Ontario Canada

Biography of Rev. Micail Boomer, LL.D.

Dean Boomer, son of George Boomer, a linen manufacturer of Huguenot descent, and Mary Knox, of Scotch ancestry, was born at Hill Hall, near Lisburn, County of Down, Ireland, January 1, 1810. The name was originally spelt Bulmer, and the progenitor of the family in Ireland was Rene Bulmer, who with his wife fled from France about the time of the revocation of the Edict of Nantes, and settled at Lambeg, in a house now called the Priory. The name was finally changed from Rene Bulmer to Rainey Boomer. An interesting anecdote is told of him in the Ulster Journal … Read more

Biography of Robert Noble

This well known citizen of Reynolds, Owyhee county, is one of the largest sheep-raisers in Idaho and has been largely instrumental in improving the grade of stock raised in the state. His efforts have therefore been of public benefit, for the improvement of stock adds to its market value, and the wealth of the agricultural class is thereby augmented. The rich pasture lands of the northwest provide excellent opportunities to the stock-raiser, and this industry has become a most important one in the commercial interests of Idaho. Mr. Noble, one of its leading representatives, is of English birth, a native … Read more

Biography of Hon. George Brown

George Brown, Senator, managing director of the Globe Printing and Publishing Company, and one of the most prominent and influential citizens of Canada, is a native of Edinburgh, Scotland, where he was born on the 29th of November, 1818. His father was Peter Brown, merchant, of Edinburgh, but later connected with the newspaper publishing business in New York and Toronto, and his mother was the only daughter of George Mackenzie, Esq., of Stornoway, Isle of Lewis. He was educated at the Edinburgh high school and afterwards spent a few years in London. In 1838 he accompanied his father to New … Read more

Biography of John Flesher

John Flesher, late member of the Ontario Legislature, and one of the leading business men of Orangeville, is descended from an. old Yorkshire family, and was born in Driffield, that county, June 8, 1833. His father, the Rev. John Flesher, of Forestmoore House, near Knaresbro, was for some years a Methodist minister, a man of uncommon ability, being a vigorous writer and eloquent speaker. Young Flesher was educated in a Collegiate Institute at Ramsgate, and came to Upper Canada in 1847 with his elder brother, Wm. Kingston Flesher, who, a few years ago, represented East Grey in the House of … Read more

Biography of John Tissiman

Among the middle aged men reared in Chatham, a witness of its growth, and long an official of the town, is John Tissiman, who was born in Mount Vernon, Knox county, Ohio, August 9, 1834, and came with his parents, Joseph and Edith (Teller) Tissiman, to. Chatham in 1837. Both parents were from Yorkshire, England. Joseph Tissiman was in the mercantile and brewing business here until his death in 1846. He left his wife and three children in moderate circumstances, the widow died about ten years after her husband. John was educated in the common school at Chatham; was an … Read more

Biography of Duncan Campbell

One of the Pioneers in what is now the town of Simcoe, and one of the most successful business men that ever resided here, is Duncan Campbell, a native of Greenock, Scotland, dating his birth April 2, 1802. He is a son of Archibald and Ann Campbell, both parents being members of the Argyle branch of the Campbell family. Duncan received a moderate English education, and in 1815 came to Lower Canada, his parents having preceded him. Was clerk in a store two years, at Montreal, and in 1818 came to Simcoe, then called Birdtown, to take charge of a … Read more

Biography of William Paterson, M.P.

William Paterson, who represents South Brant, in the House of Commons, is a son of James and Martha (Lawson) Paterson, of Aberdeen, Scotland, and grandson of Rev. Mr. Paterson, minister for years at Midmar, Scotland. His parents came to Upper Canada, nearly fifty years ago, and he was born in Hamilton, September 19, 1839. He was educated in that city and at Caledonia, in the County of Haldimand; came to Brantford in 1854, and was a clerk in a general store, until 1863, when he commenced the bakery business, and manufacture of confectionery, being for several years in company with … Read more

Biography of Thomas Benson

The subject of this sketch, one of the most public spirited and energetic men that ever lived in Port Hope, was Thomas Benson, son of James and Ann (Robinson) Benson, of Fintona, County of Tyrone, Ireland, where he was born January 11, 1804. The family came to America in 1816; settled at first at Lansingburgh, N. Y., three years later removed to Kingston, Upper Canada, and there James Benson died December 24, 1828, his widow dying at St. Catharines, August 30, 1854. They had a family of ten children, of whom only four are now living. Hon. James Rea Benson, … 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 William Grey

One of the oldest residents in Woodstock, and one of its most prominent citizens, is William Grey, who settled in Oxford County in 1825, two and a half miles from the present Town of Woodstock, before the place, as a town, had a name, except “Town Plot.” The spot on which his house now stands, a quarter-mile from the Post Office, was a sugar bush half a century ago. He saw a village start here, and gradually expand into a town of 6,000 inhabitants, industrious, thriving, and intelligent; and no man now living here has done more to build up … Read more

Biography of John Powell

John Powell, Registrar of the County of Lincoln, son of John Powell, senior, for many years Registrar of the Counties of Lincoln and Haldimand, was born at Niagara Town, June 19, 1809. His father was from Norwich, England, and son of Hon. W. D. Powell, Chief Justice of Upper Canada. He received his education at the Home District Grammar School, Toronto, the Rev. Dr., afterwards Bishop Strachan, Principal, studying law in the same city with Wm. W. Baldwin and Sons; was called to the Bar in 1835. His mother, Isabella Shaw,, was a daughter of Major-General, the Hon. Aeneas Shaw, … Read more

Biography of Thomas M. Nairn, M. P. P.

Thomas Macintyre Nairn, son of James and Agnes (Macintyre) Nairn, dates his birth at Balloch, at the foot of Loch Lomond, Dumbartonshire, Scotland, June 16, 1830. His father was a builder and contractor. Thomas attended public schools until thirteen years old; was connected with his father’s office for about two years, and then spent five years in the office of a writer and land agent in Dumbarton, there receiving a practical business training, which has since been of very great value to him. In May, 1850, Mr. Nairn started for the Western World; spent a short time as a clerk … Read more

Biography of George B. Smith

Among the younger wholesale houses in Toronto which are yearly growing in importance, and which, judging by their constantly increasing trade, are rivaling the old established firms in pushing business with energy, foresight and success, the importing dry goods house of Messrs. G. B. Smith and Henderson is deserving of mention in a work which treats of self made men. George Byron Smith, the senior member, very justly ranks in this class of citizens. He is a native of Ontario, and was born in the village of Newtonville, county of Durham, on the 7th of March, 1839. His paternal grandfather … Read more

Biography of Peter R. Randall

Peter Rice Randall, Mayor of Port Hope, is a descendant of a United Empire Loyalist family on his mother’s, the Ferguson, side, and was born near Cobourg, in the Township of Hamilton, July 7, 1822. His grandfather, Robert Randall, a Highland Scotch man, was temporarily in the United States, when the father of our subject, John P. Randall, was born, and subsequently returned with his family to Great Britain. The father of Peter was an officer in the British Navy, serving on a man-of-war vessel for four years; was taken prisoner by Napoleon’s forces, and kept a prisoner one year … Read more

Biography of John Cook

John Cook, clerk of the Division Court for North York, is a son of John and Hannah (Winter) Cook, and was born in Portsmouth, England, March 5, 1817. He received a fair English education; at thirteen years of age went to sea; sailed for six years on the Atlantic Ocean, and in the Mediterranean Sea; crossed to Canada in 1836, and was for seven years on the fresh water lakes. In the rebellion of 1837-38 he was a volunteer; was at the Windmill, and was one of the men selected to reconnoitre by daylight around Navy Island, and was fired … Read more

Biography of Patrick Whelihan

Patrick Whelihan, Registrar of the South Riding of the County of Perth, was born in the County of Tipperary, Ireland, April 23, 1832. His father, James Whelihan, a farmer and land agent, died when the son was two years old, leaving the widowed mother, whose maiden name was Elizabeth D’Arcy, with a family of eleven children, of whom he was the tenth child. He was brought up on a farm until sixteen years old, receiving, meanwhile, a national school education. In 1848 the family came to America, landing at New Orleans, La., where the mother and an older brother caught … Read more

Biography of Hermon H. Cook

Among the prominent and successful business men of Ontario, none presents an example of greater energy, enterprise and propriety, than the subject of this brief memoir, Hermon Henry Cook. As a representative of the lumbering interests of the Province, being one of the most extensive dealers in that important branch of Canadian industry, he is fairly entitled to rank among the leading citizens of Ontario. His name is also well and favorably known as an ex-Member of Parliament, and at present a Member of the Provincial House. He is descended on both sides from U. E. Loyalists, his grandfather George … Read more

Biography of Henry Carlisle

Henry Carlisle, Mayor of the City of St. Catharines, and a resident of the Niagara district since 1837, dates his birth at Whitby, Yorkshire, England, May 9, 1820. His father, George Carlisle, a pianoforte manufacturer, and his mother, whose maiden name was Ann Walker, were natives of the same county. His mother is still living, being in her 80th year; her residence, Montreal. His father died in 1856 at Stamford. Our subject was educated at a private school; worked a short time at the tailor trade in the old country; in 1837 came to Upper Canada; spent a short time … Read more

Biography of Kenneth M.Chisholm, P.P

Kenneth Chisholm, of the firm of R. Chisholm and Co., member of the Ontario Legislature for the County of Peel, and one of the leading merchants in Brampton, is a descendant of an old Highland family, originally from Invernessshire, Scotland. His father, Alexander Chisholm, being born in the County of Glengarry, removed to Toronto township, in what is now the County of Peel, in 1818. His mother, whose maiden name was Mary McDonnell, was the daughter of a United Empire Loyalist, who moved from the State of New York to Glengarry at the time of the revolution. She drew lands … Read more

Biographical Sketch of William P. Brown

William Penn Brown, lawyer, and mayor of Kincardine for three years, is a son of James and Lydia Carpenter (Kipp) Brown, and was born in the county of Elgin, Ontario, March 22, 1837. His father’s sketch appears in preceding pages. The maternal grandfather of William was a United Empire Loyalist, and had a brother who was a Colonel in the British army, the family coming to this country from New York. Our subject was educated in the grammar schools of St. Thomas and London; studied law with James Daniell, then of London, now judge of the united counties of Prescott … Read more