young lady, was killed in what is known as the Dock Street Building accident, St. John, New Brunswick, May 3, 1879; Elmer T., born January 8th, 1855; Amanda J., born August 5th, 1858, died May 7th, 1876; Lydia A., born May 16th, 1861; Clara, born July 28, 1863; Mary, born June 29, 1866, died October 25th, 1876. Mr. Lounsbury built the mill now run on premises owned by him in Brant County, in 1872. His farm here consists of 75 1/2 Acres, with an additional farm in Burford Township of 400 acres recently purchased; of this 80 acres are under a high state of cultivation, and 250 of valuable primeval forest. He is a member of the Freemasons and of the A.O.U.W., is a Justice of the Peace, and a member of the Episcopal Methodist Church. Edward Lounsbury, a brother of Morris, has been for several years a prominent minister of the above church, and has filled all the official positions of that church excepting that of bishop. John Lounsbury, the grandfather of our subject, was a native of Brooklyn, N.Y., where he married Charlotte Dingy, a native of New York. In 1791 they emigrated to St. John, N.B., and afterwards located in Queen's County, N.B., where he died at the age of 59 years. His wife lived to reach the age of 88 years. they had a family of eight children- three boys and five girls.

Page 579 and Part of 580

W. J. LOVEJOY, farmer, Brantford P.O., is a son of John Lovejoy, who was born on the present site of Columbus, Ohio, in 1800, and was of english parentage. His father and mother died near cleveland, Ohio. When a young man John came to Canada, stopping at Ancaster. His boyhood days were spent in his father's woollen-mill, which gave him a good knowledge of the business. In consequence of this knowledge, soon after reaching Canada an opportunity presented itself to him to become a partner in such an establishment at Hamilton. While thus profitably engaged he became acquainted with, and in 1852 married Charlotte L., eldest daughter of the late Dr. Wm. Case, of that city. They soon after settled in Brantford, then a village belonging to the Six Nations Indians. Ere long the Indians surrendered the site of the town, and John being one of the first settlers with some means, became quite a property owner. His influence and ability gave him rank among the leading citizens. He was an early hotel proprietor, and also owned and operated the first line of stages between Brantford and Hamilton. About 1837 there were several of the best buildings on Colborne and Market Streets owned by him, as well as a store and other public houses. He finally settled near the Mohawk Church, where he owned a large tract of land. In 1854 he erected a large brick house, now owned by our subject. About this time he became a large stockholder in the Brantford Road Company, with which he was connected until near his death, his son W. J. succeeding him in the enterprise. He died in 1858, leaving behind him marks of a good business man. of his eight children, three died in early life and five are now living, of whom W. J., the eldest, was born February 22nd, 1826, while his parents were temporarily living in Simcoe County, Ontario. From infancy he has been in Brant County limits, where he was educated, and where he now owns a fine house just outside the corporation limits of the city. He at one time took up the study of law, but finding it very confining, he thought medicine would afford more exercise, in which he was engaged at the death of his father. This sad circumstance called him home from college, and he never completed his course. Since then he has enjoyed the quiet routine of farming and looking after his property. In 1862 he married Jane L., daughter of the late Joseph Gordon, of Brantford. She was born in Portland Square, London, England, in 1828. Mr. Lovejoy and wife are both members of the English Church. They have two children- Gertrude and Josephine.

Page 580

HENRY LOWES, deceased, is a son of John and Jane (Herbert) Lowes, both natives of England, where they lived and died. Henry was born in 1808. While in minor life he learned the carpenter trade, which he followed considerably after coming to Canada. In 1832, after spending three years in Whitby, he came to Brant County, where he became possessed of a farm of twenty-one acres, besides some city property, He was married to Christina Gibson, of Yorkshire, England: she was two years his senior, and died in Brantford in May 1880, having had eleven children, four of whom died in early life; those living are William, Ann, Ruth, John, Henry, Mary J., and James. Mr. Lowes took an active part during the Rebellion of 1837-8, belonging to the troop under Major Winnet. He departed this life on March 1st, 1883, aged 74 years.

FREDERICK LUCK, Brantford P.O., stock-raiser and farmer, was born in England. He married about 1770, and his wife died, leaving one child. His second wife was Susan Foreman, of England; she died in 1848, and Mr. Luck in 1829. He left twelve children, six sons and six daughters, of whom frederick was the fourth son. Frederick settled in this county in 1857, where he now owns 200 acres of fine lands situated on grand river. He married in 1842 Ann Osborne, sister of Daniel Osborne, of South Dumfries. They have three children, viz., Frances, Daniel, and Thomas. Mr. Luck has acted as Trustee in his vicinity for three terms, and is a man of good social standing.

Page 580 and Part of 581

THOMAS G. LUDLOW, Mount Vernon P.O., was born May 29, 1893, and is a son of Samuel Ludlow, who came to this county in 1830 from Queen's County, Ireland, settling near the old Mohawk Church, where he taught for a number of years in the Mohawk Institute. Thomas is one of seven children, Viz., Ann L., who married Jacob Langs, living now in Norfolk County; William S., living in Brant County; Richard, living in Detroit, Michigan; Sarah; Hannah, married Samson Day; and Alice Baker, who lives in brant County. He married first Agnes, daughter of george Martin, a native of Scotland, now living in Brant County. They became the parents of nine children viz., George W., born July 16, 1868*; Elizabeth, born February 16, 1860; Josephine, born August 15, 1861, now living in Manitoba; Alexander, born 21, 1863, died April 2, 1864; Richard T., born April 17, 1865; Ernest T., born january 5, 1867, died July 27, 1867; Flora A., born february 22,, 1869, died June 28, 1869; Morley W., born February 22, 1869; Austin G., born October 4, 1870, died September 12, 1872. He married again, February 12, 1873, Elizabeth, daughter of Andrew and granddaughter of James Sharp. She having previously married James Campbell, had three children, named Palestrello J., Edith A., and Lachlin T., all of whom are dead. Our subject learned the blacksmith trade, at which he worked twenty years. He subsequently became a farmer, and is now in the mercantile business. Mr. Ludlow is a member of the Canada Methodist Church, and superintendent of the Sabbath school.

* Bill's Note! If dates are in sequence this should read 1858 not 1868!

Balance of Page 581

WILLIAM S. LUDLOW, farmer, Langford P.O., is a son of Samuel and Eliza Ludlow, both natives of Ireland, where he acquired a fair education. They both came to Lower Canada, where they married, and in 1834 they moved to what is now Brant County, settling at the Mohawk Village, where he taught school several years. He was also a farmer and blacksmith. He died in Michigan, and his widow now lives in Norfolk County, Ontario. Their children were Ann, William S., Richard C., Sarah J., Hannah, Thomas G. and Alice L. William S., is the eldest son and was born at the Mohawk Village in 1837; he has been a resident of the County of Brant since 1864, owning his present farm of 85 acres of good soil, well tilled. In December, 1859, he married Mary, daughter of John Berry, to whom the following children have been born: Thomas J., William H. E., Jonathan, Samuel, Luke, Mary E. and Almer. William S. and wife belong to the Methodist Church, but his parents belonged to the Church of England.

Continue to Part 2