One of the best representatives of the legal profession in the county of Dundas, Ontario, is Frank Tyrrell, a young man who has risen with great rapidity since he became, an attorney and was called to the Bar, and who is successful in every branch of his profession. He was born in the township of Williamsburg (which includes Morrisburg), October 6, 1845, his parents being Francis and Mary (Plantz) Tyrrell, members of the agricultural class. His father came from Ireland about 1835, and settled in this country, and died in 1861. His mother, who is of German descent, is still living.
Frank received only a commercial school education; read law in the office of A. G. Macdonnell, Esq., of Morrisburg; was admitted to practice as an attorney and solicitor in 1865, and called to the Bar in 1876. Since commencing the study of his profession, Morrisburg has been his home. As far as we can learn, he seems to have ignored politics, and devoted himself exclusively and closely to his profession, studying very hard during the leisure time which he has been able to command, and hence the rapidity of his growth and rise. As a criminal lawyer, his career is very brilliant. The first brief he held was a murder case, he being on the defense in the famous “Corry mystery,” in which two Keelers, brothers, and their sister, Mrs. Corry, were accused of murdering Mr. Corry. The Crown finally broke down, and after a while the prisoners were released. In this whole trial Mr. Tyrrell acquitted himself with great credit, and showed himself to be master of the art of cross examination. Mr. Tyrrell was a member of the town council of Morrisburg for three years, and deputy registrar of the county of Dundas about the same length of time, all the offices, we believe, that he would accept. He is thoroughly wedded to his profession, and offices would no doubt be a hindrance to his progress and success.
He is a member of the Church of England, and bears an irreproachable moral character.
On the 6th of October, 1870, Miss Gertrude Matthews, daughter of S. R. Matthews, of Morrisburg, was united in marriage with Mr. Tyrrell.