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James Wilson |
| The father of Mr. Wilson was an itinerant Methodist preacher who came to
Canada in 1817, and continued in the ministry until his death. Mr. Wilson was born in
Carlow, Ireland, in 1810, and is therefore sixty-seven years old. At the age of twenty-two
he married Miss Susanna Shaver of Ancaster, who is still living. He settled in
Chinquacousy, where he remained three years. From Chinquacousy he moved to the north part
of the Township of Townsend where he bought a bush lot, and spent eleven years in clearing
up land and farming. In 1846 he built his steam saw-mill, which is still in operation,
being the first built in the County of Norfolk. He carried on his farm and operated his
mill until a few years ago, when he leased the latter and now devotes his time to the
cultivation and improvement of his farm.
Mr. Wilson has done much toward the development of Townsend, and by his thrift and energy has placed himself in easy circumstances, and his house at Wilsonville is a model of taste and refinement. He has been on several occasions elected to the Municipal Council of Townsend as Deputy Reeve and Councillor, and has discharged the duties of the positions he occupied with ability and success. In 1867 he was elected the first Member for the North Riding of the County of Norfolk in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario. He was opposed by the late Hon. M. A. Foley, of Simcoe, whom he defeated by a narrow majority. In 1871 he was opposed and defeated at the general election by Dr. Clarke, the present member. During his parliamentary career he supported the Government of the late John Sandfield McDonald, and was instrumental in a great degree in securing the passing through the Legislature of the Act incorporating the Canada Southern Railway Co. Mr.Wilson has been a local preacher of the Wesleyan Methodist Church for the last forty years, and is much respected by all classes for his sterling integrity and unaffected piety. He has been the father of twelve children, only seven of whom are living. They are all married and living within a few miles of their parents. |
 Enlargement |
| From page 103 of the Mika re-print of 1877 Illustrated Historical Atlas of Norfolk County Copyright 1998-2012 John Cardiff |