Wellington County, Ontario GenWeb - Pioneer

Wellington County, Ontario GenWeb - Pioneer - FREURE, Benjamin, Sr

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Pioneer - FREURE, Benjamin, Sr.

Biographical Sketches of
Early Settlers of Wellington County

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

FREURE, Benjamin, Sr . (d.), b. Suffolk, Eng., 1764. He was raised in Eng., where he m. Phoebe Bartram. Issue; Felix, Sr., Frederick, Marcus, Andrew C., Augustus Clara and Mrs. William Till.

Felix, Sr. and Augustus were the pioneers of this family in Canada. They came to Eramosa to "spy out the land" in 1832, and were followed a year or two later by their parents and the balance of the family. They purchased land (100 acres, lot 29, con. 3, Eramosa) and there commenced the active life of home-making in the bush. These old pioneers were men of strong individuality and character, which their descendants have inherited in a marked degree, and they now comprise the best of citizenship in the respective localities where they have settled. As will be seen, some have remained on the old original farms cleared by their respected ancestors, while others have settled elsewhere, but all are worthy representatives of the family. The late Benjamin Freure d. in 1863, age 99 years, having the respect and confidence of the community.

Felix, Sr., his oldest son, never married. He was a successful farmer, fond of hunting and a crack shot. He was also a violinist of local repute. He d. in 1899, age 87, and was buried in the Guelph Cemetery.

Frederick and Marcus became business men in N. Y. City.

Andrew C., m. Ann Smith in 1848. He owned 100 acres, lot 29, con. 3, Eramosa, where he successfully farmed for many years. The family belonged to the Church of England in the Old Country, but affiliated with the Congregational Church in Canada. The late Andrew C. Freure was very active in church matters, and held religious meetings throughout the settlement for years, and also conducted the Bible classes. In 1883 he retired to Guelph City where he died in 1899, age 81. His wife d. in 1896, age 64. Both are interred in the Guelph Cemetery. Issue : Mrs. Thomas Bolls, Mary A., Mrs. Geo. Ostic, Felix Jr., Frederick C., Benjamin, Jr., Edward, Thomas C., John, Mrs. H. E. Fairbank, and Marcus W.

Of this branch: Felix, Jr., m. Margaret Kennedy, and owns the Felix Freure, Sr., farm, where be resides. Issue: Catharine J., Annie and Bruce.

Frederick, C., m. Janet Rae, and owns the Andrew C. Freure homestead. Issue: Maud, Clara, Gertrude, Rae and Arthur.

Benjamin, Jr., m. Catharine Dawson, and set. Guelph City. He learned the trade of miller in Armstrong's mill, and is now contractor with the Bell Piano and Organ Company. Issue: Ernest E., Edward and Thomas C., who own and live on their farm near the city limits of Guelph.

Marcus, W., resides in Vancouver.

Augustus, b. Eng., 1801, d. Eramosa, 1883. He m. Martha Breese. She d. 1901, age 73. Issue: Frederick A., Charles, Mrs. David Black, and Mrs. Joseph Allen (d.).

Of this branch: Frederick A., owns the Augustus Freure farm, where the original family first settled. He m. first Maggie Wetherston. Issue: Martha, Maggie, Allan (d.), and Agnes M. His second wife was Sarah Hamilton. Issue: John.

Charles, m. Mary Bilton, and is a carpenter in Galt.

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