Wellington County, Ontario GenWeb - Pioneer

Wellington County, Ontario GenWeb - Pioneer - STEVENSON, William

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Pioneer - STEVENSON, William

Biographical Sketches of
Early Settlers of Wellington County

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

STEVENSON, William (d.). Of the many pioneers of Guelph, none are remembered with more respect or more tenderness than the late William Stevenson, who passed sixty-two years of his useful life at "Maple Bank," the home which he made from the virgin forest into one of the most beautiful and best known residences in Guelph. Mr. Stevenson was b. in 1817, in Nottinghamshire, Eng., near Thrumpton Hall, famous as the family seat of the Byrons. There he was raised and educated. At twenty years of age he came to Canada and located in Guelph, and there remained until his death in 1899. From his boyhood days he was of a decided literary turn, and when the other boys were spending their pocket money he was saving his and purchasing the works of his favorite authors, thus laying the foundation of a library where year after year he spent many pleasant hours. The literary culture thus early acquired was strongly in evidence throughout his career. From the time of his arrival in Guelph he was connected with the Methodist church, being a local preacher from 1841, and class leader from 1849. He was trustee of Norfolk St. Methodist Church from its inception and many of the older members of that congregation have pleasant memories of the scholarly sermons delivered by him in the church, in the building of which he bore a large share of the responsibility. He took an active interest in the educational welfare of the city, and was a member of the School Board for many terms. In 1851 he was elected a member of the Municipal Council, and after serving several years was in 1885 called to the Mayorality, and re-elected in 1886. During he term a Mayor the Guelph Jct. Railway by-law was passed, and it was largely due to his zeal and enterprise that the road was built. After his retirement from municipal life he continued to reside at "Maple Bank" enjoying his family cares, book and flowers to a degree made possible only by the whole-hearted and consistent practice of a conscientious Christian life. He m. Rebecca Croft, of Guelph, who only lived a few years after their marriage, leaving two children. Sarah Ann, m. John Jackson, Chicago, and Anne, m. William Snowdon. Guelph. In 1848 h m. Isabella, dau. of late Jehu Clark, pioneer of Guelph. She still survives and resides ant "Maple Bank." Their family consists of Rev. (Meth.) E. B. Stevenson, Mardin; Miriam, m. Charles McGill, General Mgr. Of the Ontario Bank, Toronto; Laura, m. Dr. Mortimer Foster, Guelph; Belvidera, m. Gilbert H MacIntyre, M.P. for South Perth; Caroline, m. Thomas J. MacIntyre, Toronto; Clara, m. Claude W. Harrington, Rochester; Maude, m. W. Mitchner, Pentelow, Auditor. Bell Co. Guelph.

Jehu Clarke, (d.), father of Mrs. Stevenson, was also a pioneer of Guelph Tp. West Penward, Somersetshire, Eng., is the home of the Clarkes, a family prominent in early days in military circles. Of this family Jehu Clarke, b. West Penward, 1799, set. in 1818 in New York State seven miles from the head of the Delaware River. He later removed to Oxford Co. where Woodstock now stands, and in April 1828, come to Guelph and built the first bridge across the river Speed, on the Dundas road, for the Canada Company, and another one called Strickland's bridge on the Eramosa road. The following season he went to Goderich and cleared up the market square, and six of the leading streets for the Canada Company. Returning to Guelph he cleared a good farm in the west corner of the town of Guelph. About the year 1850 he moved in to town and commenced tanning, and he carried on this business until the market was established, and then went on the market as a commission buyer in hides, skins, tallow, and other produce. He proved himself to be the best buyer on the market in this particular line. About 1871 he retied from business on account of ill-health, and built a residence over the Dundas bridge on Water Street, where he died.

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