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Pioneer - ALLAN, David
Biographical Sketches of
Early Settlers of Wellington County
Information from: Historical Atlas of the County of Wellington, Ontario.
Toronto: Historical Atlas Publishing Co., 1906
|
ALLAN, David
, (deceased), Guelph, was the eldest son of the late William
Allan, and was b. Leith Walk, Edinburgh, Scot., Jan. 11th, 1808. When eleven
years old, he accompanied his father and family to Sweden, where for about
ten years his father built and supervised mills for the great milling firm of
Dixon, Dugeon & Co., London, Eng., and Gottenborg, Sweden. Mr. David Allan
learned his trade as mill wright and miller with his father in that father in
that country, and was in charge of the milling foundry at Trolhatta. His
knowledge of the Swedish language, he retained through life. Mr. Allan, Sr.,
became, however, dissatisfied with the social life for his family in Sweden,
and returned to Scotland for a short time, whence he emigrated to Canada in
1831. In 1832 he came to Guelph, and purchased the water power and grist mill
at the G.T.R. bridge, and laid the foundation of what was for forty years the
largest industry in Guelph. Mr. William Allan and his sons David and John,
were all engaged in this business; and as well during the early years, built
dams and mills at Stratford and Goderich, and other points for the Canada
Company. It was not infrequent for them to walk the whole distance between
Guelph and these places.
Being well versed in architecture and engineering, they also entered into the constructing business, building the present Court House, and later, in 1857, Mr. David Allan superintended the building of St. Andrew's Church. Their milling business grew, and additions were made to the property; also a carding mill and large distillery were erected, and for many years the Allan's were the largest, if not almost the sole purchasers of wheat on the Guelph market. Their property was assessed for $100,000. In 1859 the father died, leaving his undertaking to Mr. David Allan, who had been the moving spirit in the business. Latterly, Mr. David Allan erected new buildings and carried on the business with success, until a paralytic stroke necessitated his partial withdrawal from active business, and the winding p of the mills in 1877. Mr. Allan was a man of great personal activity and of sterling integrity, and the upright dealings of both his father and himself were the tower of strength in the community. He was a well informed man, and took an active interest in everything for the betterment of the town. He never aspired to public honours, although he was elected to the Council several times. He was, at his death, the oldest surviving member and an Elder of St. Andrew's Church. In the stormy times of the disruption in 1843, Mr. Allan stood by the Auld Kirk, and ever remained a warm adherent and supporter of St. Andrew's, doing honour to it by a kindly and upright life. From the time he came to Guelph, he was a member of St. Andrew's Society, and took the warmest interest in its prosperity. He was President in 1861, and some years before his death was made an honourary member. He m. in 1837, Christina, dau. of the late John Idington, a Berwickshire family. Issue: William, and Mrs. Lt. Col. N. Higginbotham. The late David Allan d. in 1895, his wife d. 1902. From: Historical Atlas of the County of Wellington, Ontario. Toronto: Historical Atlas Publishing Co., 1906 |
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