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WILLIAM JOHNSTON.

THE

Pioneers of Blanshard

WITH

AN HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE
TOWNSHIP

BY

WILLIAM JOHNSTON

TORONTO :
WILLIAM BRIGGS
1899

Entered according to Act of the Parliament of Canada, in the year one thousand eight hundred
and ninety-nine, by William Johnston, at the Department of Agriculture.

PREFACE.

I DEEM it quite unnecessary to offer any apology
for the publication of this work. The rapid
formation of historical societies, both county and
township, in so many different sections of our Province,
indicates that the public mind is at last thoroughly
awakened to the necessity of collecting and preserving
in some more permanent and abiding form than the
evanescent columns of the weekly newspaper or the
scarcely less ephemeral magazine, these fast disappear
ing records of our old pioneer life, with their humble
story of trials and triumphs, ere the destructive hand
of time has obliterated them forever.
The interest and attention which our early local
history is exciting on almost every hand is certainly
as much to be lauded as the past neglect of it was to
be condemned, and is truly only a suitable recognition
on our part of the immense debt of gratitude which the
generation of the present owes to the old pioneer past.
To the courage, hardihood, and brave-heartedness of
these old backwoods settlers of the early days we
certainly owe it that our country is what it is ; and
amid all the luxury, refinement, and progress of the

vi Preface.
wonderful to-day we must ever remember that the
humble past has been the parent of the present, as the
present will be the parent of the future.
I confess, with something akin to pride, the gratifica
tion it has been to me to know that the present book
may be considered one of the pioneer works of its class.
I feel, too, that it is a matter of considerable import
ance that every child of the township should have some
knowledge of its early history and settlement. I have
deemed it, therefore, no idle ambition to have attempted
the task of rescuing that history, as well as the names
of many of the first settlers, from that oblivion with
which time in a few short years would inevitably overtake
them. In my own humble way I have striven to give
both the history of Blanshard and the biography of its
first settlers as much of permanence and publicity as
is to be secured in a work of this kind.
The lives and hardships, the joys and sorrows of
those humble heroes and heroines of the backwoods
have always to me had a charm and an interest which
I have striven, however feebly, to impart to these
pages. If to the reader they give one-half the pleas
ure in reading them which they have given me in writ
ing them I will be amply rewarded.
The old pioneer life, in this section of the province
at least, has for many years been a thing of the past.
Only a very few of that fast diminishing band of grey-
haired veterans who can remember the old days in the
backwoods are now left in our midst. To touch some
slumbering but still responsive chord of memory which
would waken the hearts of these, and at the same time
to stir up some sympathetic interest in the minds of
the present generation in a life of which they know prac-

Preface. vii
tically nothing has been my constant and I hope not
unworthy aim. Although the historical sketch of a
township, and the biographical notices of some of its
first settlers as well, must necessarily, from their very
nature, to be of merely local interest, yet I have been
ambitious enough to imagine that this work might
reach and perhaps interest a much wider circle of
readers. For the accomplishing of this object I have strewn
through these pages descriptive passages, illustrative
of those phases of backwoods life which were common
to it, not only in my own neighborhood, but in every
part of the province. The log house and the back
woods shanty, like the ox team and the sled, the log
ging bee and the country spree, were inseparable from
pioneer life everywhere. Inseparable from it, too,
were those hardships and privations which seem almost
incredible to the generation of to-day, and which give
a lustre and a tinge of heroism to the lives of the men
and women of that period not easily to be forgotten.
A backwoodsman myself, and one who has spent many
of the best and perhaps the happiest of his days in the
bush, I can claim that intimate acquaintance with
pioneer life which only actual experience can give. I
have drawn the sketches which I have described from
the life. If I have in the pages of this book in any
way failed in the adequate representation of them, I
have failed not from lack of will but from lack of
ability. William Johnston,
River Road, Blanshard.
St. Marys, August 24th, 1899.

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I. Page
Early Settlement 17

CHAPTER II.
Municipal Notes 31
CHAPTER III.
Social Condition of the People 49
CHAPTER IV.
Villages, Schools, and Churches 61
CHAPTER V.
Meetings and Amusements - 75
CHAPTER VI.
David Cathcart 84
CHAPTER VII.
Captain John Campbell 105

X CONTENTS.
CHAPTER VIII. Page
Samuel Radcliff 125

CHAPTER IX.
James Dinsmore

146

CHAPTER X.
The Gunning Brothers 169
CHAPTER XI.
W. F. Sanderson 193
CHAPTER XII.
Reuben Switzer 219
CHAPTER XIII.
David Brethour 236
CHAPTER XIV.
Mathew Forsyth 250
CHAPTER XV.
Johnston Armstrong 260
CHAPTER XVI.
St. Marys 271
Poetry —
"The Old Log House." Thomas Sparks, M.D. xiii
' ' Lift Up The Old Flag. " The Author 60
"The Merry Sleigh Bells." The Author 83

ILLUSTRATIONS.

Paoe
William Johnston Frontispiece.
David Cathcart 85
Captain John Campbell 104
Samuel Radcliff 124
James Dinsmore 147
The Gunning Brothers 168
W. F. Sanderson 192
Reuben Switzer 218
David Brethour 237
Mathew Forsyth 251
Johnston Armstrong 261

THE OLD LOG HOUSE.
0 auld hoose ! 0 auld hoose !
Deserted tho' ye be,
There ne'er wull be a new hoose
Ae half sae dear tae me. — Scottish Song.

RICKETY, shingleless, old and gray,
Scathed by the storms of many a day,
In a wayside spot where the wild weeds grow,
Stands the old log cabin of long ago.
Loftily, haughtily round it stand
Lordly mansions on every hand,
Deigning never a look to cast
On the ruined roof of the humble past.
Rarely a foot o'er its threshold falls,
Rarely a look at its old gray walls
By a friend or a stranger is cast, I trow —
Nobody cares for the old house now.

xiv The Old Log House.
Rotting away is its rough, rude wall,
Tottering and tumbling and like to fall ;
And the rafters round, which its roof uprears,
Are bent by the burden of fourscore years.
The winter wind and the summer sun
On roof and gable their work have done ;
And crumbled down, since many a day,
The quaint old chimney of " clat and clay."
On every side, within and without,
The chinking and plaster are falling out,
And the sagging sash with its broken pane
Is a fence no more 'gainst the wind and rain.
In and out through its drooping door
The feet of the fathers will fall no more,
As back and forth on their weary way
They went to their work with the waking day.
Through that mouldering doorway I entered in,
And I stood by the spot where the hearth had been ;
Where the backlog fire with its ruddy light
Had burned and blazed through the livelong night.
But the fires were out and the lug-pole gone,
All cracked and crumbling the old hearthstone,
And fallen the jambs by the fireplace wall,
Where the weird night shadows had loved to fall.
Silent I stood on the rotting floor,
While I looked the old house o'er and o'er,
And my eyes with the burning tears filled fast
As my heart went back to the vanished past.
Oh ! many a year has the grass grown green,
And many a winter's snows have been,
Since, a barefoot boy, I used to roam,
And that old house was my childhood's home !

The Old Log House.
No sky so bright as its sky o'erhead,
No couch so soft as its humble bed,
No face so fair to my childish sight
As her's whose kiss was my last good-night.
Again 'mid the bygone years I seem,
And the past comes back like a waking dream,
Till the ruined walls no more I see,
But the old house stands as it used to be.
Once more by the hearth of my early days
All the home faces are met by the blaze,
And loving eyes look bright as when
In my childhood's years I saw them then.
But the years roll by and the faces fade,
And one by one in the dust are laid,
Till the last from the empty hearth has gone,
And I stand 'neath its ruined roof — alone.
Alas for the wreck of the robber years !
Alas for our unavailing tears
O'er the withered leaves of the past, that lie
Strewn thick on the pathway of memory !
Like a dream we come, like a dream we go
'Mid the ceaseless years, in their ebb and flow :
And the crumbling things of the sad to-day
Were the idols we worshipped yesterday.
Yet, mouldering away though its walls, to me
Forever green will the memory be
Of the dear old house that I used to know
Where I lived and loved in the Long Ago.
Thomas Sparks, M.D.
St. Marys, Ont.

THE PIONEERS OF BLANSHARD.

CHAPTER I.
EARLY SETTLEMENT.
IN the latter part of October, in the year 1839 —
sixty years ago — Mr. McDonald, Provincial Land
Surveyor, returned from the west to the Canada Com
pany's office in Toronto, with the plans and field notes
of the township of Blanshard. He had been engaged
during the summer in making the survey of what, by
common consent of all who are acquainted with that
section of Canada, is considered as being amongst the
best, if not the very best, of all the municipalities ceded
to the Company by King George. The Canada Com
pany was organized in the year 1824 by a number of
English gentlemen, with its headquarters in London,
England, and was incorporated by an Act of the
British Parliament in 1826. John Gait, the Ayrshire
novelist, was one of the great promoters of the enter
prise, and he, with Dr. Dunlop and others, was sent to
Upper Canada for the purpose of carrying out the
schemes and intentions of the Company regarding the
great estate recently ceded to it by the Crown. It

18 The Pioneers of Blanshard.
may be proper to state here, however, that the settle
ment of the Huron tract formed no part of the great
enterprise which the Company had in view ; neither
did it relate in any way to the agreement made in the
charter recently granted to it by the Government of
Great Britain. Since the vast territory known as
British North America had been acquired by the
British people it had been the policy of that Govern
ment to maintain the union of Church and State as
then existing in England. For the furtherance of
their policy, and the better to render the Church in a
greater degree independent of the fast growing demo
cratic element, which was strongly pervading the minds
of the masses of that particular period, large grants
of public lands had been made to it by the Govern
ment. Those land grants were known as Clergy
Beserves, and were located in several sections of the
Province where surveys had been made. The Canada
Company was organized to dispose of these lands and
open them for settlement. Matters had proceeded so
far amicably between all parties when a complete
change of policy was effected. Without reverting to
what may be called that unhappy period of Canadian
history, which culminated in the rebellion of 1837, we
may say that a new power had arisen in Canadian
politics. This power was represented and ably manip
ulated by a Scotchman who was then at the head of
the Anglican Church in Canada. He protested against
the arrangements made with the Canada Company.
Those lands which had been set apart and granted to
the Church for her support ought to be controlled and
disposed of by the Church. Of the granting of these
lands to this body there could be no doubt ; and such

Early Settlement. 19
being the case, there could be as little doubt that the
Church should control them. Through the influence
of the Church, therefore, the operations of the Canada
Company were abruptly terminated.
At the period of which we write, the whole territory
of the Huron tract was comparatively unknown.
Unless some adventurous hunter, no white man had
ever ventured into the darkness of that unexplored
region. Its vast solitudes were a mystery. The story
of the white man's life among its leafy halls was untold.
This great section of country the Canada Company
was asked to accept in lieu of the Clergy Beserves,
which, as matters now stood, the Government appeared
to be determined to resume for the purpose for which
they were originally designed.
To this arrangement the Company was unwilling to
accede. The agreement regarding the Clergy Beserves
was ratified by those concerned, and should not now
be violated. A bargain which had been consummated
on fair and honorable lines ought to be held sacred by
both the contracting parties. But apart from this,
the Huron tract was unknown. Eertile it might be, or
barren it might be — that was a matter futurity only
could determine. The burden of the chance should
not therefore fall on the shoulders of the Company.
As far as their agents had entered the territory from
the east, it was not encouraging. Dismal marshes
seemed to prevail. Around where the city of Stratford
now stands, and stretching away to the north through
Elma and Ellice, the country appeared to be one great
swamp. It was hopeless to think that such land
could ever be made available for agriculture. The
Company therefore declined to make any exchange,

20 The Pioneers of Blanshard.
until matters reached a climax. They then made a
virtue of necessity, and, much against their inclination,
became the proprietors of the Huron tract.
Mr. Gait and other of his associates located them
selves at Guelph, which was then a place of a few
houses. From this point they directed the operations
of the great institution they represented. They made
surveys, opened roads, and made such other improve
ments as would tend to the early settlement of the
territory so recently acquired from the Crown. The
whole district of the Huron tract was then, and for
many years after, known as Huron County. Beginning
in the east, adjoining the County of Waterloo, the road
known as the Huron road was opened through what is
now the city of Stratford, extending in a straight line
westward to Lake Huron, where is now the town of
Goderich. Surveys were at once proceeded with along
both sides of this road, from the Easthopes in the east
to the lake in the west. The manner of making
these surveys was certainly indicative of a strong want
of confidence on the part of the Company, in the early
settlement of its large estate. On both sides of this
great road, which passes through, in its entire length,
one of the most fertile districts in Canada, the town
ships were surveyed one concession at a time. Thus,
after the first concession had been settled another one
to the rear was surveyed and thrown open ; and so on
backwards from what was called the front.
As each of those townships was surveyed it was
named after, and in honor of, one of the gentlemen
who composed the Board of Directors of the Com
pany. For example, we find such names amongst
those representatives as Bobert Downie, Esq., John

Early Settlement. 21
Fullarton, Esq., John Biddulph, Esq., Henry Usborne,
Esq., Bichard Blanshard, Esq., and so on; and we have
accordingly the municipalities of Biddulph, Fullarton,
Downie, Usborne, and Blanshard. The name Blanshard
was therefore given to this municipality in honor of
Bichard Blanshard, Esq. This township was the last
to be surveyed in the Huron tract. The long period
of fifteen years had elapsed since the organization of
the Company before a stake had been planted to mark
its boundaries. This arose from its isolated position.
The various leading roads opened by the Company
were located far away. The Huron road and the God
erich road, from London to Clinton, were each ten or
twelve miles distant, rendering this section difficult of
access. During those years, however, from the termination
of the war of 1812, and particularly after the close of
the Peninsular War, Upper Canada was rapidly taken
up for settlement. From Hamilton westward to Lon
don, along what is known as the Governor's road, pros
perous communities had sprung up. The townships
of East and West Nissouri were settled along that
great highway, and pioneers were gradually creeping
north toward the still wild and unknown township of
Blanshard. From the north, settlements were being
made every year farther south, down through Fullar
ton and westward through Downie ; and from the
Goderich road, land was being rapidly taken up, back
to the rear of the township of Usborne. Blanshard
was therefore the last township in the south part of
the Huron tract to receive within her bounds the
hardy and adventurous pioneer. At what time the
land hunter (as those looking for a location were called)

22 The Pioneers of Blanshard.
first entered into the township it would be impossible
to say. Very few of the old pioneers are now left to
tell the tale of their first experiences. Nearly all are
gone. The few that are still remaining can no longer
tell with precision the occurrences of sixty years ago.
There are events, however, that have impressed them
selves deeply on their minds, a recital of which as
to the main facts would be reliable. Still, like all
traditions, they are generally equivocal, or contradic
tory in detail.
From the system adopted by the Company for dis
posal of their lands, it is quite likely that a number
of settlers had located in the township in 1840 and
'41, although no record of them could be found in the
Company's books. In the early days it was quite proper
for a settler to select his lot, build a shanty, and begin
to make improvements,without even making application
to the Company for permission, or having an agreement
as to the price. Some of these squatters, as they were
called, lived for twelve years on a farm without ever
applying for a right to do so, making improvements,
and then selling to someone who might want to pur
chase, and with the proceeds beginning anew. Nearly
all the lands in Blanshard were first taken on lease. A
lease was a document granted to the settler by the
Company, and extending usually for ten years, whereby
the lessee agreed to clear and improve so much land
every year(in the old leases four acres), pay all taxes and
statute labor and other dues against the land for muni
cipal improvements. The settler also had the option
to pay for his lot at from $ 2.50 to $3 per acre, in cash,
at the period of his locating, if he was so disposed. If
his financial condition would not admit of so large an

Early Settlement. 23
outlay, the Company bound themselves at the expiration
of the lease and upon the payment of the principal sum,
with interest at the rate of 6 percent, per annum, pay
able yearly, to issue the patent. Over and above these
payments a further sum of about two-and-a-half per
cent, was added to the cash price of the land if not
paid till the end of the ten years.
It was also agreed between the parties that if the
lessee paid for his land at the end of five years, which
privilege was granted in the lease, then one and one-
quarter per cent, only should be added to the cost
price. The Company, we think, acted fairly in stipu
lating with the settler that all moneys he might be able
to save during the term of his lease could be paid over,
and interest at the rate of six per cent, per annum, or
the same that they charged, would be allowed till the
end of the term. These fair and honorable provisions
did not, however, serve to mitigate the indignation of the
pioneers at the Company asking at the end of ten years
an increased price of two and one-half per cent. This
item was popularly known amongst the old settlers as
the " shaving money." As might be expected, a great
amount of misconception arose among the lessees re
garding these charges. At every gathering loud and
deep were the denunciations of the Company for, as
they claimed, their most unfair conduct towards them
in these matters. They held that if the land had in
creased in value, such increase had been brought about
by their labor. The Company was therefore enriching
itself at the expense of their hardship and toil. This
reasoning on their part, while it was largely correct,
was not wholly so.
I am not writing a defence of the Canada Company ;

24 The Pioneers of Blanshard.
neither do I know whether they carried out their agree
ment with the British Government as to the obliga
tions expressed in their charter that they should dis
charge. I do know, however, that many of the settlers
in Blanshard could use, and did use, the Company's
money, for which they paid six per cent., when money
could not be obtained on good security for less than
from twelve per cent, to fifteen per cent., and in some
cases even higher rates, elsewhere. Many of Blan-
shard's first settlers lost their farms by borrowing
money from capitalists at exorbitant rates of interest
to pay for their patents, who could have saved them
selves from ruin if they had again renewed their leases
for another term. They acted very inconsiderately
indeed, and in a way which ended in disaster to them
selves. They apparently never considered whether
they had discharged their obligations honestly and
fairly to the Company, or if the Company had dis
charged its obligations honestly toward them. The
great point was to get clear of the Canada Com
pany, and so end all their troubles. With that idea
many rushed to the speculator, and with a madness
only equalled by their stupidity, incurred obligations
which ate out their substance, ate out their hopes, ate
out their lives, and were never discharged till they were
discharged by the sheriff under the auctioneer's ham
mer. In the early history of the township the pioneers
seem to have located themselves along or contiguous
to one or other of the streams which form the outlet
for nearly the entire drainage of the municipality.
Blanshard may be said topographically to be composed
of one great plain, passing through which are three

Early Settlement. 25
distinct and well-defined valleys. The surface being
on the whole comparatively level, it contains but few
springs. The first and greatest of these valleys, that
of the Thames, enters the township on the north side,
flows southerly through the town of St. Marys, pass
ing into Nissouri nearly at the extreme south-east
corner of the municipality. The second great valley,
that of Fish Creek, enters the township on the west,
near the village of Kirkton, flowing southerly till it
reaches the rear of the 11th concession, when it trends
easterly and parallel to the concession line, and falls
into the Biver Thames a short distance from the south
boundary. The third valley, that of Flat Creek, enters
the township on the north, flows south-easterly, and
falls into the Thames about two miles north of St.
Marys. These three streams, with Otter Creek
and Trout Creek, which enter the township from the
east, form the great outlets for the surplus water on
the 45,900 acres of farm lands of which the township is
composed. In early settlements the first and greatest con
sideration was the water supply. The pioneer, in
making his selection of a spot for his future home,
kept this constantly in view. No matter what the
quality of the soil may have been, without plenty of
water it was useless. Along these streams, therefore,
the first settlers located themselves. On the 1st con
cession a number of them cleared up the rear of the
lots, and built their shanties on the banks of Flat
Creek in order to be convenient to water. Those who
located in what is known as the " square township,"
and at some distance from any stream, had to content
themselves with a hole dug in some marshy spot in the

26 The Pioneers of Blanshard.
woods. If the pioneer was tasteful and methodical
in his habits, he would cut three or four feet from the
end of a hollow tree, and placing this in the opening
he scooped out, give an appearance of cleanliness to
the spot from which he obtained a supply of water for
his family. In numerous instances, however, no such
precautions were taken, and around many of these
watering places was an accumulation of decaying
matter to describe which would be a bonanza to the
township Board of Health in making their annual
report. In too many instances these surface holes in
the summer months contained a mixture composed
of vegetable matter and of animal life altogether
foreign to the component parts of spring water. Frogs
were constant visitors. But little difficulty was experi
enced in dealing with such intruders in the family
beverage. They were as a rule big and fat, and the
family of the settler paid little attention, therefore, to
the great innocent-looking fellows that sat com
placently in the mud at the bottom of the hole, in
the enjoyment apparently of solid comfort and happi
ness. But another and greater difficulty was experi
enced with a smaller and more sportive intruder which
existed in the water in millions ; this was popularly
known as the " wiggler." The approved method of
disposing of this part of the mixture was by using a
piece of calico, through which the water was strained,
thus separating effectively the " wigglers " and the
larger portions of clay from the contents of the
pail. The fluid thus operated upon was allowed to
stand in a vessel for a short time to " settle," when it
would be fit for use.
Accordingly we find the first settlements near the

Early Settlement. 27
Biver Thames and on the several creeks that fall into
it in its course through the township. On the Thames
concession, where the town of St. Marys now stands,
we find the earliest traces of settlement in the
municipality. North of St. Marys, on Otter Creek, the
first pioneer families were those of Mr. McGregor, Mr.
Mcintosh, John Legg, who resided on the farm now
occupied by Mr. Sinclair, south of St. Marys ; the fami
lies of Messrs. McVannel, Pickard, Weston, Bradley,
Hutchings, and Tasker. In 1842 the Armstrong fami
lies had settled on the M. B. concession, and were
followed soon after in the same concession by Bobert
Mackay, the Dalzells, Sparlings, Switzers, and nearer
St. Marys, Mr. Henderson. On the 1st concession the
old settlers, nearly all of whom settled on the rear of
their farms on Flat Creek, were the families of Cameron,
Meighen, Sinclair, Bobertson, and Gowan. Donald
Cameron, Ewen Cameron, Mr. McCallum were early
settlers near Anderson post-office. On the 4th and 5th
concession, John Bobinson, Francis Bobinson, the
Spearin and the Irwin families were among the ear
liest settlers. On the base line, the Cathcarts, Creigh-
tons, Bruces, Jamiesons, Morrills, Marriotts, Bichard
Paynter, and Mr. Chappel. On the Ninth concession we
first meet the families of Mclntyres, Sawyers, Willises,
Parkers, McDougalls, Fotheringhams, and Thompsons ;
on the 10th concession, Thomas Shipley, John Shipley
the Dinsmores, Bidleys, and McDonalds ; on the 12th-
concession, the families of B. and T. Foster, Morley,
Duffield, Cook ; and near Prospect Hill, Donnin,
Badcliff, Crawford; and on the Mitchell Boad the
Hays had settled at a very early period. In giving
the names of these old pioneers we have only men-

28 The Pioneers of Blanshard.
tioned some of those who are still living, or whose
families still reside on the old farms. Many, very
many more indeed, we could mention who resided in
Blanshard in those early days, but who have long
since gone to other places to search out fortune and a
home. From the year 1841 to the year 1848 the whole
township may be said to have been settled. Dur
ing that period, comparatively little of the land had
been patented, or, as the old settlers would say,
" deeded." In fact as late as the year 1850 very
few titles had been granted to the people of Blan
shard. As we have stated elsewhere, nearly all the old
pioneers held their lands for ten years by lease
hold tenure, and it was not till the expiration
of those tenures that the settler took his patent.
During the period, from 1850 to 1860, patents
had been issued to the great majority of the set
tlers in Blanshard. In that time all the leases
granted to the several applicants from 1840 to 1850
were lapsing, and had either to be renewed at an
increased price per acre or the original price paid and
the land patented. A large number adopted the latter
course and paid for their farms. At the same time
we regret to say that the names of men appear on
many of those titles that never underwent the hard
ships or endured the inconveniences of pioneer life. In
the city of London and other places wealth had begun
to accumulate in the meantime, and a number of old
settlers had recourse to the surplus funds of the
capitalist at high rates of interest to deed their farms,
and which during their whole life they were never

Early Settlement. 29
able to redeem. While this had to be done in many
cases, it is gratifying to know that a goodly number
made great headway, and whose industry and thrift
had been amply rewarded. Very many indeed had been
able to discharge all obligations from their own sav
ings, and obtain that much coveted, long-hoped-for, and
hard earned piece of parchment on which were writ
ten the magic words " the said lands to have and to
hold to him and his heirs forever."
In examining the records of the Canada Company,
the first patent that we noticed issued in the township
of Blanshard to any person was granted William Flet-
ford for lot 15, concession 15. The patent appears to
have been issued on November 1st, 1842. This lot,
we believe, is at present owned and occupied by
Charles Bailey, sen. On concession 1, the first deed
was granted to Gordon Meighen, on the 27th day of
November, 1844, and three days later another on the
same concession was granted to William Beatty. On
concession 2, the first deed was issued to Donald
Cameron, on September 25th, 1843. On concession
3, to Archie McCallum, on the 7th day of October,
1844. On concession 4, to Adam Shier, on June 18th,
1844. On concession 5 to Gerard Irvine, on Septem
ber 13th, 1846. On concession 6 to Alexander Jamie-
son, on October 3rd, 1846. On concession 7 to David
Smith, on August 6th, 1846. On concession 8 to Neil
McLennan, on June 20th, 1851. On concession 10 to
Thomas Dinsmore, on February 26th, 1853. On con
cession 11 to Samuel Badcliff, on February 26th, 1847.
On concession 12 to Peter Weston, on December
27th, 1849. On concession 13 to Thomas Christie,
on March 5th, 1844. On concession 14 to Thomas.

30 The Pioneers of Blanshard.
Skinner, on August 6th, 1853. On concession 18 to
Walter Stinson, on May 12th, 1848. On concession 17
to Adam St. John, on July 18th, 1848. On conces
sion 19 to Bobert Patterson, on May 12th, 1845. On
concession 20 to Caleb Bichardson, on September,
1848. On the N. B. concession to Edward Delmage,
in 1848. On the S. B. concession to George Jackson,
on December 22nd, 1848. On the E. M. B. concession
to John Sparling, on June 8th, 1844. On the W. M. E.
concession to Donald Cameron, on August 6th, 1845.
On the W. B. concession to Jasper Ward, on the 27th
day of August, 1852. On the Thames concession to
Thomas Ingersoll, on the 19th day of February, 1844.
To James Ingersoll, on the 13th day of August, 1849,
was issued a patent for an island below the falls in the
Biver Thames, containing one acre and seven perches,
and for which he is to pay therefore the sum of five
shillings. On the 6th day of August, 1845, a patent
was granted to the Beverend Ephraim Evans, of
London, for part of lot 22, concession 8, for a place of
interment, and on which plot Mclntyre's Church now
stands. The whole of these patents were issued for
lands in the township of Blanshard, in the County of
Huron, and Province of Upper Canada.

Municipal Notes. 31

CHAPTER II.
MUNICIPAL NOTES.
FBOM the time the first settler, in 1840, built his
shanty on the banks of the Biver Thames, every
day brought some new adventurer to the municipality.
In 1846 Blanshard must have contained several hundred
souls. As the township did not contain a single acre
of waste land, the progress of settlement was exceed
ingly rapid. It was necessary that some sort of local
authority should be set in operation for the regulation
of the affairs in the new township. We accordingly
find that a meeting of the townships of Downie, Fullar
ton, and Blanshard was held at the school-house in
Stratford on January 3rd, 1842. At this meeting cer
tain officers were appointed for the district composed
of the townships mentioned. It appears from the
minutes, however, as if Blanshard was unrepresented.
The first trace of municipal government in the town
ship was a meeting of ratepayers called for the appoint
ment of pathmasters and other officers. This meeting
was held in 1846, at "the village," as St. Marys was
then, and for long after, called. The municipal proced
ure then was very different from what it is now.
Up to the year 1834, the justices in session managed
all local matters as they pleased. In that year an Act

32 The Pioneers of Blanshard,
was passed providing that householders at their an
nual meeting should appoint certain persons to act
as fence-viewers. This meeting was also to deter
mine what should be considered a lawful fence. The
Act made provision also for opening ditches and
water courses, as the fence-viewers might decide.
In 1835 an important change was made, and the Act
of that year may be said to form the core of the pre
sent Municipal Act. It was enacted that the township
clerk should assemble the ratepayers of the township
at a time and place agreed upon at the previous yearly
meeting. This meeting was empowered to choose the
following township officers : The clerk, three commis
sioners, one assessor, one collector, and any number of
persons they thought proper to serve as overseers of
highways, roads and bridges, and as poundkeepers.
The collector gave bonds to the district treasurer, to
whom he paid the proceeds of the rates levied, and
the township clerk gave bonds to the commissioners.
The most important change made by this Act was
the appointment of the commissioners, to whom was
transferred many of the powers respecting the repair
ing of bridges and roads previously held and exercised
by the justices in session.
The board of commissioners was required to meet
three times, at the place in which the last township
meeting was held, and was authorized to hold as many
other meetings as it thought best at any place it
might choose. The members were to receive for their
services the sum of five shillings per day. The quarter
sessions still held the authority as to locating and
altering highways, as well as other matters general to
the district. The Act of 1839 changed the name " com-

Municipal Notes. 33
missioners," as set forth in the Act of 1835, to "town
ship wardens." This system was continued up to the
year 1841. Previous to this the province was divided
into districts, and the Go vernor-in- Council determined
the number of councillors and appointed the warden.
It was the desire of Upper Canadians, however, who
disliked paternal government, to elect their wardens and
other officers. This furnished the basis of the Act of
1841, which provided for district councils to be com
posed of one or two members to be elected by each
township, and to hold office for three years, retiring in
rotation. From these changes in the functions o the
local governing bodies, it appears evident that public
opinion was approaching the present excellent system.
It was not till the year 1850, however, that the Muni
cipal Act was given to the municipalities. With this
short sketch of the Municipal Act we will resume the
history of Blanshard.
On the third day of January, 1848, the people of
Blanshard met at Joseph Case's tavern, in the village
of St. Marys, to appoint officers and pass such legislation
as might be found necessary for the proper government
of the municipality for the current year. At that
meeting the following officers were elected, after Mr.
George Birtch had been placed in the chair : Millner
Harrison, township clerk; Thomas Shoebottom, council
lor ; Body Hanley, assessor ; Edward Styles, collector ;
poundkeepers for St. Marys, Samuel Fraligh, Thomas
Skinner ; in the township, John Switzer, Daniel Powell.
The township wardens appear to be left to the last, no
doubt to afford an opportunity for the several candid
ates to make explanations, and appeal to their con
stituents for a renewal of that confidence with which

34 The Pioneers of Blanshard.
they had been honored on former occasions. Body Han
ley, Christopher Sparling, and James Pangburn were
declared elected as wardens for that year. Every
pathmaster was appointed a fence-viewer in his road
division. Height of fences, 4J feet, to be staked and
ridered or locked. It was further enacted "that no seed
animals or stags to run ; no breachy cattle to run ; no
horses to run ; no hogs under 30 pounds to run, all
above 40 pounds free-commoners." We subjoin a list
of the pathmasters elected in 1847 : Arcihbald McCal
lum, Joseph Oddy, Nathan Stephens, Henry Morrill,
Bobert Mackay, William Baynard, C. G. Sparling
James Pangburn, Bichard Harding, Dinnis Murray,
George Bradley, Bichard Tasker, John Legg, James
Hooper, James Pickard, Thomas Shipley, William
Slack, William T. Smith, Henry Willis, William Berry,
William Bichardson, Edward Docherty, Henry Berry,
Francis Bobertson, Joseph Willis, Shedrick Clark,
Bobert Birtch, Joseph Carpenter, John Bettridge,
Thomas Foster, Michael Clary, Bobert Cruse, John
Steel, Alexander Sellars, William Kirk, Francis And
erson, Alexander Cameron, Samuel Fraligh, for the
village of St. Marys, all of which was signed by Bobert
Birtch, Chairman. Some irregularity in connection
with this meeting, however, led to the issue of a warrant
by William Chalk, Warden of the County of Huron, to
Mr. James Clendinning, of St. Marys for a new elec
tion, which was held at Ashel Morris German's Tavern,
village of St. Marys, when Thomas Christie and Thomas
Shoebottom were the candidates. At the close of this
contest Mr. Christie was declared elected by a majority
of sixteen votes. It will be noticed from the report of
these meetings, that Mr. Hanley held the dual offices

Municipal Notes. 35
of assessor and township warden for the year. On
the first day of January, 1849, the ratepayers met
at Ashel Morris German's Tavern, St. Marys, and
elected the following officers for that year : William
Patterson Smith, chairman ; Thomas Shoebottom,
councillor ; Millner Harrison, clerk ; Body Hanley,
assessor; Edward Styles, collector; Samuel Fraligh,
poundkeeper for St. Marys ; C. G. Sparling, Body
Hanley, Henry Willis, township wardens.
In the records of the township previous to the year
1850, I find no statement as to the salaries paid to
the several officers. The first statement of accounts
is dated July 21, 1847, when the total receipts are
.£90 8s. 3d., and the expenditure corresponding to this
sum exactly. In an item dated September 15th, Mr.
Harrison was paid about two per cent, on this amount
for clerk's fees, or £1 8s. 3d. This account is certi
fied as being correct by Body Hanley, C. G.
Sparling, and James Pangburn, wardens. In 1848,
the receipts in another account amount to £10 10s.
7Jd, and the expenditures, to £10 10s. 9d. This
statement is certified by George Fraser and T. B.
Woodliff, district auditors, leaving a balance due the
clerk of three halfpence.
On March the 7th, 1847, occurs an entry which will
be somewhat amusing to the people of Blanshard of
to-day. The first entry is made on March the 8th,
1847, as follows : "Millner Harrison's mark is a split
in the right ear ; James Smith's mark is a piece
cut out of the end of the right ear ; Will. Carrol's mark
is a small round hole in each ear ; Thomas Ingersoll's
mark is a piece of the left ear is split in and cut out
under to make a square notch ; Jeremiah Caysler's
3

36 The Pioneers of Blanshard.
mark is a split in the left ear Peter Smith's mark is
a three cornered burn on the hip ; George Tracey's mark
is a split in both ears, forming a swallow tail ; Joshua
Brinks' mark is a piece cut out of each ear on the
upper side in the shape of a half moon ; Christopher
G. Sparling's mark is a round hole in the right ear the
size of a musket ball ; Pardon Fuller's mark is a round
hole in the right ear, and a half round in the left ear ;
Bobert Birtch's mark is a round hole and split in the
left ear ; Caleb Bichardson's mark is a piece cut square
off the left ear ; the mark of Noah D. Carroll is a piece
cut of from the right ear." This concludes the list of
gentlemen who appear to have placed themselves on
record. The quotation I have given exactly as it is in
the minute book. It would appear, however, that very
few of the people of Blanshard availed themselves of
this mode of registration in comparison to the popula
tion the township must have contained at that period.
To five of the parties no date is given to the registra
tions, but we find Mr. Tracy next to Mr. Harrison, re
gistered on October 14, 1848, Mr. Brink on Novem
ber 18, 1848, Mr. Sparling on February 15, 1849, Mr.
Fuller, on March 10, 1849, Mr. Birtch May 23, 1849,
Mr. Bichardson January 18, 1850, Mr. Noah Carroll
December 6, 1850.
There is no explanation why such a record is
necessary, or whether it is intended to distinguish
the parties themselves, or any animal of which they
may be possessed. This mark is not by any means
peculiar to the officers, although a number of those
gentlemen appear to have received it. The modern
officials of Blanshard, we apprehend, are known by
their individuality, and we believe that if they had

Municipal Notes. 37
to have their ears split, indicating they were not of
the common herd of mankind, judging from our own
personal feelings the nomination papers would show
a lamentable paucity of names as candidates for
municipal honor.
The first by-law of which any record can be found is
a by-law relating to poundkeepers and their duties.
This piece of legislation in many of its clauses is
about the same as the by-law in force at the present
day, which governs those officers in Blanshard. In
the last clause, relating to the penalties imposed for
neglect of its provisions, it is enacted "that all the above
mentioned animals shall receive a sufficient quantity
of water every day, or in default thereof, the pound-
keeper shall receive no pay for feeding." This is an
important provision, surely, and would certainly have
the effect of compelling that important officer to do
his duty. The by-law is dated February 13, 1847, and
signed by Body Hanley, C. G. Sparling, and James
Pangburn, wardens.
With the close of the year 1849 ends all record of
the transactions of the local government of the town
ship of Blanshard under the old system. The legisla
tion known as the Municipal Act of Upper Canada
was passed in the year 1850 ; in 1851 a new order of
business was introduced in the management of muni
cipal affairs. The old town meeting day became a
thing of the past. A district councillor was no longer
elected. The office of township wardens was abolished.
By the authority of the new act the Council as at
present constituted commenced its long career of use
fulness, bringing many salutary and beneficent changes
to the people. The great principle involved in this

38 The Pioneers of Blanshard.
piece of legislation remains the same to-day as it was
fifty years ago. Any changes or amendments it may
from time to time have received have been only in
detail, as the circumstances arising from an advancing
civilization required. That grand principle of placing
the voting power in the hands of the tax -paying power
has never been interfered with. The close proximity
of the governing force to those who are governed has
not been materially changed. The interests of the
representative men who sit at the Board are identical
with the interest of those who placed them in that
honorable position. As a natural consequence, there
fore, all their transactions are framed on strict lines of
economy, and with a view to the best interests of their
constituents. The tendency of the near relationship
of the Council to the people is to give dignity to the
aspirant after municipal honors, by so influencing his
conduct as to give him some standing in the eyes of
the electors. He has a secret feeling in his heart of
hearts that some day he will be asked to come up
higher and occupy a seat at the table on the platform
at the upper end of the township hall. To hundreds
of men in Ontario a seat at the township Board marks
an epoch in their lives. In many of the homes in this
country can be found an old gentleman laden with
years, whose eyes fill with a new light when he
recounts his almost superhuman effort at the town
ship Board in behalf of economy, and, as he would
say, " the present and prospective prosperity of the
people of this municipality." Many of these old repre
sentative men do not measure their lives as most men
do, from the period of their birth, their school-boy
days, or maybe from the day they stood at the altar,

Municipal Notes. 39
but will date all their after life from that year when
first they were elected to the Council.
In compliance, therefore, with the new Municipal
Act, the first meeting of the first Council of the town
ship of Blanshard met for the transaction of business
at William Guest's, Blanshard Hotel, on January 20th,
1851, at the hour of ten o'clock a.m., we may say
nearly fifty years ago. The gentlemen who composed
the Board on that important occasion would appear
to have been fully aware of the dignity and of the
respect which was due in the presence of such an
august body as the Council of Blanshard. From the
present Council back during the last half century, the
representatives of the township have been quite exact
ing of that observance which is due, and which should
always be accorded, to those who have been invested
with authority and power. In the statement sub
joined will be found the names of the various officers
of the township, from the period of the introduction
of the Act of 1850 to the present time. Previous to
the year 1867 the reeves were elected by the Board ;
subsequent to 1867 they were elected by the people.

40

The Pioneers of Blanshard.

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45

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46 The Pioneers of Blanshard.
The Council of 1851 was an important one. The
new Act had come into operation, and the whole
machinery of the proper administration of the law had
to be put in motion. A set of officers had to be
appointed, who of necessity must have had no experi
ence in the work they had to perform. In the records
of their meetings in 1851 many things occur that would
lead to grave consequences with any representative
pursuing the same policy now, but which were thought
to be quite legitimate at that time. It does not appear,
however, that any of them were over-paid for their
services. The clerk received =£12 10s., collector £12,
assessor £16 10s., councillors each 6s. 3d. per day,
auditors £1 each, returning officers 12s. 6d. The
treasurer was to receive 2 J per cent for all moneys
passing through his hands. In July of 1851 it was
ordered that f of a penny in the pound be levied on all
the property in the township, to build a bridge over
the Thames, near the village. This was the old frame
structure that stood on the site of the present stone
bridge on Queen street, St. Marys. The contract was
let by tender to William Noble for £150, not including
the approaches. The filling was a separate contract,
and on the east end extended as far (or nearly so) as
where Water street crosses Queen. In this year was
also organized the London and Proof Line Gravel
Boad Co., which built the first gravel road west of St.
Marys. The Council, recognizing the utility of such
an undertaking, borrowed the sum of £2,000 to assist
in its construction. In February, 1853, the Council met
at James McKay's hotel, and fixed the rate for tavern
licenses at £5 10s. for the town, and £3 10s. for the
township. The tavern inspectors, of which there were

Municipal Notes. 47
five, received each £1 10s. for their work. The inspec
tors appointed were J. K. Clendening, Beuben Switzer,
Body Hanley, William McCauly, and Thomas Ander
son. In the year 1856 the salary of the several officers
had been advanced, and an allowance was made to the
clerk of £20, assessor £13, collector £15, auditors each
£1 10s., councillors each per day 10s., inspectors of
licenses each £1 10s., returning officers 15s. From
this date the Board held its meetings at Skinner's
Corners, which, since 1856, has been the seat of Gov
ernment for Blanshard. The allowance of 2 J per cent.
to the treasurer was still recognized as the proper
mode of paying that officer, and continued to be so till
the year 1870, when the Council withdrew the per
centage and allowed a salary per annum instead.
In 1888 was organized the first Board of Health
under the provisions of the Health Act of Ontario, and
was composed of William F. Sanderson, David Bre
thour, and Thomas Epplett, with the reeve and clerk
ex-officio. With the Board was associated William
Irving, M.D., of Kirkton, as Medical Health Officer.
The members of the present Board are David Brethour,
Bobert Bilyea, William F. Sanderson, with the reeve
and clerk, and Dr. Ferguson, of Kirkton, as Medical
Health Officer. In 1897 was introduced the Act
relating to county councils. This act was intended to
reduce the number of county councillors. In many of
the counties of Ontario the councils had become cum
bersome and unwieldy. It had the important effect of
destroying to some extent the voting power of the
smaller villages, who contributed but little to the
county funds, and thus gave greater influence to the
representatives from the township. The county was

48 The Pioneers of Blanshard.
divided into districts, each district electing two repre
sentatives. Blanshard and Downie form one district,
and have elected, since the inauguration of the new
system, William F. Sanderson and Nelson Monteith,
M.P.P., as their Commissioners to the County Board.

Social Condition of the People. 49

CHAPTER III.
SOCIAL CONDITION OF THE
PEOPLE.
WHEN we contrast the condition of the people of
Blanshard to-day with that of the early pio
neers, the difference is very great indeed. The hardships
and inconveniences which were inseparable from the lot
of the early settlers are now unknown. In the early
days the wants of the people had to be confined in
very narrow limits. Many of the modern conveni
ences which have arisen through the agency of human
thought, energy, and enterprise, and are demanded to
satisfy the requirements of a luxurious people, were
not then in existence. There were no railroads, no tele
phones, no roads, no schools. The backwoodsman
preceded the present order of things, and, as it were,
cleared the way for advancing civilization, with its
train of costly and luxurious trappings and refining
influences. He was not surrounded by the beautiful
in art, and his lonely shanty in the forest contained
nothing that tended either to elevate or dignify the
man. The great domain of nature everywhere around
him was as it had been since the world began. Im
pressive, no doubt, it was in its vastness, and the still
ness of its deep leafy solitudes would rouse in the

50 The Pioneers of Blanshard.
heart of the settler that feeling which is akin to fear,
and which men experience when alone and far from
human habitation. The ever-present thought of the
home he had left far away across the sea, it may have
been, seemed to embitter his feelings in the exile he
had imposed on himself. But nothing could be gained
by brooding over his present condition. He had deter
mined to make a home for himself and family, and
with time and labor he would doubtless accomplish it.
Hope, like a siren, still beckoned him on, and where
ordinary thrift was thrown into the struggle the reward
was sure. In all the difficulties of pioneer life one
feeling seemed to be shared in common by the settlers,
that was the feeling of warm mutual sympathy.
The lives of all were so much alike that a bond of
union sprang up amongst them, so strong that the
greatest sacrifices would be made for one another.
They were all poor, and this effectually set at defiance
those petty jealousies that we so frequently notice
at the present day. They helped each other to build
houses, clear the land, reap the little crop they were
able to grow among the stumps, and shared the last
morsel of food with each other. That need of excite
ment which seems to be necessary to human happiness
and human enjoyment could be satisfied only at the
raising, or the logging bee. Strong liquors were used
freely by nearly all in most sections, and after the
labor of the day was over in the field, the night would
often be spent in revelry and song, until the very woods
rang again with their mirth. In the summer a walk in
the woods was glorious indeed. The thick canopy of
foliage effectually intercepted the hot rays of the sun,
and the aroma which everywhere filled the atmosphere,

Social Condition of the People. 51
from the ferns and other plants that grew in luxuriance
in the shade, was delightful. Of flowers there were
but few, and these few delicate and spiritless, offering
but scant sustenance to the little humming-birds that
darted here and there in search of food.
The few cattle which were owned by the settler
roamed at will through the woods, one in each herd
carrying a bell, the tinkle, tinkle, tinkle of which
would be heard all the day long, some near and dis
tinct, and some far off, the faint tones falling on the
ear like a distant echo. Each settler knew the sound
of his own bell, and could easily distinguish it from all
others. In the spring, when the snow had disappeared and
the warm April sun drew energy and sweetness
into the maple, sugar camp fires blazed everywhere.
The great cauldron kettle was placed on the ox-sled.
The tapping gouge, the spiles, the troughs which had
been piled up, were brought into requisition. The
mistress of the house and all the children were set
on the sled, and away to the woods, laughing and
shouting with glee at the glorious prospect of abund
ance of sugar, taffy, and maple molasses ! The night
has been a little frosty, but the sun is shining clear
and hot, and when the axe is struck into the great old
maple, the sap literally gushes from the wound. By
the time the kettle is hung over the pole the buckets
are nearly half full, and the great logs are soon blazing
up around it. The little ones are yelling with delight
as each, with a little pail, runs from tree to tree,
gathering the sweet sap and emptying it in the cauldron,
which soon begins to give as much steam as an engine.
The day wears on, and the sap in the kettles is taking-

52 The Pioneers of Blanshard.
on a different hue ; the little ones have ceased to
carry from the trees, and remain near the fire, watch
ing the fast diminishing fluid as its particles become
more tenacious. At last the grand climax of their
hopes is reached, and pails, skimmers, cups, plates,
and vessels of all descriptions are brought into requi
sition, so that each and all can taste of the sweet
reward of their labors. But the sun is now far in the
west, and a cold feeling is in the atmosphere. The
fires are burning low, and the results of the day's
labor are prepared for removal to the shanty. The
oxen are put to the sled ; the children, with faces
covered with a mixture of taffy, smut, and leaves,
clamber on, each more anxious than the other to pro
tect the contents of the vessel holding the sweets ; and
the whole equipage starts through the woods towards
the little clearing, all fatigued with the labors of the
day. The home of the pioneer usually contained an article
of great utility which cannot be found, or rarely so,
in the mansion of to-day. The spinning-wheel during
the summer was kept steadily humming preparing the
material from which was made clothing for the family.
When the wool had been spun, bark was taken from
the butternut tree, in a decoction of which it was dyed
to the desired color. Weavers were plentiful in the
country districts, who soon made it into cloth. In the
month of October great webs of this homespun could
be found in the house of almost every settler. From
this was made the whole of his garments, as well as the
clothing for the rest of the family. There was very little
fine goods at that time, and the agriculturist, when he
was " togged out " in his homespun, and his boots had

Social Condition of the People. 53
got an extra dose of tallow, considered himself " nae
sheepshank." The vehicles of the time were of the most primitive
kind. The precursor of all was the ox-sled. With
the axe and the auger this implement was always con
structed by the settler himself. It contained no iron,
and was made entirely with the axe. He went to mill
with the sled, drew in his hay and grain with it from
among the stumps, and it was equally handy either in
the snow or in the mud. The ox-cart came next,
which in turn gave place to the wagon. The wagon
took first place for many years, both as an article
of utility on the farm and for conveying the family
on pleasure excursions. Two poles were placed along
the sides of the box, and fastened at each end with
hooks, and on these poles the seats rested. This was
considered perfection itself, and the height of com
fort was supposed to have been reached. But the
spring seat loomed up. This was soon superseded by
the light wagon. But the wildest dreams of the
optimist had never reached the idea of the buggy.
Those men, however, who were happy in the ox-cart,
had grown better off in the world, and with the exten
sion of their means came the extension of the idea for
more comforts and luxuries. The step from the
wagon to the buggy was one easily made. The
faculty of adaptability in man is very great, particu
larly if it adds to his comfort or his glory.
Through the untiring efforts and industry of the
early settlers great improvements were being made.
The woods were being cleared, and fields laid out on
the various farms, log buildings erected, with here and
there on the corner a little square house for a school,
all indicating progress and advancement. It was many

54 The Pioneers of Blanshard.
years, however, after the first settlers entered Blanshard
before that great convenience, the country post office,
was introduced. In St. Marys, of course, an office
had been established shortly after the township was
surveyed. But to those people living in the forest
twelve miles away the convenience afforded was small
indeed. As a natural consequence few newspapers
were read, and the correspondence of a pioneer was
very limited. If a settler from the west end of the
township undertook a journey to St. Marys with the
oxen, he would bring the mail for his neighbors for
several miles around his house. In the year 1852 or
1853, Mr. John Bell, an old pioneer residing near the
tenth concession on the Mitchell Boad, applied for and
obtained a post office, which was named Fish Creek.
Mr. Bell has the honor of establishing the first post
office in Blanshard. This office was of little use to the
people at that end of the township, where the villages
of Woodham and Kirkton have since sprung into exis
tence. In the year 1856 a young man from the north
of Ireland came into the woods where Kirkton now
stands, built a small log building on the bank of Fish
Creek, and in this small log hut opened out a general
store. His stock was very small indeed, and any two
of his pioneer neighbors might have carried off the
whole outfit of the commercial venture on their shoul
ders. He was a most energetic person, however, and
soon had the honor of adding to his other lines of
business that of being the first postmaster in Kirkton.*
*This office is situated across the line in the township of Usborne, although
the post-master is a resident of Blanshard. The greater portion of the village
is located in this township, as is the office from which a large section of
Blanshard people receive their mail. It is, therefore, popularly considered as a
Blanshard post-office, although the building in which it is kept is across the.
line.

Social Condition of the People. 55
This man was Timothy Eaton, proprietor of the great
departmental establishment on Yonge Street, Toronto.
The career of Mr. Eaton from the log hut in the woods
to the largest commercial emporium in Ontario should
certainly merit for him the name of being the Wanna-
maker of Canada. In 1863 application was made for
an office at Woodham, which was obtained, with
Walker Unwin as first postmaster. The next office
opened was Anderson in 1867, with the late Humphrey
White as postmaster. In 1886 Metropolitan office
was opened, with William Spence as postmaster. In
1889 Science Hill office was opened, with William
Dawson as postmaster. In 1896 Bannock office was
opened, with John H. Jamieson as postmaster. The
present postmasters in Blanshard are : Col. H. A. L.
White, St. Marys ; William A. Smith, Fish Creek
(now changed to Prospect Hill) ; John McCurdy,
Kirkton, who has held the office for twenty-seven years ;
Samuel Ford, Woodham ; John Anderson, Anderson ;
Isaac Bailey, Science Hill ; Patrick Maloney, Metro
politan ; John H. Jamieson, Bannock.
In 1869 was organized the Blanshard Agricultural
Society, an institution which has been of untold benefit
to the agriculturists in the district around Kirkton,
where the exhibitions are held. The society under
the efforts of the secretary, Mr. Bobert Beatty, who
has held that position since the inception of the insti
tution thirty years ago, has been a gratifying success.
The first Board of Directors were : David Kirk, Presi
dent ; Bobert Beatty, Secretary ; Henry Doupe,
Treasurer ; Beuben Switzer, James Bryans, Angus Mc
Callum, Alexander Kirk, Adam Sparling, James Kirk,
William Hazelwood, Philip Kerr, Bobert Creary ;

56 The Pioneers of Blanshard.
Dr. Stubbs, T. D. Boss, Auditors. The present offi
cers are : William Hazelwood, President ; William
Hanson, Vice-President ; Bobert Beatty, Secretary-
Treasurer ; John Fotheringham, Albert Scott, George
Bently, John Sawyer, Amos Doupe, Walter Gowans,
Samuel Doupe, David Boger. W. B. Carr, V.S. ; E.
N. Shier and William Brown, Auditors.
The medical profession up till about the year 1868
was unrepresented in Blanshard. The section of
country around Woodham and Kirkton depended on
St. Marys and Exeter, ten miles away, for professional
aid in case of sickness or accident. At that period Dr.
Stubbs, a young graduate from Stratford, located in
Kirkton, and soon built up a large practice. His
health failing, he was succeeded by Dr. Hutchinson,
who removed to London after some years, and is now
city Medical Health Officer. He was in turn succeeded
by Dr. William Irving, who removed to St. Marys,
where he has obtained a large practice. Dr. Irving's
successor was Dr. Thompson, who remained only a
short time, when he was sent by the Presbyterian
Church to India. Dr. Ferguson, the present practi
tioner at Kirkton, has also a large practice, and holds
the position of Medical Health Officer for the town
ship. On the 26th day of March, 1876, was issued the first
policy by the Blanshard Mutual Fire Insurance Com
pany. This institution had been agitated for some
months in the township. The promoters of the scheme
were Aaron Sawyer, James Dinsmore, John Dinsmore,
Thomas Pearn, Alex. Smith, W. Johnston, and others.
Mr. Bobert Beatty, was the first president, and Mr.
Johnston was appointed secretary and manager. The

Social Condition of the People. 57
present board is composed of Mr. W. F. Sander
son, president ; Thomas Pearn, James Dinsmore, Peter
McVannel, John Leslie, Amos Marriott, Beuben
Switzer, William Dale, Thomas Eppelett, directors;
P. S. Armstrong, secretary and manager.
During many years Blanshard may be said to have
been almost without a single magistrate within her
boundaries. Although her citizens were law-abiding
as a rule, still little complications would arise which
rendered the intervention ofa member of the "quorum "
necessary. A few years ago a new commission of the
peace was issued to several of the prominent ratepayers,
and Bobert Beatty, Fletcher D. Switzer, John Cameron,
George Webster, W. F. Sanderson, Thomas Eppelett,
Peter McVannel and William Johnston were appoint
ed to assist Her Most Gracious Majesty in maintaining
order amongst her lieges in the County of Perth, in
the Province of Ontario.
In the meantime good roads had been made every
where. Many of the farmers in Blanshard had become
comparatively wealthy. In a great majority of the
families, instruments had been brought into the home,
and a taste for music as well as other of the fine arts
was cultivated among the young members of the family.
These in turn brought dignity and refinement, and
many of the amenities peculiar to a cultured and en
lightened age.
In the meantime the Church had been doing her duty-
The people had contributed liberally of their means to
her extension and support, and altars had been raised
to her service everywhere in the township. Bible classes
were established, missionary societies formed for the
honor and worship of Him whom to know is life eternal.

58 The Pioneers of Blanshard.
Education, too, had been encouraged ; the old school
houses had been supplanted in the fourteen sections
in the municipality by costly and handsome structures
for the education of the young and rising generation.
The old log shanties have everywhere disappeared.
As late as 1860, Blanshard contained scarcely a frame
barn ; at least in the west part of the township all were
built of logs. On nearly every farm to-day stands a
residence for the farmer and his family, constructed of
the most durable material, and in every way fitted in the
highest style of the builder's art. And while these
costly mansions have been erected for the comfort of
the family, great barns and other buildings have been
built for the protection of the stock and the care of the
implements. When we consider that all this has been
accomplished by men still living, such progress appears
marvellous indeed. It exemplifies the fact that there
are nearer gold fields than the Klondyke, and that On
tario has rewards for thrift and industry at least equal
to those of any country in the world. While it pleases
us to write of these great industrial achievements by
the pioneers of Blanshard, we regret to say that a spirit
of emulation had sprung up among the people that,
in many cases, led to disastrous consequences. Many
of Blanshard's old settlers, vainly endeavoring to keep
pace with their more fortunate neighbors in erecting
buildings, incurred obligations which they were never
able to discharge. It is sad to reflect that not a few
have erred in this way, and in their old age have had to
leave the scene of their early efforts and seek new
homes in the far west.
The people of Blanshard, and indeed of the whole
district surrounding St. Marys, rank high in point of

Social Condition of the People. 59
intelligence, as the immense amount of newspaper
literature weekly brought to the several post offices
in the township amply attests. A high degree of agri
culture has been attained, and her farmers are ever
ready to adopt the most modern innovations in the line
of their calling. They are sober, thrifty, and indus
trious, and, as a natural result, a very large number
have become well-to-do in the world. The twelve or
thirteen hotels that were located in different parts of
the municipality have, with the exception of one, been
all closed and turned to other uses. The roads are
all gravelled and kept in the best repair. On every
concession are appearances of wealth, prosperity, and
happiness. Blanshard has been particularly fortunate in her
public men. During all those years since her
foundation her representatives at the Council Board,
without a single exception, have been guilty of no
act dishonorable to themselves. They may have
erred in judgment — " to step aside is human " — but
theirs were errors of the head, not of the heart. Her
people are loyal to the country of which they form a
part, and have unbounded confidence in the future of
the Dominion. Their love for their beloved Queen
and the ties that bind them to Great Britain are
more than a sentiment, they are a passion, and, we
hope, as time passes away, they will become more
and more indissoluble. We are proud to know that
Canada is destined to be a great nation, over which
will still float the grand old flag that has " braved for
a thousand years the battle and the breeze."

60 The Pioneers of Blanshard.

LIFT UP THE OLD FLAG.
Lift up the old flag, lead on thy young scion ;
To fame and to glory still marshal the way ;
In its white folds of peace sleeps the voice of the lion.
The North shall assemble and march to the fray,
And forward shall lead the van ;
Canadians, every man,
For our home and our country we'll defy every foe :
From forest and distant plain
Roll on the mighty strain,
" The Dominion for ever, yo ho, i-e-roe ! "
Lift up the old flag, and name not surrender
While the banner of Britain still floats on the breeze.
From the hills of the North shall arise a defender
That shall strike for her fame, on land and on seas.
Our foemen shall tremble
Where our heroes assemble,
O'er the wild field of fury triumphant to go ;
That old flag of the free
Our emblem shall be,
"The Dominion forever, yo ho, i-e-roe ! "
Lift up the old flag, let us gather around it ;
Moor its staff in the rock, to the breeze let it fly ;
'Tis the flag of our fathers, in glory we found it,
In glory we 11 leave it, or defending will die.
Whose fame that won't cherish,
Let his name ever perish ;
To the depths of derision the vile coward shall go,
While we sing out the happy strain,
Let hills and rocks ring again,
" The Dominion for ever, yo ho, i-e-roe ! "

Villages, Schools, and Churches. 61

CHAPTER IV.
VILLAGES, SCHOOLS, AND CHURCHES
IN a township possessing so many natural advantages
as Blanshard, one would suppose that a number of
little villages would be found within its borders. Such
is not the case. No doubt this is owing to the town of
St. Marys being located near the centre of what is
known as the " Gore." All the main roads converge
in this, the commercial point where nearly all the
trading is done, not only for a large portion of Blan
shard, but for others of the surrounding municipalities.
In St. Marys are found many large manufacturing
establishments, and goods of every description can
be obtained at such rates as leaves no inducement
for people to purchase elsewhere. Immense quantities
of farm produce are shipped from this place, an evidence
of the fertility of the soil and the skill with which it is
cultivated. Of the three villages or " corners " which
have sprung up in the boundaries of the municipality,
Kirkton must be awarded first place as to present
population. The first building in this pretty and prosperous little
business centre was a small log house which stood on
the edge of Fish Creek, in rear of the large brick store
now owned and occupied by Shier & Marshall. Into

62 The Pioneers of Blanshard.
this log house Timothy Eaton, now of Toronto, brought
his stock of merchandise early in the fifties, for the
accommodation of the settlers in that out-of-the-way
section of country. In this log house also was opened,
by Mr. Eaton, in 1856, the first post office between St.
Marys and Exeter, a distance of over twenty miles.
This backwoods emporium was erected on the eastern
side of the road.
On the corner of lot 8, in the W. B. of Blanshard, a
small brick cottage was next built and occupied by a
gentleman by the name of Neelon. In this establish
ment Mr. Neelon placed a stock of goods suitable to
the requirements of the settler. Mr. Eaton removing to
St. Marys about this time, the commercial interest of
Kirkton fell into his hands. This building was after
wards remodelled and used for many years as a hotel.
The hotel being abolished the old house was taken
down, and the present large brick edifice erected by
Mr. Taylor, its present occupant. Adjoining the hotel
to the east stood a log house occupied by a shoemaker,
where the brick building of Boadhouse & Brown now
stands, and still further east Mr. John Callander had
opened a blacksmith shop — the first in that section. In
1860 these were all the buildings in Kirkton on either
side of the boundary.
In 1861 or '62 a new frame store was erected by
William and Bobert Currie, on the site of the present
dwelling north of Shier & Marshall's.
The progress of this village was retarded for several
years by the conduct of the proprietor of lot 9, on
which is now built a large portion of the village. In
1859 he had cleared that corner of his farm, but per
sistently refused to sell any part of it for building pur-

Villages, Schools, and Churches. 63
poses ; and it was not until the place came into Mr.
Doup's possession that any great progress was made.
Mr. Alexander Kirk had made a survey into lots of
part of No. 8, and was followed soon after by Mr.
Doup's survey of No. 9. This action of these two
gentlemen gave an impetus to building operations
which has continued, with some intermissions, ever
since. The name Kirkton was given to the village in honor of
the Kirk family, who were the pioneers in that section
of Blanshard and the adjoining township of Usborne.
Three of the brothers, Alexander, Lewis, and James,
located on three of the farms on which the village is
built ; the other three brothers, David, Bobert, and
John, residing on adjoining lands. The site of the
village is all that could be desired, occupying as it
does the level grounds receding backwards from Fish
Creek. It contains a number of residences that would
do honor to more pretentious places. Side-walks are
laid on all the principal streets, which are lined with
shade trees whose foliage in the summer months affords
a refreshing shade for the citizens. The present popu
lation is over 200.
Exactly one mile and a quarter to the south, on the
same boundary line, lies the village of Woodham. How
this village received its name we are unable to say.
Previous to its being made a post office it was known
only as the " Corners." This village was founded by
an English gentleman by the name of Unwin. In 1859,
when we first set foot in what is now Woodham, it
contained one house on the corner of lot 12, and
which building still stands. Mr. Unwin had bought a
small stock of goods, the disposal of which was a sup-

64 The Pioneers of Blanshard.
plementary aid to the profits accruing from his efforts
on the farm which he occupied at the same time. On
the opposite corner, where the post office is now located,
the old woods still waved in luxuriance. On the other
side of the road, in Usborne, workmen were busy erect
ing a hotel building for a Mr. Creary. Some distance
north, another and most useful building was being
erected for a grist mill, by a gentleman from London
by the name of Campbell. These three buildings, with
a shanty on the other corner, where lived one of the
settlers, constituted, in 1860, the village of Woodham.
Through the efforts of Mr. Unwin a post office was
opened in 1862 or 1863, with himself as postmaster,
and which office he retained while he remained in the
municipality. In later years a saw mill and pump factory have
been added to the industries of the village, gravel
side-walks have been laid down on the principal streets,
and the great number of shade trees give the place a
handsome appearance. In late years several beautiful
residences have been erected by its citizens, indicating a
progressive character and a desire to keep fully abreast
of the advanced ideas of the times. The rivalry that ex
isted for many years between these two places for pre
cedence seems to have passed away, and a kindly inter
est is now manifested between them on all occasions.
The village is composed of about thirty families, whose
total number may be 150.
The third, and only other village in Blanshard, is Pros
pect Hill, situated on the boundary line of Biddulph.
With the exception of one dwelling place, it is wholly
in Blanshard. Although surrounded by a splendid
section of country, Prospect, as it is called, has not been

Villages, Schools, and Churches. 65
so progressive as the two sister villages of Woodham
and Kirkton. Its situation is all that could be desired,
standing as it does on what is perhaps the highest ele
vation in the township, and from which an excellent
view can be obtained over a large section of country.
The first post office in Blanshard outside of St. Marys
was established by Mr. Bell at Fish Creek in 1852.
It was afterwards removed to Prospect, where it has
ever since remained.
Long before Woodham or Kirkton came into exist
ence, this was an important point, and could boast of
having two hotels for the accommodation of the travel
ling public. Previous to the building of the G. T. B.,
great quantities of produce passed through to London
over the London and Proof Line road from Blanshard,
Fullarton, and the country to the north. Every day
long strings of teams were passing and repassing to
and from the city, then the great commercial centre of
the west. Prospect in those days was a place of con
siderable consequence.
In later years, however, the stream of commerce was
directed into other channels. The Grand Trunk had
been built. St. Marys had grown into importance. A
new village had sprung up at Granton, a few miles to
the west, on the line of the railway. These places had
the effect of destroying the traffic passing to London,
and since then Prospect has somewhat fallen in the
rear of the other villages in Blanshard. It still contains
a good general store, blacksmith shop, and a few pri
vate residences as remnants of its former glory.
EDUCATION.
To the matter of education for their children the
early settlers of Blanshard contributed liberally of their

66 The Pioneers of Blanshard.
means for its dissemination and support. Wherever
a few pioneers had located, their first great effort was to
erect a school-house for the training of their families.
Humble little places they were, and destitute of all the
conveniences and comforts of the fine buildings erected
for educational purposes at the present day. In the
centre of the little settlement, and usually at a cross-road,
the old log school-house was built. Unpretentious it
was, and in the summer months the boys made sad
havoc with the chinking between the logs, for the pur
pose of letting in plenty of air to the little chamber.
The furniture was of the most primitive kind. Around
the walls on both sides were arranged the desks for
the more advanced scholars. These desks were com
posed of a couple of boards laid on pins which had
been driven into auger holes made in the logs that form
ed the wall. In front of these desks were benches made
from plank, and in these at each end were auger holes
in which were inserted pins for their support. For the
smaller children, benches of the same description were
set across the building, on which, day after day, they
spent in listless weariness the hours prescribed for
receiving their mental training. The door was
always in the end of the little low building, and
on the floor in front of it sat a great box stove
which in the winter was kept at a glowing heat. At
the farther end was placed the master's chair. The
walls were uneven, and ornamented here and there
with a lonely map, which seemed as if it had lost
its way and had been stuck upon the rough logs by
mistake. In those little log school-houses on the
corner some of Canada's great men received the rudi
ments of their education.

Villages, Schools, and Churches. 07
But the whirligig of time brought its changes.
The settlements grew and prospered, and with prosperity
came the desire for better school accommodation for
the education of the young and rising generation.
That affectionate solicitude which is ever wakeful and
watchful in the bosom of parents for the protection
of their children, was soon productive of better things.
Indeed, the improvement in the school premises in
many instances was far in advance of the improve
ments in church edifices or the private dwellings of the
people. It is now many years since the last log
school-house in Blanshard passed out of existence. In
every one of the fourteen sections into which the town
ship is divided, comfortable and substantial buildings
of brick or stone have been erected. In all of the
schools the most elaborate and modern equipment,
under an advanced system of education, is to be found.
The school property and the committees in connection
therewith are under the most careful inspection of
officers appointed by the municipality. Every pre
caution is taken to insure the most perfect sanitary
conditions on the premises and for the promotion of
the health and comfort of the children.
At what precise period of time many of the first school
sections in the township were formed it would be impos
sible for me to say, as no record is to be found in the
archives of the municipality regarding the formation of
the first section. In 1851 a motion was passed by the
Council adopting certain by-laws then in force, " and
that the said by-laws remain in full force and virtue until
repealed." By-law No. 8 of this code relates to the
division of the municipality into school sections. It is
therefore clear that the division had been made for

68 The Pioneers of Blanshard.
school purposes previous to the passing of the Muni
cipal Act. This by-law, together with several papers
in connection with the early history of Blanshard, I
have been unable to discover.
The Council of 1851, being the first Council acting
under the new municipal law, was singularly fortunate
in being able to dispose of school matters in such a
summary way. The lines of their successors did not
all fall in such pleasant places. The conflict over the
existing boundaries and the formation of new school
sections soon began, and continued to rage with almost
unabated fury, in some parts of the municipality, till the
year 1881, when union section No. 14 was brought into
existence. This was the last section formed in the
township, after an almost uninterrupted conflict of nearly
thirty years. The question of school sections was one
on which were wrecked the hopes of many an aspirant
after municipal honors. At the Board, for nearly the
whole period from 1852 up till 1870, the question of
schools seems to have been kept up with great
energy and determination. At one meeting a depu
tation would appear, and after giving certain
explanations, the Board would place on record a motion
giving effect to the desired scheme of the applicants.
At the next meeting the opposing party would appear
in force, and having given their views in language more
forcible than elegant, the former motion would be
rescinded and the whole affair be allowed to remain, as
it is recorded, " in status quo."
This state of affairs, to say the least, was not
creditable to the Board. It appears to us, notwith
standing our high appreciation of municipal men, that
the action of Council must have been founded to a

Villages, Schools, and Churches. 69
great extent on the number and influence of the
deputation with which they were dealing for the time
being, rather than on the justice or fairness of
the principles propounded by parties. The pledges
which had been made by some of the legislators to
their constituents, previous to their election, in the
matter in dispute, were now openly and in rude and
emphatic language thrown back. In extreme cases,
if the councillor was not able by his intellectual
superiority or by an exhaustive explanation of the fair
ness of the course he was pursuing, to satisfy the irate
electors, recourse to physical arguments of the most
convincing kind on more than one occasion settled the
question. It may fairly be said now, however, that out of the
thirty years' war of the school sections an order of
things has been evolved that seems to give satisfac
tion to the great mass of the people. Indeed it is
doubtful if better arrangements could be made regard
ing school boundaries than at present exist in the town
ship. And such seems to be the feeling of the people,
as since 1881 no legislation of any importance has been
asked for by that Board in connection with the
schools. TOWNSHIP LIBRARY.
The Council, having succeeded in establishing schools
in the several sections which had been formed in the
municipality, next turned its attention to giving
further educational facilities to the people by establish
ing a township library. On the 25th day of November,
1853, at a meeting of the Board, it was moved by
Henry Willis, seconded by Mr. Cathcart, that £50 be
granted for the purpose of establishing a library for

70 The Pioneers of Blanshard.
the people of Blanshard. This motion was carried with
the approval of the whole Board. The Council, feeling
itself in some degree inadequate to the proper carrying
out of such an important matter as the selection of the
books, at a subsequent meeting made further arrange
ments. On the 21st day of December, in the same
year, on motion of Messrs. Hill and Cathcart, the whole
Council was appointed a library committee. With this
committee were named as associates, William Woods,
Johnston Armstrong, Bev. Mr. Lampman, Dr. Wilson,
J. K Glendinning, J. B. Bennett, Dr. Wood, Dr. Cole
man, and all the clergymen of all denominations. A
township librarian was appointed, with a salary of four
pounds per annum, and to give security in the sum of
forty pounds ; the ward librarians to receive two pounds
per annum for their services, and to give security in the
sum of twenty pounds for the proper performance of
their duties. The officers appointed to act in the
several wards were : in No. 1, Thomas Mcintosh, who
was also township librarian. Mr. Mcintosh received
sixty-five volumes. This was, no doubt, for that por
tion of the municipality north of St. Marys. In ward
No. 1 was also appointed Duncan McVannell, who
received fifty-seven volumes for that portion of the
ward south of St. Marys. In ward No. 2, John B.
Bennett was appointed, and received 133 volumes. In
ward No. 3, William Sansburn was appointed, and
received 136 volumes. In ward No. 4, Eliza Cathcart
was appointed, and received 137 volumes. In ward
No. 5, David Merrical was appointed, and received 137
volumes; thus making for the whole, 665 volumes. The
institution, whatever may have been the idea of its
promoters, did not last long, and could not be said to

Villages, Schools, and Churches. 71
be a success. As to the selection of the works by the
committee, judging from those we have seen, they ap
pear to have done their duty with excellent judgment.
CHURCHES.
Prior to the year 1859, Blanshard contained but few
churches, and those it did contain were not of a very
substantial order. The west end of the township had
no churches at all. It must not be inferred, however,
that because there existed no churches there were no
religious observances. On the contrary, indeed, many
of the old pioneers were very devout, and paid strict
attention to their religious duties. All the denomina
tions that exist in the township to-day were in existence
then. The true worship of God does not require the
" long drawn aisle and fretted vault " to make it accept
able. That joy and peace arising from a close com
munion with the Most High can be found at the altar
raised in the log shanty in as great degree as if
the worshipper bent his knee amid pomp and cere
mony under the dome of an ancient cathedral. In
the various log buildings erected for school purposes
the services were held, and when these were not con
venient, then the doors of the settlers were always open
to the minister who desired to impart religious instruc
tion to the people. Previous to 1859 a Presbyterian
Mission had been established at Anderson, on the
second concession, and of which mission Mr. Alexander
Wood, now of Nissouri, was a most earnest worker.
After Mr. Wood removed from Blanshard the services
of the Presbyterian body were no longer maintained.
A portion of the members united with the Mother
well congregation, and another portion in the west

72 The Pioneers of Blanshard.
end of the district joined with a part of the town
ship of Usborne, and established what is now Mr.
Colin Fletcher's church, at the head of the third
concession of Blanshard. On the Mitchell road, Mr.
Johnston Armstrong and others established what is
now the Zion congregation. At Prospect Hill the
English Church had established a mission and erected
a church. The Presbyterians had also raised a church
at the lower end of the tenth concession, on the farm
of Mr. William Hamilton. The Methodist body also
erected a church near the same place. A log church in
connection with the Anglican body had also been erect
ed on the corner of lot five, on the sixth concession.
In 1860 a revival seems to have set in with regard to
church building. Till this period the Methodists and the
Presbyterians both held their services in the old log
school-house at Kirkton, which then occupied the spot
where the present brick school-house now stands.
The Bev. John Fotheringham was then Presbyterian
minister in what is now Mr. Fletcher's congregation.
Steps were being taken by both bodies for the erec
tion of churches, and shortly after, the Methodist body
erected in Kirkton the first brick church ever built
in Blanshard. The Presbyterians also erected, about
the same time, the old stone church one mile and a
quarter to the north. A new church was also erected
by the Anglicans in Kirkton, and which at the present
time is about to be removed for a handsome brick
building on the same site.
The several bodies into which the Methodist Church
of to-day was then divided seemed to vie with each
other in building churches ; and with such zeal and
energy did they pursue this craze for church building

Villages, Schools, and Churches. 73
that in a few years the township of Blanshard con
tained or contributed to nearly a score of churches.
After that great change in the policy of the Methodist
body which has led up to her splendid position of to-day,
by a united effort for the extension of her principles, a
new order of things has been brought about. When
the union was finally consummated, a number of
churches were allowed to fall into disuse. The union
of the several congregations added strength financially
and numerically to the society, which previously had
wasted its energy in fighting a part of itself. Thus
any one of the old buildings was found to be too
small to accommodate the increased congregation that
now worshipped together under the same roof.
New churches had therefore to be built ; and in this
connection the people of Blanshard have shown a most
liberal spirit.
The first move in the line of erecting new buildings
was begun in the village of Kirkton several years ago,
when a splendid edifice was raised on the site of the old
brick one. This innovation on the part of Kirkton was
followed by Anderson, and Zion on the Mitchell Boad,
where handsome and substantial brick buildings have
been erected. These three churches, with the fine
building at Mclntyre's, the brick church at Woodham,
the frame church on the tenth concession, and Cooper's
church on the base line, and the frame church at Prospect,
are all the Methodist churches now in Blanshard.
Outside of the town of St. Marys, the township does
not contain a Presbyterian church. The Anglican
body has a church at Prospect. It may be said, how
ever, that the Methodists own all the church property
in Blanshard with the exception of the small building
at Prospect Hill.

74 The Pioneers of Blanshard.
Thus has passed away the old order of things, and
in the great march of progress all seems to have
changed. In the short period of sixty years the old
woods have nearly all been cleared away. The corduroy
roads and the stumps are no longer seen. The oxen
and the sled are gone. The log barns are rotted away
or burned up. The old cradle and the hand rake are
seldom used now. The old log school-house on the
corner is long a thing of the past. The old church, too,
has been changed. Its environment has also changed.
In the grassy plot around where it stood are numerous
mounds over which the weeds solemnly wave. These
were not there sixty years ago. The old shanty with
its hallowed associations has passed away. The old
clay fire-place, the chain and the hook that hung from
the lug-pole, the old bake-kettle that sat on the hearth,
the old benches that stood by the walls, all are gone.
The old familiar faces that sat around the great old
fire-place sixty years ago and told the old stories of
their early homes far away, they too are nearly all gone
and sleeping — sleeping in the years of the long ago.

Meetings and Amusements. 75

CHAPTER V.
MEETINGS AND AMUSEMENTS.
THE amusements which are popular amongst
a people will always be found to be in accord
ance with the manner of thought of those by whom
they are patronized. No mode of entertaining can
long remain before the public unless it be a reflex to
some extent of their lives. The games of a nation are
the result of certain traits in the national character.
This, again, is collectively the bringing together of the
various and most prominent idiosyncrasies of the great
mass of individuals. If such be the case, the people
whose most popular entertainments are of a high moral
order must have moral order in their lives.
On these principles, the people of Blanshard and,
indeed, the people of Canada in general, may be said
to be highly moral. The tea-meetings held in all sec
tions of the country in aid of the Sabbath-schools, the
church social, the concert in the school-house and the
entertainment in connection with the local literary
society have had and still retain their popularity.
These entertainments are in their very nature elevating
and purifying, and must have a refining effect on the
great mass of people by whom they are so largely
patronized. To the residents of the country the tea-

76 The Pioneers of Blanshard.
meetings in the woods in summer, the agricultural fair
in the autumn, and the concert in the school-house in
the winter, afford their principal amusements. These
gatherings are of such a nature as to be enjoyed by the
young and the old alike. The pleasure of meeting
together in the leafy woods after the arduous labor of
sowing the seed in spring is not marred by rudeness or
boisterous conduct. Kindly salutations are exchanged
as each for the other kindly speirs.
Her Majesty's birthday, the 24th of May, is usually
selected for the first of these great reunions of the old
and the young. At this time the spring seeding has
been completed and the fields are green with the soft
verdure of early summer. The woods in which these
meetings are always held have arrayed themselves in
their most beautiful garments. The whole face of
nature seems at this period of the year to assume a
joyful aspect, and welcomes to her bosom the green
grass, the blossoms, and the flowers. The gloomy
winter has passed with its snow, its clouds, and its
storms, and all the earth rejoices to meet the ardent
gaze of the sun as it climbs higher and higher in the
bright and cloudless sky.
The grand event of the Sunday-school anniversary
is announced by the minister a few Sabbaths previous.
From the time of this announcement the interest in
the affair begins to increase. Committees are formed
to carry out the various arrangements. The choir
must practise some new pieces, speakers have to be
communicated with, and, most important of all, a
"chairman " must be selected. The chairman is usually
some prominent public man in the township — if
possible, the member for the county. All these arrange-

Meetings and Amusements. 77
ments must be carried out before the printing com
mittee can commence its duties.
Bills are at last printed and sent out through the
surrounding district announcing the event.
In the meantime in a great number of the farm
houses preparations are being made with all speed.
The ladies have procured their summer dresses, which
have to be ready for the Sabbath anniversary service.
On that great day they hope to be the observed of all
observers. No young agriculturist will be able to look
at those dresses and preserve his peace of mind. But
this is not all. The millinery openings have yet to tran
spire. These important events are crowding on. The
opening day does come in its course with other things.
In the principal shops in town, what splendor, what
beauty, what chaste combination, what blending together
of colors, what exquisite flowers and magnificent feath
ers ! All that skill could do and that human ingenuity
could accomplish, all that time, labor and money might
be said to be able to procure, has been resolved by the
deft hand of the ingenious manipulator into a little
indescribable something about the size of a saucer, or
has, in the other extreme, been constructed into a com
bination like a milk pan, which some of the profane
amongst the sterner sex would call a hideous affair,
but which the young ladies pronounce to be "just
lovely." At last a selection is made and the precious
object consigned to the paper bag which the young
lady carries in her hand for the rest of the day, until it
is finally conveyed in safety to her home. This is the
new hat.
Meantime, things are rapidly progressing, for all
want to make the 24th a grand success. In all the

78 The Pioneers of Blanshard.
houses in the district the ladies are making prepara
tions with the good things for the tables. In the
pantry they can be found standing beside the baking-
tray and flanked on all sides with paper bags, tins,
mugs, cups, flour, cream, butter, sugar, spices, which
they are mixing, kneading, and compounding into cakes
of various forms and dimensions. A friendly rivalry
exists amongst the different families in the line of the best
cooking. Besides, when the baskets are brought into
the grounds and handed over to the committee appoint
ed to receive them, if the contents are not up to a cer
tain standard, woe betide the poor woman that sent
it. Better for her (at that time) she had never been
born. The morning of the eventful day has at last arrived,
and the sun is shining bright and clear in a cloudless
sky. A glorious day it will be for the anniversary
meeting. At an early hour the children of the Sabbath-
school have taken to the woods. The swings are
kept steadily going, and the merry laughter that rings
through the trees would bring light and sunshine and
springs of joy and gladness into the heart of the most
miserable misanthrope that ever brooded over the
wretched condition of his fellowmen.
The teams sent out to gather the baskets are now
coming in with their complement of good things pre
pared for the occasion. The tables are set, and the
platform erected for the speakers in a shady part of
the grove. The lady whose duty it is to make the tea
is at her post, and preparing to outdo all her former
efforts. About twelve o'clock the visitors begin to
pour into the woods, and in the shady nooks fasten
their horses. The member for the county, who has

Meetings and Amusements. 79
consented to act as chairman, at last appears on the
scene, when hand-shaking and pleasant smiles are the
order of the day.
The minister of the congregation at length calls the
assembled hundreds to the tables, and announces the
following verse in which all join and sing :
Be present at our table, Lord ;
Be here and everywhere adored ;
These creatures bless, and grant that we
May feast in Paradise with Thee.
All fall to ! The voracious small boy eyes with satisfac
tion the ever increasing space as far as he is able to ex
tend his devastating hand. He reaches past the nice
young lady in pink, with a bouquet on her bosom, who is
primly nibbling like a rabbit at her first sandwich. Her
rosy cheeks and plump form indicate, however, that
her performances on other occasions would be more
vigorous. The more mature matrons and their liege lords
at the other parts of the table are already making
terrible havoc in their surroundings. Stacks of sand
wiches are disappearing like snow in April. Great
massive cakes are having huge gashes made in them to
their very heart's core. The waiters are all busy
replenishing the fast depleting teacups, and passing
the cream and the sugar, and the spoons and the knives,
and clean plates to new applicants. Here and there
the guests at the table are chaffing the waiters, and
they in return are chaffing the guests and making jokes
over mishaps, at which they all laugh, and they do have
such fun.
All being at last satisfied, the chairman takes the
platform with the speakers, and the visitors seat them-

80 The Pioneers of Blanshard.
selves in front. The choir having sung the opening
ode, the chairman gives his address. He congratulates
the people on the success of the day's proceedings, and
announces the great pleasure it gives him to be present.
He regrets his inability to discharge the duties of
chairman, but the audience must be satisfied with his
good intentions. He eulogizes the country and the
well tilled farms, the splendid buildings, the intelligence
of the people, whom he feels it is an honor to represent
in parliament. He tells some of his queerest stories,
at which the audience laughs, and the speakers laugh,
and they all laugh, and they have great fun.
Speaker after speaker is called forward to address
the people, and they tell their funniest stories and
crack jokes on the chairman, at which the chairman
laughs, and the audience laughs, and they all laugh, and
there is no end of fun.
The last speaker is brought forward ; reverend and
hoary, bending beneath the weight of years, who, with
serious air, reminds the people that though joy may
now fill their hearts, sorrow may come in the morning.
With his hands stretched out to heaven he bids them
look away to another and a better life, that this earth
is not their home, and never to forget that life is short
but eternity is long. In loving and affectionate tones
he gives the audience his blessing, when, having sung
" God Save the Queen," all disperse to their homes.
We trust that the people of Blanshard and the people
of this country will long continue to make such meet
ings the places of their greatest enjoyment, and there
need be no fear of the prosperity of this young nation.
From scenes like these shall Canada's greatness spring.

Meetings and Amusements. 81
school entertainments.
In the winter, when the fruitage of the season has
been gathered and stored away in the barns and cellars,
and the snow-drifts are piling up around the buildings
and levelling up the roads, the people seek other enjoy
ments. The woods are now leafless and bare, and cold
north winds whistle through the groves, driving great
wreaths of snow across the dreary, cheerless waste.
Entertainments must now be held indoors. The Liter
ary Society is organized, where spirited debates are
kept up on some historical or other question which
will require some research and knowledge of the sub
ject. Sides are chosen and a chairman appointed ;
when the contestants are arranged on each side of the
house, some of them with great bundles of papers and
books of reference, they make an imposing appearance.
Music is also part of the programme. Becitations, too,
are given, some of the performers rising to great heights
in their rendition of the terrible or the sublime.
In all communities we find individual excellences
extending in many directions. So, in the country school
section are found some in whom the histrionic faculty is
waiting development. The young people of this class
are anxious to distinguish themselves in the theatrical
part of the entertainment. On great occasions they
place a piece on the boards, and behind the foot-lights,
in antique and fantastic dress, portray to an admiring
audience how Si Turnipseed wooed Mandy Clover-
leaf, and how Mandy treated with disdain Si's most
ardent advances. Si still continues to close up his line
of attack, however. Mandy could not be cruel, and
finally rewards Si with her smile and her hand. So the
plot unravels itself amid the plaudits of the audience,

82 The Pioneers of Blanshard.
till Si gains a glorious victory over the timid Mandy,
and they are finally married, live long, and die happy.
When the Literary Society has announced one of
these interesting and most enjoyable events, large
audiences are always present. A small charge is made
at the door to defray expenses. A stage is erected at
the farther end of the school, and in front of the cur
tain is left space for the chairman and the organ. At
each side are dressing rooms for the performers. At a
signal from the chairman the curtain rises and the pro
ceedings are opened with music by the orchestra. Be
fore the admiring and appreciative audience the several
events on the programme are brought on by the chair
man until it is exhausted, when all join in singing the
National Anthem, and the proceedings are brought to
a close. In a short time the horses, which have been in com
fortable stables on the farms close to the school-house,
are hitched to the sleighs and are waiting for the loads
of young people, who are several miles from their homes.
The moon is bright in a cloudless sky, and the air is
crisp and frosty. With the shouting of the teamsters
and the jingling of the sleigh bells the horses are ex
cited, and are pawing the frozen track in their desire to
skim away over the smooth snow. At last the sleighs
have each received their full complement of laughing,
happy young people. When the word "ready" is
given, the driver slacks his lines, the bells ring more
merrily as the horses bound forward, and a song is
begun in which all join. As they speed away the tones
of the music falls softer and softer on the ear, and,
mingling with the tingling of the bells, dies away as
the sleigh, in the fast increasing distance, seems like
a dark speck on the snow.

Meetings and Amusements. 83

THE MERRY SLEIGH BELLS.
(Tune—" The Heather Hills.")
Hurrah ! hurrah, for the merry sleigh bells !
List the ringing and the tinging of their silvery swells ;
And the tones of their voices our bosom thrills
And echoes the notes of the merry sleigh bells.
See the pale moon swing in the cloudless sky
And the laughing stars peep as we merrily fly,
As our gay young hearts in fitful spells
Beat in time to the tune of the merry sleigh bells.
Chorus.
Hurrah ! hurrah, for the merry sleigh bells !
List the ringing and the tinging of their silvery swells,
And the tone of their voices our bosom thrills
And echoes the notes of the merry sleigh bells.
Then away, then away ! We're aglow with delight !
We're free as the air, or a bird in its flight !
Up, up with the song, till its cadence swells
In accord with the music of the silver bells !
Away past the school in its peaceful hour,
Away past the church in its leafless bower,
Away past the farm and its frozen rills,
We are happy as the chime of the merry sleigh bells !
Chorus — Hurrah ! Hurrah, etc

84 The Pioneers of Blanshard.

CHAPTER VI.
DAVID CATHCART.
DAVID CATHCABT, the subject of the following
sketch, was born in Port-na-Bleigh, County
Fermanagh, Ireland, on the eve of the 5th of Novem
ber, 1805, which makes him at the present time
ninety-three years of age. The family appears to be
a branch of the Cathcarts of the west of Scotland, who,
at the time of the colonization of the north of Ireland
by James I., emigrated to that country and settled in
the County of Fermanagh. They were a military
family, the Scotch branch of which attained high
rank in the British army — notably Major-General
Lord Cathcart, whose exploits during the Crimean
War brought such lustre to the British arms. During
the American war of 1812 some of them fought for
the old flag, and at its close settled in the eastern part
of the province, in the County of Carlton, named after
one of the early governors of Canada, and who was
also related to the Cathcarts. Mr. Cathcart was the
son of a farmer, and as such was early initiated into
the details of farm management. His education in
comparison with ours of the present day was neces
sarily limited, but appeared to be the best his country
could afford, and was quite sufficient for his purpose
in after life when he had raised himself to a position

DAVID CATHCART.

David Cathcart. 87
of honor and trust in the country of his adoption. At
the age of eighteen he enlisted in the yeoman cavalry
of the county. His connection with the militia in
that corps extended from his enlistment at eighteen
until he left the country for Canada, in 1842, at which
time he held the rank of sergeant. The yeomen were
considered then, and are now, a very important link in
the service, and were recruited entirely from land
owners and land holders of the county and their sons.
Mr. Cathcart, at the age of eighteen, entered the ranks
at the earliest time he could be admitted to the some
what distinguished position of being a Yeoman of the
county. His life during the period from eighteen to
twenty-eight was passed in the manner in which the
average farmer passes his time, sowing and reaping,
going to markets and fairs, caring for stock, and
regulating the affairs of the state.
At the age of twenty-eight he married Margaret
Creighton, sister of the late James Creighton, of the
base line, and who afterwards settled on the next lot
to Mr. Cathcart, on concession 6, Blanshard. This
union was a happy one, and it is safe to say that a
kinder, more contented and jovial pair never linked
their fortunes to fight the great battle of life. Mr.
Cathcart was bluff, honest, not very demonstrative
in success, nor apparently much crest-fallen in mis
fortune ; and they had, as is the common lot of all,
their share of both. Mrs. Cathcart was affectionate,
extremely affable and lively ; she was a kind mother,
a tidy housekeeper, and had a heart as sympathetic
and warm as ever beat in a woman's bosom. She was
the average size, well made, and was sprightly and full
of mirth up till near the time of her death. Even

88 The Pioneers of Blanshard.
during the last years of her life, when suffering from
perhaps the severest affliction that can befall humanity
(the loss of her sight), she still appeared happy and
was never heard to complain. She had unbounded
confidence in David, as she always called him, and her
countenance seemed to express the deepest anxiety
in her dark days, as she appeared to strain her
sightless eyes when his friends called on him, to see
that they were suitably entertained. She died in the
year 1882. After his marriage he began farming on a
small farm of his own, and followed that business until
he left his native isle with his family, to seek a new
home for himself and them in the wilds of Western
Canada. LEAVES OLD IRELAND.
An important crisis in his life was now at
hand. In the year 1824, John Gait, the Ayr
shire novelist, and Captain Dunlop, otherwise known
as Tiger Dunlop in the Nodes Ambrosiana, and
later of the town of Goderich, Upper Canada, had
associated themselves with a number of other gentle
men and organized what is known as the Canada
Company. A large portion of Western Canada at
that period was a complete wilderness. This com
pany obtained from the Crown a grant of a large and
fertile section bordering on Lake Huron, and extend
ing easterly and known as the Huron Tract. The
greater part of this domain was at once surveyed and
offered to actual settlers. Agents were sent every
where in the old land extolling the salubrity of the
climate, the fertility of the soil, and pointing out, as
agents only can, that in those pathless wilds any

David Cathcart. 89
person who would might soon make a fortune and a
home. Mr. Cathcart had reached that period of life when
men delight in adventure and action. His family
were growing up around him, and his native Ireland
had no grand offerings to give for industry or enter
prise. It was hopeless to look for fortune in a land
which fortune seemed to have deserted forever. Out
of a people who were all poor it was hardly pos
sible for a man ever to get rich. He knew that
to get independence he must go where indepen
dence was to be got. It did not take him long to
decide. The die was soon cast, and May, 1842, saw
him leave old Ireland with all his household goods for
the new land in the West. After an uneventful voyage
of four weeks and two days he arrived at Montreal.
REACHES BLANSHARD.
The paternal care of the Canadian government in
those early days did not extend to the poor immigrant
with that tender solicitude and protecting care that it
does now-a-days. There was no provision made for
their comfort, nor anyone to give advice. Every per
son did the best he could and shifted for himself. If
he got safely through the hands of designing scoundrels
and cheats, who were always in wait at the port of
debarkation, so far so good. If he was unwary and
got fleeced out of his little store of money, well, he
should have taken better care of himself. He was a
stranger in a strange land, and was a fair mark for
unprincipled operators. Mr. Cathcart was very fortu
nate on his arrival in meeting Mr. McDonald, who

90 The Pioneers of Blanshard.
had previously completed the survey of the town
ship of Blanshard, which was the best and the last
surveyed township in the Huron Tract. From the
description of the lands in Blanshard, given by Mr.
McDonald, Mr. Cathcart decided at once to go there
and seek a home.
When he reached Toronto the only means of
getting up into the western country was by means
of hiring teams and plodding on through a region
much of which was nearly a wilderness. But on
ward they came, and on a pleasant evening in the
beginning of July reached the township which was to
be their future home. Night setting in, they pushed
on to Little Falls, or what is now St. Marys, expecting
to find shelter till next day. In this they were disap
pointed. St. Marys was composed of only a few
houses, the occupants of which seemed to be no better
off than themselves. They could not buy food, for no
one had any to sell. It was fortunate that he had a
good supply in the wagons, or the whole family would
have gone supperless to bed. Still they pushed on
out along Queen Street, past Skinner's Corner, where I
believe James McKay, of St. Marys, had then located,
—past the old Shoebottom place, where one Cameron
then lived, and through the unbroken wilderness for
several miles, until he reached the object of his hopes,
and he stood on the farm which was to be his home
so long as he was able for active life. This was lot 18,
in concession 6, of Blanshard.
THOSE EARLY DAYS.
The change from the green hills of Old Ireland to the
inhospitable wilds of Western Canada was very great

David Cathcart. 91
indeed. The separation from old associations and
from friends, never more to meet on this side of eter
nity, had a most depressing effect. The altars at which
they had worshipped and the little plot where the
ashes of their fathers reposed were far away. Com
munications with those left behind were few, and could
not be expected in less than three or four months.
Neighbors were few and far between. This will be
easily understood when the townships of Blanshard,
Downie, and Fullarton, at the time Mr. Cathcart
came in, only contained one hundred and twenty-
three homes. For miles on every side stretched a
silent and unbroken wilderness. The old settlers
were brave men indeed, and must have had bound
less hope in the future of the country ever to
brave the trials and hardships of pioneer life. Under
the most favorable circumstances they could look
forward to nothing but years of hardship and toil.
They were the champions of progress, and laid the
foundation of a civilization which is the glory of the
Canadian people.
But even under all these adverse circumstances they
were not without enjoyment. The consciousness that
the piece of earth on which they labored would one
day be their own, gave them renewed energy for their
daily task. Every day saw something done, and some
long-looked-for end accomplished. What though they
had to work hard ? What though the remuneration was
small and slow in coming ? Come it undoubtedly would;
and it was something worth striving for to be the lord
of a hundred acres of fertile Canadian soil. And then,
too, when the long winter nights had come, what
pleasant hours were spent in those old shanties in the

92 The Pioneers of Blanshard.
woods ! A great back-log like a tree was carried in
and thrown on the fire, which roared and crackled in
the old clay fire-place like a lime-kiln, and sent a
shower of sparks up around the smoky lug-pole, like a
furnace. If the storm raged without, there was happi
ness within. The presence of a neighbor gave zest to
their pleasure, as they talked of the Old Land, the green
fields of Ireland, or the heather hills of Scotland, until
their hearts were full, and their eyes suffused with
tears. After all, those were happy days ; we shall
never see their like again.
From 1842 to 1855 Mr. Cathcart, like the other
pioneers, had employment in clearing his farm, erecting
buildings, and putting it in shape generally; and beyond
having two or three trips to Goderich on the jury (the
only place where court was held in the Huron Tract)
did not take a very prominent part in public affairs.
ENTERS PUBLIC LIFE.
In the year 1850 the township of Blanshard was
separated from Downie, this being the year of the
introduction of the Municipal Act. The late T. B.
Guest was the first reeve, and held the position till
1853, when he was succeeded by the late Arundell
Hill in 1854. In 1855 Mr. Hill was again elected
reeve, and we find that David Cathcart was elected
deputy. In 1856 David Cathcart was elected reeve.
He was again placed in that office in 1857, 1858, and
1859. In 1860 the late John Dunnell was reeve, and
David Cathcart deputy. He then retired from public
life till 1869, when, after a most spirited contest, he
defeated Mr. James Dinsmore. He was again elected

David Cathcart. 93
in 1870, and again in 1871, when he resigned and
accepted the office of treasurer of the municipality,
which position he held for several years. Time was
now beginning to tell on him and his energy was not
what it had been. The affliction that overtook his
wife somewhat unmanned him, and her death in 1882
bore on him with crushing effect. He resigned the
office of treasurer, which was the last public position
he held. His friends entertained him at a public
dinner, at which many of the prominent men of Blan
shard and surrounding districts took part.
BLANSHARD GRAVEL ROADS.
During the period of his first official connection with
the township he took an active part in the scheme of
building the London and Proof Line gravel road. This
road extended from the Stone Bridge on Queen Street,
St. Marys, passing through Prospect Hill, to the Proof
Line in London Township ; and of this he was inspector
for four years. He was also instrumental in building
the Base Line road, extending from Shoebottom's
corner to the village of Woodham. We can under
stand the magnitude and utility of these improvements
when we consider the state of the roads throughout
the municipality — mud and corduroy everywhere. The
idea of gravelling all the roads in the township by
statute labor had not been thought of then, nor for
many years after. It seems surprising that when there
was so much diversity of opinion on his gravel road
schemes, and particularly in locating the Base Line
road (and in this case he met the most determined
opposition), he still retained the confidence of the
people.

94 The Pioneers of Blanshard.
Between 1860 and 1869 the progress of the town
ship had been rapid. Gravel roads made by statute
labor were now almost everywhere. Farmers going
to market no longer drove on the Base Line or
London and Proof line gravel roads where they had to
pay toll, when they had made roads themselves which
were as good. As a consequence an agitation was at
once begun to buy the roads in Blanshard from the
companies, take off the toll-gates, and keep them in
repair from the township funds. This agitation led to
the struggle between Mr. Cathcart and Mr. James
Dinsmore in 1869. Mr. Cathcart was elected, and at
once bought all the stock in the London and Proof
Line gravel road (except what was held by the county,
which was given to the township free) and at once
removed the toll-gates off this road. The conduct of
Mr. Cathcart in this transaction led to most important
and far-reaching results a few years later, under the
reeveship of Mr. James Dinsmore. The Base Line
road was bought by Mr. David Brethour when he
occupied the reeve's chair in 1873, when the last toll-
gate was removed. TRAINING DAY.
The first time we ever saw Mr. Cathcart was on
what was known as training day — the twenty-fourth
day of May, 1860. A short description of this ridicu
lous obligation of Canadian citizenship imposed on
them by the government may not be uninteresting.
The militia at that period was organized on an entirely
different basis from what it is at the present. All able-
bodied men between the ages of twenty-one and sixty

David Cathcart. 95
years had to attend at a certain point and receive in
structions in the art of war one day in the year. For
this purpose the loyal and patriotic Canadians had
selected the twenty-fourth of May, Her Majesty's birth
day. An officer of the force, a few days previous, had
sent out orders to all the men liable to bear arms to
muster on the flats at St. Marys and perform their
annual drill. That day we remember well. It was
beautiful but exceedingly hot. Horses were few, and
most of the men made the journey on foot, many of
them walking ten or twelve miles through the woods
and over dusty roads to the place of rendezvous.
Groups of strong, able, happy fellows could be seen
wending their way along the concession lines and
through forests, then one mass of foliage, to the place
of meeting. On nearing the London and Proof Line
gravel road, which crosses at right angles the various
concession lines, the spirits of the pedestrians seemed
to rise in proportion as the distance decreased to the
various places of refreshment which were located on
that oldest thoroughfare in the township, there being
no fewer than six or seven hotels between Prospect
Hill and St. Marys. Considering the great heat, the
fatigue of the journey, and the importance of the duties
of the day, it is not surprising that the potations at the
various hostleries were frequent and copious. This
produced an exhilaration of spirits in some, which, by
the time we reached St. Marys, had passed the hilar
ious stage of excitement and was fast merging into the
uproarious. On reaching the old bridge over the
Thames on Queen Street, we noticed that a large con
course of people had assembled on the flats, and the
various evolutions of the troops were about to begin.

96 The Pioneers of Blanshard.
On all the leading roads converging into the town,
travel-stained and dusty men were pouring in.
On crossing the bridge over the mill race, opposite
the planing mill, as we entered the flats, several of the
officers were chatting. All were on foot except one,
who, we were informed, was Colonel Sparling, the officer
in command. He was mounted on a feeble steed, over
whose venerable head there appeared to have passed
the snows since George III. was king. It was like all
mortality, fearfully and wonderfully made. A heavy
ration of straw in the winter, followed by a soft
ration of grass in the spring, had increased the abdom
inal region out of all proportion to the other parts of
its organism. On this ancient specimen sat Colonel
Sparling, the commander-in-chief, and whose short,
thick-set limbs stuck straight out on each side like the
arms of a capstan. The Colonel appeared to give no
orders to any of his officers, but surveyed the field in
quiet dignity.
At last our name was called by an officer at
some distance on the flats, and we at once pro
ceeded to fall into the ranks. This officer was a
middle-aged, nimble looking man of average size, his
head well set back, large chest and full heart, and a
pair of limbs that suggested strength, activity, and
the greatest powers of endurance. He appeared to
be the only officer that knew anything at all about
military terms or manoeuvres, and, as a matter of course,
directed the men through the various drills. This
was Mr. Cathcart. Another officer stood near him
who, we were informed, was Lieutenant James
Dinsmore. The experience that Mr. Cathcart had
gained in the yeomanry in Ireland stood him now in

David Cathcart. 97
good stead. In Enniskillen, in Armagh, and in London
derry, bodies of British troops were always stationed,
at whose drill he had often been a spectator, if
not a participant, which gave him a knowledge of
military terms, as well as some of the simpler move
ments practised in the regular army.
We were at last ordered to fall into line. Our
left rested at the bridge, near the Colonel, and
our right extended up to and parallel with the mill
race. A more motley and awkward line of war
riors one could hardly conceive. We had not the
smart uniforms our volunteers are at present privi
leged to wear. Every one of us was dressed as
seemed right in his own eyes. Some of the North of
Ireland men had plug hats, bought in Donegal or
Londonderry, with black broadcloth coats, made claw
hammer fashion, garnished and ornamented with rows
of brass buttons in front and at the peaks of the tails
in rear. Others, less pretentious, had encased them
selves in blue cotton goods, wearing the ordinary straw
hats, while one gentleman had heavy winter garments,
and his pericranium covered with a high crowned hat,
amply ornamented with squirrel tails. But though we
were uncouth and awkward, let no man for a moment
think that in that thin, awkward line there was nothing
but clowns. In the faces of those men were deep,
thoughtful lines, evidences of strong character. Many
of them never knew fear. Possessed of sturdy indepen
dence, determined and resolute, they had braved the
dangers and possibilities of a long voyage across the
sea, and with a heroism that cannot be overpraised,
struck into the interminable forest and hewed out for
themselves independence and a home. If Mr. Cath-

98 The Pioneers of Blanshard.
cart were to stand on the spot to-day on which he stood
on that 24th of May, and call the roll again, how many
of those jovial fellows could respond to their names ?
Alas ! how many ? Perhaps a half dozen. Nearly all
are gone. Some have left and found homes elsewhere,
but by far the greatest number have answered the roll
call of a greater commander than Mr. Cathcart, and
joined the silent ranks of the great majority.
A LUDICROUS INCIDENT.
At length the order was given, " Attention ! Stand
at ease ! " and for the next hour or two we wheeled,
we marched and countermarched, shouldered arms,
grounded arms, and performed many intricate move
ments, which must have convinced the spectators, if
the opportunity offered, that we were the lads that
could show them how fields were won.
Hitherto we had been executing the simpler move
ments, when the order was given by Mr. Cathcart
for the most difficult manoeuvre of the day. This
was to effect a change of front. Our left rested
at the bridge over the mill race, where the Colonel
still maintained his position, and our right at a
stump near the Sarnia Bridge, the line being parallel
with the race. Our right was ordered to swing around
and take a position at right angles to that which
it had before. Precautions were taken to guide the
troops through this movement as orderly as pos
sible. At a short distance from the stump on
which our right rested, a barrel had been set up
as a mark to guide the advancing column, and farther
on still Lieutenant Dinsmore was stationed as the

David Cathcart. 99
point at which our right should rest, having described
about one-fourth of a circle. We accordingly began
to move, but before we had gone very far it was pain
fully evident that we were not going to be successful ;
indeed we had got into the greatest confusion, which
was heightened by an incident on our left. A soldier,
then residing on the 10th con. of Blanshard, and who
was somewhat of a wag in his day, had gathered some
grass and quietly fastened it to one of the brass but
tons of the claw-hammer coat which we have already
mentioned. In the course of the last movement the
innocent wearer of the garment had to pass close to
the Colonel's steed, which no doubt thought that the
grass was intended as a peace-offering for its usual
ration, and reached out and seized it. In doing so it
unfortunately caught the button at the same time and
held on. This led to most disastrous results. A
hungry horse at one end, a swearing Irishman at the
other, the piece de resistance the tail of a claw-hammer
coat. The issue was not long in doubt. The coat tail
gave way, and so forever was destroyed the mercantile
value of a coat which the knights of the needle had
admired as the triumph of the art. The fun arising
out of this incident abruptly brought the duties of the
day to a close, and Mr. Cathcart, seeing the state of
affairs and the attitude of some of the troops around
the Colonel, proposed three cheers for the Queen,
which were loyally given. He also informed the men
that he had ordered refreshments for all who were in
the ranks. This was followed by prolonged cheering,
to which that given for Her Majesty was but a trifle.

100 The Pioneers of Blanshard.
character and appearance.
Mr. Cathcart in personal appearance was an excel
lent representation of an old country squire, the fine
old country gentleman, all of the olden time. He
was robust looking, strongly built, and his face in every
lineament expressed open-heartedness, kindness, and
generosity. No more generous person ever lived.
That was a trait in his character no one could appeal
to in vain, and, as might be expected, he was often
victimized by cunning and designing suppliants. He
was even tempered and good natured, although if exas
perated beyond a certain point, particularly if unfairly
accused of a mean or dishonest action, his resentment
was sudden and emphatic, and usually had the effect of
moderating the statements of his opponent. Blanshard
never had, perhaps, a public man who enjoyed more the
confidence of the people throughout his whole public
career than did Mr. Cathcart. He had not obtained
this good-will by pandering to any party or clique, as
most politicians usually do. Neither did he know the
art of blazoning the failings and short-comings of his
opponents continually before the people and religiously
keeping back any good qualities they might possess, and
thereby raising himself into prominence on the wreck
and ruin of other men's reputations. His position as a
public man was particularly his own, and arose from
that noble appreciation by all men of genuine honesty
and integrity of heart. As a public speaker he was
not more than average, but what he did say was clear,
forcible, and to the point. As an illustration of this,
on one occasion when a political contest was being held
previous to a parliamentary election, one of the candi-

David Cathcart. 101
dates made a long speech, at the close of which an
elector jumped up and said that two minutes from
Cathcart would have had more effect than all his long
harangue. He has been a life-long and uncompromis
ing Conservative, but is neither blatant nor offensive
in advocacy of those principles which he believed were
for the best interest of his adopted country. He has
always been a consistent supporter of the Methodist
Church, although he has never taken a very prominent
part in the management of ecclesiastical affairs. He
was not pharasaical in his mode of living, and did not
occupy the highest seat in the synagogue, thanking
God that he was not as other men are. He never
preached religion — he did better, he lived it.
Mr. Cathcart might, if he had been desirous, have
had a much larger share of this world's goods ; but
saving money was not his forte. Indeed had he come
to this country with a fortune it is doubtful if he
would have kept it. The whole disposition of the man
was clearly against the hoarding of money. His
kindly, social feeling prompted him to spend freely ;
and during nearly a half century of active life I have
never known that he at any time had recourse to harsh
measures for the collection of a debt.
His tastes were simple. About his work on the
farm, he was very methodical. In his intercourse with
men he was affable and kind. Nothing gave him so
much pleasure as to have his friends and neighbors
share his hospitality. Away back in the forties, when
the township about where he lived was a wilderness,
many a poor, hungry family found food and shelter in
his shanty for the night. He was always amply
rewarded in such cases by the happiness suffusing the
7

102 The Pioneers of Blanshard.
hearts of the poor pioneers when they left in the morn
ing to pursue their way through the dark forest to
some quiet, lonely spot, there to make a home. He
was always neat in his attire, but never gaudy. His
manner was simplicity itself. Affectation he had none ;
what he appeared to be he was in reality. He was
fond of a good horse, and, as a natural consequence,
took considerable pride in driving a fine animal.
The old gentleman has long since passed the allotted
span of three score years and ten ; nay, he has long
passed that period which some by reason of mere
strength are said to attain. Those men with whom
he labored are nearly all gone, and he stands, at
the age of ninety-three years, all alone, a relic of the
past generation.
Mr. Cathcart had a family of nine, of whom three
are deceased. James died in Ireland ; Helen, (Mrs.
Bobier) in Blanshard ; and Frances Ann, (Mrs. Pratt)
in Winnipeg. The surviving members are Henry,
residing on the 8th concession Blanshard ; Catherine,
(Mrs. Somerville) of Brussels ; Elizabeth, (Mrs. Bobier)
in Manitoba ; David, in British Columbia ; Margaret,
(Mrs. St. John) St. Marys ; and John W., of the Garnet
House, St. Marys.

CAPTAIN JOHN CAMPBELL.

Captain John Campbell. 105

CHAPTER VII.
CAPTAIN JOHN CAMPBELL:
IN the group of beautiful islands that lie west of
the mainland of Argyle, and which attract tour
ists from every corner of the world, is the island of
Jura. Inconsiderable in itself, it seems to nestle in
the bosom of its more pretentious neighbor, the island
of Islay. Away to the west rise lonely and weird
like Colonsay and Oronsay, on whose beetling cliffs
dash the wild waves of the Atlantic Ocean, that roll
without interruption from the icy hills of Greenland.
On the mainland there looms up the scalp of the lofty
Ben Lomond, and farther north, above Loch Awe, rise
the hills round the dreary vale of Glencoe, where the
perfidious Breadalbane satisfied his unrelenting ven
geance by the perpetration of the most vile atrocity
that ever disgraced any age or country. West of
Glencoe are the silent solitudes of Morven, and near
which is Moidart, where Bonnie Prince Charlie, of
ill-starred fate, raised his standard in 1745, to fight for
the crown of Auld Scotland, the heritage of his fathers.
Close to the mainland here is the island of Iona, said
to be the point at which Christianity was first intro
duced into Scotland, and whose ruined temples stand
as silent memorials of the destroying hand of time, and

106 The Pioneers of Blanshard.
the evanescence of all earthly things. Such are the sur
roundings of the little island of Jura, where the sub
ject of this sketch was born on the 18th day of October,
1821. Mr. Campbell, or, as he is better known, Capt.
Campbell, was the son of a farmer who, in connection
with the operations on his farm, managed or acted as
overseer on a larger holding occupied by the Laird.
In this capacity his transactions in buying and selling
of cattle and sheep were considerable, and led him in
the course of his business to the markets on the main
land, where the confidence reposed in him by the Laird
for his honesty and integrity allowed him free scope in
the disposal of the goods. In the ordinary course of
things, Mr. Campbell would likely have grown up and
finally settled as a shepherd or small farmer in his
native Jura, but the death of his father left him to
some extent a free agent in choosing his own occupa
tion in life. Mr. Campbell being only ten years old at
the time of the death of his father, the widowed
mother still kept the farm and managed to care for
and educate her son, who was her only child, till he
attained the age of seventeen. No son ever had a
more kind and loving mother to watch over him than
Mr. Campbell.
After the death of her husband her whole affections
seemed to twine around him, and she was untiring in
ministering to his comfort and the happiness of his
family. And well did Mr. Campbell repay her for her
kindness. No mother ever received more affectionate
care and treatment from a son than she did from him.
No matter whether he resided in a luxurious home in
the city, or dwelt in the log shanty, a cozy spot was
reserved for her. His conduct to her was most hon-

Captain John Campbell. 107
orable to his head and creditable to his heart. It is
therefore not too much to say that he, or any other
man that shelters a mother in her widowhood, fulfils
the highest attribute of the divine teaching, and what
ever his life may be as to faults and failings, the world
must be the better of his having lived.
At the age of seventeen Mr. Campbell decided to try
his fortune in Canada. Up to this period he had been
attending school and giving what assistance he could
to his mother on the farm. The island only contained
two schools, so that he had not much choice of
teachers. But the parochial system introduced into
Scotland by John Knox, the great reformer, supplied
to the youth of that country a high standard of educa
tion. Mr. Campbell had availed himself of this, so
much so that when he came to Canada he at once
commenced teaching.
In the early summer of 1838 Mr. Campbell, accom
panied by his mother, left his native land, she never to
see it again, and he not till nearly fifty years had
passed away. It was a brave undertaking to leave his
friends and acquaintances and cast his lot among
strangers in a distant land. But hope is ever high in
the youthful breast. That buoyancy of heart which is
peculiar to the young leads them on to dare all circum
stances and surmount difficulties which, in after years,
would appear to be insurmountable. The voyage from
Glasgow to Quebec lasted for ten weeks. In those
days the accommodation for the comfort and safety of
the passengers was deplorable. It is not to be won
dered at if the sorrowing friends left behind, as, with
tears in their eyes, they sobbed a last farewell, would
rather have seen the departing ones going to their

108 The Pioneers of Blanshard.
graves. But it is said that fortune favors the brave.
After the period of three months Mr. Campbell had
reached the end of his hopes and was settled in the
township of Darlington. He at once applied for and
obtained a school, but the teaching of a school in the
backwoods of Canada did not accord with his feel
ings. To a youth of his aspirations there was not much
prospect of advancement in a country school. Hon
orable as the occupation undoubtedly is, it offered no
prize for an ambitious youth. To be shut up day after
day, grinding through the routine of lessons with a
few small children in a little log school-house in the
bush, did not harmonize very well with the feelings of
one who from his youth had roamed among the hills
and dales of the Western Highlands. There he was
free as the air of his native mountain ; here his duty
had to be done, so long as he retained his position, in
doing what he could for the little ones committed to his
care. His first year was his last one in the profession*
and he laid aside the taws, turning his back upon
the blackboard never again to return. He was now
completing his nineteenth year and naturally desired a
wider sphere for his ambition. In his island home he
had been accustomed from his very infancy to look on
the sea. He was familiar with the ocean in all its
various moods. He had seen it raging like a lion and
casting its white foam up to the very door of the
cottage where he dwelt, and he had seen it calm as a
sleeping child. For him a storm had no terrors, and
a calm was simply monotony. He determined there
fore to go to sea, and from this time his active life may
be said to have begun.
At the age of nineteen Mr. Campbell bade adieu to

Captain John Campbell. 109
his friends and commenced his apprenticeship as a
sailor. It is said " there is no royal road to learning;"
so there was no royal road for him to a captaincy on
the inland seas of his adopted country. He began his
career at the bottom of the ladder, and worked his
way step by step to the top. As a deck hand he had
to perform the menial labor of a deck hand. He had
no powerful interest at his back to push him ahead.
Whatever he accomplished in his new occupation he
had to do it himself. The position of a common sailor
at that time did not entitle him to much regard.
His employers merely looked on him as something
that they could use for a consideration and at the end
of the season cast it off. There was only one way in
which he could hope to succeed (and this will apply to
all young men starting life), and that was by honestly
discharging his duties and by taking such interest in
the business of his employers as to render himself
necessary to the successful carrying out of their specu
lations. This Mr. Campbell did with a will and
hearty endeavor that at once drew the attention of
those whose duty it was to watch over his conduct.
At the end of his first year before the mast his efforts
in the interest of the owners merited such apprecia
tion that he was offered the command of a vessel for
the next season. This offer he declined. He did not
consider that in the short space of one year he had
sufficiently mastered the details of his business to
assume the command of a vessel. He returned to
Darlington to his mother's home for the winter. The
next year he returned to his post again before the mast,
and served the season with great acceptance to his
employers, so much so that he was offered and accepted

110 The Pioneers of Blanshard.
the position of mate. During the few years he had
been on deck, with the characteristic frugality of his
nation, he had saved his earnings. When at the
age of twenty-five years he received the appointment
on the ship Minerva, he bought an interest in this
vessel, on which he held the command for three years.
The Province of Ontario was being settled rapidly
at this time, both in the centre and in the west, which
greatly increased the trade from the various ports on
Lake Ontario. To accommodate this increased traffic
the Canadian Government decided to make certain
improvements in the harbors between Toronto
and Kingston. The conduct of Mr. Campbell
had attracted the attention of the authorities, and
he was offered and accepted the position of super
intendent of the survey and deepening the harbor at
Cobourg. He at once gave up the captaincy on the
Minerva and entered on his duties as manager of the
Cobourg harbor improvements. He continued in this
service until the work was completed and a channel
dredged to deep water with such skill and care that it
has required but little attention ever since.
At the completion of this work he removed to Col
borne, on Lake Ontario. Here he superintended the
building of the ship Trade Wind, in which craft he
also had an interest. This vessel is still afloat. He
was appointed captain and sailed her for one year. It
is important to note here that no Canadian ship had
ever sailed to Chicago, which was then being spoken
of as a point of some importance on Lake Michigan.
Nearly all the trading with the few ships owned in
Ontario at that time was done between Buffalo,
Oswego, Kingston, and intermediate ports on Lake

Captain John Campbell. Ill
Ontario. The vast country away to the north and
west was still a wilderness. Except a few brave ad
venturers, no white man had penetrated very far into
the prairie solitudes, which are to-day the garden of
America. During the few years that Mr. Campbell
sailed before the mast he made several trips to Chicago
and Milwaukee on American vessels, but never on a
Canadian. The honor of first sailing into Chicago
under the British flag was to be his own, as will
be noticed later on. After leaving this vessel the
Captain's next appointment was to the command of
the Water Witch, which at that time was owned in
Buffalo, by an American gentleman of somewhat
eccentric character. This appointment he looks upon
as one of the strange events in his life. He is some
what of a fatalist in his opinions. He thinks with
Hamlet " That there are more things in heaven and
earth, Horatio, than are dreamed of in thy philosophy."
On a wild and stormy season,- about the middle of
November, Mr. Campbell was in the city of Buffalo.
It was near the close of navigation on the lakes, and
ships were fast making for their winter quarters. He
was sick and confined to his bed in a hotel fre
quented by the sailors and captains navigating the
lakes. One evening a gentleman called and asked the
proprietor if among the seamen at his house he could
get one to go with him to Chicago. Several men pre
sented themselves, but were not suitable. On further
questioning, the proprietor of the hotel informed him
that there was only one hand he had not seen, and he
was sick in his room. The gentleman went to the room
where Mr. Campbell lay, and at once pronounced him to
be the very man he was looking for. Although never

112 The Pioneers of Blanshard.
having seen each other before, it was arranged that the
ship should not sail for a couple of days till he would
be well enough to go aboard. In a day or two they
sailed, the owner of the ship in command. The weather
was rough and the lake semed to be swept to its very
depths by a terrific storm. As evening came on the
wind grew more wild and increased in fury. A long,
dark night was fast settling down on the troubled
waters. Great seas swept over the deck and threat
ened every moment to suck her down to destruction
with all on board. The Captain was incapable, and
appeared helpless when the fate of all on board de
pended to a considerable extent on his judgment.
The gale was still increasing. The rolling of the ship
and the water rushing over her decks made it danger
ous for the men to attend to any duty. The Captain
at last asked if any one on board could take the vessel
through the channel to which they were fast approach
ing. All declined, when Mr. Campbell informed him
that he had passed through the channel several times
when a deck hand, but never as commander. Mr.
Campbell was at once put in command of the ship.
The steersman was ordered to steer according as he
directed. At this part of the lake there are two
channels, one on the American and the other on the
Canadian side. The Canadian one, though narrower,
he considered safer. He gave directions to steer for
the Canadian side. It was now dark, and the gale was
apparently increasing. The sound of the rushing
waters as they dashed on the ship, and the wind
whistling in the cordage of the masts, made it almost
impossible for orders to be heard. On this occasion
Mr. Campbell says he trembled as he stood at his post.

Captain John Campbell. 113
It was the only time in his life as a sailor that he ever
knew fear. But he had to do his duty, and his duty
he did like a man. The safety of the ship and all the
lives on board were commited to his charge. As he
stood at the watch his garments were soaked with
water and the night was cold. But on they plunged
through the darkness and the tumultuous waters. At
length the grey dawn began to brighten in the east,
and he found that the danger was past as they
slowly entered the Detroit Biver. When they arrived
at Chicago the owner of the ship gave instructions
to him to fit her up to suit himself and sail her
where he pleased. Thus he became Captain of the
Water Witch, whose deck was his home till he left
the lakes for a farm in Blanshard. He accordingly re
turned to Canada, refitted the ship, hoisted the British
flag, sailed from Kingston to Chicago with a cargo of
Liverpool salt for Mr. Armour, the great speculator of
the west. This then is the first occasion on which the
British flag was ever seen in the Chicago river, flying
from the masts of a Canadian ship. While he was in
port Mr. Armour drove him out to his pork-packing
establishment, which was then considerable and formed
the neucleus of the vast business of the present. In the
course of his little trip Mr. Campbell noticed a number
of excrescences on Mr. Armour's hands, which the
vulgar people call warts. The Captain, no doubt, in
his younger days had heard and read of Esculapius,
but whether he knew anything of the compounds of
lard and smut prepared by that ancient practi
tioner for the cure of these things, history sayeth
not. This, however, history doth say, that he ap
plied a charm known only to himself, (it was in Gaelic),

114 The Pioneers of Blanshard.
and on his next visit to Chicago Mr. Armour presented
himself on the ship with hands as smooth and white as
a rector's. The cure was complete. But there being
no cordwood in that Prairie City to reward the new
disciple of Galen, Mr. Armour's gratitude for such
happy results took the shape of a barrel of pork.
There is yet another incident we must relate in con
nection with this voyage. Being in port at Kingston,
Mr. Campbell was introduced to a gentleman from
England, Mr. J. Edward Wilkins. This gentleman
was of good family, but reduced in circumstances. He
afterwards made several trips on Mr. Campbell's ship
to ports on the lower Lakes. On this occasion he
came with him as far as Chicago. At that time there
was no British Consul in the city, and he experienced
much difficulty, as the master ofa foreign vessel, in get
ting his papers to trade in a foreign port. Mr. Wilkins
became aware of this fact and informed him that if he
would state all the difficulties in connection therewith,
he would memorialize the British Government to ap
point a consul at this point. Mr. Campbell according
ly drew up a paper setting forth the whole case, which
Mr. Wilkins put in proper form and sent to the Old
Country. Mr. Wilkins seems to have had influence
enough with some of the members of the government
in London to insure prompt attention to the memorial-
A few months later an answer came to Mr. Wilkins
acknowledging the receipt of the papers and also an
other document appointing him as the first British
Consul in the city. Thus Mr. Campbell has not only
the honor of sailing the first ship carrying British colors
into Chicago, but also the honor of being instrumental
in the appointment of the first British Consul. We

Captain John Campbell. 115
have thus followed him from the period of his teach
ing in the little log school in the backwoods up to
the distinguished place he then held as one of the
most competent and painstaking masters sailing on the
Great Lakes. HIS MARRIAGE.
We must now return in our narrative to a period
some years prior to those occurrences which we have
related. There are events transpiring in the life of every
man the effects of which sometimes change the whole
course of events, and give a different coloring to his
future conduct. Almost every man who has reached
the three score, in looking back over his career will be
able to point to such, that stand like milestones on his
track, and by which he sums up his existence, rather
than by those mechanical methods introduced by civil
ized nations for the computation of time. From one of
these points we will again proceed with this sketch. On
the 22nd of December, 1848, Mr. Campbell was united
in marriage to Margaret McDougall, the daughter of a
farmer in Darlington. It is presumable that this lady
was one of his former pupils, when he taught the school
in the woods. She was several years his junior, being
18 years old, Mr. Campbell being 26. After his mar
riage he removed to Kingston, where he resided for
some years. Mrs. Campbell, although having lived all
her life on a farm, was a good sailor and made a number
of trips with her husband, going as far west as Chicago.
But city life had no charms for her. She still was
anxious to return to the farm. Mr. Campbell, though
still young, was threatened with failing health. The
exposure arising from the nature of his calling began to
tell on him. He felt that to stay on the deck much

116 The Pioneers of Blanshard.
longer was to incur a serious risk. A young family
was growing up around him, and the solicitations
of his wife, added to those of his mother, finally
influenced him to leave his chosen occupation and
go to a farm. To decide with him was to
act. He sold off his household goods, and early in
the fifties came into the Township of Blanshard. He
had paid a visit to the township in 1843, when it
was a wilderness, and located what was afterwards
the Dawson farm, but failed to complete the arrange
ments and thereby lost the property. During his visit
in 1843 he was so much impressed with the country
that as soon as he determined to live on the farm, he
at once came to Blanshard.
COMING TO BLANSHARD.
Near the top of the hill that rises from the banks of
Fish Creek there stood in the early fifties a shanty in
the centre of a small clearing. This was on lot 6, in
the 9th concession. Into this humble dwelling he re
moved his household goods. The change must have
been very great indeed to one who had followed his
mode of life. This man who had been the first to carry
the flag of his country into the new centre of the west,
and who was instrumental in having a consul appoint
ed to facilitate the transaction of business between the
two countries, must have had more than an ordinary
share of philosophy to submit to such a change. But
he had seen what had been accomplished in the older
settlements. He had seen the shanty give place to a
home, if not of luxury, at least of comfort. He had
seen men on the farm, after the great fight with nature
was over, spend their remaining years on the fertile

Captain John Campbell. 117
acres they had hewed from the forest, in ease and
contentment. What had been done by one in this
manner another might accomplish. He determined to
try. It will be easily understood that Mr. Campbell
would be greatly handicapped in his efforts at clearing
a farm or carrying out the details of farm management.
But he was nobly supported by his wife. There was
no detail of the farm with which she was not conver
sant. Margaret, as he called her, was always consult
ed, and it was well for him that he usually acted as she
advised. She was master of every piece of farm work,
either indoors or out of doors. She was a great worker
in the field, in the dairy, and in the stable. Slightly
built and wiry looking, she appeared never to be
fatigued. It is not too much to say that the proprie
tor of " Stewart Castle " owes much of the comfort and
luxurious belongings of his present condition to the un
tiring energy and industry of his wife. His new farm
had to be cleared, however, and he started with a will.
He had the honor of raising the first frame barn in
that part of the township. Every winter a fallow was
chopped down; then logged and fenced the next summer.
He was a prosperous man. He had cattle in the yard,
hogs in the pen, and, what was then a rare thing in
that part of the township, horses in the stable. These
horses were for several years the plague of his life. He
fed them well, and being of nervous temperament, they
were difficult to manage. It was one of the sights of a
lifetime to see him after Dan and Jim, as he called them,
plowing a new, stumpy field with a shovel plow. They
went like deer over knolls, through hollows, round
big stumps, Mr. Campbell holding on to the handles
like grim death. Here and there he would catch on

118 The Pioneers of Blanshard.
a big root, which would fly back and strike him on the
shin with terrible force. This would provoke an out
pouring of the spirit in words which separately and by
themselves were not unscriptural, but he had the faculty
of placing them in such combinations as are not taught
in Sunday-schools. FIRST LOG RAISING.
It is now nearly forty years since we met at Mr.
Campbell's place to raise his first log building. This
building still stands, a monument to the skill 'and
handiwork of the old pioneers. It was a delightful
morning, about the beginning of April. The frost of
the previous night was fast giving way before a hot
sun that shone from a cloudless sky. Here and there
in the still woods one could see the curling smoke rise
from the various sugar camps where the supply of
sweets was being made for the summer. Along the
concessions and side-roads and emerging from the
woods, men could be seen coming to assist in the rais
ing. On our arrival our attention was first attracted
by the kindly salutation of the grog boss, who was
already on the ground with a teacup and an immense
jug of what was recommended as the pure stuff. All
the hands took what was called a " corker," to relieve
the fatigue of the walking. A " corker " was never
taken except in the morning. The potations indulged
in during the day were called " a wee tint," which being
interpreted meant " a half cupful." The corner men
were now in their places and sharpening their axes
ready to lay down the logs as they came up. The
" togglers " were preparing the toggling-timber for the
doors. The oxen were hauling the " skids " and the

Captain John Campbell. 119
" mulley's." Handspikes were being got ready, the
short skids peeled and mulleys pinned and tied at the
forked end. At last a great log was hauled by the
oxen in front of the foundation and across the bottom
of the skids. Then the noise began. The shouting,
the yelling, and hurrahing could be heard far away in
the woods. Every man lifted all he could and shouted
all he could. Babel was but a trifle to the noise and
confusion at the raising of a log building. Here you
could hear the voice of an Irishman shouting " tear-
anages ! send her up or smash her ! " Again you would
hear the snort of a Yorkshireman counselling milder
measures than " smashing her." There could be heard
a volley of Gaelic from a champion from the braes
of Strathpieffer, while away above the din, in a shrill
treble voice, an old son of the heather yelled, " chairge
her ! hoo the diel dinna yae chairge her ? " At last the
log reached the " corner men," who placed it in posi
tion with a dexterity truly marvellous. So we followed
round the building till the first round was in place.
The sun had now taken effect on the frozen ground,
and the mud was almost without bottom. At length
the noon hour arrived, when helter-skelter all hands
started for the shanty. At that time the hog supplied
the only animal food that was used among the old
settlers. A glance at the walls of Mr. Campbell's
dwelling showed that he had made ample provision for
the family. Great hams and sides of pork hung every
where. On the tables for the men was pork fried,
pork roasted, and pork boiled. There was pork in
slices, pork in whangs, and pork in chunks ; mashed
potatoes by the peck, and great pyramids of sliced
bread were piled here on the board and flanked by

120 The Pioneers of Blanshard.
several bottles of the " pure stuff." All this was the
sort of food for men who, every day of their lives, had
to undergo the severest physical toil. As the supplies'
on the board disappeared fresh augmentations were
brought from side tables and placed in position, which
in turn were demolished with promptness and despatch,
affording the strongest proof of the palatability of the
viands, and the unappeasable appetite of the guests.
But it is possible to satisfy even a hungry pioneer, and
the men returned to complete the work of finishing
the building, all happy and pleased with themselves.
PERSONAL TRAITS.
Mr. Campbell, during his long period of nearly fifty
years' residence in Blanshard, has never taken a very
active part in the public affairs of the municipality.
Had he been so disposed he might have filled the
highest offices in the gift of the people. But he was
rather of a retiring disposition and never courted popu
larity. In all the questions that have come before the
people of the township he always took part in the dis
cussion in connection with them, but left their final
settlement to other men. He was township assessor
for one year, and on presentation of his roll received a
vote of thanks from the Council for the best roll that up
to that time had ever been given to the Board. He
also filled the office of auditor for over twenty years,
which was always conferred on him without being asked.
He is a most hospitable man, and " Stewart Castle " is
widely known for its generous and kind treatment of
his many friends or of the stranger that may come
within its gates. He is a most intense Jacobite and
reveres the memories of the ill-fated Stuart. He

Captain John Campbell. 121
glories in the fact that after the annihilation of their
hopes on the field of Culloden, no one among his fam
ishing and persecuted countrymen could be found to
sell the blood of poor unfortunate Prince Charles.
The pitiable story of Mary Stuart, her splendor and
her misfortunes, always excites his deepest feelings.
The thought of the cruelties and indignities to which
she was subjected by her persecutors rouse his strong
est execrations. He seems to lose faith in the divine
plan for building up the brotherhood of man, when it
has to be cemented by the blood of the noble and the
brave, and the tears of the helpless and broken hearted.
He is passionately fond of music, and particularly the
songs of his native country. As a performer, our
regard for truth forbids us giving him a high place.
His masterpiece is " Burns and his Highland Mary,"
and his rendering of that melody is such that we could
not recommend any person to go far to hear it. In the
musical line this was always his highest and last flight,
and I believe his audiences were always glad of it. As
a dancer, even at the age of nearly fourscore years, he
is perfect, and his performances are such as to excite
the most fervent admiration of the devotees of the
terpsichorean art. In politics he has been a life-long
Beformer, but is not obtrusive with his opinions,
rarely speaking about political matters. He is an
adherent of the Presbyterian Church, but takes no
active part in the affairs of religion.
In personal appearance, thirty-five years ago, when he
was at his best, he was strong and robust looking, about
average height, deep chested, straight, and well pro
portioned. He is kindly in his family, although not at
all demonstrative in his affections. He is most hon-

122 The Pioneers of Blanshard.
orable in all his relations with his fellowmen. He is
a true Scotchman, and glories in the success of auld
Scotia's sons. But we must now close this imperfect
sketch of the life of Captain John Campbell. In doing
so we can heartily endorse the kindly feelings expressed
by his numerous friends at his golden wedding, on the
22nd of December last. We therefore, in common
with all his well-wishers, trust that he may be long
spared to toddle around " Stewart Castle," and that
the evening of his life may calmly glide away into the
sunset, when the grim reaper comes forth to gather in
the sheaves.

SAMUEL RADCLIFF.

Samuel Radcliff. 125

CHAPTER VIII.
SAMUEL RADCLIFF.
IN every age men and women have been given to
the world, the phases of whose character have been
of a nature so heroic and transcendent as to challenge
the admiration of succeeding generations. It is cer^
tainly indicative of goodness among men, that the
pure, the unselfish and the philanthropic command
our highest esteem, and, by universal consent, these
names are written on the scroll of fame as being worthy
of our emulation. We instinctively gather around such
characters, and if we do not stoop to hero worship, we
accord them a place in our affections, separate and
distinct from the great mass of mankind. By our
conduct in cherishing a warm remembrance of their
actions, we furnish the most positive proof of our
belief that they have done something towards lifting
to a higher plane our common humanity. No one can
look at the life of Howard without being permeated
to some extent by the far-reaching sympathy of one
who spent a life and a fortune to improve the condi
tion of the unfortunate and the helpless in the
prisons of Europe. Lying under the ban though
thay were, for offences against the laws of their
country, still they were human, and the expiation
of their crimes by the loss of their liberty too often

126 The Pioneers of Blanshard.
ended in the loss of their lives. But he alone
stood up in their behalf, and the world is better that
he lived.
The ever-to-be-remembered story of Grace Darling
exhibits a phase of character which could only have
been the growth of the purest unselfishness and the
warmest devotion to the duty she conceived to be
owing to her fellow-creatures.
On the 6th day of September, 1838, a terrific storm
was raging over the Fame Islands. The sea was
running mountains high in mad tumultuousness around
the lighthouse where she resided, and rushing on in
foaming fury, was dashed into fragments on the beet
ling cliffs along the shore. Through the darkness of
that terrible night, and above the roar of the waters,
she heard the despairing cry for help from the hopeless
crew of the ill-fated ship Forfar that lay a sinking
wreck at the mercy of the waves. At daybreak she
saw at the distance of about a mile the perishing crew
still clinging to the wreck.
She thought not of the stormy sea ; she thought not
of the danger among the white capped waves ; she
thought not of home where she might have remained
secure ; she thought only of the perishing sailors, and
launching her boat she proceeded to the rescue, and
brought them to a place of safety. We love to dwell
on such intrepid actions as these, but at the same time
we should not forget that in every stage of society
men have been born with perhaps as wide sympathy as
Howard, and women with as dauntless courage as
Grace Darling. Men and women all move in a little
world of their own, and we venture to say that
before the three-score is reached (no matter in what

Samuel Radcliff. 127
sphere our lot has been cast) many things have come
under our observation which could only spring from
great hearts full of kindness and consideration for their
fellowmen. There is perhaps no condition of existence in this
country where the heroic, qualities and feelings of sym
pathy could find greater scope than in the lives of the
early settlers. The difficulties arising from their situa
tion had the effect of developing the best traits in
their character. The inconveniences to which they
were subjected were common to all. Their isolations
and their hardships formed amongst them a strong
bond of union, and wherever sympathy and help
was required, sympathy and help was always freely
given. That spirit of rivalry which obtains at the
present did not exist in the early days of Blanshard
pioneers. Wher all were poor, no feeling of envy
could be stirred up by contrast with those who were
rich. The struggle in which they were engaged and
their helpless condition cemented together the families
that were scattered here and there in the forest. Bude
and unpolished in their manners they may have been,
but there was that within them which served as a basis
on which has been raised our present civilization. It
is gratifying to know that some of those men who
fought the battle of life in the early days have had
their labors crowned with success, and are spending
the evening of life in comfort and a well-earned rest.
Of the few that are remaining of the original settlers
(there are not more than ten or twelve now alive in
the township) is Mr. Samuel Badcliff, on lot 25, in the
10th concession of Blanshard. Mr. Badcliff, the sub
ject of the present sketch, was born in Castlemillan,

128 The Pioneers of Blanshard.
near Belfast, County Down, Ireland, in December,
1820. The family was originally from Cumberland,
on the borders of England, and emigrated to Ireland
along with large numbers of the Scotch, under the
colonization scheme of James I. Like the greater
portion of the settlers from the north of Ireland, he
was the son of a farmer. Unlike, however, the bulk
of his countrymen who came to Canada about that
time and settled in the Huron Tract, the family was
in comparatively good circumstances. His education
was somewhat limited. The means for obtaining an
education in Ireland at that time, and indeed up to
recent date, were not of a high order. The teacher was
usually some old man whom the course of nature had
rendered unfit for physical labor. In his youth he had
been taught to read and write a little, and when
strength had failed he earned a little money by teach
ing, to keep starvation from the door. His pupils
were supposed to pay sixpence or a shilling a month
for his services. This sum had to be supplemented
still further by every scholar bringing with him so
much turf every morning to keep the cabin where
school was kept warm during the day. During a visit
to Ireland a few years ago, the writer visited one of
these seats of learning in the County of Tyrone. It was
a small, low building, used for a dwelling-house and
a school. On entering the little cabin you stepped
down nearly a foot to the clay floor, which, from the
tramping of little feet, was worn into holes. Here and
there we could see patches that had recently been re
newed by fresh clay. At one end a great turf fire was
blazing, not in a chimney, for the school contained no
such convenience, having simply a hole in the roof

Samuel Radcliff. 129
that served the two-fold purpose of letting down the
rain and letting out the smoke. A few benches placed
around the walls composed the whole outfit for teaching
the young idea how to shoot. An old lady was sitting
by the fire smoking a very short black pipe. After a
few minutes conversation we left. As we departed we
left the old lady a souvenir of our visit, when she
curtsied very low, saying at the same time, " God bless
your honor ; may you have many happy days," — the first
and the last blessing we ever received.
COMING TO BLANSHARD.
At a similar seminary to the one described, Mr.
Badcliff received his education. From the time he
left school until he was twenty-two he worked with
his father on the farm. Indeed he might have re
mained there, as the holding was a large one, but the
life of an Irish farmer did not very well suit the ideas
of a person of his energy and determination. The
Huron Tract was being opened up at this time by the
Canada Company, and it was more in accord with his
adventurous spirit to come to Canada and make a
home for himself, than to remain at his ease in his
native land. At the age of twenty-two he decided to
make the venture, and sailed from Belfast on April the
16th, 1842. His voyage to Quebec was, upon the
whole, uneventful, but they experienced such stormy
weather that on more than one occasion they thought
they would have been lost. At the end of eight weeks
of buffeting on the stormy Atlantic they arrived in
safety. On his arrival he at. once sought and obtained
work, at which he stayed for one year. But the east
ern part of the province was not to his taste. He

130 The Pioneers of Blanshard.
heard of the more favored country in the west, around
what was then known as New London, and deter
mined to push his fortune in that locality. Accord
ingly, early in 1844, he came west and reached Lon
don. He obtained employment here, at which he
remained four years. During the few years he labored
in the township of London, he gained experience
which he found of great advantage in after life when
he had a farm of his own. The duties in connection
with the clearing of a new farm are so entirely unlike
the methods in the old settlements, that a year or two
contiguous to a new country is of great advantage to a
new settler. This Mr. Badcliff soon found. He had
learned to use the axe effectively, the most important
tool on a new farm. He had also served his appren
ticeship at driving oxen, in which duty he was con
sidered the most proficient in the section of the
country where he lived. It may seem strange to those
not acquainted with the clearing of land, that any one
man could excel another in the simple duty of driving a
pair of oxen ; but the old pioneers knew well that a good
or bad ox teamster in a logging field meant success or
defeat to the men who were rolling. Mr. Badcliff
soon found that the greatest power with oxen, as with
men, lay in kindness. A teamster who continually
abused his cattle was considered very stupid, and
always succeeded in making his team as stupid as
himself. Mr. Badcliff's qualities as a teamster were
soon found out, and he experienced at loggings no diffi
culty in always having the most expert gang to follow
him. During the years he had been in the country
he had steady employment, and being of a thrifty and
saving disposition, had saved a large portion of his

Samuel Radcliff. 131
wages. The township of Blanshard, as it has been
stated elsewhere, had been surveyed and thrown
open for settlement in 1841, and was being rapidly
taken up. With his little savings he decided at once
to become a pioneer of the township and make for
himself a home in the new country. In February,
1848, or 51 years ago, he selected lot 25, in the 10th
concession, which from that day until the present has
been his home. Not a tree had been cut on the farm ;
the roads had not been cut out except in small patches,
and there they were blocked with the refuse of fallen
timber that rendered them impassable. There were
neither schools nor churches, and the whole section
around him may almost literally be said to have been
unbroken forest. The Hays family had preceded him,
and made little openings here and there, in the midst
of which, little shanties seemed to have dropped down
amongst stumps, logs, and brush. Having thus located
a farm, his next duty was to select a suitable place for
his house and proceed to its erection. As there were
no pumps or wells in those days, a site for a shanty
was, wherever possible, chosen near where water could
be obtained. The erection of the building itself,
although a matter of considerable labor, was not
attended with much difficulty to those early settlers,
who could do almost anything with the axe. The
style of the building was simplicity itself, and the
architect who first formulated the plans for a back
woods shanty must have had an extraordinary fore
sight into the adaptability of his plans to the circum
stances. Out of the many structures erected in
Blanshard and surrounding townships fifty or sixty
years ago, we never knew one to deviate in the slight-

132 The Pioneers of Blanshard.
est degree from the original. Buildings of this kind
were constructed throughout without a single nail or
piece of iron in any form whatever. When a new
settler wanted to raise a house, he asked a few of the
nearest neighbors for assistance, and the structure was
completed, as far as the walls were concerned, in one
day. This consisted of the four sides of great logs laid
at right angles to each other at the corners. If the
roof was to be one of troughs, then the front part was
made one log higher than the rear, thus giving a
slight angle to the roof towards the rear of the build
ing. A hole was cut out in front for a door and
window, the window rarely containing more than four
lights. The door and the hinges, and the floor, were
all made with the axe by the settler, and were taken
from white basswood, split and made into thin plank.
The roof was also made from basswood trees split in
the centre and scooped out with the axe. These were
laid across the walls, the lower ones with the hollow
part upwards and the upper ones with the hollow part
downwards. The seams of the walls were then filled
with chinking, over which was laid a good cover
ing of clay, both inside the building and on the out
side, when, with the exception of the chimney, the
castle of the Canadian lord of the soil was complete.
In those days the modern stove had not been invented,
and the chimney was a part of the building of great
importance. It was constructed of stone at the base,
and up as far as the great beam, which served as the
mantel, where, from its front to the rear, was placed
the lug-pole. From the lug-pole to the top of the
roof and a little beyond was built with clay and wood
split into narrow pieces and laid at right angles to

Samuel Radcliff. 133
form a vent. The fireplace was of wide dimensions,
and in the winter was kept constantly piled with great
logs, which lighted up the whole inside of the house.
From the lug-pole dangled a chain and hooks, where
the pots were hung on the blazing fire. The bread
was baked in the bake-kettle on the hearth. A por
tion of the hot coals were raked out on the hearth, on
which the bake-kettle was placed containing the bread,
the lid put on and a further portion of hot coals
placed on that, with a still further supply of hot coals
gathered around the side ; and there the patient and
hard-working wife of the settler made the bread for
her husband and family.
THE PIONEER HOME.
In those log houses and similar dwellings have been
born, and there played in youthful innocence, many of
Canada's greatest and most gifted men. Bude though
they were, and humble, the associations of the old log
house are still dear to many, although removed far
from them.
If happiness consists in a consciousness of duty faith
fully done in the years that- are past, in thankfulness
and contentment with the present, and a holy and
abiding hope of the future, the subject of this sketch
is triply blessed from having a high appreciation of all
the three. We deem it one of the grandest dispensa
tions of heaven that true happiness is not peculiar to
any age, position, or place in society. How often it
eludes the grasp of the rich and the great, and flying
away finds a resting place in homes of the poor and in
the humble dwelling of the backwoods settler. The
remembrances that still cling to the old log house,

134 The Pioneers of Blanshard.
the long, weary struggle with the world, and the final
triumph over their difficulties, still fill the hearts of
the few old pioneers that remain. Time, that has
made a desolation of all their aspirations for the future,
still has left them happy memories of the scenes that
can return no more. If these old decayed and rotting
walls have been the shelter of sorrowing ones, they
have also been the home of exceeding great joy. In
the long winter nights, when the storm was raging
without, the snow driving across the dreary waste and
piling up great drifts around the doors, the old pioneer
with the "big Bible," once his father's pride, laid on
his knee, would raise his heart in thankfulness to
heaven in the voice of Psalms, and simple songs
of praise, till the old log house seemed like a paradise
in the forest.
From this time forward Mr. Badcliff assumed the
responsibilities and had to face the difficulties and
trials of a new settler. On the 9th day of December,
1847, he married Elizabeth Hedley, a sister of Boger
Hedley, of the town of St. Marys, and in the month
of February following he brought his young wife into
the log dwelling he had recently completed. This
lady was born in London Township, her parents being
from Northumberland in England. From her parents
she learned and always spoke with a strong Northum
berland accent. She was a kind and motherly woman,
and entirely devoted to her husband and family. For
over fifty years they fought the battle of life together,
and saw their children grow up around them as respect
able and good citizens of their native country. There
were born to them ten of a family, all of whom are alive
except one, — Helen, who died at the age of 13 years.

Samuel Radcliff. 135
Those remaining are Bobert, on the old homestead ;
David, a merchant in Toronto ; James, C. P. B. ticket
agent, Toronto ; Samuel, practising medicine in the
North-west ; Allan, in the North-west ; John, in the
West ; Mary Ann, in Chicago ; Elizabeth, in Chicago ;
and Jane, with her father in Blanshard. Mr. Badcliff
is a man of strong Presbyterian proclivities — in fact a
better specimen of the old Presbyterian would be diffi
cult to find. Firm and determined in his religious
principles, bordering even on dogmatism, he never gives
much attention or takes much concern in the affairs of
other denominations. His early training at the fire
side of his father had left a lasting impression on his
mind. His manner of thought on all matters pertain
ing to theology was based and formed intensely on the
rules and injunctions laid down in the Confession of
Faith and the Shorter Catechism. On these lines he
trained his family. He was strict in the government
of his household, and his children knew well that any
duties he imposed upon them had better be attended
to, otherwise it might be unpleasant for themselves.
It is gratifying to him, however, now to know that his
efforts for their good have been amply rewarded, as all
of them are doing well and are a credit to him as well as
to themselves. EARLY REMINISCENCES.
As he was now settled in life, he at once set to work
to improve his farm by cutting down the timber and
preparing a fallow for next summer. In the spring he
succeeded in clearing a couple of acres which he sowed
with wheat so that he might have bread for the next
year. Sugar and molasses were plentiful ; so were

136 The Pioneers of Blanshard.
potatoes, but bread was quite another thing. In a
new country the obtaining of bread was one of the
greatest difficulties the new settler had to contend
with. When he was able to raise a little wheat he had
to carry it frequently many miles to get it ground.
Potatoes were plentiful, and with beech nuts lying
everywhere his pigs soon got so fat they were hardly
able to move, although beech-nut pork was not the
kind that would tempt the palate of an epicure. Still
it was pork, and backwoodsmen did not draw very
nice distinctions as to the quality of the fare set before
them. When a man has no choice of food it is won
derful how his taste becomes relaxed. In the harvest
he reaped from his little plot of wheat sufficient to
supply the family till next year's crop would be ready.
To supply his immediate wants he had to thresh with
a flail a couple of bags, the little stock of flour in the
settlement being exhausted. It was the custom among
the old settlers to give a share of everything to their
neighbors as long as it lasted. If any one of them had
a bag of flour the settlement would not be in want.
In getting the two bags of wheat ground a supply
would be obtained and the wolf kept from the door.
But how was he to get it to the mill ? — and thereby
hangs a tale indicative of the terrible inconvenience
attending the life of a poor settler in the backwoods.
He had nothing but a sled, and the mill was sixteen
miles away, at Carlyle, in the township of Williams.
A neighbor living three-and-a-half miles farther up the
concession had an ox-cart which he determined to
hire and take his wheat to the mill. He accordingly
walked up and succeeded in effecting an arrangement
for the ox-cart. In making the journey there and

Samuel Radcliff. 137
back he travelled seven miles. He took oxen and got
the cart, travelling seven miles more. His trip to the
mill took two days and was sixteen miles each way, or
thirty-two miles in all. He returned the cart to the
owner, adding another seven miles. In going to do one
day's work with his oxen, as the payment for the hire
of the cart, he travelled another seven miles ; so that
in getting his two bags of wheat to the mill he
travelled sixty miles and spent three days' labor
with himself and oxen. On another occasion
he started with the oxen and sled to St. Marys
with a small grist, when, after a long pull through the
mud, he reached the river where a bridge of timber
had been erected, only to find it gone, the whole struc
ture except one stringer having been carried away the
night previous by a freshet. The water was still very
high, but necessity has no law, and flour he had to
have. He took his oxen from the sled and chained
them to a stump, and getting a bag on his back, started
to walk across the stringer over the river. This he
accomplished in safety, backwards and forwards, till
the whole was across. After it was ground the whole
was again carried on his back to the sled on the other
side of the river, when he again turned for home,
which he reached after having been nearly twenty-four
hours in making a trip of less than six miles each way.
On another occasion the neighbors had borrowed flour
from each other until all the stocks in sight were com
pletely exhausted. One of them, however, had a bag
of wheat, but had neither oxen nor cart to get to the
mill. A settler on the eighth concession had been able
to get a wagon, which was accordingly rented for the
trip, and another journey of fifty miles made with a
9

138 The Pioneers of Blanshard.
single bag of wheat. But this state of things did not
last long with Mr. Badcliff. He had saved up his
ashes, and, boiling it into potash, started for London
with his oxen and sled, where he got as much for his
potash as bought a new ox-cart, the first vehicle he
ever owned, and came back to Blanshard feeling that
he was a rather prosperous man.
BURIAL IN THE EARLY DAYS.
" She was a lonely woman and left none to mourn."
We must now relate a mournful event which exem
plifies in another direction the hardships of the pioneer.
As life necessarily implies death, so, wherever we have
life, death is always hovering near to claim its dole
from mortality. In this case the work of the destroyer
was not glossed over with those attentions and deco
rations which the bereaved love to place around the
mortal remains of the departed. There were no tinsel
or bright cerements, no flowers heaped on the corpse,
which in their lovely beauty appear to destroy to some
extent the awful aspect of death. Around the body
there were no aching hearts, no sighs, no tears, no
minister to point out to the few that came to the burial
that mortality would put on immortality, and that the
life here was simply probationary to the life beyond the
grave. But the body had to be laid in its last resting
place, and it was horrifying to think that it should be
consigned to its kindred dust without a coffin. Mr.
Badcliff, whose mind revolted at such a condition of
tilings, wrenched off a few boards from the inside of
the house, and out of this material, with the aid of
another neighbor, constructed a rude receptacle in

Samuel Radcliff. 189
which to place the body. It appears somewhat ludi
crous, however, when we consider his anxiety that
this rude coffin should be constructed in proper form.
Not having any tools better than the axe, he found it
almost impossible to give the proper shape at the
point where the shoulders would rest. To overcome
this difficulty, a quantity of water was heated to the
boiling point, in which he placed the ends of the
boards for the sides, when, after they had become
softened, he placed the ends between two logs
and bent them to the desired shape. The bottom
being ready, he nailed them on and kept them
in position. Into this rough box the body was
laid, with a pillow of straw under its head. When the
time for interment had come, he presented himself
with the oxen and sled, and having placed the coffin in
the sled, fastened it with a chain so that it could
not shake off in the journey. So the little cortege
moved on and wended its way through the woods to
the burial plot where Mclntyre's church now stands.
The scene was most impressive in its simplicity.
There was no service at the home they left ; there was
no service at the grave. When the chain that held the
coffin to the sled was unbound, a few of the strong men
lifted it in silence, lowered it to its last resting-place,
and filling in the earth left to its quiet sleep all that
was mortal of what was once a human being. When
we contrast the present state of things with those of
fifty years ago, which we have described, the change
appears great indeed. All that human ingenuity can
accomplish, all that wealth can buy, are brought into
service now to disguise as much as possible the ghastly
aspect of death. The flowers, the subdued light of

140 The Pioneers of Blanshard.
the apartment, the solemn look and the soft motions
of the watchers around the beautiful casket, are all
evidences of the love and tenderness of those who are
still on this side of eternity. When we contrast the
splendor of the hearse and the sombre drapings of the
horses with the oxen and sled, and the long line of
carriages that follow the departed one, to show their
last respects, with the few hard-handed men that ac
companied the sled through the woods, we can scarcely
realize that only a half century has passed.
KILLED AT A BARN-RAISING.
Another event of a melancholy kind that occurred
shortly after Mr. Badcliff came to the township, and in
which he was closely concerned, ought to be noticed. In
the early settlement the buildings on the farms were
wholly built of logs. The erection of the log buildings,
especially barns, which were raised to a great height,
was a dangerous operation. When we consider that
some of these barns had from sixteen to eighteen
rounds of great logs piled one on top of another, it will
be seen that those placed at the highest elevation
must have required great skill and care to put them
there without accident. The skids were always
placed near the corners, and the men on the ground
who manipulated the " muleys " kept them as near
the outside of the skid as possible. If one end of the
log was pushed up a little beyond the other it would
be sure to slip from the skid and come to the
ground, endangering the lives of many men. That
more accidents did not occur certainly arose from
chance rather than from the care of the hands. The
grog boss at raisings was always on hand with a supply

Samuel Radcliff. 141
of the " elevater," and at the end of the day, when the
building was high and required steadiness, quite a
number of the men had become reckless from the
frequency and depth of their potations. On one of
these occasions, at a raising on the next farm to Mr.
Badcliff's, a log slipped from the skid and, falling to
the ground, killed the proprietor of the building. The
feelings of the poor wife may be imagined when the dead
husband was carried into the shanty. As she could be
of no service around the dead body, Mr. Badcliff asked
her to his home for the evening, which invitation
she accepted. During the night he was awakened by
the moaning and shouts of the poor woman, who ap
peared to be walking backwards and forwards in the
darkness. When he made a light he saw at once the
heart-broken creature had become mad. One of her
little boys coming into the room, she flew at him with
the fury of a lion and would have torn him in pieces.
For the remainder of the night he had to watch and
hold her from doing the family injury. When the
morning came, which was Sunday, and the settlers
not moving out early, he dared not leave to get assist
ance. As a last resource he pushed the demented woman
outside and held her in his arms, shouting at the top
of his voice. The late Bobert Somerville, who lived
on the next farm, heard his cries and at once went
to help him. Other neighbors came in and relieved
him from his trying position. He kept her in his
house for several days until means were found to place
her in an asylum. It is pleasing to know that she
afterwards recovered, but still retained the memory of
all she had done during the period of her frenzy. Two
other settlers were killed soon after at barn-raisings,

142 The Pioneers of Blanshard.
which had such effect on him that forever after he
allowed no liquor on the farm, and he has the honor
of being the first settler in this section to have raised
his building without whiskey.
WOLVES AND BEARS.
The roads in the township in the early days were
simply horrible, and it was almost as much as a man's
life was worth to make a trip over them for a few
miles. At that time potash was the only product of
the farm for which money could be obtained, and
as a consequence nearly all the settlers made more
or less of that commodity. On one occasion he
went to St. Marys with a barrel in the ox-sled for Mr.
Edward Long, the present respected treasurer of St.
Marys, who shipped nearly all of that class of goods
brought into town. He pulled along fairly well until
he reached Silver Creek, when he found the mud so
deep that he nearly lost himself, oxen, sled, and the
potash. But if the mud was bad, the corduroy was,
if possible, worse. The inventor of corduroy must
certainly have been in league with the evil one, as
such a road could only have been introduced by the
great enemy of mankind. We believe we are safe in
saying that a ride of half a mile over a piece of new
made corduroy would be punishment sufficient for any
offence that a man might commit against society.
Wild animals, too, if not numerous, were still repre
sented, particularly wolves and bears, and at night
could be heard howling around the little dwellings in
the woods. On a pleasant evening in the summer,
at dusk, Mr. Badcliff, having occasion to go to the
door, heard a poor porker set up a most unearthly

Samuel Radcliff. 143
squealing in the woods near Fish Creek. A bear
whose larder had been somewhat depleted had formed
the plan of replenishing it with a piece of beech-nut
pork, and carried off the poor animal bodily. A
trio of Nimrods composed of the late John Slack,
William Slack, and Mr. Hunt, determined to secure
bruin the next evening if he came back to increase
his supply. But to enable them to secure the bear,
they very discreetly made arrangements to secure
themselves. Accordingly they erected a scaffold, on
which all three of the hunters mounted, with guns
charged to the muzzle, and kept watch during the
night. Whether his bearship was not in love with
beech-nut pork, or whether he considered the supply
ample for his immediate wants, history sayeth not.
At all events he did not make his appearance, and the
hunters, after long watching, returned to their homes
with their game-bags empty.
Blanshard at this time had no churches and few
schools. A log school-house had been built at the
corner on the tenth concession, where worship was
held on Sabbath days by the different denominations.
The Bev. Mr. Skinner made occasional visits to the
Presbyterian families located near by, and preached in
the old log school, administering the rites of baptism
to the children, and in which place several of Mr.
Badcliff's children were baptized. He was always in
favor of free schools, and during his residence in the
township has contributed to the erection of five. At
this corner was opened the first post office in the town
ship, outside of St. Marys, which was kept by the late
Mr. Bell as post master. The village of Prospect Hill
was not then in existence, and the first hotel was
opened in that village by Bobert Shaw.

144 The Pioneers of Blanshard.
schools and churches.
During his long career he never neglected his duties
to the church to which he belonged, and supported her
schemes as far as it lay in his power. Some forty
years ago he, with Mr. Forsyth, Mr. Hamilton, the
late T. D. Hamilton, and others, erected a Presby
terian church near the lower end of the tenth conces
sion. In this congregation he was chosen as elder,
and continued to hold that honored position until the
church was removed. In 1866 the Bev. Bobert Hall,
who was pastor, resigned the charges of Granton and
Fish Creek, as the church at the tenth was called, and
devoted his whole attention to the churches in
Nissouri. A call was then extended to the Bev. Allan
Finlay, who ministered to both churches, Granton and
Fish Creek, when, after a few years, the Fish Creek
congregation was broken up, a portion going to Granton
and a portion to Nissouri. Mr. Badcliff then joined
the Granton Church, where, during the pastorate of the
Bev. David Mann, he was again chosen elder. Pre
vious to the organization of the church named, he
sought church privileges in the town of St. Marys, to
which place he walked for several years, the greater
part of the way through the woods.
Mr. Badcliff's instincts were of a purely domestic
character, and he never sought public place or position.
With the exception of four years that he sat on the
board of directors of the B. M. F. I. Co., he never held
public office. His care and attention were devoted to
the management of his farm and the furtherance of
the interests of his family. He took an active part
in the promotion of the scheme for building the
Proof Line gravel road, and always gave a helping

Samuel Radcliff. 145
hand to any plan for the furtherance of improvements
which were for the good of the people. In politics he
was a Beformer, and was not at all shy in the advocacy
of the principles of that party. In his dealings with
men he was strictly honorable, and was liberal enough
to concede a point where positive evidence could not be
obtained to the contrary. Athough not a teetotaller, he
has been temperate through his whole life. He was
always industrious and paid close attention to his own
business, in which course of conduct he has been amply
rewarded with a competence for his old age. He was
not at all excitable, but firm and decided in his char
acter, not particularly fond of show, and moderate in
his tastes and desires. In business he was cautious
and shrewd, and could not be easily swayed either to
one side or the other. He was never what might be
called a strong, robust man, though he has always
been in the enjoyment of good health. The
snows of nearly eighty winters, however, have not
passed over him without leaving some trace, and the
loss of his partner, who had stood by him for over
fifty years, leaves him alone, so to speak, in the
world. He is still hale and hearty, and it seems
that many years may yet pass away ere he will be
called on to pass the bourne from which no traveller
ever returns.

146 The Pioneers of Blanshard.

CHAPTER IX.
JAMES DINSMORE.
THEBE are perhaps few of Blanshard's old settlers
who at the outset of their career had a more
chequered life than Mr. James Dinsmore, the subject
of the following sketch. He was of sanguine tem
perament, restless and energetic in his disposition. He
had great independence of character, and considered
himself equal to any man, no matter what his social
position may have been. He was untiring in industry,
and zealous in the prosecution of any scheme, either for
his own or the public good. He was a confiding and
open-hearted friend, but persevering and implacable
in the denunciation of his opponents. He was some
what deficient in tact, and his political efforts were
carried to success, not by an adroit exercise of those
qualities that raise politicians to power, but by the
strength of his representations and an honest, manly
advocacy of those principles which he conceived to be
just and right. Such are a few of the most prominent
points in the character of this man who for many
years wielded great influence in Blanshard, and to some
extent divided the representative honors with Mr.
Cathcart, his great opponent.

JAMES DINSMORE.

James Dinsmore. 149
James Dinsmore was born in the parish of Drum-
holm, County of Donegal, Ireland, on the 21st day of
March, 1821 — over 78 years ago. Like almost all
the old settlers of Blanshard, he was the son of a
farmer, and on the farm he spent his boyhood, attend
ing school in the town of Donegal until he was able
by his labor to contribute to his own support. His
father had been actively engaged during the troubles
in Ireland at the latter part of the eighteenth century
on the side of the Government. The tales of that
momentous period in the history of his native country,
and of the terrible trials and dangers to those who
espoused the cause of the ruling power, had often been
told by his parents as they sat around the turf fire in
the long winter nights. These old stories made a great
impression on his young mind, so much so that they
to some extent influenced his manner of thought dur
ing his life. Although his politics were practically
democratic, he was most loyal to the flag of old Britain.
He felt a pride in the fact that he was born a subject
of a great and most glorious throne that is yet destined
to sway the destinies of the world.
His father's circumstances were not such as would
enable him to give his sons much assistance at their
outset in life. Five young, energetic lads were grow
ing up around him, and he saw that a change in his
condition would have to be made soon. The agents
of the Canada Company had at this period permeated
the northern part of the Emerald Isle, inducing the
struggling population of that over-populated country
to leave old Ireland and go to the new fertile land
of the West. Whatever may be said regarding the
methods of the Company in the sale and manipulation

150 The Pioneers of Blanshard.
of their great estate, there can be but one opinion as
to the class of settlers that took up their lands. A
more hardy, energetic, honest, persevering body of
men never made homes for themselves anywhere on the
American continent. Of this contingent Blanshard
fortunately got her full share. The Dinsmores of the
tenth concession, the Cathcarts and Creightons on the
Base Line, the Switzers on the north side of the town
ship, the Armstrongs and McCulloughs on the Mitchell
Boad, have made a record most honorable for them
selves and which should have a marked influence on
the rising generation. These, with many other good
and noble men that have long since passed away, laid
deep the foundations of the prosperity of what is con
sidered one of the most progressive townships in
the west.
It was therefore decided that the little holding in
Donegal should be disposed of, and new homes sought
in the great country on the other side of the Atlantic
Ocean. Accordingly, in the spring of 1835, the family
bade adieu to old Ireland and all her associations, and
which no one of them ever saw more. To the younger
members of a household it is always an easy matter to
remove and change their locality ; in fact the very
essence of young life consists in change and variety.
But with the old or middle aged it is very different.
Ties spring up around them as years pass by, light as
air seemingly in themselves, yet stronger than bands
of steel.
"The dear affections of the heart
Outlive the forms that give them birth."
After ten weeks of a dreary, stormy voyage they
arrived at Quebec, and coming on west reached the

James Dinsmore. 151
city of Kingston, where they remained one year. The
family then left Kingston and came to Toronto. After
staying in Toronto for about a year, Mr. Dinsmore,
the elder, removed to a farm in Toronto Township.
During all these years the family had all remained
together ; but the time had now come when some of
the young men should branch out for themselves.
The subject of our sketch therefore determined, young
as he was, to face the stern realities of life. He was
then sixteen years of age, at which period not many
young men think of putting on the harness for them
selves. But he was not afraid that any circumstance
or condition of things would arise with which he would
not be able to cope successfully. His independence of
thought and feeling, coupled with his natural impetu
osity of character, urged him on into the stream, sink
or swim. He made up his mind to embrace the first
opportunity whereby he could make an honest living.
His initiatory step, as one of the toilers of the great
world, was in the capacity of bartender in a hotel.
The hostlery known as the Edinburgh Castle, in
Toronto, was kept by an old Scotchman who had fought
through the Peninsular War with Wellington, and was
on the celebrated field of Waterloo, where he con
tributed by his valor to the defeat of that great scourge
of the world, Napoleon Bonaparte. He did not remain
long behind the bar, although he had given satisfac
tion to his employer.
Events were then transpiring in Upper Canada (as
it was then called) which shook society to its very
centre and threatened for a time to overturn the Gov
ernment. A little clique of politicians, known as the
Family Compact, had grasped the whole power and

152 The Pioneers of Blanshard.
patronage of this province in their own hands. Some
of these were most unprincipled men, and had estab
lished an oligarchy that would undoubtedly have
destroyed the liberties of the people and sapped the
prosperity of the young and growing province. But
happily for the people of this country, a young and
irrepressible Scotchman had espoused the cause of the
settlers. For years he fought out his self-imposed
task and stood as the first champion for free repre
sentation and responsible Government. Though we
deplore the terrible extreme to which he ultimately led
a large section of the Canadians, few men will deny
that the political results since the struggle of 1837 are,
to a large extent, owing to his fearless conduct in
defending the rights of the poor settlers who were
seeking a home in this country. Time is dealing kindly
with the memory of this great man, and the day will
come when he will be looked on as one of those unself
ish spirits who lay upon the altar of their country all
they have in the world, as an offering for the liberties
of their fellowmen. From the early training Mr. Dins
more had received, and from his intense loyalty to the
old land, we can experience no difficulty in finding
what his sentiments were on this occasion. Young as
he was, he at once enlisted under Captain Price, and
shouldering his gun, joined the ranks as a volunteer in
Captain Price's corps. He served for about six months,
when, considering his youth and a not very robust con
stitution, he was amongst the first to be discharged
when the rising had collapsed. The next time we hear
of Mr. Dinsmore is in the capacity of a deck-hand on
board the steamer William IV. The life of a sailor
apparently was not to his taste, as he only stayed at

James Dinsmore. 153
this business for one season. After associating for
some time with a gang of framers, he entered into the
employ of a bankrupt stock dealer, in Brampton.
Here he first essayed the business of auctioneer at the
age of twenty years, and continued to swing the
hammer almost continuously till he had reached the
age of sixty-nine. The business of an auctioneer was
exactly suited to his nature, and, as might be expected,
he excelled in it. His services were in request all over
a large section of the country. He knew men well,
and being naturally full of Irish wit, had the happy
faculty of keeping the bidders in the best of humor.
Thus far he had led a rather roving and unsettled
life. We next find him in the lumber woods on the
Grand Biver, at which occupation he remained for
three or four years. The time had now arrived when
it was necessary to adopt some plan for his future
career. The new township of Blanshard had been
thrown open for settlement in 1840. His father, with
his other brothers, had still remained on the rented
farm in Toronto township. But the life of a tenant
on a rented farm did not offer much inducement for a
man with a growing family around him. By going
into a new country they might have to undergo hard
ship and inconvenience for a few years. With indus
try and economy all this would undoubtedly be over
come. The labor they had to spend in the rented
place to pay the rent might be better expended in
making a farm for themselves. So it was decided to
try their fortune in the new township. In the fall of
1842 the elder Mr. Dinsmore came west, and located a
place for himself and one for each of his sons, and
formed what is known as the Dinsmore settlement.

154 The Pioneers of Blanshard.
John, the eldest, took lot 14, James lot 16, Thomas
lot 20, in the tenth concession, Samuel and David
lots 16, 17, and 18, in the eleventh concession. This
part of the township at that time was a complete wil
derness. Only one or two settlers had preceded them.
There were no roads, no marks to show anywhere that
the foot of the white man ever trod those wilds, except
the survey post, and an occasional blaze on the trees.
But they had confidence in themselves and in the
future of the country. The Dinsmore settlement was
soon known as one of the most progressive sec
tions in Blanshard. The whole of the brothers were
much alike in their nature, steady and industrious,
and of unimpeachable integrity. It is pleasing to note
that this family were, in the course of time, amply re
warded for their perseverance by attaining comfort and
a competence for old age. The greatest difficulty that
most of the old settlers had to encounter in their new
homes was the want of money to obtain the common
est necessaries of life. To overcome this circumstance
James Dinsmore, with his father and brothers, had for
two or three seasons to go back to Toronto township
in the summer for the purpose of earning a few dollars
to enable them to purchase food for the winter.
Beturning to the woods in the fall of the year, they
chopped down the forest till spring, and thus, although
very slow progress was made, something was being
done. They built shanties and cleared small patches
for potatoes and wheat, and so came on by degrees,
still hoping and still doing. The journey back and
forth between Blanshard and Toronto was made on
foot. It was a great undertaking to trudge away for
one hundred miles, much of it over bad roads and

James Dinsmore. 155
through a wild country, but it is said " the back s
aye made for the burden ; " and these old pioneers
surely " run the race set before them " nobly and well.
He had now reached the period when most men
experience a desire to become settled in life. It was
therefore necessary that he should take to himself
a partner to share his joys and his sorrows, for joy
and sorrow seem to be the lot of all. He had been
fairly prosperous in his farming operations. He could
boast of a good farm, a shanty, a pig in the pen, cows
in the yard, and a yoke of oxen. All this now-a-days
would not be considered a great fortune to offer to a
young lady in return for her affections ; but it was all
he had to offer. No doubt in thinking the matter over
in his mind, he could not very well understand how
with all these, his whole worldly goods, placed in the
balance on one side, and himself thrown in, the scale
on the other side, with the affections of a sensible
young lady, would not touch the beam. Young mar
riageable women in the township of Blanshard at that
time were rather a scarce article. Like most young
men, while he had been preparing the cage he had
been watching for some fair one to place in it. Sum
moning up his whole store of fortitude, he went to
the township of London, and on the 4th of February,
1847, was able to call Miss Bebecca Freeborne his wife.
This was the greatest piece of good fortune of his life.
For over fifty years they have lived along together,
Mrs. Dinsmore being in every way a most estimable
person, a dutiful and affectionate wife. She was always
light-hearted and gay, until the hand of affliction, a
few years ago, fell heavily upon her in the loss of her
daughter. Still even now, at her advanced age, her
10

156 The Pioneers of Blanshard.
eyes, which were black and piercing, sparkle with jollity
and good nature. She was always ready to second his
efforts in everything that tended to his good or that of
his family ; and like many men in the world, he owes
much of his success to the good counsel of his wife.
His family consisted of nine children, two of whom are
dead, John and Margaret. Those living are, Andrew, in
Imlay City, Mich. ; Mrs. T. Bobinson (Jane), London
township ; Mrs. Bobinson, (Mary Ann), also of Lon
don township ; Samuel, at home ; Nelson, in Manitoba;
Wellington, on the old homestead ; and Newman, in
California. But time and tide wait for no man ; and as
years passed away he was, at the end of the fifties, one
of the wealthiest farmers in the township. He had,
shortly after coming to Blanshard, taken up the busi
ness of auctioneering, a manner of life, as we have said
elsewhere, entirely in accordance with his taste. In
this business his reputation extended over a wide circle.
The townships of London, Biddulph, Blanshard, Us
borne, Downie, Fullarton, and the Nissouris, all re
quired his services. There is scarcely a road in any of
these municipalities that he has not traversed at all
hours of the night. No matter how far away he had
been, he never, without a single exception, failed to get
to his own home. Although not robust looking, he had a
constitution of iron ; otherwise he must long ere now
have succumbed to such repeated exposure. Away back
in those early days he had many strange experiences.
The "grog boss" at sales, as at loggings, was, next to the
auctioneer, the most important functionary. His duties
were considered very important, and were sometimes
far reaching in their effects. Not a few of the old
settlers who have had to leave the township attribute

James Dinsmore. 157
the first cause of their trouble to too close an acquaint
ance with the "grog boss." Sometimes the result of this
officer's operations took a ludicrous turn. On one oc
casion, when selling in the township of Blanshard, a
certain agriculturist of the municipality had renewed
his acquaintance with a dispenser of the " two forty "
so frequently that he found it necessary for his comfort
to take a horizontal position beside a straw stack for a
short period of quietness and repose. From the result
of an accident this tiller of the soil had lost one of his
legs ; but some local artist had supplied him with
another made of good sound timber, the growth of
Canadian soil. A dispute between some of the bidders
culminated, as they often did in those early days, in
a free fight. The tussle continued for a minute or two
with varying success among the combatants. One of
the belligerents, who was a strong believer in potential
ities, seeing what he thought was a stout cudgel lying
among the straw, grasped the wooden leg of the sleep
ing farmer and tore it from its moorings. With this wea
pon he entered the fray and dispensed his favors with a
fearless impartiality which indicated that he was no
respecter of persons. The sleeping farmer at last, from
the noise of the affair, awoke, and trying to regain the
perpendicular, found that one of his legs was doing
duty in some other sphere of usefulness than the one
designed by the maker. A volley of unearthly yells,
coupled with a broadside of language considered not
gentlemanly, excited the risibility of the crowd to such
an extent that order and the leg were both restored,
and the sale proceeded.
At the separation of the township of Blanshard from
the township of Downie and the introduction of the

158 The Pioneers of Blanshard.
new Municipal Act, Mr. Dinsmore was soon called to
take an active part in political affairs. In the year
1855 he accordingly became a candidate for municipal
honors, and was elected as councillor for the division in '
which he resided. This was his first attempt at public
business as a representative of the people. He held
his seat at the Board as councillor uninteruptedly
for several years, being elected deputy reeve, and
finally was honored with the chair of the first officer
of the township. Like all public men, his success did
not run in one straight and unobstructed stream. He
had many difficulties to face and overcome. Misrep
resentation, the jealousy of his rivals, and those who
had once been his equals but were now falling far in
the rear, were sometimes more than a match for his
energy and shrewdness. He suffered defeat more than
once, but defeat to him meant an expansion of his
energies. He was irrepressible. All the calumnies
circulated against him by his political enemies had no
effect on his conduct. Like a trained fighter, no mat-
how hard he was struck, when time was called he was
up in his corner and ready to give or take a knock down
in the next round. During all these years his financial
condition was still improving. He had erected a
brick building that was then and for many years after,
the only brick building in that part of the country.
He had attained to a comfortable condition in a very
short time. The forest had been cleared away, roads
had been made, schools had been built, and the settle
ment on the tenth concession of Blanshard was fast
taking on the appearance of comfort and affluence
which characterizes it at the present time. At the
election of 1869, Mr. Dinsmore and Mr. Cathcart took

James Dinsmore. 159
the field against each other for the reeve's chair.
They were by far the most prominent as well as the
most popular men in the municipality, and as might be
expected, the contest was a keen one. The question
at issue was not one of personal fitness for the honor,
but a great principle was at stake between the candi
dates, and which the electors were called upon to decide.
Meetings were held in various parts of the township,
where the several questions at issue were discussed
among the people. The great principle the ratepayers
were asked to pronounce upon by their votes was
whether the toll gates should be removed and the
roads made free, or whether the old system of gates
should be retained. Mr. Dinsmore advocated the old
system ; Mr. Cathcart supported and led the abolition
party. The causes which led up to this contest I need
not enter upon here. They will be found fully explain
ed in the sketch of Mr. Cathcart already before the
public. Mr. Dinsmore and his friends on this occasion
were routed, horse, foot, and artillery, and Mr. Cath
cart gained the greatest victory of his whole career as
a public man. But this victory of Mr. Cathcart led to
another a few years later for Mr. Dinsmore and his
friends, of which no one on either side at that time could
ever have had the remotest idea. After being defeated
he remained in private life till 1874, when he was
again elected to the reeve's chair. During this year
a rather ludicrous incident occurred at the Board,
which will bear repeating as an indication of the
qualification of some of our leading men of that day.
The Ontario Government had passed an Act in the
previous session to enable rural municipalities to place
a tax on dogs, for the purpose of creating a fund which

160 The Pioneers of Blanshard.
was to be applied for the payment of sheep killed by
predatory canines. This law in itself was excellent,
but like a great deal of such legislature, though good
in theory, it did not work well in practice. Designing
men that had an old croak sheep on the farm were
always unfortunate (or fortunate) in having their flock
decimated by fierce canines, but by some strange coinci
dence or other it was always the most ancient ones of
the flock that were destroyed. Thus the real result
of the Act was to create a market for much of the vener
able stock of this class in the township. Another law
was finally passed compelling all applicants under the
Act to make affidavit before a magistrate that the claim
was just and true in every particular. At one of the
meetings of the Board an applicant under the Act pre
sented a claim, but as no affidavit was attached, Mr.
Dinsmore instructed the claimant to see a worthy dis
penser of justice who lived close to the council room,
and comply with the requirements of the law before
his claim could be paid. The claimant, having gone
to the magistrate, soon returned and presented the
reeve with a piece of paper, which he examined care
fully and handed it without remark to the next legis
lator on his left ; and so it passed around the table
amongst the members of the Board till it reached the
clerk. This officer was supposed to be able to decipher
the caligraphy of all correspondents, and his achieve
ments in this line had often been considered by the
township fathers as partaking of the marvellous. He
examined the document closely, and being somewhat
of a literary turn of mind, gave vent to his feelings
in a quotation from Tony Foster, " It's a d  cramp
piece of penmanship." This was the signal for a burst

James Dinsmore. 161
of laughter from the whole Board. None of them had
been able to read the precious affidavit. One of the
members affirmed that ink must have been spilled on
the paper. The reeve declared it was a map of the
Sandwich Islands. Another said it was like the tactics
of his opponent at the last contest, fearfully dark, and
past finding out. At last a Daniel came to judgment in
the person of the worthy magistrate himself, who
informed the assembled wisdom at the table that his
pen was bad, and he sadly out of practice, and for fear
that they might not exactly understand it, "he had
come himself to tell by word of mouth what the paper
contained." ST. MARYS MARKET FEES.
We must now give the history of a transaction
successfully carried out by Mr. Dinsmore, which
was the most important and far-reaching in its
effects of any piece of legislation ever transacted
in the township of Blanshard. It has been stated
elsewhere that the toll-gates had been abolished
in the township, at great cost to the municipality,
and the splendid roads leading everywhere made free
to all. From the period that a market building was
erected in St. Marys, the Town Council had from time
to time passed by-laws levying certain fees on all the
products of the farm sold anywhere within town limits.
If a farmer sold a bag of wheat he paid ten cents. If
his wife or daughter had a dozen of eggs or a pound of
butter in her basket, she had to contribute a few cents
to the town treasurer. Failure to comply with the by
law always led to a prompt interview with the mayor,
which usually ended by augmenting the town finances

162 The Pioneers of Blanshard.
and depleting the wallet of the agriculturist by a
corresponding amount. It is true that the corpora
tion graciously granted the vendors from the country
the privilege of exposing their wares in the filthy old
rookery dignified by the name of the market building.
The farmer's wife was bold indeed who could enter the
doors of a place the air of which was redolent with the
effluvia of the fertilizing particles which adhered to
the decaying hides which were usually lying promis
cuously here and there in its dirty chambers. Her
only alternative was to remain outside in the summer
heat or winter cold ; but in either case the town got its
toll. Since the township had given free roads to every
person who chose to use them, the representative of
the township had made repeated efforts to have these
obnoxious imposts removed, but without effect. At a
meeting of farmers belonging to a certain association,
three delegates were appointed to interview a com
mittee of the town council for the purpose of coming
to some agreement whereby the objectionable by-laws
would be repealed. As might be expected, the town felt
quite secure, and the committee of the council simply
ignored the Blanshard delegates. But a solution of
the difficulty was close at hand, and such a solution as
no one ever expected. The action of Mr. Cathcart
some years before in buying the gravel road leading
into St. Marys was made the lever to solve the prob
lem. An officer of the municipality, in a private con
versation with Mr. Dinsmore, suggested the coercive
measure of placing a toll-gate on the main road lead
ing into St. Marys, which would have the effect of
shutting off a large amount of the trade going to the
town, and of course injure the interests of the citizens.

James Dinsmore. 163
Mr. Dinsmore at once saw the opportunity and adopted
the idea. When Mr. Cathcart bought the road he
simply bought up the stock at sixty per cent, of the
face value of the shares. He never surrendered the
charter of the old company, and by retaining that right
made the township of Blanshard the sole owners of
the road. This action saved the whole scheme. After
the toll-gate had been erected an action was attempted
against the township by the town to compel the
removal of the gate. It was held that according to the
Municipal Act no township had the right to impose
imposts of that kind. It was shown, however, that
the township did not erect the toll under any right
it might have under the Municipal Act, but by the
rights given by the charter of the London and Proof
Line Boad Company, which company was now the
township of Blanshard. This move, therefore, com
pletely collapsed. The policy of placing a toll on this
road, although very generally accepted by the people
of Blanshard, met with a good deal of opposition in
some sections. The members of the council were not
by any means unanimous in the matter, two of the
number being opposed to the movement. To the honor
of James Dinsmore, William McCullough, and James
Spearin, the two last of whom have passed away, they
stood their ground like heroes, until the difficulty was
settled to the entire satisfaction of both the muni
cipalities. The St. Marys people did not yield without
a struggle. The gate was kept on for two years and
rented for a third, when one afternoon, to the inexpres
sible delight of the three gentlemen I have named, Mr.
E. W. Harding, who, I think, was mayor of St. Marys
at the time, came into the council hall at Blanshard,

164 The Pioneers of Blanshard.
prepared to settle the dispute. Mr. Harding had urged
a settlement during the whole time of the difficulty,
but had not been able to accomplish much, until a falling
off in the business of the town touched the pockets of
his constituents. A better man could not have been
chosen to represent the town than Mr. Harding, and
before he returned that evening the whole matter was
arranged, and the lease of the toll-gate cancelled.
During these two years the gate had been profitable to
the people of Blanshard. A check was issued to every
ratepayer, upon the presentation of which to the toll-
keeper he was allowed to pass free. All outsiders had
to pay. Thus the $1,200 which the township received
for the two years they kept the gate was contributed
by the'^ adjoining municipalities, and relieved the
Blanshard ratepayer to a corresponding amount in his
taxes. This little episode between St. Marys and
Blanshard brought the market fee question so promin
ently before the people of Western Canada that the
legislature of Ontario abolished forever this vexatious
tax. his later years.
Mr. Dinsmore then retired from the council, having
sat as reeve at this time for two years. On the 27th
day of March, 1876, was organized the Blanshard
Mutual Fire Insurance Co., on whose board of directors
was Mr. Dinsmore, and which position he has retained,
with the exception of one or two years, ever since. In
1885, if I remember right, he was again a candidate
for the reeve's chair, his opponent being Wm. Hutch-
ings, whom he defeated. He held the reeveship on
this occasion for two years, when he retired. This

James Dinsmore. 165
was his last appearance on the political stage of the
municipality, having been in the harness almost con
tinually from 1853 up to 1887, a period of thirty-four
years. We must now draw this imperfect biography to a
close. Mr. Dinsmore, at the age of seventy-eight, is
still strong and hearty. At his best he was never
robust looking, but his muscles seemed like wires of
steel. He was scarcely ever fatigued. Prolonged or
severe labor affected him but little, and he had his
share of both. In all his business relations he was
prompt and strictly honorable. No man, during his
whole career as an auctioneer, could ever accuse him
of favoritism or dishonorable conduct. In the making
of his accounts he rarely made mistakes, and he had to
settle the whole transactions of a sale, amounting to
hundreds of dollars, sometimes under the greatest
annoyance. He knew men well and could not be
imposed on. For a person naturally impetuous and
energetic, all his business was transacted with cool
ness and calm deliberation. He had a wide circle of
acquaintances, and as matter of course received
many visitors, all of whom he entertained most hos
pitably. His independence was one of the strongest
features in his character. He never decided a ques
tion, or was biased in any way, by the opinions of other
men, no matter what may have been their standing in
society ; be they prophets, priests, or kings, all were
alike to him. Men stood high or low in his estimation
on the same grade as their manhood. Under the great
est provocation he preserved his equanimity. There
appeared to be no excitable qualities in his nature
that could be touched by the vilest asperities of his

166 The Pioneers of Blanshard.
traducers. This was one of the factors that gave him
power. He was Conservative in politics, but not intolerant.
The democratic feeling which was strong in his
nature had a subduing effect on his political thought ;
so much so that he would never sacrifice what he
believed to be the interests of his country to any par
ticular exigency arising in his party. He was strongly
attached to his family and to his home, and would
endure great hardship that they might be comfortable
and happy. But to say that this man had no faults
would be to say that he was more than human. He
had faults and many great defects indeed. But his
defects reacted upon himself rather than on those
around him. We conceive, however, it is no part of
the biographer to array the weak points of prominent
men before the public eye. Nay, we rather conceive
that the duty of the biographer is to place before his
readers the good, the noble, and the true, that those
coming after may take pattern by their conduct, and
emulate their virtues.

225

The Gunning Brothers. 169

CHAPTER X.
THE GUNNING BROTHERS.
IN the south-west of England, along the southern
shore of the Bristol Channel, lies Somersetshire,
one of the most beautiful counties in that beautiful
land — fertile, nearly all pasturable, and its climate
soft and equable. The great plain of which it is com
posed is throughout the whole year a spot of surpass
ing beauty. The rose of England here blooms the fair
est, and in the sequestered groves that deck the gentle
slopes of the Mendip Hills, the nightingale, in harmony
with the beautiful in nature, at eventide pours out to
the gathering shades of night her ever-delightful song.
Like nearly every corner of England, Somerset has
historical associations. On the west, and near the
banks of the Severn, stand the remains of the Abbey
of Glastonbury. The vastness of the crumbling arches
conveys in impressive silence to the tourist some idea
of its grandeur at that period when the Church that
laid its foundations was the Church of the world. Its
long drawn aisles, its cloisters, its sacred altars, have
long since been stripped of their glory and sunk in
ruin and decay. The columns that supported the roof
of the great edifice are broken and fallen, and the most
splendid efforts of human invention and magnificent
work of human hands fill its holy places in mockery of

170 The Pioneers of Blanshard.
the greatest achievements of men. The tongue of the
great bell, that called the people to vespers as evening
crept on in quietness and repose, speaks from the old
tower no more. The tramp of the holy men, the
acolytes, the chant of the sacred ceremony of the Mass,
will never be heard again among these crumbling arches
that seem to wait in silence the inevitable hour when
they will topple over to increase the mass of rubbish
at their base. Time, the great worker, while he has
placed his destroying finger on those magnificent
pieces of art, and thrown them again to earth, has to
some extent repaired the work of his relentless hands
by the profusion of flowers he has scattered everywhere.
The vagrant flocks now browse peacefully in the halls
of that splendid temple, or recline at noon-day in the
shadow of its ruined walls. The lover of the beauti
ful must ever regret that the fanaticism of the reform
ers at that period of the Beformation should have led
them on to destroy even the very symbols of the
Church's greatness. But the human mind is a strange
and complex machine, its actions being governed, in
almost all cases, rather by an association of ideas than
abstract principles. The Church had in the lapse of
ages grown to immense power. This power had given
birth to intolerance and arrogance. She had won for
herself the highest place on earth. In that great un
known future she reached out her strong arm and open
ed or shut the doors of hell, and in her ineffable majesty
rolled back or closed the gates of heaven.
In the centre of the shire, and south of the Mendip
Hills, is the dreary waste of Sedgemoor. Here was
fought the memorable battle between the unfor
tunate Duke of Monmouth and James II. This

The Gunning Brothers. 171
noble and generous-hearted man commanded James's
army against the Covenanters at their last final
struggle at Bothwell Brig, where the Covenanters were
completely cut to pieces. At the termination of that
conflict, the Duke issued orders to spare the lives of all
the poor people who were taken prisoners. Such orders
were lost on such men as Dalzill, Johnston, or the cruel
and bloody Claverhouse, who with the spirit of demons
butchered in cold blood the men who were in arms for
freedom and liberty of conscience. Subsequently the
Duke, at the instigation of the Whigs of England, raised
the standard of rebellion at Sedgemoor against the
despotic government of James, where his army was
defeated and he was found next morning hid among
the reeds in a ditch on the battle-field. For his part
in this affair he was moved to London and beheaded.
Such are the historical associations connected with
Somersetshire, where, near the little town of Shipton-
Mallet, were born the subjects of our sketch, — William,
on the 27th day of October, 1820, and James, on the
12th day of November, 1831. As the lives of the two
brothers have been so closely associated since they
came to Canada, we will proceed in the first part of
this sketch with the life of William, who at the present
time resides on lot 3, concession 12, Blanshard.
WILLIAM GUNNING.
William Gunning was the son of a small farmer, but
who, in connection with his small holding, carried on
the business of burning lime. Like the ancestors of
nearly all the pioneers of Blanshard, he was not bless
ed with a large share of this world's goods, and had a
constant struggle to maintain out of his small earnings

172 The Pioneers of Blanshard.
his wife and family. Like almost all of the poor people
in the Old Country, he was anxious that his family
should receive such education as would fit them for the
ordinary duties of active life. Accordingly the subject
of our sketch was sent to school in Shipton-Mallet,
where he remained, with the exception of such periods
as his assistance was required on the farm, till he was
fifteen years of age. As some of the younger brothers
were then able to assist in the farm work, William was
bound as an apprentice to a cabinet-maker for five years.
For this five years of labor he, as was the custom at
that time, received little or no remuneration. He con
tinued to work at his trade for a few years, when, in
1842, his father died, his mother having also died in
1837. As the oldest of the family, he returned to his
home and assumed the management of his father's busi
ness; but the laborious nature of the occupation and
the small returns for his exertion soon led him to try
some other field for his activity and energy. He there
fore made arrangement for the care of his brothers and
sisters, and on the first day of April, 1843, he left Bris
tol for America, determined to push his fortune in the
West. After a passage of five weeks and four days he
arrived at New York. But he had no idea of becom
ing a subject of Uncle Sam. He was a true English
man, and thought then, as he does yet, that there is no
country like the country of his birth. He stayed only
a short time in New York, when he came to Oswego,
crossed Lake Ontario in the steamer Lady of the Lake,
and came to Toronto. Here he felt at home once
more when he saw the flag of his country floating over
the city, and in Canada he decided to remain. He
sought and obtained work with a carpenter in York-

The Gunning Brothers. 173
ville, named Mr. White, and who was an uncle of
Wm. and Geo. White, of the tenth concession of Blan
shard, and, I believe, of Mr. White, of White & May,
St. Marys. With Mr. White Mr. Gunning worked
for one year, when he removed to Chippawa, on the
Niagara frontier, where he resumed his trade of cabinet-
making and running an engine. He again left Chippawa
and worked with a farmer at Queenston Heights, the
first farming he had ever done in Canada. He had
married at the age of 22 a lady in England, and who
died shortly after he came to Canada in Yorkville,
Toronto. In the fall of 1845 he again left Canada and
went to England, where, on the 27th day of January,
1846, he married Miss Sarah Savior. This lady is a
kind, industrious woman, and nobly assisted him in all
the trials and hardships attending pioneer life. She
was a good mother and infused into her family so much
of her own love and affection that at the present time
they are noted for their consideration for and abiding
pleasure in the company of one another. To Mr. and
Mrs. Gunning there were born eleven children — Samuel,
living in Blanshard ; Thomas, who died in 1881 ; Eliza
(Mrs. John Parkinson), of Blanshard ; Albert, on the
homestead ; Emily (Mrs. Heron), of Exeter ; Louisa
(Mrs. Squires), of Blanshard ; Arthur, of Blanshard ;
Mary Bebecca (Mrs. Wilson), of Biddulph ; Alice
(Mrs. David Parkinson), of Usborne ; Lucy, at home,
and a little boy who died in infancy. After his second
marriage Mr. Gunning at once returned to Canada
and went to reside at Chippawa. Here he again
found employment as a ship-builder on board a new
steamer that was then being built there. On the com
pletion of this vessel she was taken to Buffalo for the
n

174 The Pioneers of Blanshard.
purpose of being finally finished and painted, prepara
tory to beginning her regular trips on the lakes. On
her trip from the dock in the Chippawa Biver an event
transpired which nearly culminated in the most terrible
disaster that had ever occurred in Canada. On a bright
and beautiful morning, early in the spring of 1847, the
ship was cut loose from her moorings and pushed into
the stream, steering for the Niagara Biver. This vessel
was considered a wonderful triumph of the ship
builder's art, and a great excursion was arranged to go
on board and accompany her to Buffalo. The decks
were crowded with people, and along the shore were
gathered large crowds of spectators to see the great
leviathan move out of the still waters of the Chippawa
and into the broad Niagara. At length the hawsers
were cast off, amid the cheers of the people on the shore
as well as of the crowd on deck, and onward and out
ward she moved into the stream. She soon reached
the current leading to the Falls, and her head was
being turned up the river, when her engines stopped,
and in spite of the best engineering skill on board, refused
to move. The current at the mouth of the Chippawa
is strong, and swung her bows in a few minutes down
the river, and with increasing speed was carrying her
downward to the terrible abyss of the Falls. In a
moment all was changed. The happy crowd on board,
who a few minutes before were sharing with each other
their ecstasies of delight, broke forth in one heart-rend
ing shriek that struck the strongest hearts numb with
terror, — one wild, agonizing cry for help, where no
help could be given, that soon died away into the dull
delirium of despair. The crowds on the shore were
helpless to give aid to the drifting ship as she moved

The Gunning Brothers. 175
on with increasing speed to the fatal plunge over the
Falls. At last, when all hope seemed gone from the
doomed excursionists, the engines began to move.
Every man took his post as with bated breath he
watched the laboring machinery battling with the cur
rent, till, to the heartfelt relief of all, she began to make
headway in the stream and soon was out of danger.
COMING TO BLANSHARD.
After making several trips in this ship from Buffalo
to Detroit, Mr. Gunning, in the fall of 1847, decided
to commence farming for himself in the new country
then opened up in the west. Mr. Street, a gentleman
then residing in Niagara, had a large quantity of land
in the township of Delaware, of which he wished to
dispose. Mr. Gunning removed his wife to the city of
London, from which place he walked to Delaware and
inspected the lands of Mr. Street, none of which he
was able to purchase, not having the necessary funds.
On his return he casually met on the street a farmer
who had a short time previously settled in Blanshard.
This gentleman was so enthusiastic over the splendid
soil and other natural advantages of that new section
that Mr. Gunning decided at once to go and spy out
the land for himself. He accordingly left London on
foot and walked out to the township, and after satis
fying himself as to the quality of the land, selected
lot 3 in the 12th concession, where he has lived
continuously ever since.
Having selected his farm, he had at once to
get the necessary papers from an official of the
Canada Company. To effect this he had to go to

176 The Pioneers of Blanshard.
Goderich, this being the nearest office at which he
could transact his business. To Goderich he went,
and on foot, a distance of nearly fifty miles. But
those were the days when men faced difficulties with
strong hearts and a determination to overcome them.
All that could be accomplished by physical labor they
proceeded to acomplish. Distance, hardship, trackless
forests, had no deterring effect on the pioneer. The
law of the survival of the fittest was amply proved in
the new settlement. If the settler was not strong and
robust he soon went to the wall. There was no open
ing for any line of business in a new country where all
were poor. If a man could not chop, make log heaps,
split rails, and live on pork and potatoes, he was of no
use in the woods, and the sooner he removed the bet
ter. Mr. Gunning was equal to all these, and started
for Goderich with a chunk of pork and some bread in
his wallet, as happy as a lord. The first day he reach
ed Clinton, and obtained quarters for the night at Bat-
tenbury's Hotel. On the second day he reached God
erich, transacted his business and returned as far as
Brucefield, where he again stayed for the night. The
third day he reached home, or the place he intended to
make his home in Blanshard. There was not a stick
chopped on his new place. He had few near neighbors,
but he entered with a will on the labor of building a
shanty where he could bring his wife in the winter.
The shanty was soon built, covered with troughs in
the true style of that architecture, the walls chinked,
a good coat of mud put over all, a huge fire-place made
in one end, and, thus completed, was ready to receive
his young wife. The change from the beautiful fields
of Somerset to a shanty in Blanshard was great indeed.

The Gunning Brothers. 177
But hope still led them on. It was easy to endure
when endurance would be so amply rewarded. In the
winter of 1847 and 1848 he chopped a fallow on the
new farm, and was able in the spring to clear two acres,
which he sowed in spring wheat and planted in pota
toes. His small store of cash was by this time complete
ly exhausted, and to obtain a little money it was neces
sary that he should go to some of the older settlements
for that important purpose. He left in the summer
of 1848, and naturally turned toward Niagara, where
he had formerly been employed. He walked as far as
Flamboro', and got employment in a saw-mill for a
couple of months. It was then nearing the time for
him to return and harvest his little crop of wheat. Un
fortunately, however, the proprietor of the mill was un
able to give him any money, and all he got at that time
for his work was an attack of the ague. Under those
circumstances his employer, by making extra exertions,
was able to secure him a couple of dollars, with which
he started on his return journey. The attack of ague
was so severe that it took him five days to make the
trip home, where on his arrival he was some time be
fore he could do any labor of any kind. With the help
of his brother James, who was now in Canada, he
succeeded in securing the little crop on which they
were to subsist till another harvest. In the February
following he again returned to Flamboro' for the
purpose of earning a little money as well as to try and
recover what he had already earned. On this occasion
he worked one month and was able at the same time
to obtain something from his former employer. His re
muneration was not in cash, but consisted of a pair of
boots, a cow, some clover seed, and a barrel of salt.

178 The Pioneers of Blanshard.
The barrel of salt he sold to get some funds to pay his
expenses home. His boots he wore on his feet, the
cow he drove, and the clover seed he carried on his
back. After an eventful journey of several days he at
last reached Blanshard, completely exhausted but still
carrying his clover and driving his cow. During the
next summer he again set out for Flamboro' to earn
money, and on this occasion he was more successful,
having improved his financial condition to the extent
of fifteen dollars. This was his most successful and his
last trip to the old settlements to obtain ready cash.
In the meantime his brother James had cleared and
prepared for crop several acres, as well as having
gotten the logs ready for a new barn. They had also
bought a yoke of oxen, two young cattle, and a pig,
and, all things considered, had fairly launched out on
a career of prosperity.
The military spirit fifty years ago in Canada was ex
ceedingly strong, and was cultivated by the settlers as
well as the government to a high degree. Many of the
settlers in the eastern part of the province remember
ed and had taken part in the war of 1812. A number
of the settlers in Blanshard had taken part in the out
break of 1837. The feeling of loyalty to the land of
their birth, and of determination to stand by the old
flag, was deep seated in the bosoms of the Canadians.
Many of them had suffered on those two occasions for
their devotion to British institutions and British free
dom. Under her protecting hand they had been born,
under her protecting hand they lived, and under her
protecting hand they determined that Canada should
remain. As loyal Canadians then, as loyal Canadians
now, (and as loyal Canadians we hope and trust we

The Gunning Brothers. 179
will always remain) they were proud of the Empire to
which they belonged, and were prepared to defend her
to the death. We believe that feeling exists to-day to
a greater extent than ever before. We are proud to
pay homage to our beloved Queen. The glory of the
Empire reflects itself upon us. Her achievements on
land and sea are dear to Canadians. In the quiet
churchyards of those islands repose the dust of our
fathers. Britain is the mother of our civilization, the
defender of our rights, the guardian of our liberties ;
and the Canadian that would barter his privileges as a
free-born citizen of the grand old empire for a posi
tion with a bombastic and ignorant democracy is un
worthy of the great nation from which he sprang.
For the purpose of keeping up the military spirit
among the people, all able-bodied men between the
ages of twenty-one and sixty were enrolled in the
militia and had to meet at some particular place once
a year for training and instruction. In a former sketch
(of Mr. Cathcart) we attempted to describe _ one of
those gatherings on the flats in St. Marys. The meet
ing we are now to describe was one of the same de
scription, but in a much more grand and extended
form. The gathering in St. Marys embraced the mili
tary men of Blanshard and St. Marys only. In this
case seven townships were concerned, and the camp
ing ground was at Carronbrook, or what is now known
as the village of Dublin. The Blanshard and St. Marys
contingents were to rendezvous at Skinner's Corners,
and march on foot from that point to Carronbrook
and join the men from the north and west. The troops
were commanded by Major Sparling and Mr. Cathcart
as captain. On the day appointed, Mr. Gunning re-

180 The Pioneers of Blanshard.
paired to the mustering place with the usual supply of
pork and bread stowed on his person. Of the gentle
men who composed the commissariat department no
record can be obtained. The cuisine was, however, of
the simplest description, although somewhat of an in
digestible character. For breakfast the men had bread,
pork and whiskey ; dinner, whiskey, bread and pork ;
supper, bread, whiskey and pork. This bill of fare
was simple indeed, but it was marvellous the effect it
had on the men. Each repast was followed by an ex
hilaration and exuberance of spirits among the troops
which an ordinary spectator would have considered
incompatible with a ration of bread and pork. As to
the quantity of each served, we cannot after an
interval of fifty years exactly say. It is reasonable to
suppose, considering the manners and the state of so
ciety at the time, that whatever the allowance may
have been of the solids, the fluids were unstinted and
plentiful. The order was at length given by the Major,
" Forward, march ! " and away trudged the old pioneer
settlers through the dust and heat on their long, weary
march of twenty-five miles, to learn the way in which
fields were won. The summer sun swung low over the
dai'k forest away to the west, and flung deep, dark
shadows over the leafy woods as the men from the
south, tired and dust-covered, drew near the camp at
Dublin. Early in the afternoon the various corps
from Hibbert, Logan and other townships had arrived
and were bivouacked on the west side of the village,
and were lounging in groups at their ease, discussing
the events of the day. As we stated elsewhere
in these sketches, the township of Blanshard was
settled largely with emigrants from the North of

The Gunning Brothers. 181
Ireland. Many of these old settlers were mem
bers of the Orange order before they came to this
country, and those who were not actual members were
strongly in sympathy with the Orange body. On the
other hand, nearly the whole of the north-western por
tion of Hibbert, a large portion of Logan, as well as
the village of Dublin itself, were settled with members
of the Boman Catholic Church. Unfortunately for
both parties, the feuds that existed between the admir
ers of the Prince of Orange and the sons of those men
who had followed the fortunes of Brian Boru, had
been brought with them to Canada and still burned
fiercely in their bosoms. The Blanshard men, as a
testament to their loyalty, had brought a flag on which
was imprinted the hero of " pious, glorious and immor
tal memory." As might be expected, this was most
distasteful to the sons of the Church, and aroused their
deepest indignation. The old settlers, as a class, were'
not slow in showing their approval or disapproval of
anything, in a manner most emphatic, and in this case
the resentment of the Hibbert pioneers soon mani
fested itself in unmistakable demonstrations. On a
bridge over the creek that flows past the village on the
Huron road, along which came the Blanshard corps,
a number of the Hibbert men soon stationed them
selves, to dispute the passage into the camp of the
troops from the south. This looked ominous to the
southern contingent, but on they came like dauntless
heroes to the fray. They had no sooner gained the
bridge than they were met with a volley of stones, and
the application of their stout cudgels by the Hibbert
men soon brought to a stand the champions who were
guarding the flag. Still they pressed on ; as one war-

182 The Pioneers of Blanshard.
rior was placed hors de combat another stepped into
his place. A small party of the invaders moved up
the stream for the purpose of crossing to attack the
enemy in the rear, but as it was somewhat swollen
they had to relinquish the attempt. Meanwhile another
party had descended the creek for the purpose of cross
ing to operate on the right flank of the enemy, but they
also failed in the attempt. Being thus unable to cross
either on the right or the left, the whole force concen
trated on the bridge, where the fight still raged with
unabated fury. The noise, the shouting, the impreca
tions of the contending factions were terrific. Men were
knocked down, trodden upon and cudgelled, until both
parties retired completely exhausted. The Hibbert
men still held the bridge. Mr. Gunning, who was not
at all an excitable person, stood at some distance with
a number of others and surveyed the field. A short
time ago the writer had occasion to visit Dublin, and
was introduced to an old gentleman who was present
and took part in the fight on the bridge. His account
of the affair was substantially the same as that which
we have given — with this important difference, that
while Mr. Gunning claimed a victory for his party,
my Dublin friend says that his party " knocked the
devil out of the Blanshard fellows."
During the recital of the events of that engage
ment my aged friend became quite excited, as one
scene after another passed in review before his mind's
eye. We mildly ventured a remark that it was most
unfortunate for the Blanshard heroes, that having
the devil knocked out of them in such a sum
mary way, there were no pigs in that new country in
which he could find a resting place as of old, and he

The Gunning Brothers. 183
was forced to return to his old quarters, where he has
ever since held his ground in spite of the influence and
efforts of clergy. The belligerents on both sides of the
stream, completely worn out by their long march and
their efforts at the bridge, had retired to the woods.
Here and there among the brush heaps were little
knots of men, calmly sleeping, in happy oblivion of all
that had passed, while in other parts of the forest rang
out on the ear of night the laugh, the jest, and the
merry song of more restless spirits. The officers, how
ever, were afraid that a new day would bring renewed
energy and new cause of quarrel amongst the troops.
They therefore spent a good portion of the night coun
selling with the leaders on both sides, and with such
success that the real business of the camp proceeded
without any further interruption. The sun next morn
ing rose bright and clear, sending golden rays over the
dark woods, and bathing the camp in a stream of glori
ous light. The reveille was sounded on a dinner-horn
which was provided for the occasion. The men per
formed their ablutions in the little stream that ran
through the camp, and having partaken of the morning
ration of bread, pork and whiskey, fell into the ranks to
perform the duties for which they had met. Not being
a military man, I am unable to describe the various
evolutions in which the troops were engaged during the
day ; but I have no doubt they were of a character
such as would fit the participants for active service in
defence of the country they all loved so well. On the
third day the camp broke up, and all returned tired
and weary to their humble homes, scattered here and
there in the wild woods of the Huron Tract. So ended
the great farce of battalion drill among the sedentary
force of Canada of fifty years ago.

184 The Pioneers of Blanshard.
adventure with a bear.
We must now revert to another circumstance in
which the Gunning brothers were participants, and
only for the merest chance I should have had one
sketch less of the old pioneers to place before my
readers. This was an encounter with a bear.
The southwest corner of Blanshard, unlike the other
parts of the township, was exceedingly swampy and
wet. For over two miles along the Usborne side of
the west boundary, and parallel to it, ran a great marsh,
which all along extended here and there across the
townline into Blanshard. This corner was long known
as the " jumping-off place " and was as uninviting in its
appearance as a new country could possiby be. From
the eighth concession along to where Whalen post-office
now is, the road was nearly all corduroy. Beavers had
at one time been plentiful in this section, and numerous
dams still remain to attest the untiring energy of these
laborers. Here and there they had made clearances,
amounting in some cases to several acres in extent.
After the removal of the large timber by those indus
trious little animals, an undergrowth of the white thorn
and other scrubby timber had grown up to take its
place. This afforded the best of shelter for wild ani
mals, particularly bears.
An innocent pig, which was returning to his home
after the day's foraging in the woods, offered a tempt
ing morsel for bruin's empty stomach. He at once
seized the poor pig, which in turn gave the alarm by his
unearthly squealing. This brought the settler to his
assistance, but he did not succeed in saving all his
property, as bruin decamped with both the ears of the

The Gunning Brothers. 185
poor porker. The settler, as soon as he could, informed
the Gunnings, his nearest neighbors, who with a
young lad, a son of Mr. Morley, started in pursuit of
the bear. William armed himself with a gun,
James took his axe, and with two dogs the
hunt began. After beating for some time the dogs got
the scent and followed the animal for some distance
into what was then called the marsh — a piece of land
which had been cleared by the beavers, but which was
thickly grown with undergrowth. In this spot the dogs
came up with the bear, which at once began to defend
himself. James, who was younger than William, had
out-run him in the pursuit, and arrived first on the
scene. The dogs, encouraged by the presence of Mr.
Gunning, closed in on the ferocious animal so closely
that he struck at one of them with his paw and killed
him on the spot. The other dog kept at safer distance,
when the bear began to move toward James. William
had now nearly reached the scene of action, and the
bear coming toward James, he shouted to his brother
to fire. William took aim and fired, the ball striking
the animal in the shoulder, severely wounding, but not
killing him. The brute then, more fierce than ever,
sprang toward James, who struck at him with his axe.
The wound in the shoulder by the ball that William
had fired gave him a sort of rolling, uncertain motion,
and as he sprang on James he miscalculated his dis
tance, but caught him by the knee-cap, pulling him to
the ground. Fortunately for him the bear had no
sooner clinched his knee than he let go his hold. In a
moment he was on his feet, but not any too soon, as the
bear sprang once more at his antagonist, who still held
on to the axe. The trusty steel fell once more, and

186 The Pioneers of Blanshard.
this time with unerring aim, when its sharp edge
crashed deep into the skull of the infuriated beast. All
this occurred in less time than I have taken to write
it, and William had by this time reached the place of
struggle, and, clubbing his gun, they soon dispatched
their victim. It was many months before James could
use his limb, and the marks of this encounter he will
carry to the grave.
The lynx or wild-cat was at that time quite numer
ous in this corner of the township. On one occasion
the writer was returning from a neighbor's home at a
somewhat late hour, and passing through a piece of
swamp, was startled by a most unearthly sound in the
wood near the roadside, and which he knew was the
yell of a lynx. Being somewhat of a retiring and inof
fensive disposition, he had no desire to win distinction
by the destruction of a wild animal, as would no doubt
have been the result of an encounter. The evening
was beautiful and mild, but it occurred to him at once
that the night was intensely cold and an increase of
speed might add to his comfort. He accordingly tried
to increase the distance as quickly as possible between
himself and the spot from which the sound had ema
nated. Another blood-curdling yell produced an
acceleration of motion, and he obtained a mark in his
record on that occasion he has never been able to break
since, and which, to those who know his deliberate
and quiet dignity of movement of late years, would
appear perfectly marvellous.
WILLIAM'S BLANSHARD FARMS.
But the whirligig of time brings round its changes.
Years had come and gone and brought many altera-

The Gunning Brothers. 187
tions in the conditions of the Gunning brothers. The
oxen and the sled on which William made many trips
to London with his produce, had given place to horses
and wagon. The roads had been improved, and his
surroundings furnished the clearest evidence of pros
perity. He had no longer to walk to St. Marys as the
nearest post office, nor had he to walk to London to
consult his family doctor. His industry and thrift had
been amply rewarded by a goodly portion of the world's
goods. In the sixties he not only was the owner of
lot 3, on the 12th concession, but he also owned lot 21,
on the W. B., and lot part 5 and the whole of lot 6 in
the 11th — between 300 and 400 acres of splendid land.
In 1869 he built the splendid residence on the home
stead in which he at present resides, and was in every
way a most prosperous man.
Before dismissing this part of our sketch we must
not omit an event which occurred on January 27th,
1896. That was the golden wedding of William and
Mrs. Gunning. This was a great occasion, and over
one hundred guests sat down to a splendid repast
served by kind hands in a splendid style. Numerous
and costly presents were given to the old couple by
their friends. Amongst those present were ten of their
own children and thirty-six grandchildren (at time of
writing they number forty).
James, who had resided with him since he came to
Canada, decided to begin the battle of life for himself.
Up to this time the lives of the two brothers had been
inseparable. In 1855 James married Miss Savior,
a sister of his brother's wife, and having built a
shanty on lot 21, W. B. concession, commenced to clear
on his new farm. This lot was not by any means a good

188 The Pioneers of Blanshard.
one, at that time being wet and swampy. But he soon
made a change. By unceasing toil, and in spite of many
adverse circumstances, he transformed it into one of
the best farms in that section. He possessed in an
eminent degree those qualities which lead to success in
a new country. He was a master with the axe, and as
eorner-man on a building could not be excelled. As a
natural consequence there were few log buildings in
that section on whose corners could not be seen his
handiwork. " Saddle and natch," "flat corner or dove
tail " to him were equally familiar, and he rarely missed
taking a log from the " muleys," no matter how high the
structure might be. As time passed away, his energy
and thrift led to an increase in his world's possessions,
and he is now the owner of 300 acres. Such success
speaks volumes, not only as to the character of those
clever, energetic men who have made this country, but
it also proves the splendid opportunities and the re
sults this country offers as a reward for honest effort
and perseverance. In the year 1891 he had the misfor
tune to lose the mother of his children, who had struggled
with him in the woods so faithfully and well. The
issue of his married life are, Eleanor (Mrs. Leaf), of
Manitoba ; Bobert, of Biddulph ; Alfred, of Blanshard ;
Agnes (Mrs. Foster), of Blanshard ; Sarah (Mrs. Ash
ton), of London ; Fred, of Blanshard ; Elizabeth (Mrs.
Johnson), of Blanshard; Thomas, of Blanshard ; Annie,
at home ; George, in Manitoba ; and Francis Albert,
of Blanshard.
A few years ago Mr. Gunning again married, and
was fortunate in taking to his home a most estim
able helpmate, in the person of Miss Janet Taylor.
This lady now presides over his household with the

The Gunning Brothers. 189
greatest kindness and consideration, and is equally es
teemed by her husband and the whole family.
SOCIALLY AND MORALLY.
It would be hardly possibly to find two men more
alike, not only as to their personal appearance, but as
to their manner of thought and moral qualities, than
the two gentlemen who form the subject of this im
perfect sketch. Both are under the average size
and sparely made, and yet possessed of powers of the
greatest endurance and energy ; their muscles seemed
like wires of steel. They understood their business
well, and were exceedingly tidy on their farms, having
"a place for everything, and everything in its place."
Equally industrious in their habits, always ready to
help each other, the lives of both men have been a
great success. Neither of the brothers had any desire
for distinction in public life, and as a matter of course
neither has ever sought or obtained public office.
Neither of them is fond of show, but both take great
pride in having everything in the best possible condi
tion on their farms. They are strictly sober in their
habits, honorable and upright in their dealing, and
discharge to the fullest extent the responsibility of
citizenship. They are strongly Conservative in poli
tics, believing the principles advocated by that party to
be for the best interests of their adopted country. As
politicians they are not blatant, being willing to accord
to every man the right that they claim for themselves,
that he should think and act according to the light that
is in him. In religion they belonged to the Church
of England, but of late years have attended the Metho
dist Church, it being more convenient to their families.
12

190 The Pioneers of Blanshard.
In their homes, like all other old settlers, they are kind
and hospitable, and ready to help any good cause to
the best of their ability. We have never seen two
families in which so strong a bond of sympathy exists
as exists in the families of the Gunnings. Their re
unions are frequent and enjoyable. The good nature
and the pleasure they seem to take in each other's
company is to an outsider delightful indeed. The
kindness and consideration of the young people in
their home life, the simplicity of their amusements, the
confidence in and love for each other, the good nature
that seems to pervade all and crown all, impresses
one with the feeling that there is really a great amount
of good in the world after all. When we think of the
cold-hearted selfishness and bitter strife, and the harsh
treatment meted out to near relations in many homes,
we turn with delight to such spectacles of endearing
love for their aged parents and each other as we see
in the two families of Gunnings. But we must draw
this sketch to a close with the hope that the Gunning
brothers may long be spared to enjoy the fruits of their
toils, and when the final hour comes, as come it must
to all, that they also will be found watching to welcome
the grim messenger that shall call them to a higher
life.

WILLIAM FLESHER SANDERSON.

W. F. Sanderson. 193

CHAPTER XI.
W. F. SANDERSON.
THAT spirit of adventure which is one of the char
acteristics of the present age, and which has
contributed so much to the development of mankind
during the last fifty years, should, when properly
directed, command our highest admiration. Without
it many portions of our continent would still have been
unexplored, where are now to-day large centres of
population, actively engaged in all those pursuits which
tend to develop the race and augment their capacity
for enjoyment and happiness. This feeling, however,
like other of the higher attributes of our nature, must
be properly directed to secure for the individual the
greatest advantages from its use. The man who from
the mere love of change roams everywhere, without
an aim or an end in view, is not likely to add very
much to his own manhood, nor to contribute a great
deal to those stores of knowledge which enhance the
pleasures and dignify the life of civilized men. On
the other hand, when we find an adventurous spirit
surmounting great difficulties in the pursuit of fortune,
in the cause of science, or in any of the many paths
which rouse men to action, unselfish in its activities,
ambitious in its various projects, observant and reflec-

194 The Pioneers of Blanshard.
tive in its nature, we instinctively accord it our high
est esteem. Many such have come and gone in the
woods of Canada, have lived and died, and beyond the
circle of a few friends were unknown. Men whose
minds an empire might have swayed, and whose aspira
tions placed them practically above the vicissitudes of
fortune or the influence of environment, have found
homes in the rude forest, where in calm seclusion they
mused with ever widening philosophy on the forms of
nature and the great problems of human life. To say
that many of the old pioneers were men of the charac
ter indicated would be incorrect ; but we do say that
many old settlers could be found in the wilds of
Blanshard whose natural ability and acquirements
were as far in advance of the average as could be
found in any society in Canada, or perhaps anywhere
else. HIS EARLY DAYS.
Amongst Blanshard's most gifted settlers was the
subject of our present sketch. His character was
unique, and in many of its aspects had no counterpart
in the township. With the bluff courtesy of the
Englishman was combined the quality of caution
attributed to the Scotch ; a clever reader of the char
acter and thoughts of other men, he is an adept at
counselling his own, is possessed of great powers of
observation, and correct in all his conclusions; from
the refining force of his reflection, he has consummate
tact, an affectionate manner, and such liberality toward
the opinions of others that he has for years been
one of Blanshard's most popular men.
William Flesher Sanderson was born on the 23rd

W. F. Sanderson. 195
day of October, 1835, in the city of Bradford, York
shire, England. His father, the Bev. William Sander
son, like the greater portion of the clergy in England,
was frequently moved from one charge to another, and
his son, as a matter of course, had many changes in
schoolmasters after he had reached school age. Not
withstanding the itinerance inseparable from his
father's calling, Mr. Sanderson was able to secure,
before he reached his fifteenth year, a fair English
education. But the spirit of enterprise and adventure
which characterized his conduct during the active
period of his life manifested itself at this early age, and
in spite of the tears of his mother and kind solicita
tions of his father, he determined to cross the Atlantic
and seek his fortune in the wilds of Upper Canada, as
Ontario was then called. He therefore, on the 1st
day of May, 1850, left his father's roof, where he was
destined never to enter again, and sailed from the St.
Catherines docks in the city of London for Quebec.
In the bark Ethelred, under Capt. McLeod, he made
a successful voyage in five weeks and four days.
ARRIVES IN QUEBEC.
During the trip the ship experienced severe weather,
and the cargo shifting, the little vessel nearly capsized
in mid-ocean. Mr. Sanderson did not, however, real
ize the danger of the situation. He was young, and
with all the recklessness and buoyancy of youth rather
enjoyed the excitement among the crew arising from
the gravity of their situation. Mr. Sanderson sailed
from Quebec to Montreal on the John Munn. At
Montreal he again secured a passage and came on to

196 The Pioneers of Blanshard.
Toronto. Leaving that city he went northwest, and
spent about eighteen months in the vicinity of Bolton
village and Port Bowan. This section did not appar
ently satisfy his ambitions, and he came on farther
west to the city of London. So far, since he left the
home of his parents, he, like nearly all young lads of his
age, took life with a light heart and an utter disregard
for the future. Those ties and associations which
gather around men as life passes away had not yet
fastened themselves on him, and wherever he hap
pened to be, that spot was for the time his home.
Shortly after his arrival in London he casually met
a couple of gentlemen from Blanshard, one a Mr.
Miller, who was father of William Miller, ex-treasurer
of the township, and Mr. McCullough, who then re
sided on the farm now occupied by Mr. Pearn, on the
2nd concession. From these gentlemen he received
the most glowing accounts of the township of Blan
shard, and he at once formed the resolution of coming
into the locality and seeing it for himself. On the
1st day of April, 1852, he started on foot, and the same
night found him in St. Marys, snugly quartered in the
hostlery known long after as the National Hotel.
This hotel was kept at that time by two tailors named
Mclntyre and Sutherland, who had laid aside the
needle and the goose, and had exchanged the business
of constructing garments for the physical comfort of
their patrons, for the supply of spirituous libations to
satisfy their thirst. The climatic conditions at that
time seem to have been much as they are at present,
for on that 1st day of April an icy rain had so covered
the trees as to spread distraction everywhere and gave
to the whole country a desolate and uninviting appear
ance.

W. F. Sanderson. 197
COMES TO WOODHAM.
During the period of his residence near Bolton vil
lage he made the acquaintance of a family by the name
of Stearns, who had in the meantime removed to
Blanshard. He accordingly went to the home of his
former friend, and with him he worked on the farm the
following summer, thus receiving his first training in
the laborious occupation of chopping and clearing
land. In the fall he purchased one hundred acres of
bush himself in the township of Usborne, adjoining
the village of Woodham (the site of which was then
all woods), built a log shanty, laid in a supply of pro
visions, which meant pork, potatoes, and tea, and
commenced chopping ; his sole companions for the long
winter being a fox-hound and his own thoughts.
When we consider that this lad, who had spent his
whole life among people of politeness and refinement,
and wholly unaccustomed to labor, should have left his
home and wandered away into the woods in the back
settlements of Canada, and imposed upon himself such
hardships as were inseparable from a backwoods life,
his conduct appears marvellous. To those who were
born in the humbler walks of life, trained from their
youth to work and associate with men used to toil,
the labor of clearing land was not by any means so
oppressive ; but to him it must have been a sad change
indeed. During the long winter he, to relieve the tediousness
of his lonely condition, frequently indulged in hunting
expeditions. On one of these occasions he found three
bears, who, no doubt instinctively to secure them
selves from such a famous disciple of old Nimrod, had

198 The Pioneers of Blanshard.
betaken themselves for safety to the branches of a tree.
Being unable to dislodge the beasts, he secured the
assistance of a gentleman, a tailor by trade, who
resided near him. This person had a gun, a terrible
implement of death, and considered a fine weapon for
large game, as she did not " scatter," but carried her
shot compactly into whatever object at which she
might be discharged. The three started for the bear
tree, viz., Mr. Sanderson, the tailor, and the gun, with
blood in the eyes of the two gentlemen and death in
the barrel of the piece. By some mishap, however, the
lock of the firearm had been injured, so that the ham
mer would not remain in position when drawn back ;
and when she was used the gunner always had an
assistant to hold it back while he took aim, and at
the word " fire," the assistant let go the hammer, when
if the game did not scamper away, it was likely to get
hurt. The bears still sat in the tree in happy uncon
sciousness of the measures taken for their destruction.
The knight of the needle took aim with the gun, while
the duty of Mr. Sanderson, as assistant, was to hold
back the hammer. At the word "fire" he let go, when
the bears descended the tree precipitately, apparently
annoyed at such unsportsmanlike conduct. At this
denouement, the tailor threw away the gun, and with
his assistant started pell-mell for the shanty, falling
over logs and brush in their retreat. Neither of the
hunters spoke or looked round until safely inside the
walls of the building and the door securely bolted,
when mutual congratulations were exchanged for their
happy deliverance.
During this same winter another event transpired
which exemplifies the character of Mr. Sanderson in a

W. F. Sanderson. 199
marked degree. He was chopping in the woods when
he heard terrific cries from a neighbor's fallow. Bepair-
ing to the place whence the cries for help still pro
ceeded, he found a Mr. Tyreman had given his foot a
fearful cut with the axe, an accident which, by the way,
was common in those early days. He assisted the man
to his shanty, and having secured a needle, sewed up
the terrible gash as well as he could. Having com
pleted this surgical operation, and his patient resting
as easily as possible, they were startled by the blood
spurting from the wound with such force that the poor
sufferer was given up for lost, and death was expected.
Mr. Sanderson ran to the house of Mr. James Nagle,
who then resided in Usborne, who promptly came and
made the last will and testament of what all ex
pected was a dying man. The flow of blood being
somewhat abated, it was decided to send for a doctor.
No medical man lived nearer than St. Marys. There
was no horse in the settlement, and on that cold winter
night Mr. Sanderson walked to St. Marys on foot to
obtain medical aid for a person who at that time was
to him almost an entire stranger. The distance was
twelve miles, and he arrived next day at two o'clock
with Dr. Thayer, the only doctor in St. Marys at that
time, who properly dressed the wound, and the man
ultimately recovered.
In the spring it became necessary to have a yoke of
oxen to log his fallow, and hearing that Mr. Henry
Morrill, who resided on the base line, had a yoke to
dispose of, he went there and found that he had not
only an excellent yoke of cattle, but also a prepossess
ing daughter, just budding into womanhood. The oxen
were purchased and taken home, yet, notwithstanding

200 The Pioneers of Blanshard.
the best of care and attention, would persist in wander
ing every now and then to their old quarters. Of
course they had to be brought back, which would have
been somewhat annoying had it not been that invaria
bly these journeys were rewarded by a little chat and
an occasional smile from the young lady of the house.
Buck and Bright, the names by which all oxen were
called, continued taking their periodical trips until
they had succeeded in making the young couple inti
mately acquainted with each other. Thinking, no
doubt, that they had done their part in the affair, and
that the rest could be accomplished without them, they
discontinued their visits. And so it turned out, for
the intimacy that had so happily sprung up between
their present proprietor and their former owner's
daughter, ripened into courtship ; and on August 1,
1853, he led to the altar Miss Martha Helen Morrill,
aged seventeen years, when the nuptial knot was tied
and they were made man and wife, their united ages
being thirty-five years.
Some time prior to their marriage he purchased the
west half of lot No. 7, on the 6th concession, Blanshard,
where he built a home, into which he took his young
wife, and never again resided on his property in
Usborne. Of this union there is no issue. Mrs.
Sanderson, young and inexperienced as she was at the
time of her marriage, has proved herself an excellent
helpmate, and nobly assisted him in all his efforts to
carry out successfully his schemes either for his ma
terial or political advancement. On this farm he con
tinued to labor and make improvements, until he finally
sold it to Mr. Amos Marriott, who owned the adjoin
ing property and purchased the place on which he at
present resides.

W. F. Sanderson. 201
THE OLD LOG SCHOOL-HOUSE.
About the year 1855 or 1856 he was honored by
the first mark of public confidence he ever received
from the people, by being elected to the office of school
trustee, in which capacity he served for six years. At
that time the old log school-house, which had been
erected when the country was nearly a wilderness, was
found, after the settlement had extended to the west,
to be entirely inconvenient and far away from the
centre of the section as at that time constituted. The
old building stood on the identical site on which
Cooper's church now stands. An agitation sprang
up in the west end to remove or erect a new building
in the centre of the section. Mr. Sanderson espoused
the cause of the western ratepayers, and succeeded in
carrying a resolution authorizing the trustees to erect
a new building during the year, farther to the west.
However, before anything had been done, the council
undertook to remodel the school sections in the town
ship, so that the buildings would have to be erected
mid-way between the concessions on the sideroads.
This move of the council was violently opposed by the
ratepayers generally, and particularly by those on the
upper end of the base line. Public meetings were
called to discuss the matter, when arguments in power
ful and emphatic language were hurled from one side
to the other by the opposing parties. Mr. Sanderson at
one of these meetings was appointed to interview the
council, and try to arrive at a solution of the difficult
question. This was the first time he had ever been
within the doors of the council chamber. The Hansard
not having been introduced in Canada at that time, no

202 The Pioneers of Blanshard.
record has been preserved of the speeches on that occa
sion. He pointed out to the board, however, that the
swamp between the base-line and the site where the
buildings would be erected would have to be navigated
by a boat, as the water in the fall was usually three or
four feet deep. In the winter, when the boat could not
be used, there would be no road at all. He also pointed
out to the assembled wisdom that no ratepayer would
be guilty of such barbarous conduct to his children as
to send them into the woods to a school where in the
summer they would have the last drop of blood sucked
out by mosquitoes and the last morsel of flesh picked
off their little bones by flies. The council sat with that
respectful gravity for which the members of the Blans
hard board have always been noted when addressed by
the people, but admitted the matter had gone too far
to stop, and the people would have to make the best
of it. This was an easy way to dispose of the question,
surely. The people on the 8th concession took action
immediately by organizing and letting the contract of
building a school-house, the site selected being on the
dividing line between the lots owned by Captain John
Campbell and Fletcher D. Switzer, on the upper side-
road. The mechanics were soon at work, and the
sound of the axe and the hammer, as it came echoing
through the woods to the base-line, was doubtless pro
voking, but was borne in sullen silence by the opposing
party. At last on a calm, still night, when the moon's
pale light shone softly o'er hill and dale, and the build
ing was nearing completion, there came a mighty
crashing sound like the roar of an avalanche, that
roused the whole neighborhood from their slumbers,
particularly those on the head of the base-line. Next

W. F. Sanderson. 203
morning people met each other with faces white with
fear, asking each other if they had heard the terrible
noise. Apparently they all had, but none could assign
a cause. As the day advanced, however, it became
known that the new school-house had been literally
torn to pieces and smashed into kindling wood. The
havoc wrought on that calm, still night was looked
upon by the base-line people as a special interposition
of Providence, and that some superhuman power had
been brought into play to assist them in their extremity.
The people on the 8th concession were, and always
remained, skeptical on this point, arising no doubt from
their materialistic tendencies. Be the cause what it
may, it stopped forever the insane idea of building our
school-houses on the sideroads. In the following year
the Board of Trustees on the base-line, composed of
Mr. Sanderson, Mr. Cathcart, and Mr. Gooding, erected
in the centre of the section on the base-line the first
brick school-house ever erected in the township of
Blanshard. Another incident which occurred about this time
will bear repeating. The old settlers (happily for
society) brought with them into the woods a heart-
yearning desire for those sacred ordinances and
spiritual consolations on the perpetuation of which
must ever rest, as on a sure foundation, the structure
of civilized life. To their humble homes, and to the
rude log buildings here and there erected in various
parts of the township, good and self-denying men
picked their way through forests and dispensed the
bread of life to the little congregations of the early
settlers. At a very early day an Orange hall had been

204 The Pioneers of Blanshard.
erected on the corner of Mr. David Brethour's farm,
on the base-line, and in which religious services were
held. If the accommodation was poor it was the best
that could be obtained. Planks laid across blocks of
wood were used for seats, not only for the congrega
tion, but for the minister as well. On this particu
lar night the little place was crowded; and when the
subject of our sketch entered, he was shown to a seat
on the platform where a plank had been placed for the
minister, and on the centre of which the good man was
sitting, preparatory to beginning the service. On the
farther end of the plank he had placed his hat, a fairly
good plug. Mr. Sanderson reverently took his seat on
the other end. On the minister rising to begin the
service, down went Mr. Sanderson's end and up went
the other, hoisting the plug hat up to the ceiling with
great force, and finally landing it back among the con
gregation. Our friend still stuck to the seat, when the
farther end, on which had stood the hat, swung round
over the heads of part of the worshippers, who in look
ing up saw, not the spirit descending on them like a
dove, but the swaying end of a two-inch plank. At
length order was restored, he was relieved from his
position, and the service proceded.
ARMED WITH A PASSPORT.
In the spring of 1863, with the adventurous spirit
that characterized him, we find that he had rented
his property in Blanshard, and was on his way
to the Pacific coast, by the old pioneer route of
Panama. He was sailing through Cuban waters at the
time when that noted privateer, the Alabama, cap
tured the American steamer Ariel. After crossing

W. F. Sanderson. 205
the Isthmus, smallpox broke out among the passengers,
when the ship had to run into Porto Bico and put the
sick ashore. By this means they were allowed to pass
the Golden Gate into San Francisco with a clean bill
of health.
It may seem strange to our readers that in the year
1864, in the highly civilized country of the United
States of America, a traveller from a foreign
country could not pass through their territory without
a passport to insure him from detention and secure
his safety. We are apt to commiserate the people on
the continent of Europe who are constantly tormented
with passports in moving from place to place, but we
did not think that it would ever be necessary on this
side of the Atlantic to take such precautions. We find,
however, that on March 28th, 1864, it is certified
"that the bearer, William Flesher Sanderson, whose
signature I have caused to be placed in the margin
hereof, is a British subject on his way to California.
Signed, Josias Bray." Then follows a description of
Mr. Sanderson as he appeared in the flesh thirty-five
years ago : " Age, twenty-eight ; height, five feet six
inches; weight, 160 pounds; color of hair, light brown;
color of eyes, light grey ; complexion, fair." Attached
to this document we find that John D. Irwin, United
States Consul at Hamilton, Upper Canada, further
attests that he was present and saw the annexed
document signed by Josias Bray and Mr. Sanderson ;
and faith and evidence should be given to the said paper,
as Mr. Irwin further certifies that the signature of Mr.
Bray was genuine. In witness whereof Mr. Irwin sets
his hand and the seal of the consular agency at Hamil
ton, Upper Canada, on the 28th March, 1864, and of

206 The Pioneers of Blanshard.
the independence of the United States. Armed with
these papers, Mr. Sanderson accordingly proceeded on
his way to the Pacific Coast.
IN THE MINING CAMP.
At this time the mining camps of Washoe were the
centre of attraction, and thither our subject bent his
steps, passing through California, across the Sierra
Nevada Mountains, by way of the Hennis Pass, into the
adjoining territory of Nevada. Here he finally settled
at Virginia City, in the world-famed Comstock lode,
having walked every foot of the way in company with
four others from the City of Sacramento, a distance of
217 miles. Each man carried his outfit and some pro
visions. This was made into a bundle which he carried
on his back, held by a strap which passed across his
breast. One evening when they reached the summit
of the Hennis Pass, and in the region of everlasting
snow, they were so fatigued they could proceed no
farther. To have lain down on their blankets would
have been certain death from exposure to the intense
cold in such high altitudes. They fortunately found a
small cabin built of boards, where they each paid a dollar
for the privilege of spreading their blankets on the
floor, where they might rest for the night. In the
morning they set out again on their dreary way, and
pushed on toward the Eldorado where all expected
to find gold.
The city of Virginia at this time was composed part
ly of tents and partly of buildings, and was the liveliest
camp on the face of the earth. There was no difference
then between night and day, Sunday or week day, so

W. F. Sanderson. 207
far as work and amusements were concerned. Some
danced all night, some gambled all night, and some
worked all night, changing places with each other for a
rest. There were also churches there and a few good
people doing their utmost trying to stem the torrent
of vice and bloodshed. But notwithstanding their best
efforts, many, very many indeed, were laid to rest in
the graveyard across the Gould and Currie ravine,
slain by a brother's hand. Law at this time was set at
defiance. The courts were helpless ; every man went
armed, and not until the vigilance committee went to
work in good earnest, hanging men up by the neck,
ticketed with the committee's initials 602, was there
any reformation.
Not long after the organization of this committee, an
opportunity offered itself for a display of their ghastly
operations. A young man by the name of Perkins had
received from one of the frequenters of the saloons
what he supposed was an insult, and, in the true spirit
of the place, at once drew his revolver and shot his
opponent on the spot. This young person was a piano
player in what was known as Scott's dance house, one
of the hells in Virginia City. This man the committee
determined should be their first victim. On the night
following the committal of the crime he had retired to
his room and was preparing to undress, and had removed
one of his shoes. The committee entered his chamber,
seized the young fellow, and partly undressed as he was,
bore him off to the place of execution decided upon,
where he should expiate with his life the crime he had
so recently committed. He begged piteously for his
life, or for such time as to write to his mother, who was
far away in the east, perhaps at that very moment
13

208 The Pioneers of Blanshard.
thinking of her son. But prayers and supplications
were lost on the unrelenting hearts of his murderers,
and with the shoe removed from one of his feet, and
the other still on, he was led to the place selected for
his execution. This was at a mine contiguous to the
city. At the entrance, where the drift penetrated the
side of the mountain, a frame- work was erected to pre
vent the earth falling on the roadway beneath it.
Under the frame- work a wagon loaded with ore was
drawn, and the culprit placed thereon. A rope was
fastened to the frame over head in the mine and round
the man's neck, when the wagon was withdrawn and
the poor fellow launched into eternity and ticketed as
the first offering of the number 602.
That such a state of affairs should exist within the
territories of what we consider as one of the most
highly civilized nations in the world, indicates in
a marked degree the carelessness and neglect by the
central authority of the highest functions of govern
ment—the protection of the lives and property of its
citizens. The triumvirs of the French Be volution were
not more potent for evil than this association which
had adopted for its trade mark the number 602. It
made its own laws, reached out its irresistible arm for
the victim, was its own judge and jury, condemned the
culprit, and led him to execution. The state of society
must have been deplorable that sought its safety in the
power of such a tribunal. Indeed, so callous had the
people become to the waste of human life that the two
daily papers published in Virginia City, when no
murder had been committed during the night previous,
had in their leading column in the morning, printed in
large letters, " No man for breakfast this morning."

W. F. Sanderson. 209
We would not have dwelt on this subject to so great a
length but as a warning to any of our young and ad
venturous Canadians who may read this sketch, to
consider well before casting in their lot in a country
where such a state of things could exist. Let them
contrast the position of the Yukon with that of Vir
ginia City. Many of these old prospectors who had
played their part in the scenes described attempted
to establish the same state of thing in the Yukon ; but
there they found British justice meted out by that arm
which is ever ready and always able to maintain order
and protect the lives and property of her humblest
citizen, not only within her own borders, but in every
corner of the earth.
On a beautiful quiet summer evening, the subject of
our sketch, having completed the labors of the day,
had retired to his cabin for the night. Sitting alone
by the fire and ruminating no doubt on his past adven
turous life, and building air castles in the future, he
was aroused from his reverie by a knocking at the
cabin door. He made hasty preparations to receive
his visitor, as was the custom in that country, by ex
amining his arms to see if they were in condition to
meet the worst. Whether it passed through his mind
that he might be wanted for a sign-board where the
No. 602 might be tacked on or not we are unable to
say. He cautiously unbolted the cabin door, and there
stood before him a tall, lean, bony man, with a slouch
hat, who at once extended his hand, grasped Mr.
Sanderson's, and shook it vigorously. This man was
Mr. John Hannah, from Kirkton. The surprise of both
men, and the congratulations that passed between, may
be imagined. After a pleasant chat about Blanshard

210 The Pioneers of Blanshard.
and old times, Mr. Sanderson, being a true English
man, set about making preparations for a great feast
next day, it being the Sabbath. His larder not being
richly provided, he, in company with his guest repaired
to the city, where he intended to lay in a supply of
mutton and beans for dinner. As they were walking
along they stepped into a gambling saloon, where Mr.
Hannah could see for himself the style of living in
Virginia City. As they stood near one of the tables, a
tall, respectable looking gentleman came forward, and
placing his hand on the table, happened to lean on one
of the men engaged in play. This man pushed the
gentleman somewhat rudely away, when without a
word being said on either side, he drew his pistol, fired,
and shot the player dead. Mr. Hannah, who had lived
his whole life among the quiet shades of Fish Creek,
was horrified, and left the saloon in terror.
Mr. Sanderson having secured his mutton and beans,
they returned to the cabin, where, after conversing on
old times till the night was far advanced, they retired
to their repose. In the morning Mr. S. was astir
bright and early, attending to his duties, and making
preparations for a great dinner. The mutton and
beans were placed in the oven and a blazing fire built
in the fire-place. Both gentlemen were enjoying them
selves rehearsing the many scenes incident to back
woods life in Blanshard, and forgetting the roast. At
last Mr. Hannah drew attention to a great smoke
proceeding from the the oven where the meat and
beans were cooking. On opening the door it was
found that the food had taken fire from the excessive
heat. The host rushed to the stove, grasped the
savory dish, drew it out and in his haste spilled the

W. F. Sanderson. 211
whole contents on the cabin floor. This was a sad
catastrophe, but he was equal to the occasion. He
seized a ladle, scooped up the savory particles, and
served them up in his best style. Of course he scooped
up more than mutton and beans, but the pieces of clay
that ground in their teeth as they enjoyed their repast
seemed only to give zest to what was declared by both
gentlemen as an excellent dinner. Some time after
these events another gentleman from Kirkton appeared
on the scene in the person of Mr. William Hannah,
brother of J. Hannah, who was father to John and
William Hannah, at present residing on the old place
between Woodham and Kirkton. This unfortunate
and kind-hearted man, shortly after coming to Gold
Hill, lost his life in one of the drifts. Mr. Sanderson,
with the true Canadian spirit, obtained his body, pre
pared it decently for burial, and reverently laid it in its
last resting-place. IN HASTINGS COUNTY.
In 1866 we next find the subject of our sketch, who,
in the meantime had been joined by his wife, making
his way out of Mexico, as war had broken out in
that country. On reaching the city of Acapulco, on
the coast, they were kindly proffered the protection of
the Post Captain of the French fleet, which had just
captured the Fort in the interest of the ill-fated Maxi
milian, and which offer they cheerfully accepted. Set
ting sail again, it was the 9th of August before they
reached the Isthmus, in the midst of the rainy season.
Here Mr. Sanderson was seized with the Panama
fever, which kept him very low during the rest of the

212 The Pioneers of Blanshard.
voyage and for some time after he reached New York.
He finally, however, reached his home in Blanshard in
safety. With restored health was also restored that
spirit ,of adventure which in him was ever restless.
He was now in the prime of life, full of that energy
which urges men on to seek fame and fortune at any
cost. In the county of Hastings the gold fever had
broken out. Some prospectors had discovered that
the precious metal existed there in paying quantities ;
and thither he went, continuing over twelve months in
search of gold, but without any degree of success.
During his residence in Hastings county there lived
near him a poor Frenchman, a laborer, one of whose
children died during a severe snowstorm in that in
hospitable country where the gold mines were located.
The little child was about twelve months old, and the
parents in indigent circumstances. A coffin was made
out of such material as could be procured on princi
ples of economy. The Frenchman, being a Boman
Catholic, could not bear the thought of having his little
one laid in the earth without a clergyman being
present. No clergyman of his own Church being within
reach, Mr. Sanderson procured the services of a Pro
testant minister, which appeared to satisfy in some
degree his desire that the rites of Christian burial
should be performed over the body of the little one.
Mr. Sanderson had the only horse and cutter in the
locality, and he took the little coffin with him to the
graveyard. The few people that were present had
reached the place of interment by a shorter route than
he was able with his horse to take, owing to the drifts.
He accordingly tied his horse to the fence at some
distance from the grave, and taking the coffin in his

W. F. Sanderson. 213
arms, walked over the snow to the fence, which he
proceeded to climb. He had no sooner mounted it
than it gave way, and the coffin falling, broke open,
and the little corpse rolled out in the snow. At this
state of things he was horrified, but he took up the
little body, wiped the snow from its pale face, and ad
justing the cerements that covered it, placed it again
in the receptacle and moved on to the grave. Here
they nailed the lid as well as they could and con
signed the little inanimate form to its kindred earth.
HIS MUNICIPAL CAREER.
Not being successful in the county of Hastings, he
returned to Blanshard for a short time, when he again
left for the Pacific coast, certain interests he had in
some of the mines in that country demanding his at
tention. He did not remain long, however, and having
arranged his affairs, came back to Canada, and in 1 874
returned to his native England to visit his widowed
mother for the last time. Here he stayed three
months, when he again returned to Blanshard, where
he has resided continuously ever since. He did not
remain long idle in his home. The people at the
nomination of 1878 placed his name on the nomination
paper for that year as councillor in the township. He
was elected and sat for one year in that capacity. In
1879 he was elected deputy reeve. In 1880 he was
again elected deputy reeve, and again in 1881. In 1882
he was elected reeve, and the same year he was elected
warden of the county. In 1883 he was defeated in his
election for the reeveship, and was again elected 1884,
since which time he has never been an aspirant for town-

214 The Pioneers of Blanshard.
ship honors. He has served the municipality ever
since, a period of the time as auditor, and has been a
member of the Board of Health since its inception. In
1885 or 1886 he was elected on the Board of Directors
of the Blanshard Mutual Fire Insurance Company, and
the same year was made president of that institution,
which position he has held ever since. He is a direc
tor and salesman of the Blanshard Cheese Company,
on the base-line, and for his service in this connection
was presented by the company a few years ago with a
handsome acknowledgment of his services. At the
introduction of the New Municipal Act, forming the
county into districts, in 1897, he was nominated, with
Mr. Monteith, of Downie, the member elect for South
Perth, as the first commissioners for District No. 4.
Both gentlemen were elected, and at the nomination
for 1899 and 1900 the same gentlemen were elected
by acclamation. About five or six years ago he re
ceived from Her Majesty a commission as J. P. in and
for the county of Perth. In all these various positions
of trust which he has held, we believe he has discharged
his duty honestly and well, and has the satisfaction of
knowing that if he has erred it has been through lack
of judgment and not from intention.
his social qualities.
With the exception of Mr. Cathcart, he has been,
perhaps, as popular as any of Blanshard's public men.
He had the faculty in an eminent degree of gaining the
confidence of men, and what was of equal importance
to his success, he had the tact to retain it. This arose
from his native kindness and an equanimity of charac-

W. F. Sanderson. 215
ter and temper which could hardly be excelled. It
made little difference what may have been said by his
opponents, he still came forward with the same smile
and the same shake of the hand. In his contests he
was always cool, calm, and collected, and his whole
nature seemed as placid and quiet as a summer sea.
We never saw him, even when hardly pressed, ever in
dicate by word or action the slightest temper. He is
polite and affable in his communications with the pub
lic, and in private his conduct is of that refined charac
ter that we almost invariably find in the sons of the
manse. As a public speaker he is far above the aver
age, although he lacks that fire which seems to rouse
men's dormant energies into life and stimulate them to
action. He is always pleasing, his language exceeding
ly good, his sentences well rounded, is a good reasoner.
and has the faculty of saying nice things in a nice way
and at the right time. In listening to his speeches you
feel pleased with him and pleased with yourself, but
you miss the tingling sensation aroused in your bosom
by that overpowering energy and heat which some
speakers have the power of throwing into their ad
dresses. He is a jovial companion at the social board,
can tell a good story and sing a good song, and in every
way is both able and willing to contribute his share to
the enjoyment of the company. As a farmer we can
not rate him very high. Although everything around
his farm is kept tidy and neat, still we do not think
that running a farm is his forte. He was far too ad
venturous to remain on a farm, and if he has made it
his home all his life, still we think that he did it rather
from force of circumstances than from a heart-felt love
for the occupation. He is below the average height,

216 The Pioneers of Blanshard.
and in his youth was slightly built, but we might now
adapt Mr. Mulock's postage-stamp motto to his upper
garments, " We hold a vaster empire than has been."
He is a good entertainer, with the happy faculty of
putting his guests at their ease, and he caters to their
comfort with the most generous hospitality. In politics
he is independent, claiming alliance with neither of the
two parties. He is not offensive in forcing his opinions
on others, but when discussions arise, as they some
times do, he can enforce his ideas with dignity and
firmness. In religion he is liberal, believing that
such things should be left between God and men's own
consciences, and that they should worship at whatever
altar they may think fit.
But we must now close this imperfect sketch of the
life of a very remarkable and popular man.

REUBEN SWITZER

Reuben Switzer. 219

CHAPTER XII.
REUBEN SWITZER.
BETWEEN fifty and sixty years ago, the subject
of our present sketch joined that great stream
of emigration from old Ireland seeking fortune in
America, and which stream still continues to flow,
although perhaps in somewhat diminished volume. All
of that great tide of humanity shared this one great
and predominating feeling, that " they left dear old
Ireland because they were poor." In their native land
they saw no prospect of bettering their condition.
Their lives so far had been one constant struggle, and
notwithstanding the most rigid economy and thrifti-
ness, they had still remained on the ragged edge of
poverty. In all the cabins surrounding their own the
same order of things obtained, and the most sanguine
hearts of a most sanguine and light-hearted people
could see no opening in the surrounding circumstances
that would lead them to believe that better days were
close at hand. To a traveller passing through the rural
districts of Ireland the evidences of this exodus are
present everywhere. Here and there amongst the low
hills and green valleys stand in staring vacuity the old
homes of the departed emigrants. You visit one of
the many of these places, and everything about it is

220 The Pioneers of Blanshard.
ruin and decay. There is nothing to indicate that with
in these old walls scenes of human joy, sorrow, or
suffering had ever been enacted. The clay floor is
a mass of rubbish, composed of the thatched roof that
offered shelter in better days. The hinges on the door
are rusted away, and the openings of the windows
seem vacuous as the eyeless sockets of an old skull.
On the spot where the turf fire blazed and cracked
nettles and weeds grow up in luxuriance. Around the
door, where perhaps some of Blanshard's old settlers
played in infancy, the grass grows green. The spring
near the old cabin flows on bright as it did before, and
with the same song, but no one is there now to taste
of its waters. The little farm of an acre or two has
passed into other hands, and the last inhabitant of the
old house has been so long gone that, excepting for the
rude stone in the little churchyard that marks the last
resting-place of some one still dear to the emigrant, his
very name would be forgotten. To a traveller of a re
flective mind a visit to these old places has a most im
pressive effect. There must have been some extraordin
ary circumstances to produce such extraordinary results.
The ties that bind most people to the spot of their na
tivity are not easily broken, and the conditions that led
to so many ruined and empty homes in that unfortunate
country must have been unbearable indeed.
BORN IN "OULD OIRELAND."
On the banks of the river Shannon, in the south
eastern part of Ireland, stands the old historic city of
Limerick, near which, in the village of Adare, was
born, on the 1st day of September, 1813 (or nearly
eighty-six years ago), Mr. Beuben Switzer, the subject

Reuben Switzer. 221
of our present sketch. Like nearly all of the old settlers
of Blanshard, he was the son of a small farmer who
tilled a few acres for the support of his wife and family.
He was the eldest of thirteen children, seven of whom
came to Canada and settled with their father in the
new township of Blanshard, in the year 1843, the sub
ject of our sketch not coming to this country till 1846,
or three years later. Of the six sons who came to
Canada, four are still living — William, on the 3rd con
cession ; Beuben, on the 2nd concession ; Henry, on the
Mitchell Boad ; Adam, on the 14th concession. Bich
ard, who lived on the Mitchell Boad, died many years
ago, and Cornelius, who lived on the 2nd concession, is
is also dead. Every one of these men were energetic,
enterprising, and thrifty, all having acquired good farms
and an honorable name among the citizens of the town
ship. The subject of our sketch, being the eldest, was early
inured to toil, assisting his father on the little farm,
and thereby contributing something to the support of
the younger members of the family. He, however,
when his other duties would permit, attended a school
in the neighborhood, until he reached his fourteenth
year. This seminary of learning was conducted on the
same lines as nearly all similar institutions in Ireland
seventy years ago, with this exception, perhaps, that
the teacher in this case was an extreme disciplinarian.
His name was Armstrong, and Mr. Switzer has still a
lively recollection of his efforts to maintain order at the
seat of learning over which he presided. The building
in which Mr. Armstrong trained the young idea how
to shoot was in part of an old ruined castle. Appar
ently the genius of the ancient barons who, if they did

222 The Pioneers of Blanshard.
not do as they pleased among the armies of heaven,
certainly did so among the inhabitants of the earth, had
fallen on the shoulders of the pedagogue, who was un
tiring in asserting his prerogative among his scholars.
In his theological researches he had taken to heart
that piece of philosophy that " he that spareth the rod
spoileth the child." In his dealings with the school he
kept this constantly in mind, so much so that the posi
tion held at the court of James I. in his youth by Sir
Mungo Malagrowether might be considered a sinecure.
The methods adopted by the profession of the present
day to maintain order among the attending youth
would have merited the utmost contempt from this old
champion of the taws. He did not believe in teaching
by induction, by pronunciation, or oral communication,
but had unbounded confidence in communicating his
ideas by inoculation with a good stout stick. As a
matter of course, the more assiduous he was to instil
into the young people the great educational truths he
conceived were for their best interests in this way, the
more careless and disinclined they were to receive
them. Under these circumstances not much progress
was made. As we have already observed, he was most
punctilious in his observance of the rules laid down in
the school. To attain the highest point of excellence
in this way, a board was hung up at the door, on the
one side of which was printed the word "out" and on
the reverse side the word "in." Mr. Armstrong, no
doubt desirous of devoting as much time as possible
to his scholars, had no recess between the hours of nine
in the morning and four in the afternoon. As might
be expected, many of the scholars would have occasion
to retire during this long period of confinement. To

Reuben Switzer. 223
prevent any interference with the onerous duties of
the master, when a boy desired a short recess he turned
the board with the word "out" toward the teacher, and
when he returned he reversed it, showing the word
"in." On one occasion a young scion of the honorable
house of Moriarty, one of the scholars, inadvertently
entered the sacred hall without turning the board, and
took his seat, the word "out" still glaring on the un
turned sign. Mr. Armstrong, seeing this state of
affairs, considered it an unpardonable breach of discip
line, and proceeded to point out to the young gentle
man who had sat down the gross infringement of the
rules of which he had been guilty. " Misther Moriarty,
come up here, sor," said Mr. Armstrong. The represen
tative of the Moriarty family accordingly advanced to
the front. " Do you see the board, sor ? " Mr. Mor
iarty signified his assent that he saw the board. " Do
you see the word 'out,' sor?" The young gentleman gave
his assent, and mildly hinted that he had omitted to
turn the board as he came in. Mr. Armstrong assumed
a look of great dignity, and said, " Mr. Moriarty, so
long as that board shows the word 'out' you're out,
and not till it shows the word 'in' are you in. Be care
ful, sor, and not break the rules of the school."
STARTS FOR AMERICA.
Having bid farewell to Mr. Armstrong and school
days, he stayed with his father on the farm and did
what work he could get in the neighborhood, until he
reached his 20th year. In 1833 he married Miss Spar
ling, the daughter of a neighboring farmer, and began
life for himself, having in the meantime obtained the
position of steward to a gentleman in the county Clare.

224 The Pioneers of Blanshard.
In this position he stayed nine months, when a similar
place with more remuneration was offered to him in
the county of Kerry, about six miles from Tralee.
Here he stayed for three years, overseer on an embank
ment which was being constructed to keep out the sea.
Having completed this work he again moved back to
Limerick, to a place called Castletown Waller. Here
Mrs. Switzer obtained the position of laundress to the
Bev. Mr. Waller, while he worked on the estate, his
wages being at the rate of one shilling per day, the
highest wage he ever received in Ireland. He remained
here for seven years, when the savings of himself
and wife during that time amounted to what he
considered a sufficent sum to warrant him undertak
ing the journey to Canada. Previous to this, how
ever, his father and brothers had, in 1843, left Ireland
for this country, and had reached the Mitchell Boad,
where they located the farm on which Henry Switzer
now resides. In April, therefore, in 1846, he resolved
to follow the rest of the family, and the 18th day of
that month saw him, his wife, and five children on board
a ship at Limerick, under Captain Hugol, for Quebec.
After seven weeks tossing on the Atlantic they at last
reached their destination. At Quebec he was detained
seven days in quarantine, when, through the kindness
of the captain, he obtained a pass to Brantford, which
was most opportune, as his supply of cash was
very small indeed. Having reached the town of Brant
ford, he obtained a lodging for his wife and family,
when he left for Blanshard on foot, and made the
distance, sixty miles, in one day.
We must notice in passing, however, a circumstance
that occurred on the voyage, which, in those days of

Reuben Switzer. 225
long periods in making a trip across the Atlantic, some
times happened, but which in these days of fast
steamers rarely ever occur. This was the death of a
passenger a woman, who was buried at sea. The
scene on board the little vessel in mid-ocean, when the
body was committed to the deep, was most impressive
and one which Mr. Switzer can never forget. Those
who have crossed the ocean know that in a very short
time the passengers on board a vessel seem to each
other as if they all belong to one family, and soon
acquire a kindly interest in one another. Ajiy occur
rence affecting anyone is quickly noticed, and rouses
the feelings to a greater degree than the same occur
rence would do on land. On the morning preceding
the burial, notices were posted here and there on the
ship, setting forth that the body would be committed
to the sea at a certain hour. It was a beautiful day,
and a cloudless sky was mirrored in the great ocean
that lay beneath it like a sheet of glass. On the deck
the passengers moved around as if afraid to disturb the
quiet repose that seemed everywhere. During the
previous night a passenger had come on board unbid
den, of pale, ashy aspect, and of cold and unrelenting
hand. He had stricken and claimed the victim now
to be buried in the still waters. At length the ship's
bell began to toll slowly in the solemn tones of a
funeral knell. At one of the hatchways on the upper
deck two stout sailors were seen to emerge, followed
by two more with heads uncovered and moving with
that measured and solemn tread that seemed to keep
time to the tolling of the death bell. They bore be
tween them the dead body, which had been tied up in
a piece of sail-cloth, with a great weight fastened to
14

226 The Pioneers of Blanshard.
the feet. The mournful cortege moved round the ship
till it came to a part where a board had been laid to
receive the remains. On this they were placed, when
the captain took his place and read the beautiful ser
vice of the Church of England. As he reached the
words " 0 death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is
thy victory % With the full hope of a glorious resurrec
tion, we commit this body to the deep," one end of the
board was raised, and all that was mortal of the poor
emigrant shot down into the dark sea with a weird
like splash that seemed to strike every person on board
with horror. All looked eagerly over the side of the
ship, but nothing was to be seen but a slight ripple on
the face of the deep water. Orders were now given to
the men to man the yards, the boatswain piped for
wind, which slowly arose, filling the sails, and the good
ship bore away to the distant west, dashing the water
from her prow with her load of human freight.
SETTLES IN BLANSHARD.
Having arrived in Blanshard, in 1846, his first efforts
were directed to obtain work. This he found with
Mr. Creighton on the base-line. With Mr. Creighton
he stayed for one month, and received for his services
twenty-eight bushels of wheat, which Mr. Cathcart
took to St. Marys with the oxen and had made into
flour. Preparatory to bringing his family into the
township, he built a shanty on the Mitchell Boad,
where they resided the ensuing winter. Continuing to
labor on the farm for a couple of years, he learned the
best methods of clearing land, which was of great im
portance to a new settler in those days. In 1848 he
located on lot 8, in the 3rd concession, which farm

Reuben Switzer. 227
he still owns. In this affair he was unfortunate from
a financial point of view. The Canada Company's
lands in Blanshard were being sold to actual settlers at
$3.00 per acre, and ten years to pay the principal, with
interest at the rate of 6 per cent, per annum. Through
some mistake the papers obtained from the Company's
agent were informal, and at the end of the ten years,
when Mr. Switzer applied for his deed, it was found
that he really had no fclaim. In the meantime the
lands in the township had become valuable from the
improvements made by the early settlers, and the Com
pany, availing themselves of these circumstances, raised
the price of their lands to $13, $16, and $20 per acre.
Mr. Switzer was thus compelled to take his land at the
latter price or lose all his improvements. For a person
in his financial condition, this was a terrible blow. To
have recourse to law proceedings with the Canada
Company would have been madness, and he quietly
assumed the responsibility, and by the most determined
efforts succeeded in liquidating the debt in a few years.
To enable him to surmount such great difficulties, he
contracted for clearing land for some of the farmers
whose circumstances permitted an expenditure of
money for that important object. He in the short
period of two years cleared for Mr. Shier, of Wood
ham, land to the extent of fifty acres. To those old
settlers who understand the clearing of land this will
appear as an extraordinary amount of labor to accom
plish in such a short time.
The chopping and clearing of land, laborious as it
is under any conditions, is to a novice almost a hope
less task. He was considered a good axeman fifty
years ago, if he was able in the course of seven or eight

228 The Pioneers of Blanshard.
days to chop an acre of land. Much depended, too, on
the falling of the timber for the ease with which it was
afterwards disposed of. A bushman who understood
the throwing of the large trees side by side, and per
haps laying another equally large across so them that it
would balance and could easily be swung around and
laid lengthwise with the other two, thus forming what
was called a roll pile, had a great advantage when
the timber was logged and burnt. This chopping was
done in the winter, and forty years ago in all direc
tions through the leafless woods, was heard the crash
of falling trees and the hollow boom as some great old
monarch with far extended arms struck the ground.
In the evening, when the shades of night began to
settle down on the dark forest, and from the other side
of the little clearing the backwoodsman could see the
twinkle of the tallow candle from the only window in
his shanty, within whose humble walls waited and
watched his wife and her little ones, with what de
termined and renewed energy he buried the axe at
every stroke, until the great tree cracked and tore and
fell thundering to the earth, when the voices from the
vast forest echoed back in reverberating tones the
sound of its fall. This was called the evening gun. In
the spring, usually about the end of May or the first
of June, the brush was burnt from the fallow, and if a
good burn had been made the scene was about as
uninviting a one as it was possible to see.
OLD-TIME LOGGING BEES.
The brush having burned, the next stage in clearing
land was the logging. A gang of loggers was usually
composed of four rollers, a yoke of oxen, and a

Reuben Switzer. 229
teamster. The duties of the loggers was to pile up
the logs into great heaps preparatory to burning them.
An acre was supposed to be a good day's work.
Sometimes it was decided to make a " logging bee,"
when the fallow would be staked out in lots of one
acre to each gang of men. The logging bees were con
sidered great occasions in those olden days. In the
early morning in summer men gathered from all direc
tions through the woods, each one with a handspike,
the only implement he would use during the day. The
handspikes were usually made of maple — that timber
being exceedingly stiff — slightly flattened on the top
near the point, and rounded at the other end for the
hands of the logger. All the men and the oxen were
arranged at one end of the field, and stood chatting,
laughing, and telling stories till they commenced the
labors of the day. The attire of the loggers was sim
plicity itself. A straw hat, a shirt, usually home-made,
and a pair of light pantaloons completed the outfit.
The shirt was always open at the bosom, and the
sleeves rolled up to the armpits, a belt around the waist
(no braces) ; a handspike in his hands, and the man was
ready for business. The grog boss was always present,
dispensing the contents of his jug with frequency and
liberality. A couple of choppers were also appointed,
whose duties were to be on the field and cut any logs
that might have been omitted in the winter. At last
the word is given, and every man takes his post deter
mined to complete his allotment before anyone else
has finished his. The scene where all was compara
tive quietness becomes at once animated and exciting.
The movements and the shouting of the men, the voice
of the teamster calling to the oxen, here and there

230 The Pioneers of Blanshard.
clouds of ashes arising as the logs are drawn over
them. In a few minutes the men are as black as the
smut of the burnt timber can make them. The grog
boss is hurrying here and there over the field, with a
pail of water in one hand and a jug of whiskey in the
other, supplying the wants of the thirsty men. Each
one helps himself to a cup of the one and a " corker" of
the other, and with the perspiration streaming from
every pore, enters with invigorated force into the race.
So the work goes on until each one has finished his
" through," when all wend their way to the shanty to
fortify the inner man with the goods spread in endless
profusion on the tables.
The timber being at last all burnt, the field was fenced
and the next season sown in wheat. No cultivation
was required, and indeed none could be given, the land
being one solid mass of roots and stumps. The grain
being sown, the settler took his harrow — an implement
made with the axe from the fork of a tree, in the shape
of the letter "A," in which nine teeth, each about
one and a half inches square, were driven, four on each
side, and one at the point — and with that very imper
fect article the whole of the settler's crop was harrowed
in. The man was full of hope, indeed, who could walk
all day at the heads of a pair of oxen, with one of the
harrows we have described trailing at the end of the
chain fastened to the yoke laid on the neck of the poor
cattle. But such was the only way that the work
could be done. The reward in many instances — nay,
in every instance where ordinary care and foresight
was taken — has been sure. A vast number of these
old gentlemen who drive into the country towns in
Canada with costly carriages and trappings, began their

Reuben Switzer. 231
career exactly as I have described, and are now pass
ing their declining years in comfort and ease ; and all
this has been accomplished by thousands of men still
hale and hearty. No further evidence is necessary
to show that Canada, as a field for the sober, in
dustrious, and energetic man, has rewards to give
which can be found in no other country in the world.
The high moral tone of her people, the vigorous ad
ministration of the law, affording the fullest protection
to life and property, the liberality of her institutions,
the fertility of her soil, offer everything to the emigrant
in quest of a home. AS LICENSE INSPECTOR
Mr. Switzer, therefore, as time passed away, became
possessed of a fair portion of this world's goods. As
a public-spirited citizen, too, he has taken an active
part in public life. When the township of Blanshard
was first organized, he offered himself as a candidate
for the office of councillor, and was elected on two
occasions as a member of that body. On his retirement
from the municipal board he was appointed License
Inspector for the municipality. We of course do not
know what the duties were exactly, but the emolument
certainly was not such as to lead a man quickly to
wealth and independence, being only $10.00 per
annum. He had, in making his various peregrinations
over the municipality, performing the duties of his
office, every opportunity of ascertaining the quality of
the various viands disposed of at the different hostel-
ries in the township. Blanshard, at the period of
which we write, must have been a place where all the
thirsty settlers in Canada had located, as it contained
no less than thirteen hotels. If the time that it takes

232 The Pioneers of Blanshard.
some of Her Majesty's subjects to pass one hotel be any
indication of the time necessary for the inspector to
perform his important duties, his office could not have
been a sinecure. Still the office had its advantages
altogether outside of the salary and social standing it
was supposed to confer on the recipient of the distin
guished position. It was his privilege to inspect the
various liquors at any time, as well as to sample every
bottle in the bar, to enable him to decide whether they
were up to the required standard or not. It will thus
be seen that a person holding the honorable position of
inspector had a difficult task to perform among the
thirteen houses of public entertainment, and preserve
the dignity of his office.
In 1862 he met a great misfortune in the loss of his
wife. They had lived happily together, and had seen
their children grow up around them respected and
respectable. The family consisted of James, in New
Zealand; John, in Manitoba; Henry, on the old home
stead ; Eliza (Mrs. Harding), at Fordwich ; Bachael
(Mrs. Connelly), at Trowbridge ; Mary Ann (Mrs.
Whaley), died in Manitoba ; Charlotte (Mrs. Davis),
died in Logan ; and Agnes, also dead.
SOCIAL AND MUNICIPAL.
Mr. Switzer took an active part in the organization
of the Blanshard Agricultural Society, and ever since
its inception has been one of its most active supporters.
During the whole period the society has been in ex
istence he has been an officer ; for a number of years
president, always a director, until three or four years
ago he resigned, when the society, as a mark of ap
proval for his distinguished services, elected him an
honorary director. In that position he is the first and

Reuben Switzer. 233
only one on which the distinction was ever conferred.
Early in the sixties a change was made by Govern
ment in the law regarding the militia in the rural dis
tricts. Blanshard was divided into two sections, the
square township forming one, and the gore part another.
The late T. B. Guest was major, and appointed Mr.
Switzer as captain of the first district, embracing the
square township. The first time the writer ever met
the subject of this sketch was in the winter shortly
after his appointment to that office. On a cold morn
ing in the month of February, we saw a strange
gentleman driving toward our shanty in the piece of
clearing we made, with rather a good-looking horse and
cutter. On meeting this person he introduced himself
as Beuben Switzer, of Blanshard, that he had been ap
pointed captain in the sedentary force, and was desirous
that I should accept the office of lieutenant, for
which position I had been recommended to him by
Mr. James Dinsmore. Mr. Switzer at this time was
rather above the average size, straight, well made, and
active looking. His features were regular and his hair,
which was long and heavy, was as white as the snow,
which gave him altogether a striking appearance. It is
pleasing here also to state that the friendship which
sprang up on that occasion has continued, without a
a single cloud having passed over it, since, a period
of nearly thirty years. In 1 876 he took an active part
in the organization of the Blanshard Mutual Fire In
surance Company. He has for some years been presi
dent of this institution, and has sat as a member of the
Board of Directors ever since its inception. Mr.
. Switzer has been for nearly seventy years a member of
the Orange Order, making him almost the oldest, if
not the very oldest, member of the society in Canada.

234 The Pioneers of Blanshard.
He is to-day, at the age of eighty-six years, most en
thusiastic in his attachment to its teachings. He first
became a member of the Order in 1830, when he was
17 years old, and on his arrival in Canada in 1846, he
organized the Lodge on the Mitchell Boad, No. 384,
the first Orange Lodge in the township. For over fifty
years he has never failed on a single occasion to testify
publicly his unswerving loyalty to the Order by joining
in the procession of the brethren on the 12th. After
organizing No. 384, he was elected its first Master, and
retained that position for nine years. Since he first
came to Canada he has occupied a prominent position
in the institution, and has attended a greater number of
Provincial Lodges than perhaps any other member of
the Order in this section of the country. He filled the
office of the District Master for two years, County
Master for several years, was delegate to Provincial
Lodges held in almost every section of the province,
and in 1896 was appointed delegate to the Supreme
Grand Lodge at Collingwood, in 1897 at Windsor, in
1898 at Ottawa, in 1899 at Barrie. At these various
gatherings of the highest Court of the Order in Canada
he is frequently honored with a seat on the platform
next to the Supreme Grand Master, as a recognition
of his distinguished services in connection with the
institution. As might be expected, Mr. Switzer has
been a lifelong supporter of the Conservative party and
a most enthusiastic believer in all the actions of the
late Sir John Macdonald. He has held the appoint
ment of treasurer of the County Conservative Associa
tion since it was organized, and has also been treasurer
of the Conservative Association of the township since
its inception. He rarely, however, talks politics, and
is never offensive to opponents in the discussion of

Reuben Switzer. 235
party questions. His great good nature manifests
itself here, as it does in his every-day life, and his
Beform friends in the township are numerous and in
fluential. In religion he adheres to the Methodist
church, although I believe he is not a member of any
religious body. As a farmer he was fairly well up in his
calling, and has the honor of fatting the first animal
that ever left the township for the English market, and
which was sold to the firm of Bobson & Sparling many
years ago. In 1865 he married Mrs. Isabella Hard
ing, widow of the late Mr. Harding, who resided on
lot 8, on the 2nd concession. This lady had four
sons at the time of her marriage to Mr. Switzer — Bev.
Philip Harding, of Ohio ; Thomas Harding, on the old
homestead ; Samuel, of Port Bowan, editor of the
News-Record ; and Bichard, in British Columbia. Mrs.
Switzer died several years ago, and the old gentleman
is again left alone. He is an honest man, and has dis
charged his duties as a citizen of Canada in such a way
as should be an example to younger men. The kind
old man is bending low under the weight of his eighty-
six years, yet his heart seems buoyant as ever. His
manner is as jovial and free as it was when we first
met him thirty years ago. His long white hair is still
abundant, his step is as firm as it was in his youth,
but he has many evidences, distinctly marked, indi
cating that he has passed the four score. We trust,
however, that time will deal gently with him in the
future as it has done in the past, and that he may yet,
for many years to come, meet his numerous friends in
those haunts in which he delights to meet them, and
where the cares of life can be for a time hidden away
beneath the mantle of good fellowship.

236 The Pioneers of Blanshard.

CHAPTER XIII.
DAVID BRETHOUR.
T^v UBING the latter part of the seventeenth century
*-^ and the beginning of the eighteenth, the French
Monarchy, under Louis XIV., had reached the height
of its power. The wholesome restraint that Cromwell
had acquired and maintained on the Continent of
Europe had passed away. A new order of things had
been established in Britain at the Bestoration, which
had destroyed her prestige and her power. From the
front rank of the nations to which she had been
raised by the masterly policy of Oliver, she had sunk
to the lowest depths of infamy and imbecility. Wise
and patriotic men stood aloof from the truculent and
immoral debauchees that swarmed around the court of
Charles II. The iron hand of perhaps the greatest
ruler that Britain has ever seen was no longer felt, and
the poor remains that had been dug from their last
resting place to satisfy the cowardly king were no
longer feared. The Edict of Nantes had been revoked,
and the followers of the doctrines of the Beformation
were subjected to such persecution as threatened them
with extermination. Notwithstanding all the efforts
of the Prince of Orange after he had ascended the
British throne, he was quite unable to overthrow the

DAVID BRETHOUR.

David Brethour. 239
power of the Grand Monarch. With the united power
of the States-General and Great Britain in the field, he
only restrained to some extent the power of Louis, and
his greatest victories on the continent were barren of
results. In the reign of Anne, in the beginning of the
eighteenth century, the power of Great Britain asserted
itself once more, and under John Churchill, Duke of
Marlborough, she attained to a greater glory than she
had ever before reached. For a number of years the
persecution in the Palatine, a province on the Bhine,
had been unbearable, and many of those who professed
the reformed doctrines had been subjected to the most
cruel treatment, and had sealed their affection for the
Protestant faith with their lives. An application was
at last made to the British General for protection, with
whom it was arranged that those who chose to go
should be sent across the Atlantic to seek freedom for
themselves and their families in the forests of America.
Accordingly three ships were freighted with the poor
persecuted people of the Palatine and sailed for the
west. After putting out to sea they were overtaken
by a great storm, and one of the ships was cast away
on the southwest coast of Ireland, where all those who
were aboard finally settled. On board of this vessel
were the ancestors of some of the pioneers of Blan
shard, particularly the Brethours, Switzers, Shiers, and
others. The ancestor of our present sketch was among
the ship-wrecked on that occasion.
COMING TO CANADA.
David Brethour was born in the village of Ballan-
grane, in the county of Limerick, Ireland, in 1831. He
was the youngest of a family of ten children, six sons

240 The Pioneers of Blanshard.
and four daughters. He was unfortunate in the loss
of his mother when he was nine months old, she having
fallen a victim to that terrible scourge, Asiatic cholera.
His father had a small farm in Limerick, on which he
labored to support his family and pay the yearly rent
to his landlord. In 1833, having but the little piece of
land, he decided to come to America, sailing from the
town of Cork for Quebec, making the long, dreary pas
sage with his children in eleven weeks. After arriving
at Quebec his father came on west till he reached the
county of Ontario, and settled in the township of
Georgina, on the eastern shore of Lake Simcoe. That
township was then, and was for many years afterwards,
a complete wilderness. This part of Ontario was far
away from the great water-ways that skirted the
southern part of the Province, and was consequently
far removed from the markets where produce could be
disposed of. Mr. Brethour being only about three
years old, the first thing he remembers was the little
episode of his father shooting a great bear in a small
patch of oats that grew around the shanty. Being
fully alive to the dangers attending bear-hunting in
that wild country, he wisely took precaution to
secure his safety if the result should turn out other
wise than well. He therefore, by the aid of a ladder,
securely placed himself in a hemlock tree and awaited
with his gun the arrival of bruin. He had not long to
wait when his bearship came out of the woods for his
evening meal of the new settler's oats. Taking a good
aim, he fired and shot the animal dead. He was desir
ous, however, to make sure before he descended from
his perch in the tree, and one of his sons came out
with another gun and fired a couple of shots into the

David Brethour. 241
dead body lying among the oats, after which he safely
descended from his seat.
In the young period of Mr. Brethour's life he escaped
that terrible ordeal through which the youth of all
civilized countries have to pass, the public school. In
the township of Georgina there were no such institutions
for the training of the young mind. He had accord
ingly passed the period of life when boys are supposed
to learn and ought to be taught the various branches
of education which fit them for the duties of after life.
As he grew to manhood he felt most severely the want
of some education, or at least that he should be able
to read. He therefore, during the hours of recess
from labor, made such progress in his studies as at
least placed him on a par with the settlers who sur
rounded him. Since that time he has been a most
varied and extensive reader in every branch of litera
ture, and is, perhaps, the best historian in the town
ship of Blanshard. THOSE EARLY DAYS.
Fifty or sixty years ago the life of a young person in
the backwoods of Canada was uneventful and monot
onous. In those times there was no debating club
at the corner school-house, where the youthful orators
of the bush could air their eloquence or exhibit their
powers of declamation to the admiring elders in the
district. There was no concert or literary society, no
tea-meeting where the young people, dressed in their
most splendid habiliments, could come to see or be
seen of each other. There were no churches, or very
few, where the pious settlers could gather together and
listen to the word from some veteran old minister who

242 The Pioneers of Blanshard.
had travelled far through the trackless forest to break
among the few waiting ones the bread of life. All such
meetings, when they did take place, were held in the
shanties of the settlers. The life of a young person,
therefore, in those days consisted of a continuous round
of labor, eating, and sleeping. Mr. Brethour, occupied
his time in assisting his father to clear up the farm
until he reached his fifteenth year. From this time
until he was twenty-one he worked with the neighbor
ing settlers, and considered himself amply rewarded
with the sum of $8.00 per month. In 1851 he married
Elizabeth Shier, of the adjoining township of Brock, a
sister of Mr. Shier, of Woodham. The issue of this
union was seven children — Bebecca, (Mrs. Heron) of
Manitoba ; Catharine Ann, (Mrs. Miners) of Manitoba ;
Wesley, Beeve of Hamiota County, Manitoba ; Augus
tus, in Blanshard ; Mary Jane, in Blanshard ; Harriet,
in Blanshard ; and Michael, in Blanshard, the last three
on the old homestead. After his marriage he rented a
farm till 1853, when he came west into the township
of Blanshard, and settled on lot 4, on the 7th con
cession, which was then all woods, and on which he
has remained ever since. IN PUBLIC LIFE.
Like nearly all the old settlers of Blanshard, he was
a member of the Orange Order, having joined this
institution in 1852. His first duty after reaching
the township was, of course, to construct a shanty for
himself and make a small clearing on which to
plant or grow food for the family. This he had no
sooner accomplished than he undertook to build an
Orange hall on the corner of his piece of clearing, early

David Brethour. 243
in 1854. From that time forward he has taken a most
prominent part in all the affairs of the Order, but of
this we will have occasion to speak later on. After the
township was organized under the existing Municipal
Act, the council of Blanshard appointed him as the
first License Inspector in the municipality. The hotels
in the township were quite numerous at this period of
its history. A constant supply of liquor, however, was
easily obtained from a distillery that was operated by
Mr. Shoebottom, at Silver Creek, on the Mitchell Boad,
in the old log building which still stands near a spring
that flows from the bank adjoining. The whiskey
made in this, the great central emporium, we have
heard spoken of in most eulogistic terms. Consider
ing the quality, it was exceedingly cheap, being easily
obtainable at thirty-five cents per gallon. There was
no doubt as to the purity of its constituents, or as to
its potency. It had this wonderful peculiarity, how
ever, which placed it far in advance of all modern dis
tillations, and which was told us the other day by a
gentleman who' has had an intimate acquaintance with
the products of both periods, "that it had not the
harsh, burning taste of the decoctions of the present
time, but was nice and sweet, and ' sorter ' soothing to
the taste, and a whole barrel of it did not contain a
single headache."
During these years, from 1853 till 1859, Mr. Breth
our had become quite popular in the division of the
township in which he resided. At the election of 1859
he was brought forward by a section of the people in
Polling Division No. 2, to oppose Mr. Cathcart, who
had been sitting at the board almost continuously since
1852. The contest arose chiefly out of the policy pur-
15

244 The Pioneers of Blanshard.
sued by Mr. Cathcart in the building of the base-line
gravel road. The contest was a keen one and the vote
polled at an early hour, when he was defeated by Mr.
Cathcart by one vote. This vote was cast by Mr.
William Fotheringham, of the 8th concession, now
of the township of Tuckersmith, Huron County.
Mr. Brethour took an active part in promoting the
base-line gravel road scheme, and on the formation of
the company was elected one of the directors, jand sat
on the Board for four years. This road was used for a
number of years throughout the municipality as an
election cry against candidates residing on it, and cost
more than one aspiring young politician a seat at the
council. It remained, however, for Mr. Brethour to
remove all difficulty in connection with it a few years
later. In 1872 he contested the municipality for the
reeveship, his opponent being the present chairman of
the Boad and Bridge Committee of St. Marys, Mr.
Lawrie, whom he succeeded in defeating. In 1873 he
was again elected reeve. In the meantime the gravel
road company had gotten into difficulties, when the
sheriff seized and sold the road, Mr. Little, of Prospect
Hill, being the purchaser. Under the proprietorship
of Mr. Little the road was allowed to get sadly out of
repair, and complaints were loud and numerous regard
ing its condition. The action of Mr. Cathcart a few
years previous, in taking over the London and Proof
Line gravel road, had given the best satisfaction to the
ratepayers generally. When it became known, in 1873,
that the reeve and the then clerk of the township had
opened negotiations with Mr. Little for the purchase
of the road, the people were anxious that an amicable
arrangement should be reached, and the road assumed

David Brethour. 245
by the township. A settlement was soon effected. The
road was bought for the sum of $1,100, the toll-gate
removed at once, which, with the exception of the
little episode between the town and the township, was
the last toll-gate ever seen in the township of Blan
shard. Mr. Brethour retired from the reeveship and
has not since been a candidate for municipal honors.
Prior to his acting as reeve he was appointed, in 1867,
as collector of taxes, which office he held for four years.
In the year 1866 events occurred along the frontier
of Canada that stirred the people of this country to the
core. The civil war in the United States had been
closed by the South returning to their allegiance, and
the Stars and Stripes again floated over every part of
that country. The whole army was disbanded and
thousands of the very scum of society that had served
in the ranks were without employment.
To enable themselves still to live in idleness, and im
pose upon the unwary and the ignorant, a society was
organized in New York, known as the Fenian Brother
hood. This institution was the head-quarters for the
vile, the idle, and the hearts wherein lurked the dark
demon of revenge for what they thought was the un
just measure of British rule in Ireland. 0 'Mahoney
was created head centre and gathered in the shekels, in
return for which he issued through a portion of the
press the mad ravings of an unprincipled vagabond, as
unction to the souls of his dupes throughout the
United States. A band of those ragged rascals had
gathered together at Buffalo for the purpose of begin
ning the liberation of Ireland by spilling the innocent
blood of loyal Canadians. In a quiet and still hour on
the night of the 6th of June, about 500 of these mis-

246 The Pioneers of Blanshard.
guided men crossed over into Canada with the avowed
intention of making war on the Canadians, in order to
liberate a people 3,000 miles away. This little army,
which was commanded by one of the name of O'Neil,
soon found itself in difficulties, and the gallant champ
ion of the rights of Ireland had recourse to such tactics
as we heard related of a certain captain in the civil
war. This champion of liberty, having been ordered
into action, addressed his soldiers before engaging the
enemy somewhat as follows : " Soldiers of the Grand
Army of the United States, you are now about to show
your powers in the field. The eyes of the world are
turned to you ; be brave, be valiant, acquit yourselves
like heroes, as did those warriors who followed
the immortal Washington to glory and to victory.
Soldiers, if you are forced to retire, retire like men, and
seeing that I am a little lame, I'll start now." Such
was the conduct of the mighty O'Neil. He had no
sooner touched Canadian soil than he prepared to
return as quickly as possible. The men of Blan
shard, like the loyal men in every part of the Province,
were up in arms. A meeting was called at Mclntyre's
Corners to organize a company of volunteers. There
was an immense gathering from all parts of the town
ship. Enthusiastic speeches were made, and the mili
tary ardor of the people was roused to the highest
pitch. A company was soon formed, and in choosing
their officers, Mr. Brethour was chosen the first cap
tain of the first volunteer company ever formed in the
township. A ludicrous incident occurred on this oc
casion. After the company had been formed they had
to be sworn in. A worthy member of the quorum lived
a short distance from the Corners, and was at once sent

David Brethour. 247
for to perform that important duty. On his arrival on
the scene he made every effort to discharge the function
for which he had been called, but without avail, and he
had to give up the matter in disgust. He was entirely
guiltless of the ability to administer the oath to the men-
In this dilemma Mr. Brethour went to St. Marys, was
sworn in himself, and when he returned, administered
the oath to the company. He held the office of cap
tain for five years, when he retired, retaining his rank,
and a young man who was lieutenant took the cap
taincy. This man was H. A. L. White, who, at
present commands the 28th Perth Battalion.
As we have stated elsewhere, he became a member
of the Orange order in 1852, and still continues an
active worker in that institution. In 1875 he was in
strumental in building the the neat brick hall at Wood
ham, for the accommodation of the members of the
Society in that neighborhood. He acted as Master in
this lodge for many years, and with such success that
it has now a membership of seventy or eighty of the
most respectable citizens of that section of Blanshard,
and is considered the banner lodge of the west. He is
untiring in his efforts to place the Order on the very
highest plane, both as to sobriety and respectability.
In this he so well succeeded that the Woodham boys
have carried off the prize for the neatest outfit and
most gentlemanly conduct at the various gatherings at
the annual parade on the anniversary of the Boyne.
He organized No. 492, and acted as District Master
for ten years, and on his retirement was presented by
the brethren with a watch in recognition of his services.
He was also elected County Master, which position he
held for two years. The Woodham Lodge also enjoys

248 The Pioneers of Blanshard.
the distinction of having as one of its members the
oldest Orangeman in Canada. Mr. Alexander Jame
son, sr., was born in Ireland in the year 1810, and at
tended his first celebration of the 12th at the age of
eighteen years. Since that period he has met the
brethren on the morning of the anniversary of the
Boyne without a single exception for seventy-two years.
We venture to say that the whole history of Orangeism
in Canada does not present a parallel case. Mr. Jame
son is one of the old pioneers, and with Mr. Beuben
Switzer, we believe, Blanshard can claim the dis
tinction of having within her borders the two oldest
members of the Orange order in Canada. The old
gentleman is looking forward to the next 12th with as
much ardor apparently as he would have done sixty
years ago.
Mr. Brethour was early trained in the principles of
the Conservative party, to which he has strictly
adhered during his life, with the exception of perhaps
one occasion, when he, along with many others of that
party in Blanshard, and, indeed, throughout the pro
vince, withheld their support from a measure, which
they considered not for the best interests of their
adopted country. At the time of the Mackenzie Be-
bellion, in 1837, his father with all his brothers were
strongly in favor of the Government party. For the
few settlers who were located at that exciting period in
the township of Georgina, his shanty was the rendez
vous of the Boyalists. They met there and discussed
their plans. The elder Mr. Brethour taught them to
drill, how to load their pieces, and the various evolu
tions peculiar to a corps of armed men. Like most of
the small farmers in Ireland, and who had emigrated

David Brethour. 249
to Canada, he had been a yeoman in that country, and
was thoroughly acquainted with military tactics as
taught at that period. The harsh and cruel opinions
engendered in the minds of the Boyalist party at that
time against those known as the " Bebels," have, in
the heart of the subject of our sketch, passed away.
The principles for which Mackenzie fought have long
since triumphed in this country, and no one will say
but that they have been a boon to the people.
Not for what he did, but for the principles he attempt
ed to introduce in the parliament of Canada, Mr. Mac
kenzie's memory should still remain green in the hearts
of Canadians.
Mr. Brethour is extremely good natured and kind in
his intercourse with his friends and acquaintances. In
all business transactions he is strictly honorable. He
is widely read in all branches of literature, particularly
history, in which department he is well posted. He is a
member of the Church of England ; in her communion
he has lived all his life, and takes considerable interest
in church work. Although a strong advocate of the
principles of temperance, he is not now a total ab
stainer, and we believe never was ; but his unflinching
advocacy of those ideas put forth by temperance men
cost him on one occasion his seat at the council board.
Mr. Brethour is still strong, and from present appear
ances it seems that he will yet for many years to come
enjoy life among the classic shades of Fish Creek.

250 The Pioneers of Blanshard.

CHAPTER XIV.
MATHEW FORSYTH.
THE most beautiful and romantic spots to be found
anywhere in the township of Blanshard are found
in the valley of the river Thames. From the bed of the
stream, on either side, here and there in its tortuous
course, rise precipitous banks to which cling, as of old,
some of the ancient forest trees, throwing deep, dark
shadows over the rippling water. From the highest
elevations which mark its path a beautiful view can be
obtained of the pretty town of St. Marys, nestling
among what appears at a distance to be a dense mass
of foliage. At other points the landscape gradually
recedes back from the river until it reaches the height
where stretches away in all directions the great
plain of which the township is composed. In some
places the land is cultivated to the very bed of the
stream, and with the numerous farm houses dotted here
and there in the valley, presents in the summer a pleas
ing and beautiful picture. To one of the most pictur
esque sections on the Thames came, in the fifties, Mr.
Forsyth, the subject of this sketch.
Mathew Forsyth, as the name would denote, is a
son of the heather, and was born at Greenlaw, in Ber
wickshire, on January 9th, 1822. His father, who was

MATHEW FORSYTH.

Mathew Forsyth. 253
a farmer in that part of Scotland, was a typical Scot
in so far as the training of his family was concerned.
His circumstances were not such as to enable him to
give his children an education above what could be ob
tained in the schools of the place where he resided.
Such as their schools could afford he was determined
they should obtain. Mr. Forsyth accordingly attended
the parish school in Berwick until his sixteenth
year. He also had a full share of attention given
to his religious training. The great principles laid
down in the Confession of Faith and the Shorter Cat
echism were duly expounded to him in the family circle.
His mind, therefore, was early imbued with a reverence
for sacred things, and an abiding love for the dogmas
peculiar to that faith in which he lived, and for which
many of his countrymen have struggled and fought to
the death to maintain. He is preeminently a Scotch
man in his manner, in his appearance, in his trend of
thought, and in his conduct. His industry and thrift
have brought him a competence for his old age. His
skill and taste in the management of his farm has placed
him in the front ranks of Blanshard's ablest men. We
think it is Goldsmith that has said that " one business
will generally be found enough for one man to follow,"
and we believe the intelligent prosecution of any calling
will always bring its reward to the efforts of youth, and a
pleasure in the quiet evening hours of old age.
Having completed his education at the parish school,
he was indentured as an apprentice to a carpenter for
three years for the purpose of acquiring a trade. On
his part he carried out his agreement to the letter, and
worked the three years without remuneration of any
kind, which was the custom in Scotland with young

254 The Pioneers of Blanshard.
apprentices. His father in the meantime having died,
he was deprived of his best counsellor and friend. He
therefore returned to the farm to assist in its labors
and maintain a home for his mother and the family.
He resided at home till he reached his twenty-eighth
year, when he resolved to push his fortune in Canada.
Leaving home in the spring of 1850, he sailed for
New York, and at once came on till he reached
Cobourg in Upper Canada. Here he began farming for
himself, renting 200 acres. On this farm he laid the
foundations of his future success. A combination of
circumstances were in his favor. Shortly after coming
into possession of his new venture the Bussian war
broke out in Europe, in which were involved several of
the great powers. The great Western States of Amer
ica and other sections of the continent had not yet
been opened up for settlement. Bailroads had not
been built to carry produce to the seaboard, and pro
visions rose to great prices. Such a boom had never
been seen in Canada, and extraordinary values were
realized for the various articles produced on the farm.
Wheat was sold for two dollars and twenty-five cents
per bushel, and other goods, products of the soil, sold
for proportionately high prices. During three years of
prosperity many men made fortunes, and many who
speculated recklessly were ruined. Amongst the former
we find Mr. Forsyth. With the canny, careful manage
ment peculiar, it is said, to his countrymen, he was
not carried away by the whirl of excitement that per
vaded all classes at that period ; and at the expiration
of his lease he was able to move to the township of
Blanshard and purchase one of the best locations in
the beautiful valley of the Thames.

Mathew Forsyth. 255
In December, 1854, he married Miss Margaret Mason,
the daughter ofa neighboring farmer. She was a kind
and worthy helpmate, and did her duty nobly and well
in the care of her household and training of their child
ren. To them were born six of a family — Agnes, (Mrs.
Crosbie) of Blanshard ; Mary, (Mrs Thomson) of Man
itoba ; William, in Blanshard ; James, on the old home
stead ; Isabella, (Mrs. Biddell) in Blanshard ; and
George Edmond, at home. Mr. Forsyth is happy,
having his family grown up around him, industrious
and thrifty, respectable citizens of our great Dominion.
In a municipality such as the one of which we are writ
ing, blessed with good water and a fruitful soil, it is
but natural to suppose that within her borders would
be found able men who stand at the very head of the
agricultural class. Many of these men are broad and
liberal in their views regarding the management of
their estates, and spare neither time nor money in carry
ing out the most advanced ideas in the prosecution of
their calling. When this is the case it will generally be
found to be followed by the best rewards. The farmer
who is miserly in his dealings will be, as a rule, miserly
in the treatment of his farm. The farm in almost
every case becomes like its owner, and will give back
its returns in a stunted and half-hearted way. Kind
treatment is the great sesame which will unlock the
hearts and the stores of the universe, and will find an
everflowing response in the inanimate acres manipulated
by the tiller of the soil. Indeed the farm may always
be relied upon to respond to the kind attention of its
owner. Gratitude in men is an unknown quantity, and,
it is said, is a feeling engendered in the heart for
favors yet to be received, and not for those which may

256 The Pioneers of Blanshard.
already have been given. Gratitude in the old farm is
not an unknown quantity. To the care and attention
of its owner it will always respond. As sure as the
spring will come, and the fields in the old place have
adorned themselves with the garments of summer, so
sure will the old farm repay, with full barns, the care
and kind treatment which has been extended to her
in times that have gone by. Unfortunately, with
many a short-sighted agriculturist, this great truth is
disregarded. He draws on the bank until the funds
are exhausted, leaves the business and his independent
mode of life, and too often lowers his position by be
coming a hireling of hirelings in the neighboring town.
In the course of our daily lives we meet many men
who appear to spend a great portion of their time con
demning the business of farming as unprofitable and
unfitted for such exalted intellects as they feel heaven
has bestowed on them. Such men have always been
unfortunate in having very poor land that, in spite of
their best efforts, would produce nothing. Sometimes,
too, dark hints are thrown out that some ancestor, an
old pioneer, did not know anything or he would not
have settled in such a wretched spot. If we enquire into
the character of such men we will generally find they
are of that numerous class that expect to reap where
they have not sowed, and gather where they have not
planted. The dear old farm is always truthful. She is
always responsive to the affection of her master, and
will often give lavish returns in spite of the most harsh
and cruel treatment. The subject of our sketch is one
of those men who understand their business well. He
does not belong to the class that expect to reap where
they have not sowed, nor gather where they, have not

Mathew Forsyth. 257
planted. He does not complain about the toil and the
hard lot of the tiller of the soil. He does not find
his returns altogether inadequate to recompense him
for his ingenuity and labor. He does not complain
about the old place being "played out." He is the
very opposite of all that. Knowing his business well,,
and doing it, he has made farming a success. The old
place under his treatment is more productive, and his
affection for this little corner of mother earth is re
ciprocated by full barns and ample stores of her
choicest gifts. We know of no farm kept in better
condition than Mr. Forsyth's. Everything is clean.
Weeds are not allowed to exhaust the soil of its fertile
qualities. The fences are well kept and the barns will
repay a visit from anyone who has any concern at all
about the farming interests. There is a place for every
thing on the farm, and everything will be found in its
place. In the byres, in the stables, in the pens, the
various animals seem happy, sleek, and fat. Cleanli
ness is the order of the day in every department, and
so everything is healthy and thrifty looking. Mr.
Forsyth may be said to be the first pioneer who gave
his attention to the improvement of stock in the town
ship of Blanshard. Mr. William Laing, of Downie, and
Mr. Hugh Thompson, of Nissouri, had already good
herds. With. characteristic forethought and enterprise
he embarked in the same line in the township of Blan
shard. The course he had marked out for himself then
he has adhered to ever since. He appears always to
act on the principle that whatever is worth doing at
all is worth doing well. The operations of Mr. Laing,
Mr. Thompson, and himself have been of great advan
tage to the several sections where they resided in the

258 The Pioneers of Blanshard.
improvement of their stock. It is true that many others
of the farmers in this municipality have carried on the
work so well begun. Mr. John Hooper, Mr. David
Creighton, Mr. McCullough, have all in later years
contributed much to the progress, and enhanced the
profits on the farm by their enterprise and skill in this
direction. Mr. Forsyth also took an active part in establishing
the agricultural show in South Perth. Of this institu
tion, in the early days, he was president, and for many
years a director. Though possessed of the qualities
that lead to success as a public man, he has steadily re
fused to take a prominent position in the management
of public affairs. He has been more than once solicited
to take office in the township, but always declined.
He preferred to give his support in those matters to
men whom he thought better qualified to act in that
capacity than himself. As might be expected from
his early training, he took an active part in the manage
ment of the affairs of the church to which he belonged.
He contributed to the erection of the old Presbyterian
Church that stood east of the Mitchell road, in the
10th concession of Blanshard, and of which he was a
trustee. After the division of that congregation
between Granton and Nissouri stations, he became a
member of the Nissouri congregation. In this church
he is also a trustee. With the strong predilections of
many of his countrymen, he has an abiding faith in the
doctrine of Presbyterianism, and is a consistent worker
in the Beform party. From the nature of his disposition
he does not put himself forward prominently in either,
but his convictions are as fixed and immovable as
the hills of his native country. In 1885 he met the
greatest misfortune of his life, in the loss of her who

Mathew Forsyth. 259
had been his companion for over thirty years. Mr.
Forsyth is a person of most kindly disposition. He
is most honorable in his dealing with his fellowmen,
and one of whom it may be said, his word is as good
as his bond. In closing this brief sketch we desire
to say that if any of our readers in the course of their
peregrinations chance to wander into the beautiful
valley of the Thames, in its course through Blanshard,
they will find a kindly welcome and abundance of
good entertainment under the hospitable roof of the
" Auld Laird " of Greenside.

260 The Pioneers of Blanshard.

CHAPTER XV.
JOHNSTON ARMSTRONG.
THE subject of this sketch, though the last to be
dealt with, is by no means the least prominent
of the old pioneers of Blanshard. He, unlike several
whom we have already had occasion to mention in this
work, took but little part in those political questions
which seem to affect and arouse the ambitions of so
many men. His mind appears to have been strongly
permeated with the principles of a living Christianity
from a very early period of his life. Placing politics,
therefore, in a subordinate position, he devoted his
thoughts, his energy, and his influence to the introduc
tion and the spread of that spiritual life the tendencies
of which are for the good of mankind. Mr. Armstrong
was of a sanguine temperament, and untiring in his
efforts to accomplish what he believed to be in the line
of duty. When the township was almost an unbroken
wilderness, with here and there little patches hewed
out of the woods by the hardy and adventurous settler,
he toiled long distances through the forest to be pres
ent at those pleasant revivals held in the shanty of the
hardy pioneer. Churches there were none for several
years. That peace, however, which arises from an
abiding faith in the promises of a merciful heaven, was

JOHNSTON ARMSTRONG.

Johnston Armstrong. 263
found in the huts of the settlers as pure and as free as
if they had worshipped under the dome of St. Paul's.
It may be said, in these sketches we are endeavoring
to throw a glamor over the lives and elevate to pro
minence men whose characters had no distinctive
features to distinguish them from the great herd of
mankind. How many men have been born whose
minds an empire might have swayed, and have gone
leaving no trace. Fame, like fortune, is fickle, and
often denies her favors to her most assiduous and per
severing wooers. If brave and intrepid conduct, if
energy, determination, and enterprise, if a fearless and
courageous heart to surmount difficulties and incon
veniences, and an abiding faith in the final results con
stitute the elements of greatness, very many of the old
pioneers possessed these qualities in an eminent
degree. Pioneer life in Canada is now, and will be
forevermore, a thing of the past. New settlements there
will be, but the means of communication are now so
great that the privations and difficulties of sixty years
ago can never reach the new settler. Bailway facili
ties follow close in his wake, and in many instances
precede his onward march, bringing to his door many
of the comforts of life and the supplies necessary to the
prosecution of his calling. In this township nearly the
whole of the old settlers are gone, and the history of
their lives are buried with them in the grave. To the
wilds of western Canada they came buoyant with hope
and hewed out a spot where civilization has planted her
foot and laid the foundations of what will one day be
come a great and glorious nation. If the old adage is
true that " the man who makes two blades of grass
grow where only one grew before is a benefactor to
16

264 The Pioneers of Blanshard.
his race," then all honor to the old pioneers who
transformed the pathless woods of this country into
fertile fields, and made her dreary places bud and
blossom like the rose.
Johnston Armstrong was born at Clewes, in the
county of Fermanagh, in June, 1819. As the name in
dicates, the family was undoubtedly of Scottish origin.
In personal appearance he was typical of a borderer.
The residence of the family in the north of Ireland
had not in any perceptible degree altered their appear
ance as being the descendants of the courageous border
clan. He was rather above the middle height and well
proportioned, and appeared like a person who would
be able to bear a great amount of hardship. His com
plexion was very fair, indicating a Danish ancestry — a
distinguishing characteristic of many of the Lowland
people of Scotland. In manner he was grave and
thoughtful, reticent rather than loquacious. He was
utterly destitute of that brusque, hail-fellow well-met
conduct that usually marked the old pioneer. He was
somewhat clerical and dignified in his communications.
In his habits he was methodical and temperate, and
always acted with an apparent deliberation, as if he
fully calculated the consequences of his actions. He
was not demonstrative either to his friends or to his
opponents, and as a matter of course he was often mis
understood. Such a character was the very opposite
of that which meets the approval of the great crowd
and merits the thoughtless applause of the multitude.
For the course he had marked out for himself, how
ever, it was exactly suitable. To minister at the altar,
and assist in the dissemination of the principles of
Methodism among the early settlers, these qualities

Johnston Armstrong. 265
were essential to success. His grave and thoughtful
aspect forbade all that gross familiarity which was part
of the every-day life of the early settler, and gave him
an influence in spiritual affairs which appeared to be
the goal of his highest aspirations. From his earliest
days in Blanshard he had associated himself with the
Bev. Ephraim Evans (the great apostle of the church
founded by John Wesley) whose voice in the township
was like the voice of one crying in the wilderness,
" Prepare ye the way." In the shanty Mr. Armstrong
had erected on the Mitchell road in 1843, Mr. Evans
was a constant visitor, and ministered to the spiritual
wants of the old pioneers, some of whom came many
miles through the forest to the place of meeting. These
to many were happy reunions, and the glorious old
songs of Zion, as they rose from the lonely hut, floated
away in the distant woods like the diminished tones of
a distant echo. At the close of the service, when good
byes had been spoken and the good old minister had
blessed them, all took their dreary way through the
woods, feeling that surely this must have been the
house of God and none other than the gate of heaven.
He had joined the Orange order, but was a strong
Beformer in politics.
Mr. Armstrong was the son of a farmer, and appar
ently one of the highest class. His manner and per
sonal appearance indicated a careful and comfortable
bringing up. The education attained in Ireland seventy
years ago in the ordinary school was not of a very high
order, but such as it was he received a full share. He
spoke English well, and took pride int he use of the
most appropriate and eloquent language to express his
ideas. After leaving school he worked on. the farm

266 The Pioneers of Blanshard.
till he reached the age of twenty-one years. At this
age, with most of young men their natural character
istics begin to assert themselves and give tone and
color to their lives. He therefore formed the design
to abandon farm life in Ireland and mark out for him
self a new career in the land being opened up in the
west. The possibilities in Canada were much greater
for a young, energetic man without much capital than
they could have been in his native country. In the
spring of 1840 we find him at Quebec, and preparing for
further journeying on to Niagara. That terrible excite
ment which had almost paralyzed the progress of
Upper Canada, arising out of the Bebellion of 1837, had
not yet subsided. It did not take long on his arrival
at Niagara to decide as to his future conduct in the
struggle, the effects of which were still felt. His
loyalty to the Crown and Government of Great Britain
was then and continued during his life to be one of
the prominent elements in his character. He accord
ingly joined the volunteers, clothed himself with the
Queen's livery, and was prepared for any emergency in
the defence of the authority of Britain. With the
volunteers he served for twenty-two months, when they
were disbanded, some going to their homes, and he to the
then almost unbroken wilderness of the township of
Blanshard. In April of 1843 he came to the woods
and located on lots 7 and 8, in the East Mitchell road
concession. On lot 8 he made his home for forty years.
Lot 7 he afterwards sold to his brother Thomas, and on
which he lived, it may almost be said, his whole life. It
may be mentioned here that no two men could be more
alike than the two brothers. In personal appearance, in
manner, in that dignity which appears to be peculiar

Johnston Armstrong. 267
to the taste of Irish people of the better class, in his
actions, in his style !of expressing himself in conversa
tion, the one appears to be an almost exact counter
part of the other.
The Mitchell road concession, in 1843, was all woods,
at least in the northern part of it, and Mr. Armstrong's
first work was to erect a shanty in which he could live
until better days should come. In this shanty he re
sided, and here he kept the travelling ministers, here
made welcome the poor land hunter and his family as
they pursued their weary journey away to some lonely
spot in the forest, there to make a home, and here, in
1844, he brought his young wife. The young ladies of
those days must have had leal hearts and boundless
faith in those to whom they were united, when they
left home and became the mistress of a rude log
shanty, with its roof of troughs and clay-plastered
walls. In July, 1844, Mr. Armstrong married Miss Clarinda
Sparling, daughter of C. G. Sparling, who resided on
the West Mitchell road concession. Mrs. Armstrong
was a good and kind woman, and assisted her husband
to the utmost in his efforts to secure a home for their
family. The result of their labors on the old farm, we
are pleased to say, was one of success. In the course
of years the old shanty disappeared and a commodious
new dwelling occupied its place. Barns were built
and the whole farm improved, indicative of comfort
and that ease in circumstances which is sure to follow
well-directed effort. There was born to Mrs. Arm
strong a family of thirteen children — six sons and seven
daughters — Maxwell, who died in infancy; Claudius
B. D. Armstrong, of London ; T. S. Armstrong, of St.

268 The Pioneers of Blanshard.
Marys ; C. G. Armstrong, of New Brunswick ; Adam
Clark, died in infancy ; Johnston, died at nineteen years
of age ; Mary Ann (Mrs. Beuben Shier), Blanshard ;
Sarah Jane (Mrs. Byfield), dead ; Lucy (Mrs. Peane),
of the township of Delaware ; Elizabeth (Mrs. Wood-
bridge), of London ; Clarinda (Mrs. McKay), of Mani
toba ; Margaret Eleanor, dead ; and Edith, of Boston,
U.S. It may seem to Mrs. Armstrong somewhat melan
choly to reflect, as it will be to thousands of mothers
in this land, that those whom they had around their
hearths a few short years ago are all gone, and they
are left alone, it may be to drop a tear as they reflect
on the years that were spent in the old shanty in the
woods, and which can come back no more. The hand
of fate and circumstances seems to be inexorable, and
families are separated far from each other, never, it may
be, to meet again on this side of eternity.
As we have stated elsewhere in this sketch, Mr.
Armstrong, on his arrival in Canada, had joined the
volunteers and served for some time in the corps at
Niagara. After settling in Blanshard he attended the
military school for a period, learning the form of drill
and the tactics in connection with the service. He
was appointed captain in the sedentary forces in Blan
shard, the militia system in vogue in Canada at that
time. This position he held for several years, and
with that of the office of treasurer of the munici
pality in 1855, were the only public offices he ever
held in the township.
As we have stated elsewhere, politics never attracted
Mr. Armstrong. His thought and the trend of his mind
was in an entirely different groove. He had early
identified himself with the Methodist body, and all his

Johnston Armstrong. 269
energies were spent in the spread and support of its
teachings. Previous to his marriage his shanty was
open to the clergy of that denomination at all times, as
well as having an open door to the poor emigrant in
search of a home. He was not of those to whom the
Master spoke in the market-place : " Why stand ye
here idle % Go, work in my vineyard." Neither was he
like him who, having received his talents, tied them in
a handkerchief. The ability he had was given for a
purpose, and he used it as he thought best in the cause
of Him who is everlasting life to all men. He was a
local preacher, recording steward, class-leader, and
superintendent of the Sabbath-school. He laid the
foundations of the now prosperous congregation of Zion
Church on the Mitchell road. The good seed sowed
fifty years ago in the old log cabin, on lot 8, has
grown up abundantly, and the temple raised to the
worship of God is to-day amongst the finest in the
township. His life on the farm was such as was common to all
the old pioneers. After long years of labor and waiting,
came success. At the end of forty years from the time
he entered the woods, he was able to retire to St.
Marys, where he might rest and live the balance of
his allotted span in comfort. After residing some time
in St. Marys he became quite infirm, and the strong con
stitution seemed to be giving way to the inevitable. In
1891 his infirmities were such that it was evident he
could not hold out much longer, and on the 19th day
of October he breathed his last. Verily it is true that
" man goeth to his long home, and the mourners go about
the streets. Or ever the silver cord be loosed, or the
golden bowl be broken, or the pitcher be broken at the

270 The Pioneers of Blanshard.
fountain, or the wheel broken at the cistern. Then
shall the dust return to earth as it was, and the spirit
shall return to God who gave it."
So Mr. Armstrong had accomplished the work set
apart for him to do, and if it be true, as the poet says,
that " an honest man is the noblest work of God,"
then we say this old pioneer died an honest man.

St. Marys. 271

CHAPTER XVI.
ST. MARYS.
IN the preceding chapters we have in our imperfect
way given a record of the early settlement of the
township of Blanshard, but this in itself would be
incomplete without any reference being made to the
town of St. Marys, which, as if under the wand of the
enchanter, had sprung up sixty years ago. In the
year 1843 was completed the grist mill (now owned
by the Carter family), at the point where the main
street of the town crosses the Biver Thames. This
enterprise had been entered into by Mr. Ingersoll at
the suggestion of the Canada Company, and for which
he received a grant of a certain portion of land as a
remuneration for his outlay in its construction. This
convenience was of the utmost importance to the
settlers, and formed the nucleus o the future town.
In 1842 a saw-mill had been completed where Water
Street crosses the stream, a short distance above its
confluence with the river. Queen Street, east and
west of the Thames, still presented to the emigrant a
primitive aspect, and the ingenious hand of man had
as yet made no impress on the old forest trees that
still stood on that now important thoroughfare. At
the corners of Queen and Water Streets the first

272 The Pioneers of Blanshard.
settlers had erected the only business places which
then composed the rude hamlet, and exposed such
wares for sale as would be required in a new country.
In 1841 Mr. George Tracey had erected the first
building of any description ever built in St. Marys.
This dwelling was on what is now Church Street,
and appears to have been a stage in advance of the
shanty, as it contained two rooms, and had an upstairs,
which was reached by a ladder constructed of two
poles, between which were the rungs. Mr. John
Ingersoll, son of Thomas Ingersoll, opened the first
general store St. Marys, on the corner of Queen
and Water Streets, in 1842. The next store was
opened by Mr. Cruttenden in 1843, and the first
dram was sold by William Carroll in a log shanty on
Water Street, opposite the saw-mill. The influx of
settlers and the rapid improvement of the Township
of Blanshard created a great demand for the class of
goods required in new settlements, and the hamlet
in the valley of the Thames made great progress.
Millner Harrison, who was a man of strong and
robust frame and overpowering energy, had arrived,
and entered into projects which by his prudence and
foresight led to a fortune. T. B. Guest had also
become a citizen. James McKay was early on the
scene, and assisted, in 1841, to prepare the site for
the new saw -mill. Amongst the old pioneer busi
ness men who had located in the town, besides those
already mentioned, we find the Messrs. Hutton,
Whelihan, Moscrip, Barron, Flawse, McCuaig, Mc
Donald, and Dunn. Mr. Long, the present respected
treasurer of the town, is also one of the old pioneers
of St. Marys, and succeeded Mr. Steel, of Brantford,

St. Marys. 273
whose manager he had been in the St. Marys busi
ness. Mr. Long carried on his store in a long, low
building extending from the corner on Queen Street
back along Water Street, and on which spot is now the
large stone structure occupied by John Woods. He did
a large business with the new settlers in the township,.
and divided with Mr. Harrison the trade in potash,
which was then the only article of merchandise pro
duced on the farm for which money could readily be
obtained. In 1843, when Mr. Cruttenden arrived, came also Mr.
Nicholas Sogers, who began teaching the first school
ever opened in St. Marys. Mr. Bogers is still hale and
hearty, and he seems to recall vividly many of the
events that occurred in the woods nearly sixty years
ago. At that time no building had been erected in
the town where the young idea could be trained, and
the old pioneer teacher taught the little school in his
own house. Of the appliances used at the present
day to train the young mind Mr. Bogers had none.
History is not silent, however, regarding his school
management, as it avers that while he was a good-
hearted man he was inexorable in the enforcement of
his scholastic regulations, even to the most liberal
and rigorous application of the taws for any infringe
ment. Previous to the year 1845 the town was known by
the name of Little Falls. In this year Mr. Commis
sioner Jones, of the Canada Company, with his wife,,
was visiting Little Falls on business in connection
with the Company. The honor of giving a more ap
propriate name to the little village was given to Mrs.
Jones. She called it St. Marys, her own Christian

274 The Pioneers of Blanshard.
name being Mary. In recognition of the honor con
ferred on her on that occasion she made a gift of ten
pounds to the town for the purpose of erecting a
school building. Thus originated the little stone
school-house at the top of the hill on Queen Street,
the first building of its kind in St. Marys.
In 1847 was opened the St. Marys post office, with
Thomas Christie as post-master. Previous to this
period the mails for the new settlement were brought
from Embro or Beachville. In those days, however,
carrying of mail matter was not of much importance.
The places of business were but few, and those not of
a very extensive order, in the township o Blanshard.
As the population began to increase rapidly by the
influx of new settlers, a post office was eventually
opened for the accommodation of the people. This
office was located on Water Street, very near its
present site, where, with the exception of a short
period when it was removed to Queen Street, it has
ever since remained. Mr. Christie, the first post
master, was succeeded by Arundle Hill, Mr. Hill by
Peter Nicol, and he by the present official, Colonel
H. A. L. White.
In the middle of November, 1859, about ten o'clock
on a dark, rainy night, the writer stepped from the
train at the old station. Three other travellers
alighted at the same time, apparently strangers, as he
was himself. No town was to be seen, and in the
darkness none of us knew in which direction to turn
to find St. Marys. In our dilemma we were ap
proached by a gentleman clad in a great water-proof
coat, from the tails of which, as also from his hat, the
water was dripping to the ground. He carried in his

St. Marys. 275
hand a lantern, at the bottom of which a piece of
tallow candle emitted a feeble light that seemed only
to render more perceptible the surrounding dark
ness. The conductor had given the last call of "All
aboard," and the train started for London, for as yet
the road to Sarnia was not open for traffic. At
last the lantern with the tallow dip reached us, and
the gentleman who carried it asked if we were
going to town. On being answered in the affirmative,
he took the place of leader of the party, we following
the light in true Indian style. On stepping from the
platform we entered a sea of mud through which we
plodded after our leader till we reached the Empire
Hotel, on the corner of Queen and Wellington Streets,
on which spot now stands the brick block of Mr. Box.
This man was James McKay, one of the old time
pioneers of Blanshard.
St. Marys at this time contained very few good
buildings. Of the private residences, the largest and
most pretentious was the house of Mr. Tracey, now
owned by Mr. Weir. The surroundings of this
dwelling, now one beautiful mass of foliage in the
summer months, were then naked and bare. On Queen
Street, then as now the principal commercial centre
of the town, few good buildings had as yet been erected.
The stone block extending from the corner of Water
Street to the bridge was built. The Guest Block, on
the south side of Queen and west of Wellington
Street, the stone building which has been long
occupied by A. Beattie & Company, at the corner of the
Market Square ; the stone building occupied by Mr.
White as a general store; — these, with the old National
Hotel, were nearly all the substantial business places

276 The Pioneers of Blanshard.
on Queen Street. True, both sides of this thorough
fare were as closely built then as they are to-day, but
it had not the imposing appearance it now presents.
With the exception of the places we have mentioned,
the structures were all frame, a few of which still
remain. The Central School was the only public
building in St. Marys in 1859 which exists at present
and which was at all worthy of the town. Previous
to 1859 there had been erected a rookery which was
dignified by the name of the Market Building, and
which through some merciful interposition of Provi
dence was destroyed by fire some years ago. On this
spot, after its purification, was erected the splendid
municipal building which is an ornament to St.
Marys as well as a testimony to the taste and public
spirit of those gentlemen who controlled the muni
cipal destinies of the town at that particular period.
In every Christian country temples have been raised
for the worship of the Most High in the decorations
and architectural designs of which, in many lands,
have been displayed the most matchless conceptions
of the human mind and the most splendid operations
of human hands. In her churches St. Marys equals
if she does not surpass any other place of her size
in Canada. It was long before she rose to her dignity
in this respect, however. The churches in the town,
for many years after better things might have been
expected, were not creditable to a place of such impor
tance. But the trust has been amply redeemed, and
the churches of all the denominations to-day are
indicative of a high appreciation by the people of the
fact that altars erected to the worship of God should
be worthy of Him from whom all blessings flow.

St. Marys. 277
In the matter of education the citizens have always
been fully alive to its advantages. They have not
been niggardly in making every provision for the
training of their children. In 1875 was erected the
Collegiate Institute. The town has spared no expense
in its equipment, and to-day it is fully abreast with
the great movement of higher education. Under the
able management of the principal, Mr. Martin, and
those associated with him, the school has attained to
a wide celebrity. There is perhaps no other school
in the province, and no section of surrounding
country, which have given, not to Canada only, but
to the world, a greater number of distinguished
characters. From Blanshard we have William Dale,
once a professor in the University of Toronto ; Wil
liam Stevens, now of New Zealand, who was awarded
the University Medal presented by the Marquis of
Lorne, Governor- General of Canada ; George Somer
ville, manager of the largest financial concern in the
City of London ; C. Clarkson, who obtained honors
at the University, now High School teacher; Mr. J.
McVannel, Professor in Columbia University, United
States ; Arthur Beatty, Professor in Madison, Wis
consin, and many others who have won enviable dis
tinction. From St. Marys we have two individuals whose
names stand out clear and prominent above all
others — Miss Norah Clinch, the greatest violinist in
the world ; and Mrs. Charlton Black, nee Agnes
Knox, whose name and fame extend from one end of
this country to the other. It is a proud distinction
which crowns the St. Marys Collegiate Institute, that
in its class-rooms these great characters received their

278 The Pioneers of Blanshard.
early training. We are pleased to give in our own
humble way our testimony to the work done in this
seminary, and to acknowledge our pride in these men
and women who have distinguished themselves, and
who look back to Blanshard as the place of their
nativity. And here we will conclude this sketch of Blanshard
and its old settlers with the hope that we may have
rescued from oblivion some incident in connection with
pioneer life which by the future historian of this
country may not be thought unworthy of recital
to a generation yet afar off. To the memory, there
fore, of those who have left us, and to those of their
descendants who are here, we bring this our humble
offering — The Pioneers of Blanshard.