George Taylor, lot 26, concession C, was born in England, June 5, 1817. His father, Richard Taylor, was born in 1776, and was a gardener by profession. His mother’s maiden name was Fanny Burke. Their family consisted of five children, viz.: George (the subject of this sketch), James, Andrew, Mary and Nancy. Mr. Taylor, sen’r, emigrated to Canada in 1819, and after remaining in Nova Scotia for one year came forward to little York, thence to Scarboro’ Township, where he purchased a farm on the Don and Danforth Road for the sum of $500, on which he erected a log house, and commenced the work of clearing. He had to put up with all the inconveniences and hardships incidental to pioneer life, but by dint of perseverance and energy he soon had a comfortable home in which to bring up his family. As years passed by, his successes multiplied, and would no doubt have further increased had not death, the stern monitor, cut short his career in the year 1834. His life was a noble and industrious one, and a fine example for his descendants. George Taylor was educated in Scarboro’ Township, and early assisted his father in clearing the farm, and on the death of the latter received the same by paying off the other members of the family. When twenty-five years of age he married Mrs. Stevens, of Scarboro’; the result of this marriage was five children, three sons and two daughters, viz.: Abigail, born July 26, 1843; George, born January 20, 1845; Ruth, born September 8, 1846; William, born September 11, 1848; Sarah Melissa, born June 7, 1852. The mother died on June 17, 1882. Mr. Taylor has earned among his neighbours a reputation for integrity rarely equalled; his industrious habits, descended to him from his father, brought with them that success which is generally the lot of application, and although now enjoying his well-earned ease, his habitual liking for work finds vent in cultivating the well-laid-out garden surrounding his house. (vol. II, p. 277)
David A. Thompson, lot 26, concession 1, is the youngest son of the late Archibald D. Thompson, a descendant of the late Andrew Thompson, mentioned elsewhere. His father died in 1877; his mother is still living. The family consisted of six children. David, to whom was left the old homestead and the care of his mother, married Margaret Patterson, who died in 1875, by whom he had the following children, Janet, Mary, Archibald, David and Isabella. Mr. Thompson is an industrious, upright man, and respected by all for his integrity and high principle. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church, and a Liberal Conservative in politics. (vol. II, p. 278)
David Thompson, deceased, was the first settler in the Township of Scarboro’, locating there in the year 1796. He and his wife were of Scotch birth, being from Wester-kirk, Dumfries. He died on June 22, 1834, and his wife died November 8, 1847; the latter was eighty years of age, and left behind her over one hundred descendants. Mr. Thompson was a stonemason by trade, and assisted in the building of the first light-house in Toronto Bay. He also fought in the War of 1812. (vol. II, p. 278)
Francis Thompson, lot 34, concession C, is the youngest son of William and Mary Thompson, who came from County Tyrone, Ireland, about the year 1802. His parents remained in the United States eleven years, after which time they came to Little York, and settled east of the Don, removing afterwards to Scarboro’ Township, and settling on lot 34, concession C, where he remained until his death. Francis was brought up on his father’s farm and assisted in clearing off the bush and became possessed of of the homestead by purchase afterwards. He has been very successful, and has been able to fairly start his sons in life and retire himself from active labour. He married Hellen, eldest daughter of John Walton, by whom he had five children, William Wallace, Mary, David Walton, Hannah Janet, and Hellen Isabella; the latter lives at home with her parents. Although often solicited to accept municipal honours he has always declined. He is a staunch Conservative in politics, and a member of the Presbyterian Church. (vol. II, p. 278)
Christopher Thomson, lot 34, concession 2, is the youngest son of Christopher and Mary Thomson. His father, who was born in Dumfriesshire, Scotland, August 31, 1796, was one of the first settlers in this township, and during his lifetime occupied a prominent position, having filled for many years the office of Councillor and other places of public trust in the municipality. His mother, Mary Thomson, was born in York, Upper Canada, May 14, 1800. His parents were married March 17, 1820, at Scarboro’, by the Rev. W. Jenkins. Their family consisted of nine sons and four daughters, none of whom died under forty years of age. The mother, Mary Thomson, died December 14, 1876, and the father, Christopher, died December 13, 1879. On the occasion of each funeral six sons acted as pall bearers, and bore to their last resting-place the remains of their deceased parents, an occurrence rarely seen. Mr. Thomson, sen’r, was a consistent and devoted adherent of the Presbyterian Church, and in politics supported the Reform Party. Christopher, the youngest son, was born February 23, 1843, and has always remained on the old homestead, which in company with his brother John, he continues to cultivate. He is a firm supporter of the Presbyterian Church, and in politics casts his vote for the Reform Party. Both his brother and himself are much respected in this section. (vol. II, p. 279)
James A. Thomson, deceased, lot 23, concession 1, was the youngest son of Andrew and Jane Thomson, who emigrated from Dumfries,Scotland, in 1796, and after remaining five years in little York, removed to Scarboro’ Township, and settled on lot 23, concession 1. Andrew Thomson served during the War of 1812, and was taken prisoner by the Americans at the capitulation of York. Connected as he was with the early history of this township, we shall only be doing justice to his memory by briefly alluding to the evident signs of progress made in this section during the early days of settlement with which he was closely associated. The first school-house erected in Scarboro’ was situated on the corner of this lot, and the first church, a frame building, belonging to the Presbyterian body, was built in 1819, to which Mr. Thomson, sen’r, gave considerable assistance. The old gentleman died at the age of seventy-one years, leaving behind him a name revered by his posterity. He was twice married. By his first wife he had two children, viz.: John and Elizabeth; by his second marriage had Margaret, Andrew, Janet, William, Mary Ellen, and James A., whose name heads this sketch. The latter was born on the old homestead, part of which he afterwards owned, March 20, 1802, and it is stated he was the first white child born in Scarboro’ Township. Mr. Thomson was essentially a self-made man. Brought up to agriculture, he did not neglect the more ornamental, yet necessarily useful duties that relate to self-improvement, and toiled early and late to acquire such knowledge as would prove advantageous to him in after life. He was appointed a Justice of the Peace, but always declined to act. He was frequently solicited to act as Councillor, and in other municipal offices, but the offers were all courteously declined. In politics Mr. Thomson was a staunch Reformer, but insisted strongly on the maintenance of the British connection with its attendant institutions. He was appointed an Elder of St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, Scarboro’, in 1844, during the ministry of Dr. George; and it was in a great measure due to his influence that the site for the present beautiful structure at Bendale was selected, for the erection of which he contributed a handsome sum. Following the example of parents, who during their life-time were eminent for their zeal and piety, he indeed merited the confidence of the surrounding neighbours, and embraced every opportunity by which, through his assistance, the cause of religion might be advanced. He was a man of rare intelligence, and one who discharged the duties of elder with great faithfulness and efficiency for over forty-four years. Mr. Thomson was twice married. His first wife was a daughter of Thomas Patterson, of this township, by whom he had eleven children. There was no issue by his second marriage. He died on October 28, 1884. (vol. II, p. 279)
John Tingle, jun’r, merchant and post-master, Wexford, is the son of John and Ellen (Thompson) Tingle, and was born in 1837 in this township, in which he has always been a resident. He commenced in the mercantile line in 1865, and has been very successful. His father emigrated to Canada in 1818. He was a Reformer in politics, and a Presbyterian in religion. Our subject married in 1869 Eliza, daughter of Timothy Devenish, of this township, by whom he had two children, Mary Ellen and Emily. Mr. Tingle, like his father, is a stong Reformer, and a consistent member of the Presbyterian Church. (vol. II, p. 280)
Thomas Walton, deceased, a descendant of one of the pioneers of Scarboro’, was born in this township, January 12, 1828. He died April 17, 1876, leaving a widow and a family of seven children. His wife’s maiden name was Fanny Scott; she came from Cumberland, England. Mrs. Walton resides on the old homestead in company with the following sons and daughter: William Albert, Thomas A., Francis E. and Alice. Two daughters are married, Lavinia to William Brown, of Markham, and Mary to Charles Scrivens, of Buffalo. John Wallis, the second son, married a Miss Brown, of this township. The family is one highly respected in the neighbourhood; they are members of the Methodist Church. (vol. II, p. 280)
John P. Wheler, deceased, was born in England in 1810; he emigrated to Canada in 1829 and settled in the Township of Scarboro’ in the following year, on lot 21, concession D, where he operated a saw-mill, subsequently erecting a flour-mill, which was destroyed by fire in 1863. Mr. Wheler took a prominent and active part in the affairs of the municipality, and was elected Councillor when the Board was organized, accepting the honour of Deputy-Reeve for the first year and serving in the Reeve’s chair for the succeeding twenty years. He was Warden of the County of York three years and was elected first President of the East York Agricultural Society, and also occupied for a number of years corresponding positions in the Scarboro’ and Provincial Agricultural Societies. He was appointed License Inspector for East York under the Crooks Act, which office he held until the time of his death in August, 1883. Mr. Wheler was a strong Reformer in politics, and took a lively and intelligent interest in all measures likely to benefit the country at large. (vol. II, p. 281)
Thomas Whiteside, lot 29, concession 2, is the son of Thomas and Sarah (Murdock) Whiteside. His father was born in County Antrim, Ireland, in 1772, and came to Canada in 1821, settling in Scarboro’ Township on the lot now occupied by our subject, a year later. He died in 1870. He was a strong Conservative in politics, and, in company with two of his sons, took a prominent part in suppressing the Rebellion of 1837. He was in religion a Presbyterian, and always bore a good character among his neighbours. He left a family of seven children – Margaret, Jane, James, Daniel, Sarah, Thomas and John. Thomas Whiteside, jun’r, was born in 1827 in the old log house, which is still to be seen from the windows of his present residence. He married Miss Jane McCowan, a native of Scotland, by whom he has six children, viz.: Thomas, William J., Margaret P., Janet G., David and John H. Mr. Whiteside served in the Township Council four years. He takes an active part in agricultural matters, and is a member both of East York and Scarboro’ Societies. He is also a member of the York Pioneers. In politics he votes Conservative, and in religion is a worthy member of the Presbyterian body, from which he never withholds substantial support. (vol. II, p. 281)
Archibald Wright, deceased, a pioneer of Scarboro’ Township and a native of the Highlands of Scotland, emigrated to America at an early day and settled in New Brunswick, where he remained until the year 1809. He came to Canada and settled in Scarboro’ Township on the lot now occupied by his grandson, John Wright. He afterwards removed to Whitby with his wife and one son, where he died on June 18, 1837. His wife died on November 13, 1855. He left behind him a family of five sons and four daughters, together with considerable property – about five hundred acres. He was a worthy member of the Presbyterian Church, and in political convictions a strong Reformer. Hulet Wright, son of the above, residing with his son John on lot 35, concession 4, having in early life to put up with the discomforts and hardships attendant to pioneer life, it is scarcely necessary to add that he had little or no education, in lieu of which he had the example of perseverance and energy, combined with a strong religious belief received from his parents. He has been very successful in life, and now, at the advanced age of eighty-eight, surrounded by his grandchildren, he enjoys that ease and comfort, earned though years of toil, to which he is certainly entitled. In politics he is a Reformer. John Wright, lot 35, concession 4, son of the above, was born in Scarboro’ Township in 1833 and has always lived at home on the old homestead. He is a member of the Methodist Church, and in politics a staunch Reformer. (vol. II, p. 281)