THOMAS DANIELS, market gardener, Runnymede Estate, near Dundas Road, is a native of Monmouthshire, England, and came out to Canada in 1873. He was variously engaged until 1876, when he leased the garden he now cultivates, containing twelve acres. He married Susannah Bailey, by whom he has six sons and two daughters. (vol. II, p. 218)
JOHN DAVIDSON, retired, is a native of Scotland, and was born in 1818. He came to Canada with his people in 1831, when they settled in King Township, on lot 9, concession 2. Here John resided and, on the death of his father, received the homestead by will, and owned the same until 1874, having in the interim added to it, the total then reaching two hundred and ninety acres. He then sold out, and has since resided with his sister on the Indian Road, and owning property on Roncesvalles Avenue. Mr. Davidson’s father was the late Andrew Davidson, who died in 1856, at the age of eighty-nine; three sons and three daughters survive him. (vol. II, p. 218)
J.F. DAVIDSON, lot 26, concession 3 from the Bay, is a native of Chatham, Kent County, England, and came to Canada in 1858, and with the exception of a short time spent in Buffalo and St. Louis, has resided here ever since. He married in 1868 Mary Severn, daughter of the late John Severn, a native of Derbyshire, England, who came to Canada at an early day and engaged in the brewing business until his death, and was President of the Brewer’s Association some years; he owned the farm for many years where Mr. Davidson is now located. He died in 1880, having spent a long and useful life devoted to mercantile and agricultural pursuits. (vol. II, p. 218)
J.C. DEVINS, lot 20, concession 6, born in 1809 on the farm, a portion of which he still resides upon, is the son of the late Isaac Devins, who with his people, who were U.E. Loyalists, came to York County with Governor Simcoe. The grandfather was Abraham Devins; he and four sons settled in the southern portion of York Township. One of the sons died in military service under General Brock in 1813. Isaac bought and settled upon a farm located in the north-west portion of York Township as above. He married Miss Polly Chapman, of Genesee, N.Y., a native of New England, before he came to Canada. The sister of the subject of this sketch, Elizabeth Devins, is thought to be the first white child born in Toronto. Isaac and his brother-in-law, Nicholas Miller, erected the mill at Lambton. John C. Devins received from his father one hundred acres of land, which he cleared and brought into a flourishing state of cultivation, and which he yet resides upon. He married in 1832 Jeanette Rodger, a native of Scotland, the issue of their union being eleven children; eight sons and one daughter are still living. Mr. Devins in 1837 set off to join Mackenzie’s forces, but was intercepted and taken prisoner, the Loyalists being aware of his sympathy with the Reform Party. Mr. Devins’ father, although a U.E. Loyalist, never received the land from the Crown to which he was entitled. (vol. II, p. 218)
JOHN DEW, farmer, lots 24 and 25, concession 3, was born in Deer Park in 1843, being the son of John and Caroline Dew, of English birth, who came to Toronto about 1830. Mr. Dew, sen’r, was a machinist by trade, and is credited with having made and set up the first steam engine in Toronto. He at first carried on a foundry, but was afterwards interested in Gooderham’s Distillery. Caroline, his wife, was a governess before her marriage, and educated several of the Gooderham family. Mr. Dew, sen’r, left Toronto and went to Prince Edward County, where he purchased a large tract of land, subsequently selling out and removing to St. Catharines where he died, in 1881, at the age of seventy-six years; he was a Justice of the Peace for many years. John Dew, his son, whose name appears at the head of this sketch, married Ann, daughter of James Charles, merchant, of Toronto. (vol. II, p. 219)
JAMES DUNCAN, lots 18, 19 and 20, concession 5, born on lot 18, is the son of the late James Duncan, sen’r, a native of the County of Leitrim, Ireland, who came to Canada about 1821 with his parents, who purchased six hundred acres of land near the Humber, on which the family settled, part of which is now owned by James Duncan. His father married in 1831 Ann Moore, who died in 1851, his demise occurring in 1877. Two sons and two daughters survive them. James married in 1858, Elizabeth Jane Griffith, a pioneer of this township; four sons and three daughters remain of a family of ten children, the issue of this union. (vol. II, p. 219)
W.A. DUNCAN, J.P., and License Commissioner for the Ontario Government, resides on lot 23, concession 6; is a son of the late John Duncan, a native of Ireland, who came out to Canada in 1821, and settled on a portion of the six hundred acres purchased by his father. W.A. Duncan was born on the farm he now owns and occupies, having resided there all his life, with the solitary exception of about two years. He received his property by will from his father, which consists of about eighty acres. He married in 1869 Elizabeth, daughter of John C. Devins, of this township, whose sketch appears elsewhere. (vol. II, p. 219)
WILLIAM DUNCAN, lot 16, concession 3, one of the oldest residents of the township, was born in the County of Leitrim, Ireland, on New Year’s Day, 1801. He came to Canada in 1821, and in 1823 bought and settled upon the farm where he now resides. An unbroken wilderness then faced the hardy settler, and a lack of energy or strength of will would have betrayed itself in any man whose destiny was cast in that labyrinth of virgin forest. But William Duncan endowed with more than ordinary perseverance and industry, commenced his life’s labour in earnest, with the result that youth around him have had a splendid example set them of what may be made of early opportunities. The land orininally occupied is now divided amongst his sons, and the well-cultivated farms bear ample testimony to the care bestowed upon them by their respective owners. Mr. Duncan married in 1831 Sarah Mulholland, of Irish parentage, by whom he has nine sons and three daughters. The mother died in 1883, two years after the celebration by the old people of their golden wedding. Mr. Duncan is still hale and hearty, although advanced in years, and is respected far and wide for his urbanity and kindliness of disposition. (vol. II, p. 219)
FRANK A. FLEMING, lot 6, concession 5, Park Farm, is the son of Sanford Fleming, Esq., Civil Engineer. The farm has belonged to the family since 1854, and came into the present owner’s hands in 1880, and contains about two hundred and ten acres. Mr. Fleming is extensively engaged in the importation and breeding of Hereford Cattle, and has on hand about forty head of the celebrated breed. This is one of the finest stock-breeding farms in the county. (vol. II, p. 220)
WALTER FOXWILL, lots 7 and 8, concession 3, was born in Gloucestershire, England, in 1840, and emigrated to Canada in company with his brother Albert, in 1864. They came direct to Weston and started farming on land belonging to Mr. Hanry Dennis. They purchased in 1874 the farm on which they now live, and since that time have been doing well, and are in possession of a very comfortable home. Mr. Walter Foxwill was married in 1882, his wife’s maiden name being Marian Kennedy. (vol. II, p. 220)
JOHN GRAINGER, florist and gardener, St. Clare Avenue, Deer Park, was born in Yorkshire, England, in 1811. In 1829 he came with his people to Canada, and settled first in Montreal, from which city, after a stay of three years, they removed to Toronto. They settled on Yonge Street, near Bloor, where the father and son entered into the gardening business, which was conducted by the former until his death in 1837. John continued the business, and remained in the original locality until 1845, when the extension of the city forced him further northward, to his present position, where he has since conducted his business. He married in 1838 Laura Stibbard, of Toronto, a native of Norfolk, England, the issue of the marriage being a family of eleven children. Mr. Grainger was a volunteer during the time of the Rebellion, and served under Captain Jarvis, also under Captain Newbigen. (vol. II, p. 220)
OLIVER GRAINGER, florist, Yonge Street, near Deer Park, is a native of Toronto, being the son of John Grainger, noted elsewhere. He makes a speciality of cut flowers for floral designs. He married Lavinia Crown, daughter of David Crown, Yorkville; he has a stall also at St. Lawrence Market. (vol. II, p. 221)
ALLEN GRAY, deceased, was born in Yorkshire, England, in 1802, and emigrated to Canada in 1820, settling in York, in which county, as well as in that of Peel, he followed farming until his death, which occurred on the 28th of March, 1880. During his lifetime he took an active interest in all matters relating to the good of the community among which he moved, having been President of the Agricultural Meetings, School Trustee, and other more or less important offices. He was twice married, first to Mary Eller, by whom he had three children, as follow: George, born January 1, 1826; Mary, born July 10, 1828; and Robert, born May 29, 1830, died June 7, 1878. Mr. Gray’s second marriage occurred July 4, 1830, his wife being Mary Ann Lang, who was born in Cornwall, Lower Canada, September 13, 1810; the issue of this union was nine children, viz.: Harriet, born November 1, 1832; married to William Watson, October 14, 1867; John born September 30, 1834; Hannah, born April 5, 1837, and married to William Crozier, February 26, 1857; Elizabeth Fleming, born August 23, 1859; Annie Bull, born March 31, 1841; Sarah Russell, born October 24, 1842; William, born May 24, 1851, and died April 22, 1872. (vol. ii, p. 221)
A.J. GRIFFITH, lot 14, concession 5, was born on the family homestead on lot 13, and is the son of the late Joseph Griffith, noticed elsewhere. He resided at the old homestead until 1870, when he bought and took possession of his present farm of fifty acres and an adjoining lot of seventy-five acres. He married in 1871 Eliza J. Livingston, of Peel County; they have one daughter, Maggie E., born in 1872. Mrs. Griffith is daughter of the late Robert Livingstone, of Peel, a native of Ireland, who came out in 1830. (vol. II, p. 221)
JOSEPH GRIFFITH, lot 13, concession 5, was born on the lot upon which he still lives, and is the son of the late Joseph Griffith, a native of County Cavan, Ireland, who came out about 1823, and soon after settled on lot 13, where he resided until his death in 1879. His wife was Judith Welch; four sons and two daughters survive this union. Mr. Griffith married in 1881, Eliza Griffith, daughter of the late Thomas Griffith, also a pioneer of this township. Thomas Griffith, sen’r, was with the loyal forces at the time of the Rebellion. Abraham Welsh, brother-in-law of Joseph Griffith, sen’r, was taken prisoner by Mackenzie, held for some time, and afterwards liberated. (vol. II, p. 221)
WILLIAM GRIFFITH, lot 13, concession 5, was born on the farm he at present owns, one hundred and fourteen acres, and which constituted the family homestead, being another son of the late Joseph Griffith. (vol. II, p. 222)
ROBERT HARRIS, deceased, proprietor of the West Toronto Junction Hotel, was a native of Somersetshire, England, who came to Canada in 1857, and settled with his people in the Township of East York, his father being the late John Harris. In 1870 Robert married Mary A. Lawton, a native of Bridgewater, Somersetshire, England. In 1872 he commenced business for himself by purchasing a farm on lot 23, concession 3, Etobicoke, where he resided until 1883. He then sold out, afterwards leasing and taking possession of the above hotel, which he conducted until his death on 28th December, 1884, when Mrs. Harris continued to manage the business, furnishing good accommodation for the travelling public. This is one of the oldest establishments in the district, being of forty years standing. (vol. II, p. 222)
MILES HAYDRICK was born in the County of Wexford, Ireland, and in 1856 came to Toronto. He was a coachman and butler, and acted in that capacity in various places up to 1877, when he came to his present location on concession 3 form the Bay, and bought six and a-half acres, which he cleared and commenced market-gardening. He has very much improved the land , and has added to it, until he how owns eighteen acres, valued at $12,000, and by honesty and industry he has accumulated considerable wealth. (vol. II, p. 222)
FRANCIS HEYDON, proprietor of the old established Carlton Hotel, is a son of James and Bridget Heydon, who came to Canada from Ireland in 1828, and settled in the Gore of Toronto, where they resided until their death in 1859. Francis in early life followed the business of threshing for five or six years. He then bought a saloon near the Grand Trunk Station, in the township, where he continued some five years, afterwards being employed by the Grand Trunk Railway Company. He then kept a hotel in Vaughan Township about seven years, and in 1867 took possession of his present premises, buying the same in 1882. He married in 1860 Isabella Gracey, a native of Etobicoke Township in this county, by whom he had a family of eight children, four sons and two daughters are still living. (vol. II, p. 222)
JOSEPH HOLLEY was among the early settlers of York County; he was born in Pennsylvania in 1780, coming to Canada and settling in this country in 1794. He engaged in saw-milling and built up a considerable estate. He was a most useful member of society, and assisted materially the growth and prosperity of the locality in which he lived. He died in 1874, lacking six years of being a centenarian. He son William, born in 1839, carried on his father’s saw-mill and farm until his death in 1882, when he in turn was succeeded by his son O.P. Holley, who was born in 1861 and was married November 14, 1883. (vol. II, p. 223)
ABRAHAM HOOVER, lot 23, concession 4, was born in Markham Township in 1821, being the son of the late Christopher Hoover, a native of Pennsylvania, U.S. He, with his people, who were U.E. Loyalists, were among the first to take up their residence in the county. The grandfather, Martin Hoover, settled in Markham Township on land given him by the Government. Christopher was for a short time in the States, and on his return, in 1824, bought the farm now owned by Abraham, the subject of this sketch. Christopher married Mary Troyer, who, with his two sons and five daughters, survived him. His widow is now ninety-nine years of age, and is living with a daughter in Markham Township. Abraham married in 1844 Elizabeth Cook, of Markham; they have a family of six sons and two daughters. (vol. II, p. 223)
F. A. HOWLAND, proprietor of the store and mills at the Village of Lambton, was born at Carlton Island in the St. Lawrence, New York, and is a son of Jonathan and Lydia Howland, natives of Dutchess County, in that State. The father died at Cape Vincent on the St. Lawrence in 1841; the mother died in Toronto in 1880, at the advanced age of ninety-one years. Their family consisted of ten children, of whom three sons and three daughters are surviving members. Sir William and H.S. Howland, now of Toronto, and the subject of this sketch consititute the male portion. The late Peleg Howland, was the first to come to Canada of this family, and who was partner in the above business, died in 1882. Mr. F.A. Howland came to Lambton Mills in 1843, being then fourteen years of age, and engaged with his brother, Sir William Howland, in the store and mill. At that time there was an old Government mill and store, erected about 1785, which Sir William leased for forty-one years, subsequently buying out the “Cooper” heirs and becoming sole proprietor. The old buildings were then taken down, and the present spacious and commodious buildings erected in 1845. They measure 120 x 44 feet, and are five stories in height, with a run of six stones, with a yielding capacity of one hundred and fifty barrels per diem. In 1855 Mr. Peleg Howland took a half-interest in the property and business, which he continued to hold until his demise. Sir William retired in favour of the present owner, and Peleg in 1868, and on the death of the latter F.A. Howland became sole proprietor of the business. In 1883 he erected the woollen mills of eight looms, where are employed about twenty-five hands. Mr. Howland has been postmaster since 1856, the date the office was established at Lambton Mills. He married in 1855 Matilda Musson, of Weston, who died in 1871, leaving four sons and one daughter. In 1873 he married again his second partner being Jane Ford, of Toronto; the issue of this union is two sons and one daughter. Sir William Howland dcame to Canada in 1831; Peleg, in 1829, and H.S., in 1840. (vol. II, p. 223)
CHARLES JOHN HUNTLEY, market-gardener and florist, Bowood Cottage; proprietor of the market garden, Carolan Street, which consists of six acres. He is a native of Trowbridge, Wiltshire, England, and came out to Canada in 1854. He followed the occupation of gardener in England, and on his arrival here assisted in clearing the land at High Park and remained there as gardener for twelve years. He has carried on business at various places since, and it was not until 1881 that he settled on his present acreage. Mr. Huntley married, in England, Miss Emma Walker, from his own district, by whom he has four sons and six daughters. (vol. II, p. 224)
GEORGE H. HUSBAND, dentist, Newtonbrook, was born in Welland County, Ontario, being the son of the late James Husband, of Irish birth, who came to Canada about 1820 and settled in Welland County, where he resided until his death. The subject of this notice commenced the practice of dentistry at Thornhill in 1857, where he remained two years, and after a short time spent at Goderich, permanently settled in the Village of Newtonbrooke, where he now enjoys an extensive practice. He pays periodical visits to Weston, Woodbridge, Unionville and Richmond Hill. (vol. II, p. 224)
GEORGE JACKSON, lot 13, concession 4, was born upon the farm which is at present in his occupancy. On commencing life for himself he settled on an adjacent farm, where he resided seventeen years, and in 1879 took possession of the old homestead, since which time he has rebuilt the home and made other important improvements. He owns in all about four hundred and twenty-three acres of land in concessions 3 and 4. Mr. Jackson was in the Township Council in 1868-69. In 1862 he married Sarah James, daughter of the late John James, a native of Tyrone, Ireland, and a pioneer of York County. They have two sons and one daughter. (vol. II, p. 224)
WILLIAM JACKSON, lots 21, 22 and 23, concession 3, was born in West York Township and has lived on his present farm since he was two years of age. His father was George and his mother Ann H. Jackson, both natives of Yorkshire, England, who came out to Canada about 1830. They settled in York, subsequently purchasing the farm William now resides upon, where the father lived until his death in 1876, the mother dying three years previous. One son and three daughters still survive them. William married, in 1860, Jane Danby, daughter of John Danby, of this township, the fruit of the union being four sons and two daughters. The subject of this notice commenced with one hundred acres, left to him by his father’s will, and now owns an improving estate of five hundred acres. (vol. II, p. 225)
FREDERICK R. JAMES, lot 22, concession 2, is the son of Joseph James, a native of County Tyrone, Ireland, who came to America with his people in 1818. They settled first in Pennsylvania, and came to Canada in 1820. After a period spent in East Gwillimbury Township they removed to West York later on, the grandfather taking up the farm now in the occupancy of Frederick, where he resided until his death in 1872, at the venerable age of ninety-four years. The father, Joseph James, died in 1876, and the mother whose maiden name was Frances Reesor, followed two years later. The surviving family consists of four sons and five daughters, all of whom are living in this county. (vol. II, p. 225)
ROBERT JAMES, lots 23 and 24, concessions 1 and 2, is the son of William James, who settled on the farm adjoining where William James, jun’r, now lives, afterwards purchasing the lots Robert at present resides on. William James, sen’r, was born in Ireland, and went first to Pennsylvania, U.S., with his father and family, and from thence came to Canada. He married Rebecca Johnston, who died in 1856; the surviving family consists of five sons and two daughters. Robert married in 1872 Miss Carruthers, daughter of Robert Carruthers, an early settler in the Township. He owns one hundred and forty-five acres. (vol. II, p. 225)
WILLIAM JAMES, lot 24, concession 3, is the youngest son of William James, sen’r, deceased. He was born on the old homestead, where he has always lived, and has received the same by will from his father, coming into possession in 1874, the farm consisting of one hundred and forty-five acres. He married in 1883 Agnes Ramsay of Yorkville. (vol. II, p. 225)
D.F. JESSOPP, lot 29, concession 3, is a native of Waltham Abbey, Essex, England, and came to Canada in 1837 with his people. His father, Captain Henry Jessopp, on the breaking out of the Rebellion received a commission; his death occurred in 1854. Mr. Jessopp has resided on his present farm nearly all his life. He was connected with the Toronto Battery of Artillery, and finally retired with a Captain’s commission. Only two sisters besides himself comprised his father’s family. Captain Henry Jessopp was much esteemed by his surrounding neighbours, and his popularity among the poor, which was the outcome of his benevolent disposition, has passed into a proverb. (vol. II, p. 226)