Adam Cairns, lot 12, concession 10, was born in Scotland in 1802, and in 1831 emigrated to Canada. He settled in York County and purchased the lot where he now lives, it being then quite uncleared and in its virgin state. Mr. Cairns is a living example of what may be accomplished by energy, perseverance and industry; and considering the fact that he was in very poor circumstances when he first landed, his present affluent position will attest to his having made use of the inherent qualities of his nationality to advantage. He married before he came to Canada Catharine McFarland, by whom he had nine children, seven of whom are living: Thomas, Mary, Duncan, John, Margaret, Agnes and Janet. He belongs to the Presbyterian Church. Duncan Cairns, one of the above, was born on the old homestead, where he has continued to reside, assisting his father in the cultivation of the farm. He married Janet Boyd, daughter of Malcolm Boyd, by whom he has a family of nine children. (vol. II, p. 389)
James Cairns was born in Scotland in 1808, and emigrated to Canada in 1834. He settled in York County and remained a year or two in Vaughan Township, after which he bought lot 15, concession 9, King Township, then in a wild state. He was married to Miss Isabella McMurchy, by whom he had eleven children; six are still living, viz: Nancy, James, Thomas (who lives on the homestead), Archibald, Martha and Janet. Thomas was born in 1849, and married Margaret Atkinson; they have one child. (vol. II, p. 390)
Joseph Cairns, lot 13, concession 10, is the son of the late John Cairns, and was born on the old homestead, which he now owns, in 1850. His father emigrated from Scotland in 1830, and settled on a bush farm in Vaughan which he had purchased. He subsequently sold that one, and removed to King Township and settled on lot 13, concession 10, where he remained until his death in 1880, leaving a family of eleven children. Joseph Cairns was married to Christina Watson, by whom he has three children: William John, Kelso C. and Learat L. (vol. II, p. 390)
William Cairns, lot 11, concession 9, is the son of John Cairns, of this township, and was born on the old homestead, lot 13, concession 10. He married Miss Ellen Watson. He purchased his present farm in 1881. (vol. II, p. 390)
Reverend John W. Cameron was born in New York State in 1851, and received a very fair education in his youth. He entered at Knox College in 1874, and graduated B.A. in 1881, having devoted much time to theological studies. He was ordained to the ministry the same year in which he graduated, and was immediately invited to take charge of the Presbyterian Church at Laskay. He has also charge of churches in the west of King Township; the three under his control having a membership of one hundred and seventy-five, having considerably increased since the reverend gentleman took charge. The churches are all comfortable frame buildings. He was married in 1882 to Miss Maggie Lockhart, of Toronto, by whom he has one child, Mary Frances. (vol. II, p. 390)
Archibald Campbell, lot 2, concession 7, was born in Scotland in the year 1829, and came to Canada with his parents when only two years of age. His father, Dougal Campbell, emigrated from Scotland to Canada in 1831, accompanied by his wife and four children. He bought a farm in Albion Township, and afterwards removed to near Thornhill, in York County, where he died in 1860. Archibald was brought up to farming, and on commencing on his own account bought the farm he now occupies in King Township. He was married in 1850 to Milcha, daughter of George Atkinson, of Markham, by whom he has the following issue: Mary Margaret, Alexander, John, Jerome, Aaron, Archibald, Sarah and Esmerelda. (vol. II, p. 391)
Abraham Carley, deceased, emigrated from New York State to Canada in 1831, and settled near what is now the Village of Thornhill, in York County. He commenced farming about one hundred acres; he was very successful, and subsequently bought two hundred acres of bush land on lot 7, concession 5, which, with the assistance of his sons, he cleared and cultivated. He died in 1864, after a useful and prosperous career, leaving a large estate to his children, seven in number. In religion he was a Methodist, and in politics a Conservative. Benjamin Carley, lot 7, concession 5, son of the above, was born in New York State in 1814, and was seventeen years old when he came to Canada with his parents. He had a Common School education and has throughout his life been accustomed to farming. He assisted to clear the home farm, where he has since continued to reside. He belongs to the Methodist Church, and is a Reformer in politics. Mr. Carley was married in 1837 to Miss Martha Clark, who originally emigrated from Pennsylvania; their family consisted of ten children, nine of them are living, as follow: Abraham, Sarah, Charles (dead), Nancy, Alfred, Charlotte, William, Lavinia, Martha and Mary. (vol. II, p. 391)
A.D. Carley, lot 7, concession 5, was born in the year 1846 on the farm which he at present owns and occupies. His father was Peter B. Carley, who came with his parents from Genesee County, New York State, and inherited from our subject’s grandfather the farm above mentioned, to which he added another twenty-five acres, and subsequently acquired fifty acres in concession 3. During the Rebellion of 1837 he took no part; but on one occasion narrowly escaped being killed by a mob of men armed with clubs. He was prosperous throughout his life, and died in the year 1872, at the age of fifty-six. He left a family of nine children, all of whom are living. A.D. Carley inherited the old homestead, consisting of seventy-five acres, which he has worked since his father’s death. Mr. Carley spent about one year in Manitoba previous to taking entire possession of his farm. He also works one hundred acres adjoining the old homestead. He was married in 1875 to Miss Dutcher, of Innisfil, by whom he has two children: William B. and Francis A.O. He belongs to the Methodist Church, and is a Reformer in politics. (vol. II, p. 391)
Reverend James Carmichael was born in the Ottawa Valley, near Carleton Place, in 1828, his early years having been spent on his father’s farm. His preliminary education was received at the Common Schools, and at the age of sixteen he commenced teaching, which he continued only for a short time; subsequently preparing for his University course, having to walk five miles for each lesson. He entered at Queen’s College, Kingston, in 1854, where he remained five sessions, and afterwards finished his course at Glasgow, Scotland. In 1860 he was ordained, and accepted a call from St. Andrew’s congregation, of King Township – a large, well-finished stone church, on lot 10, concession 6, where he has officiated for the past twenty-five years. During the early portion of his residence in the township the reverend gentleman preached in Gaelic, as well as in English, often preaching as many as five sermons in one day. He was married in 1855 to Miss Martha Ross, who died on March 24, 1884. He has two sons, Norman Ross and Fergus. (vol. II, p. 392)
Orlin Chappel, lot 26, concession 3, was born in New York State in 1810, and came to Canada shortly after reaching man’s estate. He settled in York County, and worked around among farmers for a few years. He then bought lot 26, concession 3, in King Township, which was then all bush; he cleared it, and has now got it into a fine state of cultivation. He has since added eight acres to the original purchase. Mr. Chappel in 1865 received a permanent spinal injury from the fall of a horse he was riding, since which time he has unfortunately been confined to his residence. He was married in 1837 to Miss Melinda Heacock, daughter of Edward Heacock, by whom he has three children, viz: Edward, born 1838; Loomis, born 1842, and Lorinda, born 1850. During the Mackenzie Revolt Mr. Chappel was arrested and kept prisoner for one week; the official to whom he was indebted for this circumstance was Captain Guthrie. Mr. Chappel is a Reformer in politics, and in religion he belongs to the Society of Friends. (vol. II, p. 392)
Reverend Horace D. Cooper was born in Huron County, being the son of the Rev. H.C. Cooper, a clergyman of the Church of England, who emigrated from London, England, in 1832, and settled in Huron County. The reverend gentleman in 1848 removed to York County, and took charge of Christ Church at Mimico. Horace D. received a liberal education and obtained his degree of B.A. at Trinity College in 1859. He was ordained by Bishop Strachan in 1861, and was subsequently engaged in missionary work. He was appointed to the charge of St. Mary Magdalene’s Church at Lloydtown in 1883, which consists of some three hundred members. He married a daughter of Peter Ruthven, of Hamilton, in July, 1864 by whom he has a family of ten children, as follow: Peter E.S. was born in 1865; Henry W., born 1866; Horace Stanley, born 1868; Vivian L., born 1869; Alfred St. Paul, born 1871; Sextus R. born 1873; Percy F., born 1876; Ethel M., born 1878; Ernest Octavius, born 1879, and an infant, born October 19, 1884. (vol. II, p. 393)
James Cooper, lot 35, concession 9, is the son of William Cooper, who emigrated from England to Canada in 1842 and settled in York County. James was born the same year in which his parents came to this country, and received a Common School education. He was married to Jeanette Beaton, daughter of Donald Beaton, by whom he has five children, viz., John, Hettie, Donald, William, and James. Mr. Cooper is a Reformer in politics. (vol. II, p. 393)
Robert Creighton, merchant, Schomberg, was born in Simcoe County in the year 1860, being the son of Alexander Creighton, who emigrated from Ireland in the year 1820, and after a life of activity and usefulness died in 1873. Robert was educated at the High Collegiate Institute at Collingwood and the Commercial School in London, and in 1883 commenced business as a general grocer and dry-goods merchant in partnership with Edmund Walker. He bought the property where he conducts the business, having paid for the same $2,000. His trade is a very flourishing one, Mr. Creighton being a very enterprising and industrious young man. (vol. II, p. 393)
N.P. Crossley, retired farmer, King Township, was born in Whitchurch, York County, in 1811. His father was Samuel Crossley, a native of Pennsylvania, who died in 1831. His mother’s name was Mary Barr, also of Pennsylvania, who died in 1860 at the advanced age of over ninety years. Their family consisted of four boys and four girls. They emigrated from Pennsylvania to Canada in 1804, and followed the occupation of farming in York County. N.P. Crossley, like his parents, followed agricultural pursuits until within the past few years, whe he retired from active life. He was married in King Township in 1832 to Margaret Moore, who was born in Ireland in 1812, being the daughter of Thomas and Mary Moore; they had four boys and three girls, as follow: Levi Nelson, engineer; James Whiting, insurance agent and bailiff; Daniel Oliver, and Hugh Thomas (the two last-named are ministers of the Methodist Church); Mary, Ellen, and Ann Jane are the daughters. Mr. Crossley’s eldest son, Levi Nelson, was drowned in the fall of 1881, through the foundering of the steamship Columbia in Lake Michigan, of which vessel he was chief engineer. Mr. Crossley belongs to the Methodist persuasion, and is a Reformer in politics. (vol. II, p. 393)
Andrew Davis is descended from a U.E. Loyalist family. His grandfather, Asahel Davis, came from Carolina in 1790, and settled in Halton County, Governor Simcoe at that time sending a gunboat to the mouth of the Genessee River to meet two families, that of Mr. Davis being one and Mr. Ghent’s the other. Asahel devoted the greater portion of his life to farming in Nelson Township, County Halton, where he remained until his death. James Davis, the eldest son of Asahel Davis, and father of Andrew, was born in 1798. His wife’s maiden name was Ghent, a descendant of the family that came to Canada with Mr. Davis’s family; they had five children, four of whom are still living. In 1828 he came to York County, and settled on lot 20, concession 1, York Township (west of Yonge Street). Andrew, the subject of this sketch, was born in Halton County in 1825, and was brought up on his father’s farm. He acquired a Common School education, and at the age of fifteen commenced work. His father operated a tannery, in which in due time Mr. Davis had a partnership, and which finally passed into his possession completely. In 1848 he married Elizabeth Pease, who was born June 6, 1822. He carried on the tannery until 1856, when he sold out and bought a tannery and sixteen acres on lot 6, concession 5, King Township, where he conducted business until 1884, when he retired in favour of his son, who for about twelve years previous had held an interest in the business. Mr. Davis has taken an active part in municipal affairs, and in politics has always recorded his vote for the Reform party. He is an adherent of the Methodist Church. His family is composed of the following: Elihu James, now owner of the tannery; Ghent; Edward Pease, now practising law in Winnipeg; and Lelia Ada. (vol. II, p. 394)
E.J. Davis, eldest son of the above, and successor of his father in the tannery business, was born in the Township of York in 1851. He was educated at the Common and District Grammar Schools, and took a commercial course in Hamilton. Mr. Davis is a thorough business man, and his connection with the Township Council has been found of great service to that body, he having been Councillor, Deputy-Reeve and County Warden, and being at present Reeve of King Township. He was married to Miss Maggie Johnston, who was born in King Township, October 25, 1849, being a daughter of David and Janet (Lang) Johnston, by whom he has four children. (vol. II, p. 394)
Calvin Davis, lot 34, concession 4, is the son of Thomas Davis, who came to Canada with his parents in 1806 from Pennsylvania, and settled in what is now King Township, York County. Calvin was born on the old homestead in 1820, and after receiving a Common School education he commenced to assist his father in the cultivation of the farm, where he remained until he was twenty-one years of age. He then bought the farm where he now lives, which was entire bush, he having since that time cleared and improved it. Besides the activity and energy with which he has followed agricultural pursuits he has given some attention to matters municipal, and was for some years Collector and Assessor of the township. Mr. Davis was married in 1840, his wife being a daughter of William Lloyd. They have ten children, all living and in good positions, viz., Nancy, Thomas, Lizzie, Walter, Murdoch, Lot, Ella, Meade, Susan, and Daniel. (vol. II, p. 395)
Daniel Davis was born in Whitchurch in 1827, and commenced life as a farmer, working with his father until twenty-four years of age. He then bought a farm in Tecumseth Township, on lot 23, concession 1, where he continued to live until 1882, when he acquired his present residence in the suburb of Schomberg. He married in 1852 Miss Annie Irwin, daughter of Thomas Irwin, of Simcoe County; they have one son, Walter, born in 1857. (vol. II, p. 395)
Levi Dennis, mill owner, Schomberg, was born in Newmarket in 1816. His father Nathan Dennis, emigrated from Pennsylvania, U.S., in 1806, and located on lot 31, concession 1, King Township, where he brought up his family. Levi was the second eldest in a family of eight children, four sons and four daughters, and after receiving a good education he commenced in 1840 on his own account by erecting mills in Simcoe, in 1858 purchasing one hundred acres of land in King, York County, which he continued to cultivate until 1882. In 1875 he bought the mill which he now operates, and which has turned out a very profitable one, being in excellent running order. Mr. Dennis married in 1845 Lydia Clarke; they have seven children living, viz., Urania, Jonathan, Sherman, Adelaide, Alfred, William, and Henrietta. The daughters are married and comfortably settled. The mother died in 1882. The residence and grounds of Mr. Dennis have every evidence of diligence and careful attention. (vol. II, p. 395)