Stranica 266 [266]
OCR
Moses Read, Jr., was born July rith, 1800, and resides on the farm which his father drew as a United Empire Loyalist, it being the farm adjoining the one drawn by his grandfather. He was the father of fourteen children, eleven of whom survive. Samuel resides with his father; Isaac lives in Connecticut ; Weston resides at Detroit; Moses resides at Seaforth, Ontario. The daughters are Mrs. George D. Ross, of Chatham; Mrs. William H. Ross, of Brockville ; Mrs. Hiram Carpenter, of Augusta ; Mrs. James Cooper, of Augusta; Mrs. William Smith, of Elizabethtown ; Mrs. William Logan, of Lucan, Ontario ; and Frances Louisa, unmarried. When the Reads first settled in Augusta, they were compelled to go to Kingston to have their milling done. At the time the first mill was raised at Ogdensburg, the Canadian settlers of Augusta and Elizabethtown went to that place ez masse to assist. Among the early settlers of Augusta were Samuel Landon, Daniel Shipman, Joseph Towsley, Adaniram Burritt, Jehial Hurd, and Oliver Evertts. FREDERICK WRIGHT. Mr. Wright was born in Dublin, Ireland, November qth, 1810. In 1832, he graduated from Trinity lowing year. He settled near Kemptville, where he was married January 18th, 1836. He removed to Delta in 1853, and to Westport in 1867, where he continued to reside until his death, September 11th, 1878. In 1855, Mr. Wright published a volume of poems entitled " Wayside Pencillings,”’ and in 1864, another volume, “Lays of a Pilgrim.” He was for many years an extensive contributor to the local press, particularly the Brockville RECORDER, also furnishing occasional poems for magazines and American publications. His poems are characterized by a vein of sadness, pointing to a half forgotten, yet well remembered, past. Under more favorable auspices and with leisure for literary pursuits, the “ Pilgrim Poet would undoubtedly have stamped his name permanently upon the literature of Canada. Many of his minor poems possess a depth and pathos which were buds of the fairest promise, but, alas! destined to perish amid the multitudinous cares of a life spent far removed from libraries and those influences so indespensable for the highest developof the poetic faculty. The following poem is from his pen :— “WE ARE GROWING OLD.” "" Fair youth is gone—the days are past, With all their blithesome hours, When not a cloud our path o’ercast, So amply strewn with flowers ; | 55 As time moves on its steady race More solemn scenes unfold— The bended form and sober face Show we are growing old! ‘* The snowy sails that trimm’d our bark And bore us gaily on Are worn to tatters, soiled, and dark— All but the main-sheet gone! Of all our cables, tried and true, But one is left to hold Our drifting vessel still in view, As we are growing old. ‘* The visions of our early age, Where Hope’s gay pinions shone, Like sunbeams, o’er our pilgrimage, Hath left us, one by one! The cheerful voices all are mute, The loving hearts lie cold, And scarce we trust the feeble foot, As we are growing old. (c Vet not without a lamp are we, To cheer life’s dark’ning day, Though time and churlish death agree We must not longer stay : We shall but close our eyes in this Poor world, where all grows cold, To wake in brighter scenes—’tis bliss That we are growing old }, ‘‘ Youth’s cherished friendships, frail and sweet, With manhood’s closer ties, Maturely joined by age, shall meet Where friendship never dies ! How precious, then, the trusting faith That can such scenes unfold— All broken links unite in death— Rejoice, were growing old!” OGLE R. GOWAN, Mr. Gowan was born in the County of Wexford, Ireland, his father being Captain Gowan, of Mount Nebo, Wexford. At an early age he entered upon politics, becoming editor of the Dublin Advocate. In 1809, he emigrated to Canada, settling in the County of Leeds, where he was instrumental in establishing the Orange Order. He was chosen the first Master of Orange Lodge No. 1, Brockville, and is generally regarded as the father of Orangeism in Upper Canada. Naturally a politician of the extreme school, he won for himself many warm friends, and equally as many bitter opponents. Previous to and during the exciting times of 1837, his crusade against all who were opposed to him politically was characterized by a spirit nearly approaching the vindictive. He regarded Reformers as rebels, and as such treated them. In this connection it should not be forgotten that William Lyon Mackenzie’s mad attempt at rebellion met with no support east of Toronto, and ir
