Oldal 252 [252]
OCR
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 twostory 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 Conservative, 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 Commons 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 married 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, England. 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 contested 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,
