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McGRATH , Thomas
(d.), b. Co. Kerry, Ireland, 1825; d. 1877, age 52. He came to Canada in 1850
as a young man, and located in Hamilton, where he was for some five years on a
railway construction. In 1855 he came to Arthur Tp. and took up the present
homestead, of 200 acres, lot 12, con. 2, receiving his deed from the Crown Land
Department. The writer saw the original deed, which was granted in 1859, the
sum of $150 being paid for it. The land was all bush, and Mr. McGrath put up
his little shanty. When he and his wife came into the township they had little
or no means, and from a very small start have acquired a fine property of 200
acres. They were obliged to struggle hard for some time, but have raised their
large family and educated them. Mr. McGrath was Roman Catholic and a Liberal.
In 1858 he m. Mary Moriarty, who still survives him and is hale and hearty at
the age of 68. Issue: Mary Ann, at home; Mrs. George A. Stortz, John, d. 28;
Michael, d. 30; James , Maurice, d. 19; Johanna, at home; Mrs. William Wilkie,
Arthur Tp., and Thomas, Spokane Wash.
James is a bachelor and lives upon and owns the homestead of 200 acres, where he successfully carries on mixed farming. He has modern buildings and improved appliances. He spent three years in the west as foreman on large railway contracts. He is well educated and is an up-to-date farmer. During the past year he assessed the township of Arthur. From: Historical Atlas of the County of Wellington, Ontario. Toronto:Historical Atlas Publishing Co., 1906 |