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Pioneer - The HOOD Family
Biographical Sketches of
Early Settlers of Wellington County
Information from: Historical Atlas of the County of Wellington, Ontario.
Toronto: Historical Atlas Publishing Co., 1906
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HOOD Family, The,
belonged to the "Hoods of Hazeldean," made memorable by
Sir Walter Scott. They were merchant millers in Scotland for generations, and
the late George Hood, being the youngest son, and desiring to embark on a
large scale where he could give his boys a start in life, was attracted by an
advertisement of the Canada Company for a lessee for their mill in Guelph. He
concluded to emigrate to Canada with his family and possess himself of the
prize. They arrived in Guelph, in 1832, which was then a little more than a
hamlet, and the country sparsely settled with few clearings. The mill looked
so small, and the prospects of getting grain to grind so meagre, that the
Hoods abandoned the milling proposition, and purchased 100 acres of land, lot
12, con. 1 B., naming it "Elderslie," and here commenced the active
life of home-making in the bush. This farm afterwards became the property of
the late Thomas Hood, but was increased to 300 acres. The Hood family lived
undivided on this farm for a few years, and then purchased "Fountain Head
Farm," which afterwards became the property of the late Gideon Hood, and
is now owned by his son George D. It was on this farm that both the late
George, and late Gideon Hood died.
George Hood was b. in Selkirk, Scot., 1782, and d. in 1857, age 75 years. He m. in Scot., Elizabeth Scott. She d. in 1858, age 80. Issue: James, Mrs. Robert Buchan, Gideon, George, Jr., William, Thomas, Mrs. John Shortreed, Elizabeth d. unm. James, b. Scot., m. Isabella Rutherford, and set. in Maryborough. Of his issue, George 3rd, became a business man in Guelph, and was an extensive cattle dealer. He d. in the N.-W. Gideon, whose portrait appears in this work, was b. Scot., 1807, d. "Fountain Head Farm," 1900, age 93 years. In a business way, he was one of the most notable men in the district. He did the first regular teaming between Guelph and Hamilton, and carried the first mail between the two places, not for the Government, but for the accommodation of the settlers, and without remuneration. He also carried the funds for the "Gore" Bank, to and from its head office in Hamilton to the Guelph branch. During the trouble of 1837-8, he was drafted into service at Hamilton, and with his team, drew the cannon, ammunition and supplies, for the Government troops to the Niagara River. He, and his brother William, introduced the first open cylinder threshing machine into Wellington Co. As a cattle buyer, drover and feeder of cattle, he became noted, winning first prizes in various parts of the Province. A Liberal in politics, he never aspired for office. He was one of the Trustees of Chalmer's Pres. Church for two years, being one of the promoters. His motto was, "Never risk, never win," and while he made losses that would be a fortune to the ordinary business man, he was very successful, and left at his death eleven hundred acres of prime land in Guelph Tp., besides other property. He m. Mary Bell, nee Bohn, (who still survives). She had one dau. who was adopted by Mr. Hood, and afterwards m. William McCrae. His other children are George D., Mary E., and Isabella B. George D., m. Margaret Henderson. Issue: Marion and Grace. George, Jr., was b. Scot., and came to Canada a few years later than his father's family. He m. in Scot. Mary Linton, and farmed in Guelph Tp. for many years on his 250 acre farm on the town line between Guelph and Waterloo. Issue: George, Andrew, James, William, Gideon, Jr., Mrs. James Hastings and Mrs. Jeremiah O'Connor. Of this branch, George, set. at Sault Ste Marie; Andrew, set in Grey Co., and d. there; James, set. in Detroit. William, m. Margaret Cannon. He owns and lives on "Fairview Farm," of 150 acres. Issue: Mrs. George Mann, William Jr., Mrs. James Cannon, John L., and Mary, Gideon, Jr., is a farmer at Oil Springs. William, b. Scot., 1814, d. 1887. He m. Mary Scott, and set. in Guelph Tp. Thomas, b. Scot., 1812, d. 1903, age 91. He m. Ann J. Bruce, in 1840, and passed 72 years of his useful life at "Elderslie," his Guelph farm. He took an active interest in the early public affairs, and was elected a member of the first Guelph Council in 1851. As Deputy Reeve, and Reeve, he served in the old District Council, which included the afterwards formed counties of Wellington, Waterloo, and Grey. He was a member of the first Cemetery Committee, when the land for the present cemetery was purchased and laid out. He took an active interest in promoting the Guelph and Galt Ry. now a part of the G.T.R. system, and as Reeve of the township, acted on the Railway Committee. He was one of the promoters of Dr. Torrance's Church, Guelph, and signed the call which brought him here. In politics was a staunch Liberal, and a subscriber to the Banner , established by Peter and George Brown, and took the Globe and Mercury from their beginning. He was well versed in history, the poets, and current literature. He was a man who by nature was a leader, and of sterling integrity, and fine public spirit. Of his children who are living, Maj. George B., lives in Guelph Tp.; John, set. in Oregon; Wallace, and Victor, set. in N.W.; Bruce set. in Guelph Tp.; Torrance, set. in Pilkington; William set. in Peel Tp.; Mrs. Thomas Armishaw, set. on "Elderslie"; Mrs. T. M. Adie, in Suffolk, Eng., and Mrs. Joseph Jackson, in Guelph Tp. Major George B. Hood, the oldest son, was b. and raised at "Elderslie," and has always resided in Guelph Tp., where he owns 220 acres, just outside the city limits. He is active in the live stock interests, and has acted as Judge at the Toronto, Ottawa, and other exhibitions in Ontario for some years. He has also taken an active interest in military matters. He was twenty-six years in the militia, and was stationed at Sarnia during the Fenian Raid of 1866. He is retired with the rank of Major. He was in the Guelph Tp. Council for some years; Director of the Provincial Mid-Winter Fair for ten years; is Secretary of the Guelph Tp. Mutual Ins. Co., and is also a Director in the Guelph Central Exhibition. He m. Jennie Rennie in 1870. Major Hood's portrait is contained on another page of this work. From: Historical Atlas of the County of Wellington, Ontario. Toronto: Historical Atlas Publishing Co., 1906 |
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