Ontario Canada

Biography of Robert Porteous

Robert Porteous, of the most prominent and successful business men in Paisley, is Robert Porteous, banker and grain dealer, and manufacturer, a native of this Province. He is a son of Robert Porteous, senior, a native of the Island of Hoye, one of the Orkneys, and was born in Kingston, January 13, 1825. His mother, before her marriage, was Jane Anderson, who is also Scotch. His father died at Fullerton, in 1879; his mother in 1873. Our subject was educated in private, by his father, who was a teacher in middle life, and afterwards a farmer; worked at farming at … Read more

Biography of John O’Donohoe

John O’Donohoe, barrister-at-law, and ex-member of the Dominion Parliament, justly occupies a prominent place in the foremost rank of those Irishmen, who, adopting Canada as their home, and closely identifying themselves with her manifold interests, have, through the exercise of industry, perseverance, and personal integrity, attained to considerable and well deserved eminence. He is fourth son of the late Malachy O’Donohoe and Margaret O’Neill, and was born at Tuam, County Galway, Ireland, in June, 1824. The family on the paternal side are a branch of the ancient family of the name known as O’Donohoe of the Glen, having their chief … Read more

Biography of Rev. Matthew W. Maclean, M.A.

Matthew Witherspoon Maclean, pastor of St. Andrew’s church, Belleville, was M born at Glasgow, Scotland, June 11, 1842. While studying at the University there, his father, who had filled several positions of trust and responsibility, died in the prime of life, after a long illness, leaving behind him little more than the heritage of an honest name. Our subject, notwithstanding, continued to attend college for a considerable time afterwards, holding a good position among his fellow students, taking the whole arts course, comprising classics, mathematics, and philosophy, and, passing the requisite examination before the established Presbytery of Glasgow, became a … Read more

Biography of Francis Fletcher

FRANCIS FLETCHER. – Mr. Fletcher was among the very earliest of the settlers of Oregon, being here two years before the establishment of the Provisional government, and has consequently seen the great development of this state and coast form its earliest inception; and he has himself been one of the most active to induce the progress of the last fifty years. He was born in Yorkshire, England, March 1, 1814, and, at the age of fourteen years, crossed the water to Ontario, Canada, and afterwards to Peoria, Illinois. In 1839, in company with Amos Cook and others, he started for … Read more

Biography of Thomas H. McKenzie

Among the few men now living in these parts who saw Hamilton and Dundas fifty years ago, is Thomas Howard McKenzie, one of the best posted men on Canadian history in the County of Wentworth. He may, with propriety, be called a walking gazetteer of the county; his recollection of dates as well as events being very full and accurate, and his memory seems to be a thesaurus of almost everything which has occurred in this part of the world for the last half century. Mr. McKenzie is a native of Fort George, Inverness-shire, Scotland, a son of James and … Read more

Biography of Freeman C. Noxon

Noxon Brothers Manufacturing Company, the most extensive industry in the manufacturing line at Ingersoll, is composed of five brothers, Freeman C., James, Samuel, Stephen, and Thomas H., sons of Samuel Noxon, senior, who was born and spent his days in the County of Prince Edward, Ontario, and grandson of James Noxon, a United Empire Loyalist from Duchess County, N. Y. The grandfather settled in Prince Edward at the close of the American Revolution. The mother of these five sons was Rhoda White. They received a business education in the public schools of their native county, James, the second son, adding … Read more

Biography of Rufus M.P. Stephenson

Rufus Stephenson, member of the Dominion Parliament since the Dominion’s formed, representing the County of Kent; is a native of Springfield, Mass., dating his birth January 14th, 1835. His parents are Eli and Chloe (Chapin) Stephenson, his father being still alive, and in his 94th year. His mother is a descendant of Deacon Samuel Chapin, a Puritan who came to Roxbury (now in Boston) Mass., prior to 1640, and settled at Springfield, same State, in 1642. His descendants form one of the most numerous families in the United States, embracing many names of a national reputation. Among them are Hon. … Read more

Biography of Prof. E.E. Haanel, F.R., PH. D.

Eugene Emil F. R. Haanel, Professor of Chemistry and Physics in Victoria College,and one of the best educated men in the Physical Sciences in Ontario, is a native of Breslau, Silesia, a son of Franz and Ann (Herde) Haanel, and was born May 24, 1841. His father is a Government officer, occupying the position of Secretary of the Council. The Haanels were originally from Sweden, the great grandfather of Franz Haanel, leaving that country on account of his politics. The subject of this sketch commenced his studies at four years of age, and was graduated at the Gymnasium in his … Read more

Biography of William Bucking

William Buckingham, late Private Secretary to the Prime Minister of Canada, was born in Crediton, Devonshire, England, being a son of Robert and Jane (Ellis) Buckingham, both natives of the same county. When about twenty years of age he removed to Yorkshire, and became shorthand reporter for the Halifax Guardian. In 1857 Mr. Buckingham came to Toronto, Canada, and took a position as Parliamentary reporter on the Toronto Globe. Two years later, in company with William Coldwell, he established the Nor Wester at Fort Garry, the first newspaper published in what has since become the Province of Manitoba. Shortly afterwards … Read more

Biography of John J. Hoyt, M.D.

John J. Hoyt, the oldest medical practitioner in Ingersoll, and a man of marked skill, dates his birth at Sidney, Delaware county, New York, April 3, 1824. His parents, Daniel and Mary (Simpson) Hoyt, were both from Connecticut. The branch of the Hoyt family from which our subject sprung was from Wales. John Jay supplemented a district school education with several terms at the Delaware Academy, Delhi, N. Y.; taught school two winters, studying medicine at the same time; finished his professional studies with Dr. A. Fitch, of Delhi; attended lectures at Pittsfield, Mass., and Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, and … Read more

Biography of Thomas W. Johnston M. D.,

Thomas W. Johnston, Sarnia’s pioneer physician, was a native of Ireland, and was born in Omagh, County of Tyrone, on the 24th of March, 1813. He was the son of Hugh Johnston, merchant and contractor, of the same place. His early studies were prosecuted at the High School in Omagh, under the direction of Sir William Smith. At the age of fifteen he was apprenticed to John Hamilton, a surgeon of great local celebrity; and the nature of the duties imposed upon the young apprentice will be inferred from an extract from the indenture executed by the parties at the … Read more

Biography of James S. Thorburn, M.D.

Dr. James Thorburn, is a native of Canada, and was born on the 21st day of November, 1830, at Queenston, Ontario. The names of his parents were David Thorburn and Isabel nee Thompson. Mr. Thorburn came from Scotland to this country, where he engaged for many years in merchandising, He also entered politics and became a prominent and influential leader of the Reform Party, holding various positions of honor and trust: For about sixteen years he sat for the Counties of Welland and Lincoln in the old Canadian Parliament, in which body he took a leading and active part during … Read more

Biography of William Mostyn, M.D.

William Mostyn, late member of the Ontario parliament, and the oldest and leading physician and surgeon in Almonte, is of Welsh descent, the family moving into the county of Roscommon, Ireland, a little more than two centuries ago, and becoming large landed proprietors. Our subject is a son of Thomas and Margaret (Murray) Mostyn, and was born at Elphin, in the county of Roscommon, on the 5th of June, 1836. Before he was a year old, the family emigrated to Canada, and settled in Kingston, where he was educated in the grammar school and the university of Queen’s College, receiving … Read more

Biographical Sketch of W.E. Sanford

No “Portrait Gallery of eminent Canadians,” would be considered complete without a sketch of the gentleman whose name heads this article. For several years he has stood in the front rank of the “Merchant Princes” of Hamilton, and by his remarkable career of business success has filled a place in the public attention so large as to constitute him, to some extent, a Provincial character and public property. So without fear or favor, and almost forgetting to say, by your leave, we attempt our sketch. Mr. Sanford was born in the city of New York, in 1838. His mother dying … Read more

Biography of Hon. Telesphore Fournter

Telesphore Fournter, who took his seat on the Supreme Bench of the Dominion in October, 1875, is a son of Guillaume Fournier and Maria A. nee Morin, and was born at St. Francois, Riviere Du Sud, Montmagny, Province of Quebec, August 5, 1823. He was educated at Nicolet College, graduating in 1842; studied law at Quebec with the Lieutenant Governor Caron; was called to the Bar of Lower Canada in 1846, and created a Queen’s Counsel in 1863. As a lawyer, Mr. Fournier was admitted by his colleagues to have won his place at once in the foremost rank, and … Read more

Biography of James Young

James Young, member of the Dominion Parliament from 1867 to 1878, and now of the Ontario Legislature, is a son of John and Jeanie (Bell) Young, and was born in Galt, May 24, 1835. Both parents were from Roxburghshire, Scotland, his father coming to Galt the year before the son was born. Our subject was educated in his native town, and chose the printing business as a trade. Before he was 18 years of age, he purchased the Dumfries Reformer, Galt, which he edited from 1853 to 1863, and is the author of two prize essays: “The Agricultural Resources of … Read more

Biography of John S. Ross, M.P.

John Sylvester Ross, member of Parliament for Dundas, is a son of Michael Ross, a soldier in the second war with the United States (1812-15), and afterwards Captain of militia, and grandson of Jacob Ross, a United Empire Loyalist, who was an old scout, and had charge of an especial duty under Sir John Johnson, for which he received thanks and the offer of a command, but declined, and received a large land grant in recognition of his valuable services. The subject of this notice was born in the township of Osnabruck, county of Stormont, Canada, July 16, 1821. He … Read more

Biography of Charles and Ormond Jones

Among the early and prominent families to settle in the county of Grenville, Upper Canada, now Ontario, were the Joneses, figuring largely in the history of Brockville. About the time of the opening of the struggle of the American colonies for their independence, Ephraim Jones, United Empire Loyalist, left the United States and his property there, came to Canada, and was an officer in the King’s service, settling in Augusta, Grenville, eight miles east of where Brockville now stands. There he died in 1811. He was the father of eight children, one of whom, Charles Jones, born in 1781, was … Read more

Biography of Isaac Waterman

Isaac Waterman, of the Atlantic Petroleum Works, is a native of Bavaria, Germany, a son of Jacob Waterman, and was born August 16, 1844. He was educated in a common school till eleven years old; then spent two years in a mercantile college in the city of Fuerth, and in October, 1858, reached London, Ontario, his present home. Here, after clerking in a store for one year and attending a night school, he was sent by his employer to take charge of a store in Kingston. In 1864, after spending a few weeks in Watertown, N. Y., Mr. Waterman returned … Read more