Ontario Canada

Biographical Sketch of Hon. John W. Gwynne

John Wellington Gwynne, who was recently appointed one of the puisne Judges of the Supreme Court of the Dominion, is a native of Ireland, and was born in 1817, being a son of the Rev. Dr. Gwynne, minister of the Church of England, of Castle Knock, Dublin. Judge Gwynne came to Canada in 1832, the year that the cholera first visited this continent; subsequently returned to his native country, and was educated at Trinity College, Dublin. He read law with Thomas Kirkpatrick, barrister, of Kingston, and was called to the Bar, Trinity term, in 1837. He was elected a Bencher … Read more

Biography o fHon. W. J. Christie

We first saw “Edgar Place,” the residence of Hon. W. J. Christie, in the month of March, 1879. Deep snow still covered the ground, and the trees, with the exception of ever greens, were destitute of leaves; but it hardly required a poet’s eye, “in a fine frenzy rolling,” to picture the beauties of the spot, when clothed in all the pomp of mid summer. An artist had just been there, sketching “Edgar Place” and other beautiful points of scenery with which Brockville abounds, and the Canadian Illustrated News of May 17, 1879, contained views of “Villas at River’s Cliff” … Read more

Biography of Chauncey Ward Bangs

The subject of this sketch, a son of Benjamin and Deborah (Smith) Bangs, was born at Stanstead, Lower Canada, now the Province of Quebec, January 19, 1814. His father was a native of Massachuesetts, his mother of New Hampshire. They moved to Canada in 1812. When Chauncey was about four years old the family removed to Montreal, and a little later to L’Orignal, county of Prescott, Ontario, the business of the father being that of a hatter and fur manufacturer. The opportunities for an education in that part of the Dominion, fifty years ago, were very limited, and our subject … Read more

Biography of Sir William P. Howl, C. B. K. C. M. G.,

Among those who have achieved eminence solely by excellence of character, without any of the modern appliances by which unworthy persons seek an undeserved and transient popularity, the subject of this sketch occupies a prominent place. Modest and unassuming in disposition, courteous and suave in manner, self-poised and dignified in demeanor, thoughtful of the feelings of others, and respectful toward their opinions, honorable in the highest and best sense, possessing those delicate instincts which characterize the true gentleman, he affords a fine example of a successful career, as deserved as it is conspicuous. The Howlands are of English descent, their … Read more

Biography of Robert Naylor Rogers

Robert Naylor Rogers, banker, son of Captain Robert Naylor Rogers, senior, and Elizabeth, nee Coleman, was born at Bandon, County of Cork, Ireland, May 16, 1832. He comes from an old military family, related to Sir Walter Raleigh, who lived in the days of “Queen Bess.” Members of the family built portions of Fort Gibraltar, and one of the streets there, called “Rogers’ Ramp,” was named from this family. A great uncle on the grandmother’s side, Major Wilkes, invented red hot shot, at Gibraltar, where it was first used when the fortress was besieged. Captain Rogers was Lieutenant 2nd battalion … Read more

Biography of Daniel E. McIntyre, M.D.

Daniel Eugene McIntyre, sheriff of the united counties of Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry, came from an old family in Argyleshire, in the west of Scotland, and was born in Oban, in that county, February 5, 18I2, his parents being James McIntyre, a sea captain in the commercial service, and Mary McLachlan. The Mclntyres figured more or less in the early wars of Scotland, particularly those in the age of feudalism. The subject of this sketch was a graduate of Glasgow as an M.D., and a week later became a Licentiate of the Medical Board of Upper Canada. On the 7th … Read more

Biographical Sketch of James Livingston

James Livingston, member of the Ontario Legislature, and a prominent manufacturer, was born in. Fast Kilbride, Lanarkshire, Scotland, November 29, 1838. His father, Peter Livingston, was a weaver by trade, dying in the old country; and his mother was Barbara Bright; she died in Listowel, Ontario. James received a parish school education; worked at weaving until seventeen years of age; came to the county of Perth, Ontario, in 1856; worked one year at farming in the township of Mornington; then came to Conestogo, county of Waterloo, and commenced work for Messrs. M. B. and J. S. Perine, flax growers, being … Read more

Biography of Hon. Alexander Vidal

Hon. Alexander Vidal, Senator, is a descendant of a family originally from Spain, removing thence to England in the 18th century. He is a son of Capt. Richard Emeric Vidal of the Royal Navy, and Charlotte Penrose nee Mitton, and was born in Berkshire, England, on the 4th of August, 1819. He was educated at the Royal Mathematical School, Christ’s Hospital, London; accompanied his father to Upper Canada in 1834; settled in Sarnia the next year; practiced the profession of a Provincial Land. Surveyor from 1843 to 1852; was Manager of the Sarnia branch of the Bank of Upper Canada, … Read more

Biography of Lieut-Col. Thomas Bog, J.P.

Thomas Joshua Pelton Bog, deputy registrar of the county of Prince Edward, and a resident of Picton, the shire town, for thirty-eight years, dates his birth at Montreal, November 26, 1826. His father, David Bog, a native of Edinburgh, Scotland, and an officer in the British army, retired on half pay, more than a half century ago, and died at Montreal, of cholera, in 1832; and his mother, who was English, and whose maiden name was Mary Wilkes, died at Picton in 1856. Thomas supplemented a common school education with one term at the Potsdam, New York, Academy; came to … Read more

Biography of John Burnham, MX.

The subject of this brief sketch is a son of Rev. Mark Burnham, and grandson of Zacheus Burnham, both of whom are elsewhere mentioned in this volume, and was born at St. Thomas, county of Elgin, Ontario, on the 3rd of December, 1842. He was educated at the grammar schools in Peterboro’ and Galt, at the latter town under Professor Tassie, now at the head of the Collegiate Institute at the same place; read law with Charles A. Weller, county attorney of Peterboro; was called to the Bar at Hilary term, 1865, and from that date has bee n in … Read more

Biography of Robert Baird

Robert Baird, Warden of the county of Bruce, and the leading grain dealer in Kincardine, is a son of William and Margaret Baird, and was born at Picton, Upper Canada, June 4, 1832. His parents were from the county of Fermanagh, Ireland. Complying with the wishes of his father, Robert limited his mental drill to the common school; farmed in Prince Edward county until 1850, when the family removed to the county of Hastings, where his father bought a farm. In December, 1855, our subject left home; came to Kincardine, then a village of something like 300 inhabitants; clerked in … Read more

Biography of Lawrence Lawrason

In 1788, five years after the close of the Revolutionary War, Lawrence Lawrason, who was born in 1760, in the Province of New Jersey, then a British colony, emigrated to the Niagara district of Upper Canada, accompanied by his wife and Judge Nathaniel Pettit, her father, who was afterwards a member of the first Upper Canadian Parliament, which assembled in 1792 at Newark, now Niagara, then the capital of the Province. The family settled upon lands in the township of Ancaster, and had seven children, one of whom was Lawrence Lawrason, junior, the subject of this sketch, who was born … Read more

Biography of William Coburn, M. D.

Doctor Coburn, son of John and Eliza (Walker) Coburn, was born near Bradford, County of Simcoe, November 11, 1837. His father was born in the City of New York; his mother, near Belfast, Ireland. His paternal grandfather was also from Ireland, and moved from New York to Upper Canada when the father of our subject was a youth, settling near the Village of Bradford. John Coburn became a wealthy farmer, and is still living in the old homestead, hale and robust, having always been a man of industrious and, in every way, correct habits. His (the Dr’s) mother died December … Read more

Biography of Thomas Kennedy

Thomas Kennedy. The door of opportunity is everywhere opened to the man of enterprise. The most characteristic industry in the State of Kansas was built up by a young machinist who came to Galena nearly thirty years ago and somewhat later established a factory for the manufacture of perforated metals. The Thomas Kennedy Company of Galens is the only concern of its kind west of the Mississippi River as far as the Pacific Coast. Mr. Kennedy created in his own mind the idea for the machines that are now at work in his plant. He realized the need of perforated … Read more

Biography of John B. Lewis

The late John Bower Lewis, a member of the House of Commons at the time of his death, was a very prominent man in Ottawa for many years, and a book of this kind would be imperfect without some mention of him. Though without French blood, he was born in France, March 18, 1817, being the eldest son of Capt. J. B. Lewis, of the 88th light infantry, known as the “Connaught Rangers. The family came to Canada in the early youth of our subject. He studied law at Toronto; was called to the Bar at the Easter term in … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Dr. Norman D. Morrison

Because of his extended practice and prominence in public affairs, Dr. Norman D. Morrison is one of San Mateo’s best known physicians. Dr. Morrison came to San Mateo eleven years ago. From the day of his arrival he has been successful as a practicing physician and surgeon and his clientele of patients includes some of the peninsula’s most prominent families. Dr. Morrison has unselfishly devoted his time to civic service. During his years of residence here he has served many terms on the Board of Health and for the splendid sanitary conditions of San Mateo, few men share more in … Read more

Biography of Rev. Thomas W. Allen

Thomas William Allen, Rector of Cavan for the last twenty-six years, is a native of Sligo, Ireland, and was born December 16, 1821, his parents being William and Anne (Cartwright) Allen. His father was Recorder of Sligo. This branch of the Allen family a soldier went into Ireland with William, Prince of Orange, and fought at the battle of the Boyne. Our subject received a classical education at Sligo, under Mr. Quill, of Trinity College, Dublin; in his 16th year emigrated to New York City, studied three years at St. Paul’s College, Long Island, under that saintly man, Dr. Muhlembugh; … Read more

Biography of John Macoun, M. A., F. L. S.

Should Samuel Smiles ever enlarge his entertaining and instructive volume on. Self Help,” he will find rich material in the life of John Macoun, who has educated himself, become the best botanist in the Dominion of Canada, and is a member of the Linnaean Society of London. He is a native of the County of Down, Ireland, the son of James Macoun, a British soldier, and Ann Jane Nevin, a descendant of the Scotch Covenanters, and was born on the 17th of April, 1832. The Macouns are a very old family in the County of Down, and have held lands … Read more

Biography of John McLay

John McLay, the pioneer journalist of the county of Bruce, and now registrar of the county, was born in the city of Glasgow, June 11,1831. His father, who was a manufacturer, died of cholera the following year. His mother was Ann Kerr Bell. His paternal grandfather who was a stock farmer in Argyleshire, belonged to an old family of agriculturists. The subject of this sketch received his early education in St. Enoch’s school, and afterwards at the Hutchesons institute. At an early age he entered his uncle’s office, and learned the trade of a compositor. At twenty one he commenced … Read more

Biography of William Russell

William Russell, Manager of the Manufactory of Gurney, Russell and Co., of Dundas, was born in the Township of Ancaster, within one mile of Dundas, May 18, 1837. His father, John Russell, was born near Glasgow, Scotland, coming to Canada in 1835. His mother, whose maiden name was Janet Smillie, was also from Scotland. When William was a small child the family moved to another part of Ancaster, eight miles from Dundas, where our subject aided his father in clearing two farms in the dense forest, in what is now known as the “Scotch Block,” picking up, meanwhile, such knowledge … Read more