PLEASE NOTE THAT I DO NOT HAVE ACCESS TO THESE RESOURCES. CHECK YOUR LOCAL LDS OR LIBRARY. GENEALOGICAL.COM IS ANOTHER GOOD RESOURCE. REQUESTS FOR INFORMATION CANNOT BE ANSWERED AS ALL I HAVE IS BELOW.

History of the County of Perth, 1825-1902
William Johnston, 1903


pp.534-536

STEWART CAMPBELL, as his name indicates, was a son of the heather, born in Strathardie, Kirkmichael parish, Perthshire, Scotland, in 1805. His father, like all glen-folk in that mountainous region, took commendable pride in securing for his children a fair education. At an early age he was sent to the parish school - a noble institution which has done much for Scotland, and which at that period was possessed by no other nation in the world. Subsequently he entered an academy, where he acquired a knowledge of English and mathematics. Without these two branches no Scottish boy's education could be complete, and next to the shorter catechism were a foundation on which rested all his future scholastic acquirements. Having obtained a moderate store of learning, he took up the ferule for himself in his native parish, teaching what is known in Scotland as a side school, until he was promoted to Athol. He did not remain long in this profession, removing to Dalkeith, where he became superintendent of a brewery.

In 1843 he turned his steps toward Canada, being recommended to come to Stratford by some of his acquaintances who had preceded him to North Easthope. During the autumn he reached Ellice, and located on the edge of that great swamp adjoining Stratford, where he resided until his death.

To one who spent his years in educating himself and others, life in the woods and that laborious work consistent with it must have been very distasteful. It is not surprising, therefore, that he soon turned his attention to other and more congenial pursuits. In 1846 he was appointed clerk and treasurer of Ellice, which position he retained till 1869. Mr Campbell's municipal career is somewhat singular. At one period he was clerk and treasurer of Ellice, clerk of Stratford, and county clerk at the same time.

He took an active part in organizing Perth County and in its separation from the United Counties of Huron, Perth and Bruce. With him were associated in this work Messrs. J. E. E. Linton and J. A. Scott, who also took a prominent part in the agitation. A great mass meeting was held in Mr Campbell's field to facilitate this movement, where funds were subscribed to enable Mr Linton to visit the Government for this desirable object. Mr Linton succeeded, the name Perth, which it formerly had in connection with the United Counties, being retained.

Mr Campbell was secretary of North Perth Agricultural Society, only resigning a year or two previous to his death. He was a fine type of manhood; in his later years somewhat portly, but most distinctly in his manner and deportment a representative Scotchman rather than a Canadian pioneer. Every idiosyncrasy apparent in his life and character was eminently one peculiar to a son of "ye ancient kingdom." He was a true friend, but not very demonstrative in his sympathies either by word or by action. Frequently taciturn, a strong peculiarity of his nature, his conduct might be considered gruff by those unacquainted with the character of this Gael.

During his residence in Dalkeith he married Mary C. Keiller, to whom were born six children. On his death in 1878, at the age of 73 years, Perth County lost one of her oldest and ablest municipal officers, an old pioneer, and a trustworthy and honourable man.

 

 

About Perth County, Ontario

Welcome to Perth County GenWeb, your online guide to Perth County Genealogy since February 1998! I am Meg Fuller, Your Coordinator for this County site.

I hope you enjoy your visit. Please email me if you have any suggestions or contributions you would like to make.

I hope you find my efforts helpful in your research of your County roots. I am unable to do additional research on your family as I do not have direct access to records. I post everything I have for all to use.

Perth County is located in south-western Ontario in about the middle of the peninsula. There are many small towns and hamlets in this area, and the largest city is Stratford. Stratford currently has a population of about 30 000. This population swells in the summer tourist season! For the most part Perth County consists of rural agricultural land. The other major industry is tourism because of the Stratford Festival.

It is one of the few counties in South-Western Ontario that doesn't touch any of the Great Lakes. Because of its location, and distance from the Great Lakes, it was one of the last areas in Ontario to be settled. People who aren't familiar with Ontario often confuse it with Perth, a city in Lanark County. If it's Perth, Lanark County you're after, or if your reference just says Perth, here's a link to the Lanark County GenWeb. But it was nice of you to visit.

Surrounding Counties

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Oxford | Middlesex | Huron | Wellington | Waterloo

 

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