Wellington County, Ontario GenWeb - Pioneer

Wellington County, Ontario GenWeb - Pioneer - FISHER. John

Wellington County GenWeb

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Pioneer - FISHER. John

Biographical Sketches of
Early Settlers of Wellington County

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

FISHER. John (d.), was b. Montreal, of Scotch parentage, d. Minto, May 12. 1864. The late John Fisher lived in Glengarry Co., when it was a wilderness, and came west in 1839, being one of the first settlers in Arthur Tp. When the land was open for settlement in 1854, he was one of the first to obtain land and build a log shanty and settled his little family on the fine farm, now the property of Andrew Fisher, situated about a mile from the corporate limits of Harriston. Here he commenced the active work of homemaking in the bush. He was also active in the affairs of the infant settlement. He was one of the promoters of Knox Church, and some of the timbers in this pioneer edifice were not only cut by Mr. Fisher and drawn with his oxen from his farm, but were hewn by him with his broad-axe. John Fisher was not long spared to enjoy the fruits of his toil, as ten years later, after he had made a substantial clearing, and was commencing to be comfortable, death removed this sturdy, respected pioneer, and it fell to the lot of his son, Andrew Fisher, who at this time had attained the age of eighteen years, to complete the work commenced by his father, and keep the family together. The sequel shows how well he did his task, as the family descendants of the late John Fisher, represent some of the best citizenship in Canada.

The late John Fisher m. Flora McClennan in the Lochiel Church, Glengarry Co., and came, a pioneer with his bride, to Arthur. They had nine children, five b. on the Arthur farm, and four after the family came to Minto. Five of the children are still living, viz. Andrew, William, Joseph, a successful representative of Massey-Harris Co., in the N.W.; Elizabeth, the wife of Major F. F. Manley, Principal of the Jarvis St. Collegiate Institute. Toronto; James, who was with the Canadian Contingent in South Africa, now a resident of the N.W. Only two of the sons live in Minto Tp., viz: Andrew and William.

Andrew, b. in Arthur Sept. 1, 1846, was only eight years old when the family came to Minto, and has experienced all of the vicissitudes of pioneer life. By the death of his father, he was early thrown on his own resources but he had inherited a good constitution, and had been accustomed to overcoming obstacles. He was ambitious to succeed, and feeling the responsibility thus placed upon him, went at it with a will, and is to-day, one of the most prosperous and respected citizens of Minto. In politics he is a strong Liberal. He has held the office of School Trustee for many years, and was on of the first elected members of the newly formed Board of Education for High and Public Schools. He is a Worshipful Master of Harriston, Blue Lodge, No. 262., A.F. and A.M., and First Principal of Enterprise Chapter No. 67, Royal Arch. Masons, for the year 1900. He is interested in the dairy industry, and has been director and salesman of the Harriston Cheese and Butter Mfg. Co., for several years.

He first m. Susanna Bond, and second, Margaret Clark. Issue Samuel J., in business in Alberta; Joseph A., James A., Mary, and Margaret, at home. William, was b. on the Minto homestead, and brought up there. After finishing school, he learned the carriage making and black smithing business in Harriston, and later went into the business in Harriston, with Donald Smith, under the firm name of Smith and Fisher. They are the leading firm in their line in Harriston. Mr. Fisher is a staunch Liberal, and takes an active interest in municipal affairs. He has been a member of the Harriston Council for several years, and is very popular. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, Odd Fellows and Royal Arcanum. He m. Annie B. Forbes of Woodstock, and has one son, Forbes L.

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