Stranica 252 [252]
owe
fe! ae eS oe tere a yee. Va eh es
of this sketch) until his death in 1861, at the advanced
age of 95 years.
William Fitzsimmons, at an early age, went to the
District Grammar School, studying under Mr. John
Stewart (late of Stratford), and Mr. Benjamin lett,
of Newboro, where he remained until he was eleven
years of age. He was then removed to a private
age of twelve left to enter the employment of Mr.
Malcolm McPherson, at that time the principal
builder and contractor in Perth, remaining with
received very flattering testimonials, After working
in Ogdensburg, Kingston, and other places, he
finally settled in Brockville in 1841, where he has
carried on business as a builder and contractor
successfully up to this time.
He was an active member of the Board of School
Trustees for eleven years, during which time he took
a deep interest in education. In connection with
Mr. David Wylie and the late Dr. Reynolds, these
efforts were crowned by the erection of the well
appointed Victoria school house, a substantial two¬
story stone building, taking the place of the old,
ill-ventillated, and wretched rooms used for several
years previous.
He is a prominent member of the Independent
Order of Odd Fellows, and one of the oldest in the
jurisdiction, having become a member of Brock
Lodge No. 9 at the time it. was established. in
Brockville, in 1846. He has always taken a lively
interest in the order, and has filled almost every
He has
served, as representative to the Grand Lodge for
several years, and in 1875, received the highest
honor that body could confer, by being elected
Grand Master.
the fraternity.
position in the lodge and encampment.
He remains an active member of
Mr. Fitzsimmons has always taken an active part
in the prosperity of the town. He was a director
and warm supporter for several years of the
Mechanics’ Institute, of which he was ‘president for
two years ; and an officer of the fire brigade for a
long period. For several years he was connected
with the volunteer force, having joined the Brock
ville Rifles when organized by Captain Smythe,
in 1855.
Mr. Fitzsimmons has always been a staunch Con¬
servative, and has taken a leading part in politics for
the last thirty years. In 1847, he was elected a
member of the Town Council, known then as the
Board of Police, and of which the Hon, W. B.
Richards, now Sir W. B. Richards, ex-Chief Justice,
was then a member. Since then he has filled a seat
as Mayor, and five of which he has been elected by
acclamation.
He represented Brockville eight years in the
Ontario Legislature, contesting the riding with the
Hon. C. F. Fraser in 1867, defeating that gentleman
after a spirited contest, and in 1871 was re-elected
in a close contest with J.D. Buell, Esq. In 1875, he
again ran, but was defeated by Mr. W. H. Cole, the
bounderies of the constituency having been altered.
In 1878, he became the member of the House of Com¬
mons for Brockville Riding, defeating Col. J. D.
Buell.
JACOB DOCKSTADER BUELL.
Mr. Buell is the youngest son of the late William
Buell, of the 7th Leeds Militia, who held the medal
and was one of the representatives for the County
of Leeds in the Upper Canada Assembly from 1828
to 1836 (having been thrice elected); and grandson
of the late William Buell, a United Empire Loyalist
and an officer of the King’s Rangers, who represented
the County of Leeds in the Upper Canada Assembly
from 1801 to 1804. Jacob Dockstader was born at
Brockville, October 4th, 1827, receiving his education
at the Public and Grammar Schools. He first mar¬
ried Susan Chaffey, of Pittsburg, U. S.; she died in
December, 1857. In 1861, he married Margaret
Sophia, fourth daughter of the late Rev. Edmund J.
Senkler, M. A., formerly of Docking, Norfolk, Eng¬
land. Mr. Buell was called to the Bar of Upper
Canada at Michelmas Term, 1854. He is Lieutenant
Colonel of the 42nd Battalion, Brockville, and a
Master in Chancery. Taking a deep interest in
militia matters, he has held a seat in the Council of
the Dominion Rifle Association, and has been for
many years Mayor of Brockville. In 1871, he con¬
tested Brockville Riding for a seat in the Legislative
Assembly for Ontario, but was defeated. In 1872,
he became the member of the House of Commons
for the same constituency, being re-elected in 1874,
In 1878, he was again the Liberal candidate, but
was defeated by Mr. Fitzsimmons.
THE EARL FAMILY.
Robert Earl was born in 1785, and at an early
date came to Augusta, but subsequently removed
to Elizabethtown, settling on Lots Nos. 19 and 20,
in the 6th Concession, where he died in 1840.
Reuben Earl, Sr., was born in May, 1802, and in
1828, he married a daughter of the late Increase
Smith, of Elizabethtown, by whom he had four
children, viz.: Milissa, John, Robert, and Reuben,
Jr. Mr. Earl was appointed a Justice of the Peace,