Wellington County, Ontario GenWeb - ATKINSON, William

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Pioneer - ATKINSON, William

Biographical Sketches of
Early Settlers of Wellington County

homestead.gif

Information from: Historical Atlas of the County of Wellington, Ontario.
Toronto: Historical Atlas Publishing Co., 1906

ATKINSON, William (d.). This pioneer head of the Atkinson family in Canada was b. in Yorkshire. Eng., and lived there until 1832. He had m. Jane Hogg in Eng., and their family were born there, and all came to Canada and set. in Guelph Tp. on the above date. He died at the age of 75 years, while his wife d. in 1892 at the ripe old age of 93. The late William Atkinson was the possessor of 300 acres of land. He was a progressive man and very successful, and was one of the pioneers in thoroughbred cattle in the township. In politics he was a Conservative, and was a member of the Church of England. Issue: William, Jr.; John, George, Mrs. Richard Howes (d.), Mrs. William Elgie, Mark, Mrs. John Hudson (d.), Joseph, Mrs. John Lillie, and Mrs. Jas. Lillie (d.). Of this family: Wm. Jr.. m. Christina Faskin, and served in U. S. Civil War. He is d. and his family went to the U. S. John, b. in Eng., 1824, m. first Miss Card. Issue: Mrs. William Galbraith. Second wife, Hannah Flewelling. Issue: Mrs. L. Spence, Mrs. William Watson, John H. (d. young), William A., James W., Mrs. Alexander Maud, Mrs. Albert Roberts, and Mrs. John Williams.

John Atkinson was in his younger days a man of great personal activity. He owned 200 acres of land, which he cleared and improved, being one of the first settlers in his locality in Guelph Tp., and here, with his son, he is spending the sunset of his long and useful life, respected by all who know him. Of his branch of the family: William A. m. Maggie McNeil and owns the old homestead of 200 acres, Issue: Muriel, Hazel, Lawrence and Lionel. James W. owns and farms 100 acres adjoining the home farm. He m. Martha McNeil. All of the family belong to the Church of England and are Conservatives.

George, b. Eng. 1826, d. 1894. He was six years old when he came with his parents to Canada, and was, therefore, raised in Guelph Tp. He m. in 1856, Ciceiley Elgie, who still survives him. Issue: Mrs. Charles Blyth, George (d. unm.), William, John H. and Charles J.

The late George Atkinson, whose portrait appears on another page of this work, was in many respects a notable man. He started life with practically nothing, purchasing his large farm from his father, and here kept "Bachelor's Hall," in an old log house until he was m.. He cleared this farm and became one of the mnost successful men in the neighbourhood. At the time of his death, his land in Guelph and Luther, aggregated 630 acres. He was a natural money maker, very progressive as well as very popular. He is said to have owned the first binder in Guelph Tp. He was known as "King of Marden." Of his family: William m. Agnes Cunningham (d.). He owns 150 acres, lots 13 and 14, con. 4, and lot 14, con. 15, where he resides. John H. m. Mary Nesbitt, and owns and farms 100 acres near homestead. Issue: Hester E., Charles J. m. Elizabeth Murdock, and owns and lives on the old George Atkinson homestead, containing 185 acres, and 50 acres across the road. Issue: Florence M., and George.

The Atkinson family are among the most substantial in Guelph Tp.

From: Historical Atlas of the County of Wellington, Ontario. Toronto: Historical Atlas Publishing Co., 1906


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