Wellington County, Ontario GenWeb - Pioneer

Wellington County, Ontario GenWeb - Pioneer - GODFREY, John

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Pioneer - GODFREY, 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

GODFREY, John , was b. Milltown, near Killarney, Ire. Feb. 10, 1820. His father was an officer of the Royal Constabulary for twenty-six years. John Godfrey m. Florence Green, and in 1846 they came to Canada on the sailing vessel Tottenham. They were six weeks making the voyage to Quebec, and from there came to Guelph via Hamilton. His brother Alexander had come to Canada in 1845, and was in Guelph when John arrived. John was a shoemaker by trade in Ireland, and he followed this occupation in Guelph for about one year and then opened a shoe store on Lower Wyndham Street, but it being burned down in 1855, and not being able to secure another location, he went to Elora, and opened a shoe store, which he ran successfully for many years. He was appointed Postmaster in 1884, which office he held until he retired in favor of his son Thomas, who is Postmaster at this time. John Godfrey is a man of strong personality. He is a strong Conservative and was always very active in political matters. He was Councillor in Elora for twelve years, and for three years Reeve of the village. He was Magistrate for many years, and also served a long term on the School Board. He was Recording Steward of the Methodist church , Elora, for over fourteen years, and has been a member of the Quarterly Board about the same length of time. He was connected with the militia for some time. His brother Alexander was Captain of the Guard at Mount Forest. He m. Florence Green, who is deceased. Issue: Florence, Thomas William, Sarah, Mrs. C. P. Smith, and John.

Thomas m. Miss Broley. Issue: Broley and Helen. He is Postmaster of Elora.

William has been a railway man for thirty–five years, and station agent at Drayton, Southampton, Listowel, and Moorefield, and is at present agent at the latter place. He m. Miss Annie, dau. of Richard Johnston, veteran ex-Postmaster of Palmerston. Issue: Mrs. (Dr.) Tatham of Cargill; Edith (d.), Lizzie, William, Harold and Richard Johnston.

Mr. Godfrey is a Methodist and a Conservative in politics.

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