Ontario Canada

Biography of Walter Mackenzie

Walter Mackenzie, registrar of the county of Prince Edward, and a native of Ross-shire, Scotland, is a son of Alexander Mackenzie, architect, and Christina Ross, and was born February 15, 1835. His father has been dead for many years; his mother is still living. Walter received a parish school education; came to Canada alone in 1851, and located in Picton, where he had and still has a maternal uncle, Walter Ross, who was at one time a member of the Canadian Assembly, and not long ago of the House of Commons of the Dominion. For this uncle, who was a … Read more

Biography of Lieut.-Col. Arthur T.H. Williams, M.P.

Arthur Trefusis Heneage Williams, member of the House of Commons for East Durham, was born in Port Hope, Ontario, June 13, 1837. His father was John Tucker Williams, who, when a young man, was an officer in the navy; came out from England during the war of 1812-15; had command of a vessel on the lakes during that contest; afterwards located in Cobourg, going thence to Rice Lake, and finally settled in Port Hope retiring on half pay. He commanded the Durham regiment during the rebellion of 1837-38, represented the county of Durham in the Parliament after the union of … Read more

Biography of Hammel M. Deroche

Hammel Madden Doroche, a member of the Provincial Parliament for upwards of eight years, dates his birth at Newburgh, county of Addington, August 27th, 1840. His father Pascal Deroche, a French Canadian, was born in Lower Canada; his mother whose maiden name was Elizabeth Jane Madden, is a descendant of a family of United Empire Loyalists, who left the United States about the time of the Revolution. Both parents are still living. He was educated at the Newburgh grammar school and in the art department of the University of Toronto, having graduated in 1868, as prize speaker, and with first-class … Read more

Biography of Lieut.-Col. Alexander M. Ross, M.P.P.

The subject of this sketch, who is one of the oldest settlers still living in Goderich, was born in Dundee, Scotland, April 20, 1829. He is the son of Colin and Elizabeth (McLagan) Ross, natives of Dundee. Mr. Ross came to Canada and settled in Goderich, in 1833, and Mrs. Ross followed with her sons in 1834. Here Colin Ross, who had been in the Linen Company’s Bank in the old country, entered into the mercantile business, which he followed for some years. He died about 1850. His widow, mother of Col. Ross, died in 1878. Alexander was educated in … Read more

Biography of William Elliot

William Elliot, one of the founders of the village of Iroquois, is a, son of William Elliot, senior, whose calling was a shepherd, and Mary Cranston, both natives of Roxborough, Scotland. William was the third child in a family of four sons and four daughters. He came to the United States in 1828, locating at Lansingburgh, N.Y., on the Hudson river, where he learned the malting and brewing business with E. Parmelle and Son, and afterwards had charge of their business. In 1840 he came to Moulinette, County of Stormont, Ontario, commenced brewing there on his own account, operating a … Read more

Biography of Archdeacon Lauder

John Strutt Lauder, Rector of Christ church, is descended from an old Scotch family, some of whose members emigrated to Ireland, two or three centuries ago. He was born in the town of Moate, county of West Meath, Ireland, March 22, 1829, his parents being Thomas Bernard and Harriet (Gilland) Lauder. His father was a Captain in the 11th regiment of Her Majesty’s army. The subject of this short sketch came to Canada in 1849; was educated at Trinity College, Toronto, where he graduated B.A., and M.A.; was ordained Deacon by Bishop Strachan, of Toronto, October 2, 1853, and priest … Read more

Biography of Archibald Livingstone

The subject of this sketch dates his birth at Montreal, August 10, 1827, he being a son of Duncan and Christina (McPherson) Livingstone. His father was from Argyleshire, Scotland, and for some years, after settling in Canada, was connected with the Hudson Bay Company. The mother was from Inverness. Archibald received a common school education; at fourteen years of age became a clerk in a store at Montreal; and in 1846 removed to Kingston, holding a similar position in the store of John Mowat, father of the present Attorney General of Ontario; clerked also a short time for Joseph Bruce; … Read more

Biography of John Birrell

John Birrell, a successful merchant, doing a business in London for about thirty five years, and dying on the 15th of February, 1875, was a native of Lerwick, a town on the Shetland Islands, and was born April 12, 1814. His father was a Collector of Customs at Oban, Scotland. He received a good business education; spent some years as a merchant’s clerk in Glasgow, and about 1837 came to Canada, halting a short time in a store at Montreal, and then pushing west as far as Hamilton. There he clerked two or three seasons for Isaac Buchanan, and Young, … Read more

Biography of Samuel Smith Mcdonell

A person happening to go into the Court room at Sandwich, in court time, will find the usual array of legal gentlemen looking after the interests of clients, and engaged in sharp encounter for the defense of their rights. The Ontario Bar, as represented here, embraces members who would be an ornament to the profession anywhere; men both wise to counsel and gifted in forensic display. Among the foremost and busiest of those in Windsor, who own allegiance to that “austere mistress,” the law, and who may justly be claimed as an ornament to the Bar, is Samuel Smith Macdonell, … Read more

Biography of Very Rev. Joseph H. Tabaret, D.D.

Very Rev. Joseph Henry Tabaret, president of the Ottawa College, and a member of the Congregation of Oblates of Mary Immaculate, is a native of the Department of L’Isere, France, and was born on the 10th of April, 1828, his parents being Antony and Adele (Foret) Tabaret. His religious and missionary training began in the Novitiate of Notre Dame de L’Osier, a miraculous sanctuary and pilgrimage of Our Lady in the Department of L’Isere, not far from his native place; and was completed in the scholastic house of the Congregation at Marseilles. In the Autumn of 1850 our subject came … Read more

1851 Simcoe Falls Canada Directory

A Village situated on the Napa River, in the Township of Camden and County of Addington, C. W. distant from Kingston, 20 miles. Population about 125. In the following Directory the names which appear in CAPITALS are those of subscribers to the work. Alphabetical List Of Professions, Trades, &C. Boyer, William, innkeeper. Scott, Samuel, saw mill. Chambers, Timothy, grist mill and grocery. Scott, James, shingle factory and mil Wright. Connolly, Joseph, foundry and smith. Shibley, John, storekeeper. Miller, Garret, tannery. Simpkins, Stephen, carpenter and builder. Miller, George, carding and fulling mills. Snyder, Reuben, carpenter and builder. O’Laughlin, Michael, cabinetmaker. Vader, … Read more

Biography of Charles G. Charteris

The subject of this sketch is a descendant of a very old Dumfriesshire family. The Charteris, of Amisfield, who are believed to have been originally from France, and to have settled in Scotland in the reign of Malcolm IV. (1153), more than seven centuries ago. A large tract of land was granted to the Charteris for important services rendered to the King, in Dumfriesshire, some of which land is still in possession of the family. In that County Charles George Charteris was born, July 25, 1828, and was the youngest son of Charles Charteris, Esq., of Cullirait House, Dumfriesshire, by … Read more

Loney, William David – Obituary

William D. Loney, 81-year-old retired farmer of the valley, resident of the community since 1882, died Friday morning [April 19] in a local nursing home. He was born September 3, 1864 in Ontario, Canada, but had been hereabouts for nearly 65 years. He farmed in the Hudson Bay District south of Lowden for many years, retiring from active work about 1942. His wife, member of the pioneer Stroble family, died December 29, 1931. Loney’s parents were Mr. and Mrs. Charles Loney and with his brothers, John and Sam, he farmed, grazed cattle on the range from Touchet to the Snake … Read more

Biographical Sketch of George Moberly

Among the legal fraternity, the oldest resident in Collingwood, is George Moberly, a native of Yorkshire, England. His birth is dated September 16, 1830. His father was Captain John Moberly, of the Royal Navy, who was in several engagements under Lord Nelson; and his mother was Mary Fock, of Polish descent, hers being also a military family. When George was about four years old, the family came to Upper Canada, living a short time in Cobourg, Toronto and Penetanguishene, and a longer period at Barrie. At the last named town our subject received a grammar school drill and studied law … Read more

Biography of Theophilus Mack, M.D.

Doctor Mac is a native of Dublin, Ireland, dating his birth April 22, 1820, his parents being Frederick and Frances (Lendrum) Mack. His father was of Prussian descent, and a minister of the Church of England, he migrated to Upper Canada when our subject was twelve years old, and served at Osnabruck and Wellington Square, and finally as chaplain of the garrison at Amherstburg, and rector of the same place. The old gentleman is still living, being in his eighty-first year, and making his home with his son in St. Catharines. Dr. Mack was educated at Upper Canada College, being … Read more

Biography of Frank Tyrrell

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 … Read more

Biography of Kenneth Mackenzie,Q.C.

Kenneth Mackenzie, Judge of the Maritime Court, the County Court of York, and two or three other courts, is a son of Kenneth and Janet Mackenzie, members of the agricultural class, and was born in Rossshire, Scotland, in the early part of this century. He received a parish school education at Dengall, came to Canada about 1832, and after clerking between one and two years in a store at Montreal, came as far west as Cobourg, where he engaged in mercantile pursuits for himself. Shortly afterwards he abandoned that life, and commenced the study of law with Judge George M. … Read more

Biography of John W. Marston

John Wurtele Marston, treasurer of the united counties of Prescott and Russell for the last quarter of a century, was born in L’Orignal, on the 1st day of May 1806, and has always been a resident of the place. His father, Jacob Marston, a native of New Hampshire, followed his grandfather into Canada, a little before the close of the last century, and visited the spot where L’Orignal now stands, in 1796, coming here with Nathaniel H. Treadwell, the proprietor of the township, and being, it is claimed, the first Anglo Saxon to fell a tree in this township; and … Read more

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 Miles O’Reilly, Q.C.

This gentleman is of Irish extraction, but was born near Niagara Falls, on the 18th of May, 1806. He was chiefly educated at the Niagara Grammar School, there being no colleges or universities in the country at that early day. He commenced the study of the law with the late John Breakenridge, in the old town of Niagara, then the commercial rival of Little York (now Toronto), and at an early period the capital of Upper Canada. On the death of Mr. Breakenridge, in 1828, Mr. O’Reilly went to Toronto, and completed his legal education in the office of the … Read more