Ontario Canada

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 Rev. Michael Stafford

Rev. Michael Stafford, Priest of the Roman Catholic Church, Lindsay, is a native of the County of Lanark, Ontario, the son of a pioneer settler, Thomas Stafford, and was born March, 1, 1832. His father was from Wexford, Ireland; his mother, whose maiden name was Elizabeth McGarry, from West Meath, same country. His family fought for Irish separation, and that was the reason Thomas Stafford came to Canada. Up to fourteen years of age our subject was educated at a district school near Lanark, his teacher, Robert Lees, still living, and filling the office of County Attorney of Carleton. The … Read more

Biography of Hon. Henri Elzear Taschereaut

Judge Taschereau, of the Supreme Court of the Dominion, comes from one of the most eminent families in what is now the Province of Quebec. The progenitor in this country, Thomas Jacques Taschereau, came to Canada in the early part of the 18th century, and in 1726 was appointed Treasurer of the Marine, and obtained the cession of a seignior on the banks of the Chaudiere, of which Judge Taschereau is still in possession. Members of this family have held very high positions in the Government of Lower Canada and in the Dominion. In the judiciary alone, not less than … Read more

Biography of Baruch Tucker

One of the “landmarks” of Allanburgh, still living here, is Baruch Tucker, who came to this place in 1834, from Dorsetshire, England, where he was born December 25, 1812. The Welland canal had been opened five years before his arrival, in the year mentioned, direct from the old country. Farms were thick along the line of the canal. Allanburgh was springing up; there was a fair demand for carpenters, he had learned that trade, found work at once, and having no disposition to “tramp,” has never left the place. He worked at his trade until 1839, when he rented, of … 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

Biographical Sketch of David Dunbar

In the person of the subject of this sketch we have one of the leading citizens and stockmen of Malheur County, and it is with pleasure that we chronicle the salient paints in his interesting and active career, wherein he has ever manifested integrity, ability and industry. David Dunbar was born in Ontario, Canada, near Kingston, on February 5, 1849, being the son of James and Eliza Dunbar. He was reared on a farm with his parents and gained his education from the common schools of that province. In July 186? he was called to mourn the death of his … Read more

Biography of Samuel G. McCaughey, M.S.

Samuel Glyn McCaughey, solicitor, son of Thomas and Jane (Glyn) McCaughey, was born in the county of Antrim, Ireland, in November 1830. His father was a linen draper and agriculturist, owning several farms, and belonging to a family of land proprietors. Our subject was educated at the Royal College, Belfast, and is Master of Arts; came to Canada in 1854, and read law with his brother, James McCaughey, LL.B., of Ingersoll; was enrolled as an attorney in 1862; practiced at first in company with his brother, and in 1865 settled at Seaforth, being of the law firm of McCaughey and … Read more

Biography of Robinson Lyon

One of the best known men in the county of Renfrew, is Robinson Lyon, more than forty years a hotel keeper in the Province of Ontario. He is a son of George and Elstet (Phillip) Lyon, and was born in Inverury, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, January 13, 1811. His father was bailie of that place for 49 years. In 1830 our subject married Miss Mary Ann Bank, of Bath, Eng., and six years afterwards came to Upper Canada, settling at Richmond, county of Carleton, where he was a farmer and hotel keeper for four years. The next fourteen years he was 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 Ellis Walton Hyman

Ellis Walton Hyman, one of the most successful merchants and best businessmen who ever traded in London, was born in Williamsport, Pa., December 2, 1815, he being a son of Jacob Hyman, an architect. He received a business education in his native town, learned the trade of a tanner and currier, and in 1834 came to Canada and settled in London. He went into business for himself at the old Morrill tannery on Ridout street, three or four years later removing to Talbot street. Shortly afterwards he added a large tannery at Tilsonburg, and at the same time enlisted in … Read more

Biography of John McCleod

The subject of this sketch is a native of Edinburgh, Scotland, and was born on the 13th of September, 1816. His father, John MacLeod, senior, was a type founder, and foreman for years of the only foundry of that class in the City of Edinburgh. The family were from the Highlands. The mother of our subject, before her marriage, was Ann Gordon. He was educated in part in the common schools of Edinburgh and Inverness; in 1832 came to Nova Scotia, finished his literary studies at Pictou, and there read law; went to New York city, having the legal profession … Read more

Biography of Sir John A. MacDonald, K.C.B., D.C.L., L.I. U.,

John Alexander MacDonald, Prime Minister of Canada, was born in Sutherlandshire, Scotland, January 11, 1815. He is the eldest son of Hugh Macdonald, of Kingston, Ont., and formerly of Sutherlandshire, Scotland. He was educated at the Royal Grammer School, Kingston, under Dr. Wilson, a fellow of the Oxford University; read law with the late George Mackenzie, and was called to the Bar, U.C., at Hilary term, in 1836. He was created Queen’s Counsel in 184G; is a Bencher, ex-officio, of the Law Society of Ontario. He early distinguished himself in civil law, and, in 1839, in a very important criminal … Read more

Biography of Henry Mittleberger

Henry Mittleberger, an early settler in St. Catharines, was born in Montreal, January 20, 1802. His father, John Mittleberger, a German by descent, and a Royalist, left Philadelphia for Canada, prior to the outbreak of the colonies in 1775. In 1817 Henry, came into the Niagara district, and four years later, at the request of William H. Merritt, came to St. Catharines to take charge of the post office, Mr. Merritt being postmaster at that time. A few years afterwards Mr. Mittleberger became a merchant, and also, in a short time a banker, being, at first, agent for the City … Read more

Biography of Jacob F. Pringle

Jacob Farrand Pringle, Judge of the County Court, was born in the City of Valenciennes, France, June 27, 1816. His father, James Pringle, was a Lowland Scotchman, of the Torsonce Pringles; was born near Edinburgh, and was an officer in the British army; his mother, before her marriage, was Ann M. Anderson. In 1817, when Jacob was little more than one year old, the family came to Canada, settling near Cornwall, the father serving as Clerk of the Peace for the United Counties of Dundas, Stormont and Glengarry, for a long period. Jacob received an English and classical education; in … Read more

Biography of Alexander B. Baxter

Alexander Brown Baxter, chief of police, and Colonel of the 24th Battalion volunteer infantry, was born in the city of Edinburgh, Scotland, June 7, 1831, his parents being Alexander and Elizabeth (Hogg) Baxter. His father was Lieutenant in the 25th and 43rd infantry; served in the Light Division of the army (under the Duke of Wellington), in Spain; and twice in the invasion of France, in the Netherlands and Ireland, and was rewarded with a medal for his services. He retired on half pay after the battle of Waterloo, but was subsequently appointed second oldest Captain of the Venezuela regiment … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Henry C. Caldwell, M.P.P.

William Clyde Caldwell, member of the local Legislature for North Lanark, W and a prominent business man in that riding, is a son of Alexander and Mary Ann (Maxwell) Caldwell, both natives of Scotland, and both dying in 1872. He was born in the village of Lanark, Ontario, May 14, 1843, and received his education at Queen’s College, Kingston, whence he was graduated in 1864. His father was a lumberman, which business our subject also makes a specialty, cutting about 6,000,000 feet annually, and shipping most of it to Oswego, New York. He also manufactures flour, doing custom and merchant … Read more

Biographical Sketch of James Robinson

James Robinson was born on the 13th of February, 1834; is a native of this town, and one of the leading manufacturers and business men of Markham. His father, John Robinson, a native of Toronto, and a tanner by trade, is still living in Markham. His great-grandfather was from the county of Tyrone, Ireland, settling in Pennsylvania, and his grand-father, William Robinson, a United Empire Loyalist, settled at Queenston, Ontario, a short time after the American Revolution, and was at Toronto during part of the war of 1812-14, dying in Markham in 1824. The wife of William Robinson was a … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Charles S. Hutchinson

Charles Hutchinson, County Crown Attorney, since 1858, a Son of Francis Hutchinson, a Physician and Surgeon, and Frances nee Losh, and was born at Newcastle upon Tyne, England, June 22, 1826. His grandfather, Charles Hutchinson, from whom he was named, was an officer in the East India Company’s service, there spending his life. Our subject was educated in the Royal Grammar School of his native town; came to London, Ontario, in 1846, and the next year was articled to Henry C. R. Becher, barrister; was called to the Bar at Michaelmas Term, 1852; was a partner of Mr. Becher for … Read more

Biography of James Sutherland Chisholm

James Sutherland Chisholm, of Strathglass, who, in Gaelic, is called Chisalick. This family, we learn, is of Lowland origin, yet has long been in possession of estates in the Highlands, and has been for centuries quite assimilated to the manners and customs of their Celtic neighbors. The memorial of Charles Forbes ranks them among the friends of Prince Charles Edward, and estimates their force at two hundred men. The Highland possessions of the family consist of Comer Strathglass, etc., in which is situated their castle of Erchless. The original seat of the family was, in all probability, in Roxburghshire, as … Read more

Biography of Peter R. Shaver, M.D.

Peter Rolph Shaver, one of the leading physicians in the county of Perth, and a county coroner, was born near Hamilton, Ontario, July 27, 1829. His grandfather, a United Empire Loyalist, from Pennsylvania, was in the war of the colonies, and his father, John Shaver, a native of the county of Wentworth, was in the war of 1812-14, and the rebellion of 1837-38. The mother of Peter was Catharine Hess. He received most of his literary education at Victoria College, Cobourg, where he spent three years in study in the department of arts; and subsequently gave four years to medical … Read more