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!

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Brantford Township - Part 2

Page 582

DUNCAN MARQUIS, physician, Mohawk P.O. Among the representative men of Brantford Township we mention the name Dr. Duncan Marquis, Mount Pleasant Village. he was born in Argyleshire, Scotland, December 5, 1842, and is a son of John Marquis, who was a native of the same shire, and by occupation a shoemaker. His wife was Eliza McDermid, a native of Perthshire, Scotland. They lived together until 1850, when his death severed their union. In 1851, the widow and five children came to Caledonia N.Y., and one year later to Brant County, Ontario. Here she married Francis Fairchilds, son of Isaac Fairchilds, a Pioneer. Of Eliza Marquis' five children two are w now living, the Doctor and his sister. His mother and stepfather live in Oakland Township, on the old Fairchild homestead. The subject of this sketch was raised mostly in Canada, and embraced the educational privileges in the Grammar School of Mount Pleasant. In 1863, he entered Victoria Medical College of Toronto, from which he graduated in 1865. He immediately located at Mount Pleasant, where he has since been, and has succeeded well in his professional career. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church of Mount Pleasant, in which he is accompanied by his wife; and as a member of the Brant County Medical Association, he stands well, and has served the society as President one year. On May 11th, 1871, he was married to Eliza, daughter of George Bryce, of Mount Pleasant, and a sister of Prof. George Bryce, of Winnipeg, and of Dr. Peter H. Bryce, Secretary of Board of Health of Ontario, and a resident physician of Toronto. Dr. Marquis and wife are the parents of five children, four of whom are living.

Page 582

JOHN McCAUSLAND, farmer, Brantford Township, is a son of James and grandson of John McCausland, a native of the County of Antrim, Ireland. James, his son came to Canada in 1838, locating in this county. He remained two years in the country, and returned to his native land, where he died at the age of 73. He had a family of six children, of whom two, John and Nancy are living, and Matilda, James, Alexander and William are dead. John McCausland was born in Ireland, June 28, 1804, and came to this Province in 1829, settling on the farm where he now resides. Before leaving the Green Isle, he married, May 8, 1829, Mary Haggan, daughter of John Haggan, and has five of a family, viz., Jane, born March 8, 1830; James, born Dec. 31, 1832; John, born Feb. 26, 1834; William, born May 16, 1836; Alexander, born May 26, 1839. His second son, John, resides with him. He married, June 8, 1868, Sarah Ann Fortune, daughter of James Fortune, a native of the United States. By this union there are four children- Margaret, born May 30, 1871; William, born Nov. 14, 1873; Elizabeth Maud, born Sept. 4, 1878; James Alexander, born July 23, 1881. The subject of this biography is a Freemason of the old Irish Order, and a Methodist. He has prospered in the land of his adoption, and is now the owner of an excellent farm of 100 acres, a few miles south of Brantford, and is in independent circumstances.

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DIARMID McDIARMID, farmer, Brantford Township, a native of Scotland, was born March 16, 1827, came to Canada in 1852, and settled in this county. He is a son of Archibald and grandson of Duncan McDiarmid, of Perthshire, Scotland, both of whom died in their native land, the former in May, 1846, aged 74, and the latter at about the age of 70 years. Archibald McDiarmid married Helen McFarlane, daughter of Dugald McFarlane, and had eleven children, of whom Malcolm, Kate , Angus and Archibald are dead, and Hugh, Diarmid, Donald, Mary, Eliza, Margaret and Helen, still survive. Diarmid McDiarmid, of whom this sketch is written, married March 17, 1858, Anna Bella Dawson, daughter of Alexander Dawson, also a native of Scotland. Their children number eight as follows: Archibald, Jessie, Eliza, Alexander, Helen, Mary, Annabella and Margaret. The family are attendants of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. McDiarmid has prospered in his adopted country, and now owns a fine farm of 84 acres within six miles of Brantford, upon which he has a number of excellent thorough-bred stock.

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ARCHIBALD McEWEN, farmer, Township of Brantford, was born in Argyleshire, Scotland, in Feb. , 1805, and is a son of Peter McEwen, also a native of Scotland, and who died when his son, the subject of this sketch, was an infant. Peter McEwen married Annabel McFarlane, also Scotch, and they became the parents of two children, a son and daughter, the latter being dead. Mrs. P. McEwen was married the second time to Archibald Campbell, by whom they had three children, a son and two daughters, the latter two now living. The mother died about 20 years ago in Scotland. Archibald McEwen was reared in Scotland, and when 25 years old, came to Canada, making s six week stay in Montreal, en route for Mount Pleasant, Brant County. Abram Cook, at that time a merchant of the latter place, brought Archibald with him from Montreal, and had him in his employment till he became a partner in the business, and the name of the firm became Cook & McEwen. Sometime afterwards they dissolved partnership, and Mr. McEwen commenced business on his own account, which he carried on for a few years. He then engaged in farming, and bought the farm he is now on, to which he has from time to time added, until he is now proprietor of farms aggregating 575 acres. Mr. McEwen is a Conservative in politics, and with his family is Presbyterian. He was for many years Reeve of the Township of Brantford, and Warden of brant County for one year. The electors of the Township of Brantford presented him with a beautifully embossed address and a gold-headed ebony cane, with the following inscription engraved thereon: "Presented to Archibald McEwen, Esquire, by the Electors of the Township of Brantford, Feby. 20th, 1880." On Oct. 7, 1839, he married Agnes Kinnear, of Glasgow, Scotland, by whom he had nine children, of whom probably eight survive (six living in Brant County) viz., Peter, a farmer in Oakland Township; William George, also a farmer in Oakland Township; Archibald, a stock-dealer in Texas; Marion, at home; Annabel, At home; John and Alexander at home working the farm, and Robert, in the Island of Madagascar, where he is likely to make his future home.

Page 583

DUNCAN McEWEN, farmer, Brantford Township, was born in Scotland, April 9, 1842, and came to Canada with his father in 1854. They settled in this county. He is a son of John, and grandson of Archibald McEwen. The former was born in 1786, and married in due course Mary McLaughlin, daughter of Dugald McLaughlin, and had a family of six, viz., Dugald, John and Duncan now living, and Archibald, Peter and Mary, dead. Duncan McEwen married , Sept. 26th, 1871, Anne Middleton, daughter of Martin, granddaughter of William, and great-granddaughter of William Middleton Meggait, also natives of Scotland. They have four children, as follows: Mary, born August 25, 1872; Martin William, born August 13, 1874; Elizabeth, born April 26, 1877; John Archibald, born dec. 19, 1882. Mr. McEwen has found his adopted country congenial to his spirit of enterprise, and now owns a well stocked farm of 100 acres of fine land, six miles south of the city. He was elected Municipal Councillor for his township, which position he occupied for one year.

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DANIEL McINTYRE, farmer, Brantford P.O. -born in Wentworth County, Ont., Nov. 27th, 1835 -came to Brant County in 1842 with his father, William McIntyre, who was born in Lincoln County, Dec. 24th, 1797. He married Phoebe, daughter of Able Land, who was born in Wentworth County, January 26th, 1800, and granddaughter of Robert and Phoebe (Scott) Land, of English descent. The McIntyres were of Scotch descent. Robert Land left New Jersey about the time of the Revolution; he had been shot, and his wife, supposing him to have been killed, fled to New Brunswick in despair. He supposing them Killed, came to Niagara, thence to Ancaster, where he cleared land and sowed one bushel of wheat, the first sown in that section. After several years his wife one day came to his premises with her family well grown up, having walked from New Brunswick. They lived and died much respected, and some of their descendants live in Hamilton to this day. Mr. McIntyre was one of nine children, viz. : Elizabeth, born May 28th, 1826; Abel, born January 5th, 1827; James, born March 28th, 1830; Robert, born January 4th, 1832, died May, 1870; Samuel, born September 2nd, 1835; John, born November 10th, 1838; Louisa, born May 7th, 1841; Mary M., born September 22nd, 1843, died October 7th, 1845. Daniel married, November 13th, 1861, Abigail Frazee, born November 19th, 1835, daughter of Thomas Frazee, whose biography appears in this work. He received in early life a common school education, learned the waggon-maker's trade, but has chiefly devoted his time to farming. He is a Reformer, and owns 86 acres of land, 76 of which are beautifully situated on Mount Pleasant Street, commanding a good view of Brantford. The situation is best known as Back Street of Mount Pleasant.

Page 584

DANIEL W. McINTYRE, farmer, Brantford P.O., was born August 12th, 1855, and is a son of Robert and Catharine (Frazee) McIntyre, of both of whom a biography appears in this work. His father was born January 4th, 1832, and was married Oct. 12th, 1854, to Catharine Frazee. They had four children, named Daniel W., Ellen L., Mary M., and Emma C. Daniel McIntyre, married, December 1st, 1880, Alice A. (Secord), who was born August 26th, 1859; she was the daughter of David and granddaughter of Solomon and Mary Secord. Her mother's name was Sarah, daughter of Allan and Elizabeth (Huntsman) Simmerman. He has a family of two children- Maud E., born September 4th, 1881; Elmer F., born DEcember 20th, 1882. Mr. McIntyre owns a farm consisting of 115 acres, 100 of which are under cultivation.

JOHN McINTYRE, farmer, Brantford Township, a native of Perthshire, Scotland, was born in April, 1803, and with his father came To Canada in the year 1823, settling in this county. He was a son of John McIntyre, who married Jeanette McNichol, also a native of Scotland. They had a family of eight children, of whom only two are living, John and Catharine; those dead being Peter, Nichol, Robert, Eleanor, Elizabeth, and an infant. The father died in Brant County. John, of whom we write, married August 7th, 1820, Lovice Burtch, daughter of Eadie Burtch, a native of Wales, who emigrated to America previous to the Revolutionary War, and whose loyalty to the British Crown necessitated his removal from the formed States. He settled in this county, where he died. The family of our subject were OLive, born Dec. 23rd, 1825; Jeanette, born March 6th, 1828; Eleanor, born April 19th, 1830; Eadie, born August 25th, 1832; Catharine, born March 15th, 1835; John W., born Oct. 15th, 1837; David, born April 19th, 1840; Margaret, born July 2nd, 1842; Peter J., born Feb. 4th, 1845; William W., born Oct. 14th, 1847; Elizabeth Ann, born Feb. 13th, 1850; Marian, born June 9th, 1852. Peter J. married, Dec. 3rd, 1877, Sarah, daughter of Robert and granddaughter of Jeremiah Townsend, a native of Wales. The family adhere to the Baptist denomination. Mr. McIntyre has prospered in the land of his adoption, and now owns a superior farm of 200 acres, six miles from the City of Brantford.

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JOHN McMILLEN, farmer and blacksmith, Alberton P.O., is a son of George D. and a grandson of Daniel McMillen. The latter was born in Scotland in 1755, but crossed the ocean for the American continent in 1775. One year later began the greatest contest in the annals of history, but he remained loyal to George III., and served throughout that great struggle. As a U.E.L. he subsequently came to Canada, and settled near Kingston, where he married Catharine Detler. They lived at Kingston many years, where his wife died, and where he opened the first store of the place. He died near Belleville. They had five daughters and two sons; of the latter, George, the youngest, was born about 1801, near Kingston, where he was raised, and married Louisa Weatherhead. He was through life a blacksmith, and died near Belleville in 1845, and his widow now survives, aged 77 years; she was born in Dublin, Ireland, but came to Canada when ten years old. She and her husband had a family of seven children, viz., Ann, Daniel, John, George, Robert, Frances and Emily, three of whom are living, of which John is the oldest, and was born in 1835, near Kingston. He learned his trade in Belleville, and came to Wentworth County in 1855, where three years later he married Mary A., daughter of charles Phillips, of Ancaster, where she was born in 1842. Their children are charles G., Robert Henry, Thomas E., William J. and Richard J. Mr. McMillen followed his trade until coming to Brant County in 1879. He now owns a good farm of 50 Acres, which he cultivates.

GEORGE MEADOWS, farmer, Brantford, was born April 13, 1840, in Oxford County. his father, Joseph Meadows, was born August 22, 1804, in Suffolk County, England, and was married June 20, 1826, to Miss Ann, daughter of Joseph Shaw. a native of Lincolnshire, England. He came to canada in 1825, working in Grimsby at his trade, milling for three years, when he removed to Zorra Township, Oxford County. They were the parents of thirteen children- Charles, Francis, William, Hannah S., Reuben, George, Sarah A., Elizabeth, Joseph, Henry M., Mary, Alfred and Thomas. George Meadows came to Brant County in 1874, and settled on his present farm of 140 acres of improved land. He married December 27, 1866, Harriet M. Francis, who was born November 26, 1843. They have a family of five children, viz.: Elizabeth, born July 23, 1868; Marilla A., born August 29, 1870; Rudele S., born August 18, 1871, died May 6, 1874; Bertha Olive and Bertie Olive (twins) born March 4, 1876. Mr. Meadows was brought up a farmer, is a member of the A.O.U.W., and Trustee and a class-leader of the Mount Vernon Methodist Church.

Page 585

GEORGE H. MIDGELY, farmer, Paris P.O., was born in Brant County Dec. 4, 1841, and is a son of Robert and Jane (Hill) Midgely. George was born on the old homestead, and married February 22, 1865, Miss Sarah Jane Barker, who was born December 28, 1844, in South Dumfries. They became the parents of five children, viz., William G., born May 18, 1867; Minnie L., born February 12, 1872; Mary A., born October 27, 1874; Ross, born April 14, 1879; and Ernest E., born May 20, 1881. Mr. Midgely has been Trustee of his district, in which is the school he attended when a boy. He owns a well regulated farm of 59 acres adjoining his father's, is a Reformer in politics, and an attendant of the Congregational Church.

THOMAS MIDGELY, farmer and stock-raiser, Paris P.O., was born September 16, 1851. He is the son of robert and Mary (Ironmarsh) Midgely, natives of England. Thomas Midgely was married April 22, 1874, to Miss Mary e. Barker, by whom he had three children, Viz., Myrtle L., born February 21, 1875; Eva M., born April 16, 1876; and Daniel W., born September 11, 1877. Mr. Midgely devotes most of his time to stock-raising, and his farm is well stocked with animals of good and some of the finest strains. He now occupies the old homestead, which is situated nine miles from Brantford and three from Paris. Mr. Midgely is a Reformer in politics, and a member of the C.M. Church.

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ROBERT MIDGELY, retired farmer, Paris P.O., was born in England in 1809, and is a son of William* and Jane (Hill) Midgely, who died in England. Mrs. Jane Midgely, after marrying her second husband, Samuel Rowson, died in 1833. Robert was one of five sons; in 1833 he married Mary Anne Ironmarsh. They came to Canada in 1838, living for a short time in Paris, and in 1839 moved on a farm in the north-west of Brant County. Mr. Midgely lived here 40 years improving his lands, and built a fine stone residence in 1856-57. He lost his first wife in 1874, and then removed back to Paris to spend the remainder of his days. By his first wife he had three sons and one daughter, viz., Williamson, Mary A., now Mrs. Wm. Ball; Thomas, whose history may be found in this volume; and John H. Mr. Midgely married in 1875 his second wife, Mrs. Agnes Dawson, who came to Canada in 1841. There were no children by this union. Mrs. (Dawson) Midgely had four daughters, viz., Elizabeth, now the wife of Dr. Smith, of Hamilton; Marion, now Mrs. Maxwell, of Minnesota; Agnes A., now Mrs. Henry Allen, Paris; and Susan I., now the wife of Andrew Harvey, of New York State. Mr. Midgely had but little means to commence life with, but he has been very successful in all his undertakings, and now enjoys the savings of his early toil. He is a Conservative in politics, and a member of the English Church. Bill's Note! *George H. Midgely is listed as son of Robert and Jane (Hill) Midgely in his biography and Robert is listed as son of William and Jane (Hill) Midgely!

GEORGE MILLS, farmer, Newport P.O., was born May 13th, 1806, and was bred within three miles of Alnwick, Northumberland, England. He came to Canada in 1834. He was in the County of Waterloo one and a half years; then tended a mill in St. George three years; then tended a mill in Brantford for James Wilkes for eight years; and subsequently settled on the farm where he now resides. He is a son of Isaac and Sarah (Mills) Mills, and was married at Newcastle, England, May 15th, 1834, to Margaret Crow, daughter of Alexander Crow, all of Newcastle, England. By this union there were seven children, all born in Canada, viz., Mary Jane, Isabella, Sara Ann, Isaac, Margaret, Harriet, Elizabeth and Emily Robinson. Mr. Mill's career has been a marked success. he arrived in this country with a cash capital of but $60, and after enduring the hardships consequent upon settling in a new country, has steadily pushed his way upward and onward until he now owns a 100-acre farm worth $10,000, pleasantly situated on the old Newport Road, three miles from Brantford. He was Tax Collector for the Township for two years. His Opportunities for education were limited to the common schools, and the manner in which he has acquired position and influence shows the good use made of his talent. He is a member of the Congregational Church, a Reformer and a substantial citizen. His son, Isaac Mills lives on the homestead, is a Reformer in politics, and received a common school education.

Page 586

JAMES MILLER, farmer, Paris P.O., was born in Scotland. He was a son of John and Rachel (Cooper) Miller, natives of Scotland. Mrs. Miller died in Scotland, and James with his father, came to Canada, resided one year in Hamilton, and in 1839 removed to Paris Township. Mr. James Miller came to "The Plains" in the year 1840, April 8th. He married first, in 1833, Janet Moffat, by whom he had nine children, viz., Mary, John, Rachel, Janet, William, Margaret, James, Peter and George. Mrs Miller died June 2nd, 1876, and on November 8th, 1878, Mr. Miller took a second wife Anna Givens. The youngest son, George, is by this union. Mr. Miller started in life with a very small capital, but by hard labour and careful management he has acquired 220 acres of land, with a good residence, built in style and taste. He is a Reformer in politics, and attends the Presbyterian Church.

JOHN MILLER, farmer, Paris P.O., was born in Scotland in 1836. He is a son of James and Janet (Moffat) Miller. John came to Canada with his father in 1839, and married April 2nd, 1864, Ellen E. Fawkes, daughter of Thomas Fawkes, a native of England. They became the parents of four children, viz., Janet, Susan, James and Frederick. Mr. Miller, knowing the value of an education, is giving his children every opportunity of schooling. He owns a well improved farm of 65 acres, pleasantly situated on Grand River.He is a Reformer in politics, and a Presbyterian in belief.

Page 586

CHARLES MINSHALL, farmer, Brantford Township, was born in Brant County, July 15th, 1852. He is a son of Joseph and grandson of Thomas, a native of England, who came to Canada about the year 1828, and located in this county, where he died. Joseph, his son, came to the Province with his father, and married, 1836, Mary Foulks, daughter of Thomas Foulks, also a native of England. Their family were six in number, of whom Thomas is dead, and William, John, Henry, Sarah and Charles are living. Charles, of whom this sketch is written, married April 11th, 1877, Amelia Smith, daughter of Richard Smith. They had three children- Alphaetta, born December 18th, 1877; Richard H., born June 5th, and died June 6th, 1879; William, born Sept. 18th, 1880; Mr. Minshall is a successful farmer, owning 80 acres of fine land, six miles from the county capital, 68 of which is under an excellent state of cultivation. He is a member of the Baptist Church.

SAMUEL MISNER, farmer, Jerseyville P.O., was born in Wentworth County, in 1818, and is a son of Peter Misner, who was born in the State of New Jersey, in 1786, but has resided since 1799 in Canada. He married Deborah, daughter of Samuel Wilson; she was born in New Jersey, 1788 of Welsh descent. They were the parents of sixteen children, our subject being the seventh son. Samuel Misner was raised in Wentworth County, but since 1848 has made brant County his place of abode; he now owns a farm of 189 acres. He married January 5th, 1841, Miss Nancy Dumon, who was born February 2nd, 1823, in East Dumfries. They are members of the Baptist Church, and have the following children, viz., Lorinda, eleanor, Judson, Francis, Samuel, DeLos and Edith.

Page 587

JAMES H. MOLASKEY, farmer, Paris P.O., was born in New Brunswick in 1808. He was a son of Peter and Mary (Pickle) Molaskey, natives of New Brunswick, who departed this life in Brant County. James H. Molaskey is a nephew of Elder Francis Pickle, of Blenheim Township. He came to Brantford 50 years ago, and he has witnessed the growth of the county from a wilderness, without a fence or a bridge, to its present highly improved state. Mr. Molaskey married, May 2, 1842, Caroline Morrell, daughter of James Morrell. She was first his wife , and was the mother of John N., James H., and Joseph. After the death of Mrs. Molaskey, he married in 1851 Harriett Griffin. The children by this union were Hannah C., Richard, Janet, Morrice E. and Sarah, all members of churches. Mr. Molaskey is now 74 years of age, possesses all his mental faculties, and gave the notes from which this sketch is prepared.

Page 587

WILLIAM MOYLE, farmer, Paris P.O., is a grandson of John Moyle, who was for many years a resident of Dorsethire, England, where he died. He was by occupation a farmer, and lived to the advanced age of 93 years. the following are the names of his nine children: John Jr., William, Aaron, Henry, Rachel, Deborah, Elizabeth, Jane and Mary. Henry the father of our subject, was the youngest son, and was born in Wiltshire, England, and died in the County of Brant, Ontario, Canada. He grew up to farm life, and acquired a good education, and was especially a practical and accurate surveyor. In 1837 he with his family came to Canada, and settled near Paris in the spring of 1838; here he followed farming mostly through life, and was the first permanent settler on Lot 20 of the first concession, in the Township of Brantford. His administration as Magistrate covered many years, during which time his decisions were conceded to be just and equitable by all who knew him. He was one of the directors and stockholders in the old Gore Bank of Hamilton, which position he occupied at his death, at years of age. His wife was Anna Snelling, who was born in Dorsetshire, England, and died in the County of Brant, Ontario, at the age of 72. They had a family of three sons, viz., John, who returned to England, where he died in the prime of life; Henry, who now lives in Paris, and William, whose name heads this sketch; the latter was born in Dorsetshire in 1821, but from 16 years of age grew up in the County of Brant, and during the entire time he was a resident of the same county. He has always followed farming, and now owns a finely improved farm on the Paris stone road, of 125 acres. His wife is Martha Randall, of Dorsetshire, England. They have four sons and two daughters. The family belong to the Baptist Church. Mr. Moyle acquired a fair education in his native country; and since coming to the County of Brant, his business associations have placed him among the well-informed citizens. He was for many years President of the Brant County Mutual Insurance Company, but resigned in 1881.

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WILLIAM A. NARRAWAY (deceased), was born in Devonshire, England, in 1814, and is a son of James and Mary (Rowe) Narraway, who were both natives of England, where they married in 1813, and in 1830 James and his two sons, William and James, Junr., came to Canada. Two years later the rest of the family came. they settled in Nova Scotia; but William, the eldest, only remained a short time, when he took up his abode in the State of New York, where he married in January, 1838, and in 1843, he as well as his father, emigrated from their respective homes and settled in Brant County, Ontario. They purchased about 150 acres of land, where they soon felt at home, and life began in earnest. James, the father of William, died in 1852, aged fifty, and his widow, now at the advanced age of eighty-nine years, resides in Brantford. William and family remained on the farm, but he devoted most of his time to millwrighting, which trade he learned in early life. In 1880 they moved within one mile of Brantford, where he died in May, 1881, and where his family still reside. In 1879, the Ontario government honoured him with a commission as Justice of the Peace for the county. Religiously he was a Canada Methodist, and took an active part in the erection of the church at Cainsville, Brant County, in 1875. During its erection he served as Chairman of the building Committee. In 1874 he, as Lay Delegate from this district, represented it in the First General Conference of the Canada Methodist Church which convened in Toronto. At the time of his death he was Secretary of the Board of Church trustees, and otherwise officially connected with the church. His widow, the mother of his three children, was mary S. Hall, a native of Connecticut, but raised in New York. Of her three children, Annie, the youngest, only was born in Canada, Alfred R. and James R. having emigrated with their parents from the State of New York.

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ALEXANDER OLES, farmer, Langford P.O., is a son of John Oles and a grandson of Gilbert and Elenor (Brice) Oles, Elenor being his second wife. They were both natives of Pennsylvania, and were married about 1793, at fort Erie. Soon after he settled in what is now Haldimand County, Canada, and about 1800 Gilbert returned to the States, where he died. Elenor subsequently, with her three children, Fannie, John and Gilbert F., settled near Mount Pleasant, now brant County, where she remained until her death. John, the father of our subject, was born near Little York, County of Haldimand, and from infancy was raised by his widowed mother. In 1803 they settled near Mount Pleasant , since which time he has resided in brant County. He grew up to farm life, and assisted in transforming the dense pine forests into open and productive fields. At a mature age he learned carpentering, which he followed more or less through life, doing most of his own building. About 1822, he bought 150 acres of his first land, off Isaac Whiting. Mr. Oles being the first permanent settler on the land. He endured all the hardships common to those days, and during the War of 1812 served as a substitute, being too young to serve otherwise, and is now one of the few pensioners of that war living, aged 85 years. About 1840 he joined the Wesleyan Methodist Church, to which he and wife both belong. In March of 1822 he married Ann, daughter of the pioneer Isaac Whiting, by whom he has had nine children- Eliza, Alexander, Samuel, Levi, Nancy, Ann, John, Matthew and Mary J. The four first and last born are living. Alexander, the second, was born February 17, 1825, and is the subject of this sketch. He has always resided in this county, and followed farming. He was educated in the common schools, and in 1847 married Eliza File, by whom he has six children, viz., John, Albert, Catharine, Elizabeth, Jane A. and Charles, the last now in High School at Waterdown. Mr. Oles is one of the well-to-do citizens of the county, and his wife is a daughter of John File, mentioned in David File's sketch in this volume.

PALMER & SHAW, proprietors of the Lorne Mills on Fairchild's Creek, Cainsville. Among the early established mills are those above mentioned. The senior member of this firm, Mr. A. J. Palmer, is a son of William Palmer, and was born in Wentworth County in 1852. He was raised to farm life in his native county, where he received a fair education. In 1876 he joined John D. McIntosh, in the purchase of the Lorne Mills, McIntosh being a practical and experienced Miller, but in 1878 he sold to Palmer, with whom William Shaw is now associated. In 1879, Mr. A. J. Palmer married Emma, daughter of Thomas Shaw; to this union one child is given.

Page 589

JOSHUA PALMERSTON, farmer, Brantford Township, was born in Norfolk County, Ontario, April 28th, 1814, and is a son of benjamin, who was the son of Joshua and great-grandson of james Palmerston, a native of Huntingdonshire, England. The grandfather of the subject of this sketch came to America about 1630, and died in the then British Colonies. His son Benjamin went to New Brunswick about the year 1780, where he remained until 1812, when he removed to Norfolk County and died in 1862. Joshua Palmerston married, April 27th, 1842, Jane fisher, daughter of Samuel Fisher. By this union there were born eight children, as follows: Sarah Elizabeth, born Feb. 27th, 1845; John C., born dec. 26th, 1847, died April 28th, 1877; Harriet A., born March 22nd, 1849; Mary J., born April 8th, 1851; Benjamin W., born May 16th, 1853; Olive, born April 29th, 1855; James H., born Jan. 19th, 1858; Lewis A., born June 13th, 1860. He is the owner oF A finely cultivated farm of 125 acres of excellent land, about seven miles from Brantford, which gives evidence of thrift and good management. the family are Baptists.

JAMES PAPPLE, stock-raiser and farmer, St. George P.O. John Papple, the father of our subject, was a native of Scotland, where he married. In 1846 he emigrated to Canada with his wife and the following children: Alexander, James, Edward, William, Mary and Elizabeth. They settled in Dumfries Township, where soon after his arrival he buried his wife and three children, Edward, Mary and elizabeth. Mr. Papple then settled in Huron County, where he died in 1874, leaving a wife and five children. Of this family James is the only one living in Brant County, where he owns 100 acres of prime farm land. He was born in Scotland, April 21st, 1833, and was thirteen years old when his parents emigrated. He attended the parish schools of his native land six years before he came to canada, and succeeded in reaching the high school department. After his arrival in Canada he was only enabled to attend school during the winter seasons of three years. After his mother's death he was bound out for nine years to Abraham VanSickle, and at the expiration of his term of service, like Jacob of old, he married his master's daughter. He then settled down to the quiet and honourable life of a farmer, in which he has since continued, and now, by energy and perseverance, he has obtained the position of one of the leading farmers and stockmen of the county. By his wife Elizabeth, whom he married on feb. 28th, 1855, he has had eight children, viz., David, William, Isaac, Elmer (deceased). Mary Ellen, Etty Melissa, Elizabeth Jane, and James Milton. The parents and five children are members of the Baptist Church. Mr. Papple is a reformer in Politics.

Page 589 and Part of 590

HAMILTON PELTON, farmer, Falkland P.O., was born in Blenheim Township in the year 1826. He is a son of Samuel and Rhoda (Rouse) Pelton, natives of Rhode Island, who came to Canada about the time of the War of 1812, Mr. Pelton, Sr., taking a soldier's part in the struggle. During the troublous times of the war Mrs. Pelton narrowly escaped tomahawking at the hands of an Indian with whom she was thrown in contact. At the expiration of the war Mr. and Mrs. Pelton settled in Oxford County, where they remained until the death of the former. Mrs. Pelton afterwards married Jacob hess. Hamilton Pelton, the youngest of his father's seven children, was raised by his stepfather until eighteen years of age, when he began life for himself. When he reached his majority, he obtained $50 of his brother out of his father's estate, and having saved $150, he put the two sums together, and with them started for the State of Illinois, walking the entire distance, 550 miles. Arriving on the Kankakee River, he gave $100 to a "squatter" for eighty acres of land, thirty acres being broken and fenced, and supplied with a log house and barn. He afterwards sold it to the former owner at a small profit, and returned to Canada, purchased his first farm, in burford township. He then bought 50 acres in Blenheim on the Government Road, 50 near it in Burford, which he cleared, and lastly, he purchased his present place. He now owns 440 acres of farm land, a foundry, and nearly an acre of land attached, at Bishopgate, and a lot and ashery at Kelvin. On Nov. 26, 1848, he married Hannah Martin, by whom he has had a family of nine children.

DANIEL PERLEY, deceased, was born in Canada, Dec. 4, 1820, and came with his father, Colonel C. S. Perley, to the County of Brant In 1834, and in 1843 settled on land now know as Evergreen Lodge, in Brantford Township, about seven miles from the Town of Brantford. In 1845 he married Elizabeth J. Nelles, of Brant County. They had three children- two sons, now married, and one daughter, who is still at home. Alfred, the youngest son, has charge of the farm. Mr. Perley died Dec. 13, 1882, his death being occasioned by the kick of a horse in his own stable. He was widely known as a fine breeder of Southdown sheep, taking the gold and silver medals at Ottawa in 1879, and many diplomas and prizes at other exhibitions. he was among the first settlers of Brant County, and acted as School Trustee for twenty-one years. He was also President of the Brantford Agricultural Society, and was a member of the Church of England. His widow still occupies the homestead with her son.

Page 590 and Part of 591

JOHN B. PETTIT, a farmer, Brantford Township, near Paris, was born in Canada, Niagara District, Township of Grimsby, 3rd of June, 1810. He was a son of Jonathan A. Pettit and Catherine (Beamer) Pettit. Jonathan and his father, Andrew Pettit, emigrated from what was Province of New Jersey to Canada in 1787, and settled in what is now County of Lincoln. Andrew Pettit, the grandfather of our subject, traces his ancestors to citizens in America for two centuries past. Jonathan A. Pettit was a lieutenant, and served in that capacity in the War of 1812; he was stationed at Niagara with 4th Regiment Lincoln Militia, and when the American army crossed the river, he was slightly wounded in the battle that took place. He was in the hard contested battle of Lundy's Lane, his regiment, with other militia, forming the right. Among the amusing incidents of the war he would relate that after the battle of Stony Creek the American army, on their retreat past Grimsby, had become entirely demoralized. He and Captain Hickson took their arms and went in pursuit along the shore of Lake Ontario, and about 40 American soldiers surrendered as prisoners, and were sent in boats to the British schooners lying a short distance off on the lake. Mr. Pettit was to the front in the Rebellion of 1837, stationed at Queenston under Captain Nixon, 4th Regiment Lincoln Militia, and held a captain's commission when he left the limits of the regiment. John B. Pettit was married in 1834 to Mary Carpenter, daughter of Wm. Carpenter and Martha Smith, of the Township of Saltfleet. Mr. Pettit had a family of five children, two sons and three daughters. Wm. Carpenter was a son of Ashman Carpenter, who emigrated from New Jersey to Canada in 1791, and is a branch of a family supposed to be heirs to an estate in England of many million pounds sterling. The ancestors of Mr. and Mrs. Pettit experienced all the privations and sufferings of the first settlers in Canada. As an instance, Mr. Pettit's grandfather, in the spring of 1788, travelled from Grimsby to the Grand River, near where the City of Brantford is, to purchase a bushel of wheat of the Indians, and returned with it to Grimsby; then carrying it to Niagara Falls to Samuel Street's mill, returning with it to Grimsby, doing the whole distance on foot. Mrs. Pettit's grandfather, Silas Smith, also travelled to the same Indian Settlement, and purchased a sack of corn, carrying it home on his back. His family, consisting of six children, lived six weeks upon what they gathered from the woods, and fish. It is said that the first Methodist service ever held in Western Canada was at the residence of Silas Smith. The heroic acts performed, and the hardships the early settlers endured, were calculated to develop that genuine social hospitality so characteristic of their descendants of the fourth and fifth generation wherever found to-day. The Pettits are a family of farmers with only a few exceptions. The first Judge that ever sat upon the King's Bench at the formation of the Province of Upper Canada, in 1791, was nathaniel Pettit, uncle of Jonathan A. Pettit. The Rev. Canon Chas. Pettit, of the diocese of Ontario, is a grandson of Andrew Pettit, and John Pettit, a great-grandson is a physician in the City of Buffalo. Mr. Pettit has seen very great changes in his native province. Where, in his childhood days, he saw the wild Indian and the wild deer gambol and play under the tall waving pines; where he listened at night to the wolf's howl and the bear's growl, may now be seen cozy cottages and stately mansions, surrounded with extensive gardens of the most delicious fruits of all kinds, well cultivated farms, yielding an annual production sufficient to give happiness, and the highest state of civilization to all. Where his ancestors travelled in the Indian trail and their byways, he travels by railway and highways; where they paddled the birch canoe, now sails the palatial steamer of many thousand tons; where they had to wait for weeks and months for the messengers to carry news, the telegraph and telephone flash it instantaneously from city to city. Equally great is the advancement of education. From the log cabin, with its three R.'s, to the best system of common schools, graded up to its colleges and universities, the humblest child if it aspires may rise to a profession. In religion the Pettits are attached to the Church of England, the faith of their forefathers; and being descendants of Jersey Loyalists, the most of them remain Conservative in Politics, but Mr. Pettit himself is an advanced Reformer.

Page 591 and Part of 592

JOHN PHELPS, farmer, Langford P.O. As Genealogy is always appreciated, we, through the assistance of one of the Phelps family, give a brief outline of this family genealogy back to the first part of the seventeenth century, when the name was spelled Phyllyppes. They were an ancient and honourable "Staffordshire" family; the superfluous letters having been dropped during the reign of Edward VI. It is proven by documentary records that the family can be traced back to William the Conqueror. While in England they figured prominently in municipal affairs; but in 1620 the Mayflower landed on soil of the Western Continent the ancestors of the family, to wit: William phelps and brother george, the first of the name west of the Atlantic, and Puritan pioneers. William Phelps, in November, 1630, was chosen a member of the first jury empanelled in the colony. He was a man of pure piety and sterling worth, which seems to have flowed in the blood of his descendants for over two centuries. These traits have been the means of exalting many of them to high and honourable stations. In short they have, in military services, filled the offices from general down, and in the municipal affairs of the United States, from congressman through all the descending offices to the humble but honest farmer. Their settlement in Canada dates to the year 1800, when David Phelps and family settled on the Grand River Swamp. David was born at Belchester, Massachusetts, in 1768, and died in Boston, Canada. He was twice married, first to mary Sperry, who died in Brant County August 24, 1821, aged fifty-two years and eight months. His second wife was hannah Olmstead, whom he left a widow on August 2, 1834, the result of the kick of a vicious horse. He was the father of sixteen children, viz. Martha, Othniel, Anna, Elisha, David (died in infancy), Beriah, Elijah, Lydia, Mary, David, Junr. By his second wife, Ursula and Anna (twins), Champion J., George W., Roxy Lany, and Matthias M. Of this family Elisha, the seventh, was the father of our subject; he was born in brant County in 1803, and died in 1877, having spent his entire life in the county of his birth. He was a strong and hearty man, having followed farming throughout his life, as did his father before him. He was married in 1825 to Elizabeth, daughter of John Vanderlip, of Wentworth County, who died in Brant County, October 4, 1873. the family consisted of three children, viz., John, Mary and Mark, but the eldest is the only one now living. He was born in Brant County in 1826. He was raised to farm life, and has followed it through life, now owning 174 acres of land, mostly the result of his own efforts. He was married March 18, 1857, to Catherine Hawley, daughter of a pioneer of the county. Five children are the issue of this union, viz., Adam, Elizabeth, Emma, Alice, and Ezra E.

Page 592

GEORGE PIKE, farmer, Brantford P.O., is a son of William and a grandson of Abraham Pike; the latter was a native of Queen's County, Ireland, where he was raised, matured and married to Hannah Heritage, of Irish birth also. In 1819 they, with eight children, started for Canada, but while on the ocean death seized their son charles. They landed at Quebec on the 19th of June of the same year, and made route for mount Pleasant, now in Brant County; here their hearts failed them, and they soon made a return track for their mother country; but on reaching Harrisburg sickness of the family detained them until spring, when nature opened out in all its beauty, which induced them again to settle in the then wilds of Brant County. it was but a short time until Abraham died, leaving his widow with a large family of children, which she raised. She finally married Cornelius Connor, and both died in the county. During her life she frequently walked to Dundas and back in one day, for goods she wanted from the stores. The seven children which landed were Fannie, William, Ellen, Ann, Thomas, Benjamin and Joanna. They all grew to maturity, married and settled in the County of Brant. William, the father of George, was born in Ireland in 1806, and died in Brant County in 1857. He was a farmer and resident of the county for nearly forty years. His widow still survives bearing the name of her departed husband. Her maiden name was Mary Morris. She was born on Long Point in 1813. During William's early life he assisted in building the first house in Guelph. He and wife were members of the Methodist Church. They were the parents of six sons and one daughter, our subject being the eldest. Henry, Benjamin, Thomas and Hannah are deceased; but Nelson and Abraham, with George, still survive. Benjamin died in Andersonville prison during the American rebellion. George is the only one living in the county to relate the history of his family. He was born here in 1832, and has ever since resided here. He has been farming generally, but has taken an active part in schools, and has been Trustee repeatedly, Tax Collector, and is now serving his third year as Assessor. He was married in 1860 to Mary, daughter of William Irwin and sister of Francis Irwin; she was born in the County of Brant in 1837. She and her husband have seven children, viz., Martha H., William Irwin, George B., Minnie A., Francis A., Ellen E., and Edith J. Mr. Pike joined the 2nd Battalion of Brant Militia as Ensign in 1856, became Lieutenant in 1860, and went out on frontier service in 1864 with the Highland Rifles as private. He has been a member of the Loyal Orange Institution since 1857, and was elected County Master twice, and was the first representative of the County of Brant of the Royal Black Knights of Ireland, held in Albert hall in Toronto, in 1878.

Page 592 and part of Page 593

EVAN PILGRIM, farmer, Brantford P.O., was born in October, 1826, in Norfolk County, England; he is a son of Morris and Martha (Bird) Pilgrim, and a grandson of Morris Pilgrim, all of England. Evan Pilgrim came to Canada in 1854, and settled in Brant County, where he married, August 20th, 1854, Susanna, daughter of Michael and Hannah (Rudd) Porter; she was born October 11th, 1834. They were the parents of nine children, named William, born May 14th, 1857; Alvena, born January 1, 1862; Jane, born April 11th, 1864; Frederick, born September 22nd, 1859, died February 22nd, 1871; Evan, born July 15th, 1866; Mary E., born November 22nd, 1868; Susannah, born january 2nd, 1871; Frederick (the second), born October 16th, 1872; Sarah, born December 13th, 1874; and Emma, born July 3rd, 1879. Mr. Pilgrim started in life a poor man, but has now a competency for himself and wife of 226 acres of fine farming land; they still live to share the comforts of their united toil in early life.

ROBERT POTRIFF, farmer, Paris P.O., was born October 16th, 1825, and is a son of Simeon and Elizabeth (Stewart) Potriff. His father was a native of the State of Pennsylvania, and came to canada in 1810, settling near what now is the City of Hamilton, which at that time consisted of one store and one or two other old buildings. Mr. Potriff took an active part in the Rebellion of 1837-8, and died in 1839. In his family of thirteen children, Robert, the second, was married January 19th, 1844, to nancy Stewart, daughter of Alexander Stewart, of Wentworth County. They became the parents of eleven children, viz., Catherine, Alexander, Annie L., Carrie M., Sarah E., Jonathan, Alfred E., Robert W., Margaret J., Nina H. and William A. Six of them are now married. Mr. Potriff sold 100 acres of land which was left him by his father and bought 300 acres upon which he now lives. It is situated six miles from Brantford and three miles from Paris. His family are members of the M.E. Church, and he is a Reformer in politics.

Page 593 and Part of 594

A. G. RAMSEY, farmer and manufacturer of lumber, Langford P.O., is a son of John Ramsey, who was born at Niagara Falls in 1806, and died in Brant County in 1870; his father was a native of Scotland, who came to America prior to the War of Independence, and remaining loyal to the Crown of England, served through the great conflict. He subsequently settled at Lundy's Lane where he died. He was by occupation a millwright, and erected the Bridgewater Mills on Niagara River. James, the father of our subject, was raised near his birthplace, where he was educated, becoming a classical student, and for about twenty-five years he taught school in the counties of Welland, Oxford and Brant. Even though he was a teacher in pioneer days, he was none the less a scientific and highly esteemed citizen. At his death he had resided about forty years in Brant County. He was married to jane, daughter of John Hawkins, who was born in England. Our subject was born in Paris September 18, 1838, and partly raised at his birthplace, receiving most of his education in his native village. Very early in life he engaged in the manufacture of lumber, which he has mostly followed through life. About 1864 he came to Langford and built his present sawmill, in which he has done a large business. About 1871 he bought his present farm. In 1870 he married Margaret VanSickle, a native of Wentworth County, born in 1846. To this union has been given six children, viz., Ada, George (deceased), Clara, Albert, Alice, and Arthur G.

JAMES REID, waggon and carriage maker, Justice of the Peace and ex-Reeve, Cainsville P.O., is a native of the Village of Doune, Perthshire, Scotland, born in 1818, and son of thomas and Margaret (Russell) Reid, who were both natives of Scotland, where they lived and died. Of their six children three are now living- one in Scotland, one in Australia, and our subject, the latter being the only one who became a citizen of Canada, where he has resided since 1848. He grew up in his native land, learned his trade, and acquired a common education. In 1845 he married Jeanette McLaren, a native of Scotland. Three years later they settled in Cainsville, Brant County, where she died in the fall of 1850. She was the mother of three children, two of whom are now living, viz., Thomas and Isabella. Mr. Reid's second wife was Elsie (Simpson) Tuttle, of Aberdeenshire, Scotland, by whom two children were born, James and Mary A. When Mr. Reid first settled in cainsville he laboured as employee; two years later he succeeded his employer as proprietor, and has since conducted a favourable and honourable business in Cainsville. He has filled the office of trustee of School Section No. 22 for a period of twenty-five years. The section made him a present of a writing desk as a memento of its regard. He is at present Justice of the Peace. Politically he adheres to the Reformers, and religiously to the First Presbyterian Church of Brantford. On retiring from office in the spring of 1882, after a long term of service as Reeve, the people evinced their high regard for him in an official capacity by presenting him with a handsome testimonial, which is fully spoken of in the body of this work.

Page 594 and Part of 595

WILLIAM A. RISPIN, farmer, Cainsville P.O., was born near Toronto, in 1834, and is a son of Thomas and Mary (Watson) Rispin, and a grandson of William and Elizabeth (Asquith) Watson, all of English ancestry. His father and mother, thomas and Mary (Watson) Rispin, were born in Yorkshire, England, and were married in 1824. They came to Canada in 1830, with three children, viz., Ann, Sarah and Elizabeth, settling near toronto. In 1851 they removed to this county, where they still live. They are members of the Wesleyan Methodist Church, and are now the parents of nine children, William A., being the fourth. He was married in 1868 to Nancy, daughter of Hector and Laurena Ball. They are the parents of eight children, viz., Mary, Eliza, John, William, Alice, Sarah, Nancy and Anna. Mr. Rispin has a farm of 100 acres.

THOMAS ROBSON, farmer, Brantford township, son of James Robson, was born in Roxburghshire, Parish of Minto, Scotland, Sept. 25th, 1814, and came to Canada in 1834. He married, Oct. 5th, 1847, Margaret Johnson, daughter of Alexander and granddaughter of George Johnson, all natives of Scotland. She was born Sept. 5th, 1827. They were the parents of ten children, as follows: Elizabeth, born April 29th, 1849; James, born June 15th, 1850; Ellen, born Nov. 23rd, 1851, died Sept. 3rd, 1852; Thomas, born Aug. 31st, 1854; Alexander, born June 15th, 1856; Margaret, born April 5th, 1858; Christina, born April 9th, 1860; Agnes, born April 13th, 1862, died March 14th, 1864; Elsie Ellen, born May 19th, 1864; Charles, born April 7th, 1867. During the first five years of Mr. Robson's sojourn in the land of his adoption, he lived in Burford, and settled upon his present farm in 1849. His farm is an excellent one, comprising 139 acres of the best land in the county. It is situated on the London Road, west of the city, from which it is only a quarter of a mile distant, and is bounded on the north by the Grand river. A fine spring creek runs through the farm near the centre, upon which his barns and cattle stables are built. He utilizes the stream for power to grind his grain, and also does some custom work for his neighbours in that line. Mr. Robson received a common school education; he and his family are members of the Presbyterian Church. Politically, he is a reformer.

Page 595

WILLIAM RODDICK, farmer, Brantford township, was born in Dumfriesshire, Scotland, April; 1840. His parents, john and Margaret Roddick, who had a family of nine children, all born in Scotland except the two youngest, were natives of Dumfriesshire. The father was born in 1792, and died in Canada April 2nd, 1876. The mother was a daughter of Robert Courtland of the same part of Scotland, and she and her husband emigrated to Canada in 1842. William Roddick, the subject of our sketch, came to Canada with his parents, who settled first in Maitland, near Brockville, Ont., where they remained ten years, removing to the County of Brant, April 20th, 1853. He was married jan. 1st, 1873, to mary A., daughter of John Aulsebrook, a native of Nottingham, England. She was born, March 3rd, 1841, in the Town of Paris, Ont. Two children have been born to bless this union, viz., William J., born Oct. 14th, 1878, and James O., born Dec. 25th, 1882. Mr. Roddick has held most of the prominent positions in the county, having been Township Councillor for the last seven years. He is at present filling the offices of Reeve of the Township of Brantford, and Warden of the County of Brant. Mr. and Mrs. Roddick are members of the Presbyterian Church, and the Roddick family are typical, true-bred Scotch men, tracing back their lineage in Dumfriesshire for a period of five hundred years.

PETER ROY, farmer, Brantford P.O., was born in Perthshire, Scotland, in 1826, and is a son of David and a grandson of James Roy. David Roy was born in 1800, and in early life learned the manufacturing of Woollen goods. In 1832 he came to New York State, where he followed his trade until 1836, when he removed to Canada. He bought the farm now owned by his son Peter in 1838, getting his title from the government. He for a number of terms served in the Municipal Council. Mr. Roy died in 1877, leaving one son, Peter. He came to America in 1832, and in 1836 took up his place of residence in Canada. In 1855 he married Matilda Fawcett. They are members of the Methodist Church, and have six children, viz., David F., James H., Mary M., Matthew Carr, Elizabeth and Edgerton.

DAVID RUTHERFORD, farmer, Paris P.O., was born in Scotland, July 25, 1826; he was a son of John and Isabelle (Steele) Rutherford, natives of Scotland, where they died. Mr. Rutherford was a shepherd, and had nine children. David, one of his sons and our subject, came to canada in 1841, and settled on the farm near where he now resides. He married, 1859, at Paris, Isabelle Rutherford, daughter of George Rutherford, of Scotland. She died, leaving six children, viz., Agnes, Isabelle, John, George, Robert and James. He married July 22, 1873, for a second wife, Catherine Walker. She died soon after, and Mr. Rutherford Married Jane Anderson, of Irish descent. They have no children. The mother of his first wife is , at this writing , 76 years old. Mr. Rutherford rents a t present a good farm of 150 acres, with all modern improvements. He is a Reformer in politics, and has a large circle of friends.

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JAMES RUTHERFORD, farmer, Brantford Township, a native of Scotland, was born May 16, 1806, came to Canada in 1834, and settled in Brant County. He is the son of James Rutherford, who emigrated to this Province in 1840, and also located in this county. He married Elizabeth Couts, daughter of William Couts. Their children were John, Mary, and William, now dead; and Elizabeth, James, Esther, Samuel, Adam, David and Thomas, the two last of whom are twins, still survive. He died September 28, 1848. James , our subject, married, August 20, 1838, Marjory McLeod, daughter of Donald McLeod, who died in Scotland, the issue of their marriage being seven children, viz., Donald, born October 23, 1837; Barbara, born April 13, 1842; David, born November 26, 1844; John, born April 17, 1847; Annie, born July 28, 1850; Elizabeth, born May 23, 1853; Jessie, born June 28, 1857. The family are adherents of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Rutherford was for twenty-five years Treasurer of the Detective Association at Newport. He has prospered in this country, and now owns a superior farm of 135 acres, well stocked and highly cultivated. It is situated about five miles from Brantford, in an excellent locality.

GEORGE SAGE, stock raiser, Brantford P.O., was born in Somersetshire, England, in 1814, where he was educated. In 1841 he came to Canada, and married Eliza, daughter of David Bloomfield. She died July 4, 1848, leaving two children, viz., John and Eliza, both deceased. Mr. Sage then married Susannah Cale, who died seven months after marriage. His third wife was Mary Craig, a native of Wentworth County. She died in 1868, in Brant County, leaving one son Otter G. His last wife was Olive Weaver, a native of Ancaster. Mr. Sage started his life with a small capital, but by perseverance has acquired 100 acres of good farming land. He has since 1844 been engaged in handling blooded cattle, in which branch he has met with success.

JESSE SAGE, farmer and stock raiser, Brantford P.O., was born in Somersetshire, England, in 1812, and is a son of Jesse Sage, Senr., a native of England, who married Anna Vowals, by whom he had fourteen children, our subject being the eighth. he was brought up to farm life, and married Sarah Clark, a native of the same shire, they came to Canada in 1838, and the next year Mrs. Sage died. He then returned to England, and married her cousin, who also died in Brant County in 1876. He had four children, viz., Charles, George (whose history appears in this work), Sarah A. Pearson and Anna Webling, all heads of families, and all in the City of Brantford. Mr. Sage settled on his present farm in 1840, where he has since carried on extensive stock-raising operations, producing some of the finest cattle ever shown in this county.

Page 596

NATHANIEL SAGER, hotel proprietor, Cainsville, is a son of Malachi Sager, who was born in Pennsylvania in 1776, and is of German Descent. He came to Canada in minor life, and soon after joined the military troops of 1812. He endured many early privations in the days when mills, churches and schools were almost unknown. He settled and has since lived near Saint George, following farming throughout his life. His wife was Sarah Dean, from near hamilton. Of their family our subject was born near Saint George in 1838, where he grow up to farm life, and acquired a common school education. In 1868 he settled in St. George, and for thirteen years operated different hotels. Subsequently he settled in brantford, and in january, 1883, he bought and took charge of his present business. On January 15, 1858, he married Mary E. Neff. Two children are the fruits of this union.

CHARLES and RICHARD SANDERSON, farmers, Brantford P.O., are sons of Thomas Sanderson, whose sketch appears in this work. Charles was born in 1855, Richard in 1856, both in Brantford. they were raised to farm life, and acquired a common school education. Charles was married to harriet Mills in 1878; Richard married in the same year, Emily Mills, sister of Harriet. They are the daughters of george Mills, of Newport, Ontario. They settled on their farm of 200 acres, known as Colonel Burrow's Farm in 1878.

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HENRY SANDERSON, farmer, Brantford P.O., is a son od Richard Sanderson, who was born in England in 1794, and died in the County of Brant in 1860. He grew up to farm life, and acquired a common school education. His wife was Jennie, daughter of Thomas Houlding, who was born in Lancashire in 1804, where they were married about 1822; she died in brant County in 1877. In 1831 they, with four children emigrated to Canada, and settled at Brantford, and were ever after residents of the county. He acquired a desirable home of 200 acres, which by the aid of his family, was well improved. He was a strong hearty man, but for a number of years he was severely afflicted with rheumatism. Their children were nine in number, viz., Ann, Mary, Thomas, Henry, Richard, Margaret, Robert, Jane and Harriet. Henry was the last child born in England, in 1829, but from infancy he has been a resident of this county. The duties that rested on him when at home deprived him of most of the school privileges, but he has always been blessed with good health, and that, coupled with his industry, has secured for him a neat and comfortable home of 95 acres, which he cultivates successfully. In 1855 he married Jane Aitchison, who came from Scotland in 1851. They have a family of very interesting children.

THOMAS SANDERSON, farmer, Newport P.O., was born Sept. 13th, 1827, and is a son of Richard Sanderson, a native of Lancashire, England, born Nov. 16, 1794; he emigrated to Canada in 1831, and settled in this county. The latter married Jennie, daughter of Thomas Houlding , also a native of England, who came to this country in 1831, and located in the county. Their family were nine in number- Ann, Thomas, Henry, Margaret, Robert, Jane and Harriet, who are living, and Mary and Richard, now dead. Thomas, the subject of these notes, married Jan. 1st, 1852, Mary Birkett, daughter of William Birkett, a native of England. They have seven children: Charles, born May 30th, 1853; Richard, Aug. 19th, 1854; William C., born June 25th, 1858, died July 31st, 1862; Ada, May 19th, 1862; Ellen J., June 14th, 1865; Thomas S., Oct. 25th, 1867; Martha, Feb. 24th, 1869; Mary E., Nov. 10th, 1870. Mr. Sanderson is the owner of a valuable farm of 104 acres, on the Grand River, about four miles from Brantford, and is in independent circumstances. He has ably served his township at the County Council as Deputy Reeve, and at the Township Council Board as Municipal Councillor, for a period of nine years. His family are members of Farringdon Church. He received a common school education.

Page 597

JAMES SCOTT, farmer, a native of Ireland, was born March 4th, 1847, and came to Canada at the age of 18. He is a son ofJames and grandson of Thomas Scott, of the County of Armagh, Ireland, where they died. James married Elizabeth Stinson, who also died in Ireland. Their children were thomas, John, William, James, Ann and Mary Jane. James, of whom we write, settled in this county on his arrival from the old country, and married, Feb. 17, 1859, Isabella McDonald, daughter of Alexander and granddaughter of Donald McDonald, natives of Scotland, the former of whom settled in Brant County, and died about 1862. They have one child, Mary Ann, born june 10, 1860. The family belong to the Church of England. Mr. Scott owns an excellent farm of 55 acres in Brantford Township, where he resides, and is a prosperous farmer.

JOHN SCOTT, deceased, was a son of James Scott and a grandson of Thomas Scott, both of the latter being fully mentioned in the sketch of James Scott. The subject of this sketch emigrated from Ireland to Canada in 1840, and on January 29, 1844, married Jane Strong, a daughter of William Strong, and a granddaughter of George Strong. After their marriage they settled in this county, where mr. Scott died June 28, 1874, leaving his farm of 150 acres to his son William. His family consists of the following children; James, born feb. 2, 1853, died Feb. 10, 1870; William M., born Feb. 28, 1855; Mary J., born July 28, 1858 (married Robt. McCutcheon on March 23, 1875); Elizabeth Ann, born April 28, 1861; Margaret C. I., born August 28, 1863. The family are adherents of the Church of England.

Page 598

JAMES SEALEY, deceased, was a son of Jeremiah Sealey, who was a native of New York, but died at Mount Vernon, Brant County, Ontario. he had been a resident and farmer here for about twenty years. He and wife had six children- James, Jeremiah, Stephen, Charles, Harriet and Sarah. Of the family James was the eldest, born in New York State. About 1838 he went to Michigan, where he married Phoebe Young on March 27, 1848. two years later they came to Canada, settling in Brant county. He followed farming and saw-milling. In 1855 he bought a farm at Langford, where he died. He and wife had seven children, viz., Mary E., Harriet, James, William M., Martha J., John F. and Charles. The eldest child id married to Joseph Jackson, a contractor and builder at Niagara Falls, Ontario. Mrs. Sealey is a daughter of John Young, and was born in England, but when one year old her father moved to Michigan, where he died.

THOMAS SHAW, farmer and stock-raiser, cainsville P.O. Mr. Shaw's father, Thomas, Sr., was a son of one of the warriors of 1776-81, and died in Canada. Thomas, Senr., was born in Hamilton, and died at Glanford, October 9, 1869, aged 71 years. His wife was Abigail Clark, born in new Brunswick, and died June 17, 1877, at Glanford, aged 70 years. they had a family of ten children that matured and became heads of families. Of that number, our subject is the only one living in brant county, where he settled in 1870. He was born in June, 1832, at Glanford, where he resided until coming to this county. He devotes considerable time to the raising of cattle, and has a good home of 125 acres in a locality unequalled for fertility, soil and many conveniences. he and wife have been members of the Canada Methodist Church for many years. He is now filling various positions of honour in the church, among which we mention Recording Steward of the Cainsville Circuit, Class-leader, Trustee, and Superintendent of the S.S. His wife was Maria J., daughter of Thomas Choate, of Glanford, where she was born in 1835. Their children are Alice A., David, William W., Emma, Hedley, Pierson, John N., Allen C., Fred B., and Eddie. The first, second and seventh, deceased.

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WILLIAM SHAW, manufacturer of brick, Cainsville P.O., was born in Wentworth County, in December, 1858, and is a son of Thomas Shaw. He was brought up to farm life, and acquired a common school education, mostly in Brant County, where he now owns his farm. In 1881, he engaged in the brick business, turning out 1,000,000 the first year. He is a member of the Methodist Church, and is regarded as an honest, industrious citizen. he married in 1883, to Mary File, daughter of Robert File, deceased, and Rhoda File, both of this county. Both he and Mrs. Shaw are active members of the Methodist Church.

WILLIAM SIMPSON, farmer, Falkland P.O., was born in Norfolk County, in 1819, and is a son of George and Anna (Workman) Simpson, who emigrated to Canada in 1818, landing at Pot Dover with but a York Shilling, and a guinea in debt. the first week after landing, Mrs. Simpson made linen lace for an officer whom she met on board ship, for which she received $10. Mr. Simpson, for several winters, threshed wheat with a flail, getting every tenth bushel for his work. The usual amount threshed a day was 15 to 18 bushels. The fall following Mr. Simpson's arrival in this county, he ploughed and sowed ten acres of rye, by moonlight, on shares. At one time he went on foot fourteen miles for the purpose of obtaining a candle, this being the nearest point. He also put in corn on shares, and when it was ready to hoe, his wife took William, our subject, in a basket to the fields, and hoed row about with her husband. In 1819, Mr. Simpson went back to England, his father having died; he was gone about five months, and during this time his wife dug with a spade ground enough to raise seventy bushels of potatoes, which she had all dug and put in a hole under the house upon his return. She also was accustomed to go a mile to milk, with three children, taking the youngest in her arms, and letting the others walk until tired, when they would cling on her back. In 1826, Mr. Simpson moved to Dumfries where he lived in an old log school house until he built a house. The wolves and bears were very numerous at that time, and people with their cattle stood in great danger of their attacks. Such were the wilds of the country when our subject was a boy. He married in 1842 his first wife, Mrs. Underhill Cederquest, with one child. They had eight children. His second wife was Mrs. Toottetts, by whom he had no children. They are Baptists in belief, and he is a Conservative in Politics.

Page 599

GEORGE SMITH, farmer, Brantford P.O., is a son of James Smith, who was one of three brothers, born near Edinburgh, Scotland. James was born about 1763, and was the only one to come to Canada. He was married to Patience Austin, of English birth, who died in Canada. James, while in his native country, was engaged in the nursery business, but in 1836 he, with wife and five children, settled in Brantford Township, where two years later death released him from his worldly cares, but she survived until 1854. Up to his death he had only started the nursery business, when his sons George and William took charge of it and conducted the business. they had been schooled to the business from early life. From the nursery of Smith's many of the old orchards now in the county were started. William carried on fruit-growing until his death in 1881, in which our subjects also figured conspicuously, and now grows a fine variety of apples, pears, raspberries, and all small fruits. He has made grape cultivation a specialty for some time. He was born, in 1816, in Aberdeen, but since 1836 has been a resident of the County of Brant, where he is now well fixed in life. His wife was Agnes Findlay, born in the County of Wellington, Ontario. they have a family of seven children, Viz., James A., Lizzie, William, George, Charles, John and Martha. Mr. and Mrs. Smith are members of the Presbyterian Church.

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HENRY SMITH, farmer, Brantford Township, a native of Kent, England, was born June 10, 1825, and came to Canada with his father about the year 1830. he is a son of John and grandson of John Smith, a native of Holland, who became a British subject, and died in England at the age of 48 years. John Smith, his son, was born in Kent, England, and became a commissioned officer in the British army. He arrived in this Province at the date indicated above, first locating at New Ireland, in the then Province of Lower Canada, and subsequently removed to the County of Oxford, Upper Canada, where he finally settled. He married Barbara Ann Ashkett Fellows, daughter of Henry Fellows, a native of London, England, who lived to the advanced age of 101 years. The names of their family were John Stephen, Thomas, Robert, Henry, George, Peter, Charles, William, Charlotte, Mary and Sarah. He died February 17, 1837, at the age of 48. Henry Smith, of whom this biography is written, was twice married- first, July 21, 1851, to Mary Ann Franklin, daughter of henry Franklin, a native of England. The issue of this union was five children, as follows: Sarah Jane, born February 23, 1853; Mary, born March 8, 1865*; Reuben Henry, born September 1, 1857; Charles Sydney, born August 1, 1860; John Thomas, born March 21, 1863. Mary Ann, his wife, died April 8, 1863. He next married, July 24, 1864, Martha Ann Kirkby, of England, and by their marriage had a family of nine children, viz., Charlotte Ann, born September 22, 1865; Sophia, born March 6, 1866; Barbara Ellen, born September 26, 1867; George Samuel, born March 1, 1869; Peter William, born March 13, 1871, died September 11, 1872; Martha C., born February 14, 1873; Stephen David, born November 3, 1875; James Edward, born July 31, 1876; Robert Walter, born November 18, 1879. The family adhere to the Baptist Church, of which our subject is a member. Mr. Smith has prospered in the colony of his adoption. He now owns a well stocked farm of 130 acres of well cultivated land, not five miles from the City of Brantford, upon which he has continuously resided since settling in this county. Charles Sydney Smith, son of the above subject, married December 25, 1881, Eliza Ethel Smith, daughter of Edgar, granddaughter of Asa, and great-granddaughter of Annias Smith, who formerly resided in Smithville, Welland County, where he died at a good old age. Asa, his son, was born at Grimsby, County of Wentworth, and eventually came to this county. He married and had two children, Adolphus and Edgar. He is at present residing at Buffalo N. Y. Edgar Smith, son of the above, was born August 27, 1844, near Cainsville, and as he grew to manhood's estate adopted, the trade of a blacksmith. he married Susan Morrison, their issue being Eliza Ethel, wife of Charles Sydney Smith, born March 17, 1864; and Asa, born August 8, 1868. After several years sojourn in Brantford he migrated to Buffalo, where he now resides. the union of Charles Sidney and Ethel Smith is blessed with one child, Henry Edgar, born November 12, 1882. Like his father, Charles Sidney is a member of the Baptist denomination. He farms part of the homestead, and is enjoying a fair measure of Prosperity.

Bill's Note* This date is wrong, if in sequence this should be 1856 as mother died in 1863!

JAMES SMITH, farmer, Scotland P.O., was born in 1840 in Scotland, Brant County, His father was Jacob Smith, a native of Pennsylvania. He came to Canada in 1812, and settled on the farm now occupied by James. Here he died in 1853, and is buried at Burford. James Smith married Anna Zimmerman, who was born in 1841 at Beamsville. they have two sons, viz., Welby and Wallace. they received a common school education, and are enterprising and prosperous; they work on some 75 acres of rented farm. Mrs. Smith's farm consists of 131 acres, pleasantly situated and finely improved.

JAMES A. SMITH, farmer, Brantford P.O., is a son of George Smith, whose sketch appears in this work. James was born in the County of Brant in 1854. he was raised to farm life, and acquired a common school education. In October, 1882, he married Elizabeth McVicker, who was born and raised in this county. they both belong to the Presbyterian Church. In 1881 he was elected a member of the Township Council in which capacity he still serves, and has risen to be First Deputy Reeve. he has a good farm, and for a young man his future looks bright.

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RICHARD SMITH, farmer, Brantford Township, a native of England, was born Feb. 18, 1820. He was the son of Richard and grandson of Richard Smith, both of whom died in England, the latter in 1836. Richard, father of our subject, was born in 1786, and married Mary Burton, also a native of England, who was born about the year 1811. Their family numbered twelve, of whom Mary, Joseph, James, Richard, Leah and Thomas, are living, and Jonathan, Margaret, Elizabeth, Christopher, Elijah and Robinson are dead. Richard, of whom we write, married May, 1851, Ann Walker, daughter of William and Ann, and granddaughter of Henry Walker, all Natives of England, where William and Henry died. His children were fourteen in number, viz., Mary, born Dec. 9, 1851; Margaret, born April 3, 1853, died May 12, 1860; Amelia, born Jan. 6, 1855; William, born June 30, 1856, died in 1856; Samuel, born June 1, 1857; Harriet, born Nov. 4, 1859; Sophia, born June 1, 1860; Salina, born Feb. 21, 1862; Richard, born Oct. 19, 1864; Elijah, born Sept. 16, 1866; Sabina, born Jan. 7, 1870; Robinson, born July 20, 1871; James, born Jan. 11, 1874; Jonathan, born June 6, 1875, died in 1875. Mr. Smith is a prosperous farmer owning 147 acres of very valuable land in the township, about six from Brantford. The family belong to the Church of England.

ROBERT H. SNYDER, farmer and stock-raiser, Brantford P.O., was born in Wentworth County in 1839, and is a son of John Snyder, who was born in Wentworth County in 1814. His father, John Snyder Jr., was a native of the State of Maryland, and came to Canada in 1802. He settled in Halton County, and in 1848 in Brant County. In 1806 he married Jean Hunter, of Scotch descent. They were the parents of nine children, John, the father of our subject, being the only one living in this county. He married Isabella Moffatt, who was born in Scotland, and died in this county in 1879. They had six children, viz., John A., Robert H., Ellen, Magdalen, Isabella and William D. Of this family Robert H. is the eldest son living, and since 1848 he has made Brant County his place of residence. He married Martha Likens, who was raised in this county. they have eight children, viz., Isabella, William N., Maggie E., Orpha E., Mary L., John E., Carrie C. and Kester W. Mr. Snyder has 75 acres of well improved land, and since 1860 has devoted his time to stock-raising. In 1875, he went to Scotland, where he imported pure blooded stock, which is fully mentioned in this work. Robert Snyder, the grandfather of our Subject, settled in Wentworth County at an early day, and while there gave each of his three sons 100 acres of land. After removing to Brantford he made a direct deed of gift of 75 acres to each of his two grandsons, Robert receiving the old homestead.

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WARREN SOVEREIGN, farmer, Paris P.O., was born in norfolk County, Canada, in 1838. He was a son of Philip and Lavini (Jenny) Sovereign, natives of the States. Mr. Sovereign came to Canada when only nine months old. His father settled on what was called Round Plain. He was a soldier in the War of 1812, and witnessed the progress of this county from an unsettled wilderness to its present condition. he was the first to make a waggon track in the county. Philip was a Despatch Messenger in the War of 1812. Warren was the third son of Philip Sovereign, and married in 1863, Catherine, daughter of Dennis L. Dennis. Mr. Sovereign came to Brant County in 1847. He had one son, born febraury 3, 1877. He owns 50 acres, upon which is being erected a reservoir for the supply of Paris. He is a Baptist.

HUGH SPENCER, farmer, Langford P.O., was born in Lancashire, England, in 1819, and is a son of William and Betty Spencer, both natives of England, where they matured and married. In 1832 they thoughtthat Canada should be their future home, and accordingly came to Toronto, and to brantford in 1835, where William and wife both died, she aged sixty-six years and he eighty years. On coming to brantford he erected a brewery where the China Hall is now located, being the first brewery of any impotance in the county. He operated it until about 1854. He then engaged with his sons in a new brewery, where he remained a partner until his death. Of his five children who came to Canada, Hugh is the third, and since december, 1834, he has been a resident of Brantford and vicinity. In 1847 Hugh and his brother Thomas jointly rented a brewery, and in 1855 erected what is now known as the Brantford Malting and Brewing Company's Building, the original buildings and grounds costing about $15,000. In 1867 Hugh retired, leaving the business to his brother. His time was directed to merchandizing, but seven months later he lost all by fire; he then engaged in and very successfully conducted the manufacture of pressed brick and drain tile, and for the latter his yard was particularly known. In 1877 he bought his present farm of 138 acres, well improved land, and he is now comfortably situated. In 1843 he married Alice Fowler; she died in 1865, leaving four children. Hugh subsequently married his first wife's eldest sister, who is also dead. Mr. Spencer has been one of the live go-ahead men in Brant County.

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CHARLES STEWART, farmer, Brantford P.O., is a son of John and a grandson of george Stewart. The latter was of German descent, a native of Pennsylvania, where he lived many years, but about the close of the American Revolution he settled near Hamilton, Ontario, where he and wife both died. Of their five sons John was, and was born near hamilton towards the close of the last century, but died near Dundas during the War of 1812, in which he was a patriot, leaving one child, whose name heads this sketch. John's wife was Sarah, daughter of George Rymal, and a native of the States, but she died near London, Ont. Charles is the only survivor of this family, and he was born near Dundas in 1812, and remained in Wentworth County until 1848, since which he has lived on his person farm of 50 acres. He was raised to farm life, which he has always followed. His education was acquired in the common schools of his day. In 1833 he married Ann, daughter of Rev. David Culp; she was born near Grimsby, and died in 1847, where Charles now lives. Her two children were Sarah and Margaret J. Charles' second wife was Elizabeth, daughter of William Swartz; she was born in Princeton. Their children are Ellen, William L, George (teacher) and Hettie A. The family belong to the C. M. Church. All that Mr. Stewart has is the result of his own efforts.

RICHARD STORY, farmer, Cainsville P.O., was born in Lancashire, England, October 29th, 1827, and is a son of Isaac and Phoebe (Patrickson) Story, both natives of England. Of their children, Richard was fourth. He received his education in his native country, and at one time owned a large business; but his health being poor, he was induced to remove to Canada, which he did in 1868. He bought a farm of 308 acres in Brant County, and settled in Brantford, where he carried on the manufacturing of cigars for two years. he died August 16th, 1879, a retired citizen. he was married in 1855 to Elenor, daughter of John Wilkinson. She was born in England, in 1830, but from 1868 was a resident of Brant County. They were the parents of eight children. The two eldest sons and a son-in-law have charge of the farm, and Mrs. Story still owns property in Brantford.

Page 602

JAMES SUMLER, farmer, Brantford P.O., was born February 10th, 1821, in Hampshire, England; he is a son of George Sumler, who was born and matured in England. he married Jane Bartlett, of the same place, and removed to Canada in 1835, stopping in the Lower Provinces, where he began life for himself. He came to Brant County in 1838; learned a trade, but did not follow it long. He became a land-owner in 1853, and now has a fine estate. In 1844 Mr. Sumler married Lucy Cropp, who was a native of England. This union has been blessed with ten children, viz., David Edmund, born April 30th, 1845; William Henry, born October 24th, 1847; Mary, born November 11th, 1849; Arthur, born May 24th, 1852; Jane, born April 24th, 1854; Eliza, born April 27th, 1856; Maria, born November 5th, 1858; Lucy, born March 22nd, 1861; James, born April 29th, 1863; Elizabeth, born April 23rd, 1865.

W. H. SUMLER, farmer, Cainsville P.O., was born in Brant County in 1847; he is a son of James Sumler, who was born in 1821, in England. He came to Canada with his parents in 1838, and settled in this county, where he followed farming through life, becoming the owner of a large estate. He married Lucy, daughter of William Cropp, a native of Reading, Berkshire, England. They were the parents of ten children, of whom six are living. W. H. Sumler being the eldest. Mr. Sumler has a farm of 110 acres, and devotes his time to stock-raising principally. He married Orpha J., daughter of Justus Vanderlip. the children by this marriage are mary L., Frederick E., and Earnest A.

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WILLIAM TENNANT, farmer, Paris P.O., was born in Canada, September 37th, 1849. He was a son of the late John and Margaret (McKinley) Tennant, natives of Scotland, who emigrated to canada in 1833, settling permanently in 1839 on the lot now occupied by his widow. this land was wild in appearance, and was located at that time in the old Gore District, Mr. Tennant's deed being among the first issued. His was an improved or squatter's right, for which he paid the remaining amount due the Government. He was born in 1800, and married his first wife, Ellen Dalgleish, in 1833. She was in Lord Napier's family before her marriage; her father had charge of the land belonging to the nobleman. After the death of Mrs. Tennant, Mr. Tennant married in 1846, Margaret McKinley, William, our subject, being a child of this union. He married, September 22nd, 1880, Elizabeth Malcolm by whom he had one child, John Leslie, born September 1st, 1881. William Tennant is now living on the old homestead, consisting of 150 acres and supplied with good buildings. Mr. John Tennant was Councillor for six years and assessor several years; he took delight in good stock; he was Captain in the Militia, and President of the South Brant Agricultural Society. he died December 22nd, 1878. He and his family were Presbyterians, in which church Mr. Tennant was an Elder before his death.

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GARRETT TERHUNE, farmer, Brantford P.O., was born April 13th, 1823, in New Jersey, and is a son of Gilliam and mary (Roome) Terhune, and a grandson of Albert and Mary (VanRiper) Terhune. Mr. Terhune came to Canada with his parents in 1836, and settled in Norfolk County with his grandfather, Albert Terhune. His father was born November 4, 1790, and married January 9, 1813, Mary Roome, who was born March 25, 1792. They were the parents of seven children, named Ann, born March 28, 1814; Albert, born March 30, 1816; Samuel, born Sep. 9, 1819, died March 24, 1873; John, born Jan. 18, 1826, died August 29, 1848; Peter, born March 4, 1829; and Abraham, born Oct. 15, 1831, died February 21, 1849. Garrett Terhune was married twice, his first wife being Olive Josephine, daughter of Frederick Dresser, of American Descent; she died April 11, 1859, leaving six children, named Sarah C., Mary J., Susan C., Agnes S., Harriet A. (dead), and Emma L. He married again Aug. 29, 1860, Angeline A., daughter of Timothy Fairchild, who was born Nov. 30, 1835, by whom he had three children- Frederick W., Lucy C. and John F. Mr. Terhune holds the position of Justice of the Peace, and is an Elder in Zion Church, Brantford.

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THOMAS TERRIS, gardener, Brantford P.O., is a junior partner of the firm Wyle & Terris, proprietors of Eagle Place Garden. The gentleman whose man heads this sketch was born in the County of fife, Scotland in 1846. he was raised in his native county, and served his time as an apprentice in gardening. In 1871 he married Barbara Gunn, a native of Scotland, and the same year they came to Canada, stopping at toronto, where he worked in Leslie & Son's Nursery until 1876, when he came to brantford and became a partner of Mr. Wyle. The fruit of Mr. and Mrs. Terris' union is one child, Christina.

ABRAM THOMAS, retired, Brantford P.O., is a son of Jonathan E. Thomas, who was born in the State of Vermont, May 23, 1793. He was raised to shoemaking and farming. On April 13, 1817, he married Elizabeth Vincent at Saratoga Springs; she was born December 26, 1796. they settled in South Dumfries in 1819, having at the time one child. They remained residents of this county until their death; his occurred September 29, 1860, and hers April 25, 1869. They were both members of the Canada Methodist Church. he was through life a farmer, and cleared up two hundred acres of land from its original state. He was a stout, hearty and energetic man. His life was marked with military services during the War of 1812, and he was present at the burning of buffalo. He and wife had eleven children, viz.: James, born July 28, 1818 (deceased); Hannah, born November 18, 1820 (deceased); John, born July 9, 1822 (deceased); Abram, born December 16, 1824; Joseph D., born August 17, 1827 (deceased); Louise, born Feb. 2, 1830; Sarah M., born Feb. 29, 1832; George, born Feb. 13, 1834 (deceased); Sidney, born Aug. 15, 1836; Martha, born December 3, 1838 (deceased); Cinthian, born June 26, 1843 (deceased). Louise and Sarah both live in Michigan, and Sidney and Abram still reside in their native county. Abram has been a life-long resident and farmer of the County of Brant, where he now owns 226 1/4 acres of land, after giving each of his children a good education. He started in life with no means at all, but a strong heart and willing hands, coupled with economy, have placed him among the leading well-to-do citizens of the county. He was married February 7, 1847, to Amanda Hawley, who was born in the County of Brant, February 8, 1829, and by whom he has a family of seven children, viz., Elizabeth A., Uriel S., George W., Maria A., Eugene A., and two died in infancy. Mrs. Thomas is a daughter of Harvey Hawley, who was born in Connecticut, November 16, 1807; when a child his parents settled near the Brant Methodist Church on the Hamilton Road, where Harvey was raised. He lived in this county until 1854, when he removed to Michigan. He was a farmer through life until the last few years, and now lives retired. He and wife had a family of sixteen children, fifteen of whom grew up, and all except the youngest son became heads of families. Fourteen of the family are now living, of whom Mrs. Thomas is the eldest. She is a granddaughter of Daniel Hawley, who was a native of the States, and was the son of a Revolutionary soldier. Daniel and family came to Canada in 1809, settling near Fairchild's Creek, Brant M. E. Church.

Page 604

WALTER THOMPSON, farmer, Brantford Township, was born in Norfolk County, in December, 1850, and subsequently located in this county upon the farm where he now resides. He was a son of William Thompson, a native of England, who died here in September, 1872. the latter married Marjory Dodd, of English descent, and had a family of eight children -one, Mary, being now dead, and Margaret, John, Isabella, William, Anna, Walter and Joseph still surviving. Walter, of whom this biography is written, married, July 19, 1876, Betsy jane Lewis, daughter of Charles and granddaughter of Isaac Warren Lewis, a native of Pennsylvania, who, with his son, settled in the county of Haldimand, where the latter now resides. They have four of a family, viz., Clara B., born July 19, 1877; Charles David, born March 9, 1879; Aquila, Oct. 24, 1880, died Feb. 27, 1882; Marjory May, born Dec. 1, 1882. They are members of the Methodist body. Mr. Thompson is in prosperous circumstances, and owns a fine farm of 79 acres, which is under a high state of cultivation. It is located six miles south of Brantford.

GEORGE H. TISDALE, farmer, Paris P.O., was born in Brantford Township in the year 1849. He is a son of Joseph C. Tisdale, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this work. On March 21, 1881, he married Miss Agnes May Findlay, daughter of John Findlay, a native of Scotland. Mr. Tisdale is engaged in farming the home farm. A complete sketch of his parents and grandparents will be found in this volume.

JOSEPH CLEODEN TISDALE, farmer, Paris P.O., was born in the County Norfolk, Ontario, july 25th, 1813. He was a son of Joseph and Margaret (Laurence) Tisdale, natives of New Brunswick. Joseph; the eldest of ten children, came to brantford Township in 1839, and married, April 2nd, 1846, Miss Rachel Carpenter, who was born in the County of wentworth. They had a family of six children, five of whom are living, viz., Joseph C., Jr., George H., Herbert L., Walter C. and Margaret H., all living in Brant County but one, who is in the States. Mr. Tisdale was a cavalry soldier in the Rebellion of 1837, under Capt. Wilson. He afterwards received a commission as Ensign in the war. He came to this country with only a few dollars, but by industry and careful attention to business he has acquired 125 acres of valuable farming land, and all the comforts of a pleasant home. he is an adherent of the English Church, and a Conservative in politics.

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JOHN Y. TOWNSEND, farmer, Mount Vernon P.O., is a son of Peter and grandson of John Townsend, who fled to New Brunswick during the revolution of 1776. The subject of this sketch was born September 14th, 1817, in New Brunswick, on the banks of the Hammond River, and came to this county in 1838 with his father, who Married Sophia, daughter of John Gidmy, of English descent, but whose forefathers were among the early settlers of New York State. He was the second of five children, the others being Henry, margaret A., Elmer A. and Frederick O. He married, March 7th, 1877, Mary A., granddaughter of John Lloyd-Jones, of the House of Plasmadoc, an old estate in north Wales. She was born in Canada, October 27th, 1838. Mr. Townsend is now owner of 180 acres of land, pleasantly situated on the London road; he is a Conservative in politics and an adherent of the English Church, as were his ancestors.

HENRY TUFFORD, mechanic, Brantford P.O., was born in Lincoln County, December 18th, 1821, and is a son of John Tufford, who was born in New Jersey. he married Mary Konkle, a native of the States, who at the age of five removed to Canada, where she died at the age of eighty-five years. John Tufford died near St. Catharines in 1860. they were the parents of five children, Henry being the fourth. He was raised to farm life, and married in 1844. In 1874 he came to this county, where he now owns 170 acres of well improved land situated in Grand River Valley, formerly known as the Springbank Farm. Mr. Tufford has devoted a part of his to threshing, and now owns two machines. He is an industrious, well-to-do citizen, having ten children to cheer him in his old age.

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E. W. VANDERLIP, farmer, Langford P.O., is a son of Edward and a grandson of William Vanderlip. The latter was born in Nova Scotia. He participated in the War of Independence, and subsequently came to Canada, where he married Elizabeth, daughter of john Weaver, and settled in Wentworth County, where he died in 1840. He was as strong hearty man of large frame. Their children were Edward, Frederick, James, William, Nancy and Jane, who were all born in Wentworth County. Jane married and settled in brant County, where she died. Edward, the eldest son, was born in 1793, and became a patriot in the War of 1812, from his native county. Soon after the close of this war he married Elizabeth, daughter of Jacob Langs, and immediately settled in what is now brant County, where he followed farming until his death. his widow still survives at the age of 91 years. Edward became owner of a large tract of land, near the present site of Langford, which he transformed from a dense wilderness to productive fields. His ability gave him rank among the leading citizens of the township, and he was repeatedly elected a member of the Council. His administration as Magistrate marked the last twelve years of his life. He succeeded Andrew Westbrook as Captain of a company of militia. he was of fair size and god health, a hard worker and a close observer, who succeeded well in all his undertakings. He and wife had a family of nine children, viz., Catherine, John, Ira, an infant (deceased), Edward W., Emma, Justus, James J. and Martha. Catherine resides in Wentworth County; all the rest live in brant County. Of the family Edward W. is the fifth, and was born in 1823, in Brant County, where he now has a farm of 90 acres, well improved and under good cultivation. He was raised to farm life, which he has mostly followed. His education was obtained in the common schools, and he received the appointment of Magistrate about 1868, which office he continues to hold. His marriage was celebrated in 1845 with Balsora, daughter of Andrew Westbrook. She was born in Brant County in 1826, and was a granddaughter of Major John Westbrook. Mr. and Mrs. Vanderlip are both members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, to which they have belonged for thirty-two years, and in which he has held various offices. Their family consists of Ellen, Emma (died aged two years), James W., Peter F. and Mary. The latter died at the age of twenty-four years.

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G. G. VANDERLIP, farmer, Langford P.O., is a son of Addison Vanderlip, who was born in New York State in 1807, being brought to Canada in 1815, and left fatherless when a boy nine or ten years old. He was brought up to farm life, which he has always followed, and now owns a good farm of 678 acres. The possession of this land, and its improved condition, are the results mostly of his own efforts. In an early day he attended a great many log-rolling and corn-husking bees, where he was the life of the crowd, as he was always witty and jolly. His father, John, was of German descent, and married Lucinda Tuttle, and both died in canada. Addison was married to Elizabeth, daughter of Jacob File. She died in February, 1879, and was the mother of nine children, eight of whom are still living. In order to show the relation this family have to other Vanderlip families, we deem it well to state that John Vanderlip, above mentioned, was a brother to William Vanderlip, mentioned in E. W. Vanderlip's sketch. The subject of this sketch was born June 9, 1832, in Brant County, where he was raised to farm life, and acquired a common school education. In 1869 he commenced teaching, which he followed several years; but for quite a time he has been representing the marble firm of Hurd & Roberts, of Hamilton, Ontario. In 1857 he married Maria, daughter of Isaac and granddaughter of Solomon Day. She was born in 1837, and died November 2, 1870. They had three children- Elizabeth A., Susan J. and George E.

JOHN VANDERLIP, retired, Brantford P.O., is a son of Edward Vanderlip elsewhere mentioned in this volume. John was born in the County of Brant, march 27, 1816, and was raised to farm life, which he followed until 1878, when he sold his farm and retired, settling in Brantford. He is a man of good size, and possesses good health. He and his wife are both members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he has served as class-leader, and for a number of years licensed as a local minister. On February 28, 1841, he married Susan C. Young, who was born in 1821, near St. Catharines. Her father, Peter Young, was an early settler in that Vicinity.

JUSTUS VANDERLIP, farmer, Cainsville P.O., brother to E. W. Vanderlip, whose sketch appears elsewhere, is the sixth child of his father's family, and was born in Brant County in 1828. He was raised to farm life, and has always followed that pursuit, but fourteen years were spent in another county. He now owns a good farm near Cainsville, which is pleasantly situated. He was married in 1851 to Ruth Howell of Jerseyville, Wentworth County, Canada. To this union five children have been given, four of whom are now living. Mr. and Mrs. Vanderlip are members of the Methodist Church.

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WILLIAM WAGHORN, brick manufacturer, Newport, a native of Kent County, England, was born Jan. 18th, 1849, and came to Canada July 31st, 1870. He is a son of John and Frances (Ware) Waghorn, and a grandson of John Waghorn, all natives of England. He married, Nov. 7th, 1869, Eliza O'Connor, daughter of Francis and Mary (Cokeley) O'Connor, who came to Canada and settled in this county in 1871. their family numbered nine children, viz.: Frances A., born Feb. 4th, 1870; Eva, born June 9th, 1872; William, born July 21st, 1873, died June 29th, 1874; John, born Dec. 26th, 1875; Mary, born Oct. 14th, 1877; Willie, born May 15th, 1879; Eliza, born Oct. 11th, 1880, died April 8th, 1881; Clara, born Feb. 21st, 1882; Frank, born April 11th, 1883. Mr. Waghorn is engaged extensively in the manufacture of brick at the Village of Newport, turning out nearly three-quarters of a million annually, and consumes about 350 cords of wood in the process. he is also owner of 25 acres of good land adjoining the brick-yard. He is a member of the Independent Order of Foresters, and adherent of the Church of England, and is prospering finely in his undertakings.

GEORGE WATERS, MOunt Vernon P.O., was born Dec. 26, 1812, in New York State. His father, Geo. W. Waters, was a native of England. His mother Olive Gunn, was a native of Massachusetts. Our subject was brought up a farmer, having in early life been apprenticed to the tanning and currier trade, but growing dissatisfied with his employer left. Starting in life for himself, he acquired a competency in the shape of 270 acres of the most fertile land in the county. Mr. Waters has been engaged in a variety of pursuits, among which may be mentioned livery and staging, the tin and copper trade, and keeping a hotel, which was situated in Paris. He married Azuba, daughter of Henry Serjeant, of the State of Illinois, 1852. He had come to Canada in 1832, remaining ten years. He returned to New York State, and marrying in the State of Indiana, returned to Canada in 1852 to remain permanently, and has been a citizen of this county ever since. He is a man of liberal character, and a patron of anything that tends to the advancement of his adopted county. he received a limited education in Herkimer County, N. Y., and has, by his indomitable pluck and business tact, acquired his home, surrounded by all that goes to make a home comfortable and pleasant.

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JOHN WATERHOUSE, deceased, was a son of William Waterhouse, who was of English descent, and died in the United States. John was born in 1801, and died in the county of Brant in 1869. he grew up in his native country (U.S.), where he married Joanna Strickland. They came to Canada with four children about 1840, settling in Eagle's Nest, and at this place his wife died about 1847. His second wife was Mary A. McGoldrick, who was born in Ireland in 1803. Mr. Waterhouse continued farming through life, never aspiring to any official honours. He owned at his death 200 acres of land, which he had acquired by industry and economy. He was a member of the Baptist Church. Seven of his children are living, viz., Henry, Elizabeth, Margaret, John, Katie, Minnie and Rosa, the last four by the second wife. Mrs. Waterhouse is a daughter of John McGoldrick, who was raised and married in Ireland, and about 1840 came with his family to Canada, settling in Brantford in the year 1851, where he and wife both died, leaving as the fruit of their union eight children, seven of whom are now living.

ALEXANDER THOMAS WATSON, teacher, Cainsville, was born in the County of Simcoe, township of Tecumseh, january 19, 1846. He attended the Bradford Grammar School for a year, and afterwards the Normal School of Toronto, where he received a certificate as teacher, and was engaged in the Model for part of a term. At the expiration of his Normal School course he taught school in the State of Illinois, and afterwards was an associate teacher in High Point Academy, North Carolina. Returning to Canada, he took charge of the Langford School for a period of seven years, and is now head teacher of the Cainsville School. The two last schools under his instruction have had the reputation of being the best conducted, and certainly the pupils under his charge are the best trained in elocution of any school in the county. His elocutionary acquirements, outside of a natural adaptation, were obtained under the instructions of Professor A. Melville Bell, a man of world-wide reputation, and father of A.G. Bell, the inventor of the Bell Telephone. The father of our subject, John. was born in Tyrone County, Ireland, in 1809, where he married Margaret Scott, who was born in 1812, in the same county, and came to Canada in 1834, and settled in Simcoe County. After living in various places in Ontario, he finally settled in St. Mary's, where he now resides at the ripe old age of 74 years, esteemed and respected by all who know him. Our subject has followed the avocation of teacher for a period of 19 years and his services are held in high estimation, not only as a school teacher, but as an instructor in elocution having had several of the teachers of the county apply to him for lessons in that science. In connection with the school under his charge, he has procured one of the best museums of natural curiosities to be found in the Province, embracing specimens in the animal, vegetable and mineral kingdoms.

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JAMES B. WAUGH, carpenter, Brantford P.O., was born June, 1849, at Ancaster, Ont., and is a son of james and a grandson of thomas Waugh. the latter followed farming in Canada through life. He married Julia Emery, a native of Brockville, Canada. They settled and lived in the County of Wentworth, where he died. Of their family, James was the eldest, and was born in Wentworth County in 1820. He married Lydia Stinabaugh, who was born in Ancaster in 1823. She was a daughter of John Stinabaugh. They have a family of seven children, of which James B. is the eldest living. He married Miss A. Barbery, who was born in Westminster. She died in this county, leaving three children. Mr. Waugh has made carpentering his vocation through life.

GEORGE W. WESTBROOK, retired, Cainsville P.O., was born in the County of Brant, August 7, 1840; he is a son of Peter and Martha (Langs) Westbrook, a grandson of John and Elizabeth (Gage) Westbrook, and a great-grandson of Anthony and Sarah Westbrook. Martha Langs was a daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth (Fowler) Langs. The subject of this sketch was raised as a farmer, and obtained his education at the common schools of Cainsville. On March 27, 1866, he married Elizabeth, daughter of Benjamin and Elizabeth (Westbrook) Shepard, and a granddaughter of William and Elizabeth (Salmons) Shepard, natives of the United States, of Dutch descent. William and Elizabeth Shepard were the parents of five sons- Major, Benjamin, James, John and DeWitton. Our subject by his marriage has had four children, namely: Lloyd L., born march 4, 1867, now a student at the Collegiate Institute of Brantford; Major H., born Dec. 16, 1868; Elizabeth M. M., born May 13, 1872; and Martha M., born Jan. 19, 1875. Mr. Westbrook is a man of large Stature and commanding presence, standing six feet four inches high in his bare feet, and possessing a figure in keeping with his height. He was brought up in the faith of the Church of England, and is a Conservative in politics. Throughout his business life he has engaged in several different avocations, including farming and hotel keeping, but has now retired from active life in the enjoyment of a comfortable competency. His natural business qualifications and his agreeable manners have made him a favourite in all circles, both business and social, and his friends are legion. He holds a commission in the Brantford Militia as Lieutenant. The publishers of this work are indebted to him for valuable information furnished, and for assistance rendered them in the production of the History of Brant County.

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LEVI WESTBROOK, farmer, Cainsville P.O., was born in 1839, in this county, and is a son of James Westbrook. Levi Westbrook was raised on a farm, and in 1865 married Sarah Erwin, who was born in Brant county, August 6, 1846. They have one child, Orpha F. Mr. Westbook owns a farm of 96 acres. He at present is Tax Collector in this township.

PETER WESTBROOK, retired, Cainsville P.O., is a son of Major John Westbrook, who was born in Pennsylvania prior to the revolutionary War. When but seven years old, he, with his elder brother Alexander, while out cow-hunting, were captured by the Mohawk Indians and carried off into Canada. After quite a long stay with the Mohawks, learning their language and many traits common to that tribe, they were traded to the united States Government for provisions, and being returned to their parents, persuaded them to come to Canada. Their father, Anthony, soon agreed to join them in a return trip to Canada, where his sons had no doubt formed favourable opinions of the Mohawks, as John purchased of Captain Brant a large tract of land. Alexander, the one son settled in Oakland, but Anthony and his other son settled on Fairchild's Creek, where he died. John was a stout, hearty man able to withstand all the hardships he might have to encounter, in early days attending mill at Niagara, and passed through all the principal battles in the War of 1812. through his whole life he was closely associated with Capt. Brant they being warm friends. He married Elizabeth Gage, of Hamilton. She died aged 81 years, and he 76. They had a family of sixteen children, two of whom died in infancy, but fourteen, whose names follow, matured and became heads of families: Mary, born 1797; Andrew, born 1798; Sarah, born 1800; James, born 1802; Peter, born 1804, Elizabeth, born 1807; Alexander, born 1808; Dolly, born 1810; Lang, born 1812; Hester, born 1813; Levi, born 1815; Jane, born 1817; Lydia, born 1821; and Phoebe, born 1823. the eldest of the family still survives. Peter, the fifth, and subject of this sketch grew to maturity on his father's farm, which he helped to clear and improve. His school privileges were few, but by economy of time and personal efforts, he acquired a fair education. He matured and has always resided in his native county, now retired at Cainsville, after accumulating a neat competency. in 1832 he married Martha Langs, a native of Canada, born in 1807. On november 27, 1882, they celebrated their "golden wedding" with appropriate entertainment. their children, four in number, are harriet, Jane, Martha (deceased), and George. those living are married, and residents of their native county. Jane, his daughter, married John Orr, a son of james Orr, a native of Ireland, and has four children: Lillian, born Sept. 5, 1864; Eddie E., born Jan. 14, 1867; Ernest, born Jan. 8, 1870; Albert, born May 25, 1872.

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TRUMAN W. WESTBROOK, farmer, Langford P.O., is a son of James, and grandson of Major John Westbrook. James was born in the present limits of Brant County in 1802, and died on December 6, 1854, aged fifty-two years. he was of large frame, broad-chested, strongly constituted, and a well proportioned man. he followed farming and hotel-keeping through life. His wife was Lavinia, daughter of jacob Langs. She was born and died in Brant County. Their children are Cynthia, James, Elizabeth, Catharine, Lemon, Mary, Levi, Truman W., Marsha H., Phoebe J., and Andrew. The first two and last named are deceased. Truman W. was born in 1841, received a common school education, and grew up to farm life, which he has since followed, and now owns a good home of ninety and a half acres. He takes special pains in raising good horses. His wife was Phoebe, daughter of Samuel and Dolly Ervin, who was born on the farm thomas now owns. her father was the first permanent settler on the farm. Mr. and mrs. Westbrook have one son James W.

WILKERSON D. WESTBROOK, farmer, Cainsville P.O., is a grandson of Major John Westbrook, and a son of Captain Andrew and Mary (Diamond) Westbrook. Andrew was a native and life-long resident and farmer of Brant County. Wilkerson was born in Brant County, February 4th, 1832; was raised to farm life, which he has always followed, and now owns a good farm. He acquired a common school education, which has been put to practice in discharging duties in the Canada Methodist Church, to which he has belonged for twenty years, and in which for fifteen years he has been a class-leader. On April 11th, 1860, he married Eliza Howell; she was born in Wentworth County, March 24th, 1842, and died December 17th, 1873, being the mother of eight children. Mr. Westbrook's second wife was Rachel, daughter of Samuel and Ann Bothwell, in 1876; she was born in County Down, Ireland, May 1st, 1841. To this union two children have been given. Of Mr. Westbrook's family, eight children are living, viz., Lillie, David, Jessie, Victoria, Anthony, Agnes, Samuel and John W. The two deceased are Frederick, born January 17th, 1870, died January 21st, 1872; and Anna, born June 11th, 1873, died September, 1873.

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WILLIAM WHEELER, farmer, Brantford Township, a native of England, came to Canada with his mother in 1833, and is the son of William and Sarah (Specials) Wheeler, the former a native of Sussex and the latter of Kent, England, where the elder Wheeler died. The mother of our subject had six children- Thomas, William, Charles, Elizabeth, Mary, Ann and Maria. William Wheeler, of whom this sketch is written, was born on the 19th of March, 1826, and married, January 10th, 1849, Elizabeth Secord, daughter of Asa, and granddaughter of Daniel Secord, a native of New Brunswick, who came to this county, where he died. The children of this marriage were: William, born November 6th, 1849; Asa, born August 31st, 1852; Lyman, born January 16th, 1854; Charles, born April 4th, 1858; May, born May 14th, 1859; Thomas, born July 28th, 1861; Edith, born October 23rd, 1862, died June 21, 1863; Smith, born June 28th, 1866; Sarah M., born May 17th, 1868. Mr. Wheeler and family are Baptists. He owns 50 acres of well cultivated land five miles from the city, and is in prosperous circumstances.

JOSEPH WHETMAN, a native of Germany (Wurtemberg); left that country September 12th, 1843; arrived at New York December 6th. Was raised in the milling business, and followed the same until he came to America; not knowing the English language, he followed other pursuits. Came to Canada in 1845; first settled at Paris, then at Mount Vernon, where he commenced farming, and then manufacturing by steam staves, headings, barrels, shingles, etc. His business employs from ten to thirty men, according to the demand. His father was a native of Germany, and died in that country. Joseph was married, October 12th, 1848, to margaret, daughter of Laurence Burnes, a native of Ireland. On her mother's side her grandfather's name was David Price. They were the parents of five children, as follows: Maggie (married John E. McWilliams; they had one child named Florence; Maggie died Oct. 12, 1874), James, Celia, Julia and Elizabeth, who married F. D. Mitchell, Paris. Mr. Whetman and family belong to the Methodist Church of Canada. He has been School Trustee and Secretary-Treasurer for a number of years; also has held the office of treasurer of the Masonic Lodge, Burford, since 1874. He is an industrious, enterprising man, making a success of his business; he is always liberal towards any work that has for its object, the advancement of his adopted country.

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DAVID WHITE, farmer, Paris P.O., was born in Nova Scotia, March 20th, 1818(**1). He was a son of Timothy and Mattie (Porter) White, natives of the United States, who took advantage of the British land grant of Nova Scotia after the War of 1812. In their family of twelve children, David was the only one who came to Canada. He came in 1841, landed at Port Dover, on Lake Erie, and from there came by land to this county, where he settled on his present premises. He married in 1841 Miss Love Rand, of Nova Scotia. Mr. White had but little means to commence with, but has always been successful in life. He had a family of twelve children, ten of whom are living, viz., Margaret, William R., Amasa B., Mattie, Sarah, Caroline, David A., Ruth, Judson J., and John M.- all married but two. Mr. White is now 65 years of age, and has a strong constitution.

DANIEL WHITING, farmer, Cainsville P.O., is a son of John and a brother of Isaac Whiting, whose history appears elsewhere in this work. Daniel is the eight of the family, and was born in Brant County in 1840. He was raised to farm life, and acquired a common school education. Farming has always been his pursuit, and he now owns a good home on Fairchild's Creek. His ability has given him rank among the leading citizens, and for two years he has been a member of the Township Council. In 1866 he married Susanna McCartney, a native of Ireland, born in 1845, but since 1850 a resident of brant county. Mr. Whiting and wife have a family of seven children.

ISAAC WHITING, farmer, Cainsville P.O., is a son of John and grandson of Isaac Whiting, the latter being of English descent and A United Empire Loyalist from Pennsylvania, who died in Brant County, Ontario, Canada. He grew up in his native county, where he entered and served through the Revolutionary War. He subsequently married Mary Cooley in Vermont after which they settled, probably in 1795 in what is now Norfolk County, Canada, but very soon after came into the present limits of brant County, where they ever after remained, enduring may privations that could probably be only properly related by those who passed through them. He was a short, heavy-set, full-chested and strongly constituted man, and at the time of his death had cleared up his first settled farm, on which he spent over half a century. he and his wife both died in Brant County, having had a family of ten children, viz., Mary, Elizabeth, Sarah, Anna, Lovina, Susan, Lucy, Matthew, John and Samuel. Of the entire family all save two are now dead. Matthew became a prominent minister of the Wesleyan Methodists in the county. John, the father of our subject, was born in Brant County in 1801. He was reared to farm life, and acquired a fair education. His association with the municipal affairs of the township and county made him one of Brant's well-informed citizens. He served repeatedly in the Town Council, and as a Justice of the Peace a number of years. In 1823 he married rachel Barton, who was born in Yates County, New York, August 2nd, 1804, and came with her father, Daniel, to Canada in 1821. In 1831 John Whiting and wife embraced the religion of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which they walked until death. She died Nov. 7th, 1880, and he, July 7th, 1882; their children were ten in number, viz., Mary, Jane, Ann, Delilah, Matthew, Isaac, Amelia, Daniel, John, and Elizabeth, all now living. Of the family, Isaac, the second son, was born in brant County in 1835; he has always resided in his native county, save three years in Oxford, and while there followed lumbering. From 1873 to 1876 he was engaged in the mercantile trade in Hartford, Norfolk County. Since the last date given he has resided on his present farm of 100 acres. In June, 1860, he married Janet McNaughton, who was born in Scotland, and in 1845 came with her father, who was an extensive farmer of Dumfries County to Canada. They have seven children, viz., Jessie, John A., Rachel, Charles, Daniel, Agnes and William, all of whom are living.

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E .H. WILCOX, manufacturer of cheese, Cainsville P.O., is a native of Norfolk County, Ontario, born in 1858, and is a son of Edward S. and Lucy M. (Durphy) Wilcox, who were both natives of Canada. They were married in the born county of our subject, where Edward S. died in 1871, and the widow still survives. Of their six children, E. H. is the eldest son, and was raised to farm life in connection with the business he now represents. In January, 1882 he came to Cainsville, and bought the cheese factory of that place. Soon after purchasing it he added steam works to it. In 1878 he married Alice, daughter of Isaac Nelles, Senr., of Wentworth County. They had one child, Isaac E., who died February 20th, 1882, aged eighteen months.

FRANK WILSON, farmer, Newport, was born Jan. 6th, 1854, and was a son of George and grandson of George Wilson, a native of Yorkshire, England. The father of our subject came from England to this county in the year 1842, and died April 28, 1875. He married Rachel Ellis, and had a family of eleven children, of whom Mary, Hannah, James, Joseph, Edwin, Henry, Emma, Frank and Sarah are living, and Robert and Elizabeth are dead. Frank, of whom we write, married, May 24, 1876, Margaret Leeming, daughter of James and granddaughter of Robert Leeming, a native of England, who settled in this county, where he died. Two children are the issue of this marriage- Edith May, born May 27, 1878, and George Wellington, Nov. 1, 1882. Mr. Wilson is a successful farmer, owning an excellent farm of 140 acres, and a fine stock of high grade cattle and Leicester sheep. The farm is about five miles from Brantford, upon which his father settled in the year 1842.

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PETER WILSON, farmer, Brantford P.O., is a son of Obed Wilson, who was born in the State of New Jersey in 1776, and died in Canada in 1847. He grew up in his native State, where he married Hannah Vicebinder, of the same State, born in 1781. In the year 1800 they, with one child, removed to Canada, and finally made their home in the Jersey Settlement in the county of Wentworth. He was through life a farmer, and made a home from the dense wilderness. Of his ten children, Peter is the youngest, and was born in the County of Wentworth in 1819, where he remained until 1849, when he came to the County of Brant, and now owns 210 acres of good land, well improved. he has been through life a farmer, and his present possessions are the result of his own legitimate efforts. he was first married in 1840 to Elizabeth Mulholland, who was born near Beverly, and died in Brant County in 1851. Her children were Harriet, George (deceased), Ruth and Lucinda A. Mr. Wilson's second wife was Rachel Pepper, who is a native of Wentworth County, and is now the mother of five children- Edward, James F., Ida I., Minnie and Wellington.

FREDERICK WOODS, farmer, Brantford P.O., was born in Somersetshire, England, and is a son of George A. and a grandson of Thomas Woods, who was born in Ireland in 1738. He was Captain in the British army for 27 years, taking an active part in the destruction of the Spanish floating batteries at the Havanas, in 1781, and the seige of Quebec. He died in 1823, leaving three children, George A. being the second. He was born on the Isle of Man in 1792. He held the position of lieut.-Colonel of Marines, and married Annie M., daughter of Rev. William Coney, of English ancestry; they became the parents of eight children; Mrs. Woods died in 1838. Mr. Woods' second wife was Charlotte Heptenstall, by whom he had four children. Of this family nine children are still living, Frederick S. being the fourth. He enjoyed the privilege of a good education, and in 1841 came to Canada, settling near Dundas. In 1856 he came to this county, where he now owns 60 acres on the Grand River. He married Jane, second daughter of Capt. L. Bailey. She died in this county, leaving four sons- Francis B., Alfred C., Thomas and Albert. Mr. Woods' second wife is margaret Smith, of this county.

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WILLIAM WOOD, farmer, Onondaga P.O., was the son of Robert and Jennette (Dean) Wood. Mr. Wood was a land steward by occupation. His family consisted of ten children, Viz., Andrew, who emigrated to Canada, settled in hamilton, afterwards in the County of Brant, where he bought 110 acres of land; Annie, David, Hannah, Mary (all died in Scotland); Jennette, Robert, Catherine (still living in Scotland); and William who married in Scotland, Mary Gill, daughter of James Gill, a Scottish shepherd. Mr. Wood came to Canada in 1852. Mrs. Wood died Feb. 7, 1868, leaving six children living viz., Jennette, who married Geo. VanSickle; Hannah, Harvey H. VanSickle, proprietor of the Star Washing-Powder Manufactory; Mary, who married William Thompson (deceased); Robert, married Eliza Thompson; Edmund, Elizabeth and William, who married Selene Simpson. William and Robert now have charge of the farm, and look after the interests of their aged father, who lives with them. they are all members of the Baptist Church.

JOSIAH WOODLEY, merchant, Newport, a native of this county, was born March 27, 1841, and is a son of George and Abigail (Brown), and a grandson of of Matthais and Margaret (Malcolm), Maternal descendant of Josiah and Elizabeth Brown. He married, September 29, 1879, Mary Diamond, daughter of John and Mary (Houlding) Diamond, who was born March 13, 1845. They have one child- Edna, born May 22, 1842*. Mr. Woodley has received an excellent practical and business education, the former at the common school, and the latter at a Buffalo, N. Y., commercial college. He has taught school in the county for a period of six years, holding a first-class county certificate. Not finding sufficient scope for his ambition in the teacher's profession, he abandoned it for mercantile pursuits, which was his natural inclination, and opened a general store at Newport thirteen years ago. He is now Postmaster of the village, and enjoying a flourishing business. He also owns a fine farm of fifty acres in the third range east of Mount Pleasant, and a number of village lots. By birth and education he is a Baptist, and in politics a Reformer. Bill's note * Date is wrong child is recorded as being born before parents. Probably should be 1882.

Page 613

WYLE & TERRIS, proprietors of the Eagle Park Gardens, Brantford P.O. This enterprise was established in March, 1876, in a field full of stumps, which is now a fine garden of 18 acres, the largest of the kind in the county. The firm raise all kinds of vegetables, flowers and fruits. Their garden has three large hot-houses. They are both experienced men in the business, and natives of Scotland. Mr. Wyle was raised to his present business. Since 1873 he has been a resident of Canada. The next two years he was engaged at Pow Park. In 1875 he returned to Scotland, and in 1876 engaged in his present business. His wife was Christina Erskine, of Scotland. Four of their children are living.

JAMES YOUNG, farmer, Mohawk P.O., Brantford Township, is a son of david and grandson of Andrew Young, a native of Perthshire, Scotland, where he died. David young, his son, was born April 5th, 1812, and emigrated to Canada during the spring of 1837, locating in Brant County. Nine years after his coming to this country he married, May 14th, 1846, Catharine Farrell, daughter of Patrick and granddaughter of Donald Farrell, natives of Ireland, where both died, the former in 1835. They have a family of four, viz., James, born November 14th, 1847; Mary Margaret, born Dec. 14th, 1849; David William, born Nov. 14th, 1851; Sarah Elspeth, born Jan. 27th, 1856. James Young, of whom we write, owns jointly with his brother and excellent farm of 225 acres, well stocked and highly cultivated, south from Brantford about five miles. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church.

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**1 this date has been questioned by Patricia Smith as Stone in Paris cem says year of Birth 1798

 

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