Jeremiah Annis, lot 16, concession D, is the son of Levi and Rhoda Annis, of English extraction, who emigrated from the United States to Canada in 1793, where he purchased land in Scarboro’ Township, on which he remained until his death in 1855. He also owned about four hundred and fifty acres in Darlington Township, Durham County, which eventually became the property of his sons. Jeremiah has always lived on the old homestead, but he has done a good business in buying and selling farms to advantage. He belongs to the Methodist persuasion, and is highly respected in his immediate neighbourhood. He married Jane, daughter of William Fawcett of this township, by whom he has three sons and three daughters. He is a Justice of the Peace, the only office he has accepted amongst the many offered to him. (vol. II, p. 269)
Thomas Brown, lot 29, concession B, is the son of John and Margaret (Smith) Brown, natives of Scotland. He was born in Scotland in 1806, and emigrated to Canada in 1830, settling on the lot where he still continues to reside. Like others of the early settlers, toil and hardship were for many years his portion, but by industry and skill he has succeeded in producing from almost impenetrable bush as neat and compact a farm as any to be found in the township; and now, in his declining years in the society of the members of his family, he enjoys the quiet contentment vouchsafed to him by his laborious past. He has figured conspicuously in connection with the management of the municipality, having been a member of the Council upwards of twenty years, being Deputy-Reeve and Reeve a considerable part of that time. He was appointed J.P., and for several years acted in that capacity, but early retired from the Bench, as he says, “to give place to younger men”. He married in 1835 Miss Mary Tackett, by whom he had ten children, seven only are now living. His eldest son, John, is now owner of the farm; another son Robert lives on the lot adjoining. Mr. Brown is a Conservative in politics, and in religion a Presbyterian. (vol. II, p. 269)
Walter Glendinning, lot 29, concession 1, is the youngest son of Archibald and Jane Glendinning. His father and family emigrated from Dumfriesshire, Scotland, in 1820, and settled on lot 28, concession 1. Archibald married after he came to Canada; his family consisted of three sons and five daughters, viz.: Elizabeth, Isabella, Archibald (dead), Margaret, Janet, Robert, Walter and Jane. Mr. Glendinning, sen’r, kept the first store in the township, near Ellesmere, and was also postmaster, the latter position being now in the possession of Walter. He was a Major in the militia, and was at the head of his company during the Yonge Street skirmish in 1837; his military suit and sword are yet preserved as relics by the family. He was one of the first Councillors on the old District Council and was also Secretary of the Scarboro’ School Commissioners, and retained that office several years. He was also Assessor and Collector of the Municipality for a lengthened period. Although principally engaged in mercantile pursuits, he and his brother William farmed at one time four hundred acres of land. He was a member of the Presbyterian Church. He died on May 29, 1883, after a long and industrious life, leaving behind him a fine property and, what is still better, a respected and honoured name. Walter (whose name heads this sketch) married Isabella, daughter of John Robertson, a descendant of an old pioneer of Simcoe County, by whom he had six children, one son and five daughters. Like his father he is a member of the Presbyterian Church, and a moderate Conservative in politics. (vol. II, p. 270)
Walter J. Glendinning, lot 29, concession 2, is the son of James and Elizabeth (Wilkinson) Glendinning, who came from Dumfriesshire, Scotland, at an early date, and settled in Scarboro’, where the father died some years ago. The family left behind consisted of four sons and one daughter, viz.: Francis, Walter J., Charles and John; the daughter married J.G. Thompson of this township. The subject of this sketch was born March 3, 1836, and early in life learned the trade of carpenter, which he follows at the present time. He belongs to the Presbyterian Church, and in politics is a Liberal Conservative. (vol. II, p. 270)
William Helliwell, lots 7 and 8, concession 1, is a son of Thomas Helliwell who emigrated from Yorkshire, England, in 1818, and settled in Toronto, where he established a brewery, carrying on that business until his death in 1825. The business was afterwards carried on by his sons Thomas and John until 1832, when William (the suibject of this sketch) and Joseph (another brother) became partners. John died in 1828, leaving two sons, viz.: Thomas, who was manager of the Bank of Upper Canada at St. Catharines for many years, and John who is a commission merchant. In 1847 the premises comprising the brewery, distillery, grist mills and dwelling were burnt down, and the partnership was dissolved, William removing to Highland Creek, where he built a grist mill, which he operated until 1880, when it was burned. He then turned his attention to farming, and has since continued in that branch of industry. He was appointed J.P. in 1847, and was for many years a member of the Township Council. He now holds the office of Overseer of Fisheries under the Dominion Government. He is a Conservative in politics, and in religion a member of the Episcopal Church. Mr. Helliwell married first a daughter of Thomas Bright, who died in 1843, leaving two sons and four daughters. He married a second time another of Mr. Bright’s daughters, by whom he has a large family, six sons and five daughters. He has one son (Frank) in the employment of P. Burns, coal and wood merchant, Toronto, and one (Horatio) in the Inland Revenue Department. Mr. Helliwell was formerly a captain in the militia, and was out with his company during the troubles of 1837-’38. (vol. II, p. 270)
William Heron, deceased, was born in York County, near Toronto, in 1806. His father was a pioneer of this section, and passed through the troublous times of 1812. William married in 1832 Hannah, daughter of George Skelding, also a York pioneer, and settled on lot 9, concession D, Township of Scarboro’, where he lived until about two years before his death which occurred October 25, 1883, at his residence in Scarboro’ Village, where Mrs. Heron and two daughters still live. He left a family of four sons and five daughters, viz.: Samuel, George, William, Andrew, John, Ann Moore, Lucy Stephenson, Jane Westney, Elizabeth and Sarah. Each of the former received a farm, and the remainder of the family were left in good circumstances. Mrs. Heron is still living on the family homestead with two daughters, and is very much respected. The sons are Reformers in politics; two members of the family are Presbyterians, the rest are Methodists. Mr. and Mrs. Heron celebrated their golden wedding January 25, 1882, surrounded by their family and friends. (vol. II, p. 271)
John Holmes, lot 26, concession 2, blacksmith, is the second son of Alexander Holmes, a native of Roxburghshire, Scotland. He came to Canada in 1830 and remained three years in Montreal, subsequently coming to York County and settling on his present lot. In addition to his trade he has twenty-five acres of land which he cultivates, and his dwelling and surroundings, on which he evidently expends much labour, are replete with beauty and comfort. At the time of the Mackenzie Rebellion Mr. Holmes shouldered his musket in defence of law and order, and was on guard at Government House at the time of the Yonge Street skirmish. He is in politics a Reformer, and a devoted and consistent member of the Presbyterian Church. He married Miss Margaret Wilson, of Berwickshire, Scotland, by whom he had twelve children; two only are now living, one son and one daughter, the latter living at home with her parents. (vol. II, p. 271)
William H. Hough, carriage builder, is the son of Henry and Mary (Colbetle) Hough. His father is a descendant of one of the Scarboro’ pioneers; his grandfather fought under General Brock, at Queenston Heights, where he was wounded, and afterwards received a pension. The father, Henry Hough, followed farming until twenty-four years of age when he commenced the manufacture of carriages, which he continued until 1881, when William H. took charge of the business. In addition to carriage-making he carries on a blacksmith’s shop also; and by close application to every detail in his business and the employment of the best workmen he is on his road to prosperity. He belongs to the Methodist Church, and is a Liberal in politics. (vol. II, p. 272)
James Humphrey, lot 16, concession D, is the son of William and Elizabeth Humphrey, and was born in the County of Tyrone, Ireland. His father was of English descent, his mother being from Scotland. James married, before he left Ireland, Margaret, daughter of James Richardson, of Derry, the latter coming with our subject to Canada in 1824. They came direct to York County and settled in Scarboro’ Township, and purchased three hundred acres of Clergy Reserve Land. Mr. Humphrey has been very successful and has been able to be of great assistance to his family. He is in religion a consistent and devoted adherent of the Church of England. His wife died in 1868, leaving a family of ten children. He has one son, Richardson, who lives at home on the farm. (vol. II, p. 272)
Thomas Kennedy, lot 28, concession 2, is the son of Samuel and Eleanor Kennedy. His father came to Canada in 1800, and was engaged in making roads and farming until 1838, when he removed to Ohio, U.S., and remained there until his death in 1861. He had five sons and one daughter, and to each of the sons who remained in Canada he gave a good farm. Thomas Kennedy was born in Scarboro’ Township, October 11, 1814, and has always been a resident of this section. He married Jane, daughter of Alexander Montgomery, a pioneer of this section, by whom he had the following children: Rebecca, born December 7, 1839; Eleanor, born February 28, 1842; Lyman, born May 28, 1844; Elizabeth, born March 29, 1846; Henry, born August 20, 1849; John W., born May 31, 1852; Thomas, born April 5, 1854; Maria, born August 16, 1856; William Andrew, born August 18, 1858; Alfred E., born September 21, 1860, and Mary Ann, born February 27, 1864, the latter being the only one now at home. Mr. Kennedy received from his father sixty-five acres of land, uncleared; that his success in life has been marked may be taken for granted, he being in possession of five hundred acres. He is a Liberal in politics, and in religion a member of the Presbyterian Church. One of the sons, Alfred E., is a druggist in Toronto; John W. is a merchant of Agincourt and very prosperous. (vol. II, p. 272)