Wellington County, Ontario GenWeb - Pioneer

Wellington County, Ontario GenWeb - Pioneer - McPHERSON Donald

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Pioneer - McPHERSON, Donald "Dhu"

Biographical Sketches of
Early Settlers of Wellington County

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

McPHERSON, Donald "Dhu" , b. Badenoch, Inverness-shire, Scot., 1784, d. 1881 age 84. He m. Catherine McPherson, who d. in Scot. In 1838, he came to Canada with his family, settling in Puslinch. He was a Presbyterian, and a Liberal. Issue: Hugh, John, James, Duncan, Alexander, Angus (d.), just as they arrived; Mrs. Wm. Stewart, set. Puslinch; Mrs. Scott, U.S.; Mrs. Alex. Fraser; Mrs. John Stewart, Puslinch.

Hugh McPherson, better known as "Cluny," was b. 1810, and came to Puslinch in 1835, the rest of the family following him later. Donald, the father, lived with John, who bought lot 27, Gore, which is still the McPherson's homestead. When the McPhersons came, the country was all bush, and not a tree had been cut on their farms. Hugh cleared his farm and worked it for a number of years. He used to sell the best pine trees for $1 each. He sold out and went to Bruce Co., where he lived until his death.

John, b. 1812, on old Hallowe'en, (Nov. 12), d. Mar. 1, 1901. 'He came with his father in 1838, and purchased lot 26, of the Gore, which he sold in 1842 to Murdoch Munroe, and purchased lot 27 in the Gore. Later, he purchased 33 acres, lot 27, front, con. 1, where he lived. He had one of the first horses in the neighborhood, "Prince." He m. Sarah, who is still living, dau. of "White" Duncan McPherson, drover, Kingussie, Scot. Issue: Mrs. Kenneth McLennan, Guelph; Duncan (d.), Mich., 1896; Donald, Puslinch; Angus, Puslinch; James, and John, in San Francisco, Cal.; Alexander, on the homestead; Mrs. Donald McCaig, Puslinch.

Duncan m. Betty McIntyre, and set. in Mich., where he d.

Donald m. Christina Wilkinson, set. Puslinch, on lot 17, con. 4, of 100 acres, which he owns. Issue: Ida M., John, Sarah A., and Christina.

Angus, m. Bella McCaig. Issue: John, James, Hector, and Gordon. He set. in Puslinch, and owns 200 acres, lots 21 and 22, con. 2, rear, where he carries on mixed farming. He is a Conservaeive, taking an active interest in politics. He has been School Trustee for 6 years, Councillor for 6 years, Reeve for 2 years, and in 1905, became County Commissioner.

James and John are wealthy men in San Francisco. John, is Supt. of the Coal Co., and makes $225 per month. He obtained a patent for an invention for unloading vessels.

Alexander, works the homestead. He attended school at No. 6, Crieff, and is a Presbyterian, and a Conservative. He has been Trustee of No. 6, but does not seek for office. He m. Margaret Scott. Issue: Sarah, and Robert.

James McPherson, better known as the "Cobbler," b. 1815, d. 1902, was a shoe-maker by trade. He came to Canada in 1838, and worked at his trade in Hamilton for three years. In 1841 he came to Puslinch, and bought lot 23 of the Gore. Later, he sold the front of it to John McDonald. He was a man of fair education, very healthy, and an extremely hard worker. He m. Margaret McDonald. Issue: Donald (d.); Alexander, Guelph; Mrs. Robert Clark, Grey Co.; Angus, on lot 22 of the Gore, Puslinch; Archibald, and James, Mich.; Mrs. Thomas Ellis, Mrs. Archibald Scott, Puslinch; Ronald, Catharine, and Elizabeth, on the homestead.

Duncan, better known as Colonel, was b. in 1820, and d. in 1905. He m. first Ann McPherson (d. age 24). Issue: Mrs. Donald Kennedy, Puslinch; Duncan, who was killed by a falling tree, at the age of 20, and Donald (d. young). His second wife Anne Henderson. Issue: Mrs. John McLaren, Brock road; Mrs. Wm.. Fletcher set. Dundas; William (d.), and another d. in infancy.

Duncan, at the time of his death, owned part of lot 27, front Gore.

Alexander, b. 1822, d. 1890, came to Canada in 1838, at the age of 16, with his father. He worked about Galt for a number of years, and while there, teamed the first load of material for the Gofdie-McCulloch foundry. About 1852, be bought rear lot 28, Gore of Puslinch. and there lived until his death. Passmore's saw-mill was built on this farm, on the guarantee that he could get all of the trees he wished within a certain area, for $1 each. Mr. McPherson was a Presbyterian, and a Liberal. He never sought or held office of any kind. He m. Jane, dau. of "White" Duncan McPherson, drover, Kingussie, Scot. Issue: Donald (d.) ; Dr. Duncan A., Bathurst St., Toronto; Donald, who was a fine Scotch singer, and d. at 26; Mrs. Walter Cowan, Puslinch; Mrs. John Cameron, Puslinch; Angus, and James, on the homestead, and Alexander. Of this branch, Angus m. Bella McDonald. Issue: Marjory J., Annie E., and Emma L. James unm., with Angus works the homestead, lot 28, front of Gore, which increased by 33 1/3 acres, a part of lot 27, con 1.

(footnote from 'Mary in Oregon': "Dhu or Dhubh is the Gaelic for Black so when the piece refers to a "white" Donald McPherson.... they are distinquishing in the Scot tradition with a pet name... white and black Donald in this case. When they refer to his fine Scotch voice, it reminds me of how angry my Da would be.. We are Scottish or Scots, not Scotch.... ")

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