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with conscientious zeal. He died in January, 1876, sincerely mourned by many friends. _ Robert Earl was born in 1837, and is one of the most enterprising farmers in the municipality, taking a deep interest in agricultural matters. Mr. Earl was married in 1856, and has a family of two children. Reuben Earl, Jr., was born in 1840, and now occupies the homestead. CHAPTER XXXVIII. MISCELLANEOUS AND BIOGRAPHICAL. THE STRUTHERS FAMILY. JAMES STRUTHERS was a Sergeant-Major in the Royal Artillery, and came to Canada at the close of the American Revolution. He removed to Leeds County in the year 1800, together with his brother John, both settling in the Rear of Leeds. Mr. Struthers was for several years in the employ of William Wells, the leading lumber merchant at that time. In 1812, he enlisted in the Marines at Kingston, and being well acquainted with the St. Lawrence, assumed an important command on the gunboat Spit /ire, which was on duty between Prescott and Kingston. He was present during the unsuccessful attack upon Ogdensburg, made under a brigade of boats, and also at the capture, when the troops crossed on the ice. Subsequently he was taken prisoner, the gunboat and a brigade of batteaux being captured by the Americans at Simmon’s Point, above Brockville. His captors conveyed him to Greenbush, United States, where he languished in prison for nine months, but finally, with several companions, made his escape, and travelled by night through Vermont, finally reaching Lower Canada. His next appointment was that of conductor of batteaux from Montreal to Kingston, in which capacity he served until the close of the war. He then married, and settled in Lansdowne, where he died at the age of 80. His services were rewarded by a grant of 500 acres of land from the Government under the administration of Governor Simcoe. | A. A. WRIGHT. Among the successful young men of the County of Leeds, Mr. Wright deserves an honorable place. Born near Farmersville, June 6th, 1840, the subject of this sketch received his rudimintary education at the public and also a select school kept by John B. Holmes, After teaching school for some -months, Mr. Wright entered the Normal School at Toronto in 1864, receiving a first-class certificate; he then became the Head Master of the Gananoque Public School. In 1865, he proceeded to Berthier-en-haut, near Montreal, where he studied the French language; the following year he entered the Military School at Montreal, obtaining a first-class military certificate of the highest "grade. The next step taken resulted in securing a first-class Model School certificate for French and English for Lower Canada. In 1866, Mr. Wright became Principal of the Model School at Lachine ; while at that place he organized a company of volunteers, receiving the appointment of captain, a position which he held until his removal to Renfrew, Ontario, where he entered into the mercantile business in 1870. In 1871, Mr. Wright married Jane Harvey, of Lachine, and at present resides in Renfrew, where he conducts an extensive business and, has won for himself a handsome competency. EDWARD S. THOMAS, Mr. Thomas was born October 7th, 1801, in the Township of Augusta, his father being Samuel P Thomas, of United Empire Loyalist stock. In early life, Mr. Thomas pursued the calling of a farmer, but subsequently engaged in the mercantile business at Mallorytown, carrying on a general store for upwards of twenty years, from 1832. Discontinuing business, he devoted his entire attention to farming. In October, 1834, he married Miss M. Mallory, daughter of Jeremiah Mallory. She died in March 1862, leaving no issue. Mr. Thomas is one of the wealthiest citizens in the United Counties, and contributed in the most liberal manner towards the erection of the new Methodist Episcopal Church at Mallorytown. In fact, without his generous assistance the projected building could not have been erected. Being adverse to public life, Mr. Thomas has always pursued “the noiseless tenor of his way " as a respected private citizen. HIRAM NORTON. This gentleman for many years occupied a very prominent position in the County of Grenville. Originally from Vermont, he arrived in Prescott with an axe on his shoulder, and not a cent in his pocket. He married the daughter of Mr. Morey, of Augusta, and at once opened a carriage shop. In company with Mr. Dickinson, he started a line of stages from Montreal to Toronto. He was elected a member of the Upper Canada Parliament for the County of Grenville. During the Rebellion he removed to Lockport, Illinois, where be acquired avery large fortune, _ T diag
