Wellington County, Ontario GenWeb - Pioneer

Wellington County, Ontario GenWeb - Pioneer - RUSSELL, James

Wellington County GenWeb

return

Pioneer - RUSSELL, James

Biographical Sketches of
Early Settlers of Wellington County

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

RUSSELL, James . This respected pioneer is a native of Forfarshire, Scot. where he was b. in 1838, and was raised and educated. He m. Jean Duncan, and in 1856, the young couple left their native land and came to Canada to seek their fortune. He first came to Guelph and found employment with F. W. Stone, who then owned the "Model Farm," and Mr. Russell distinctly remembers plowing where the O.A.C. buildings now stand. This was the year of the advent of the G.T.R. when people flocked in from miles around to see the first train.

In 1858 he came to Minto and purchased 50 acres, lot 96, con. D, of Peter Fyfe. There had been about eight acres cleared and the house built. Mr. Russell cleared the balance of the farm. This house is said to have been one of the first, if not the first frame house in Minto, and was built by that old pioneer, Jonathan Lee, for Peter Fyfe, in the early fifties.

In addition to working his own farm of 50 acres, James Russell for twenty years rented and operated 100 acres, lot 97, con. C. He is a successful and representative citizen, and has the confidence and respect of the community. While Mr. Russell has neither sought nor held office, he had always adhered strictly to Liberal principles, and has taken a healthy interest in the affairs if the community and party. As a Presbyterian he was one of the promoters of the old Knox Church, as well as of the present brick edifice.

He still resides on the original farm. Issue: James, set. Dakota; John, m. Annie Sinclair, set. St. Catharines, Alexander m. Catharine Dunn, set. London; Mary A. and David, set. Minto; Mrs. Arch, Darroch, Minto, and Mrs. Fred. Doubledee, set. St. Catharines.

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