Commemorative Biographical Record of the County of Essex, J. H. Beers, 1905, p. 446-447:
William G. McDonald, an enterprising farmer of Gosfield South, is a descendant of one of the pioneer settlers on the Talbot Road in the township of Tilbury East.
John McDonald, his grandfather, was born in the Highlands of Scotland, and there married Mary Calhoon. He was engaged in the boot and shoe trade and also carried on wool weaving, being an expert weaver himself. In 1815, accompanied by his wife and five children, he set sail for America, their destination being Canada. After a long voyage of more than sixteen weeks, they reached the Canadian port, came to Long Point, and very soon went farther west, locating on the Talbot Road, in Tilbury East, where the grandfather took up 200 acres of land through the government agent. As his sons attained maturity they also secured land on the lots on both sides of the first tract, so that the family secured 600 acres in a block, all situated on the shore of Lake Erie. John McDonald began the clearing of the land, which, after his death, was continued by his sons. He was interred on the old Shanks farm. His children were as follows: Hugh; Mary, Mrs. Shanks; Nancy, who married John Moody; John, who lived on the west 200 acres; and Duncan, who secured the east 200 acres, married and had two children, John (deceased), and Sarah (married and living in Toronto).
Hugh McDonald was born Jan 8, 1801, in Scotland, and was fourteen years old when he came to Canada. Being the eldest son, he came into possession of the land taken up by his father. He assisted in placing the first buildings thereon, and occupied them when he began for himself, continuing on this place until it was improved, when he traded for a farm at Harrow, which he later sold. Nearly sixty years ago he bought 230 acres in Mersea township, partly cleared, Lot 13, Concession 2. He dealt extensively in land, and owned a large body. He cleared all of his land, being a man of great industry. His death occurred June 3, 1891. For many years he was a class-leader in the Methodist Church. His first marriage was to a Miss Williams... Mr. McDonald's second marriage was to Anna Sheldon, a daughter of Joseph Sheldon, who was born on Talbot street, in Mersea township, and the children of this union were: Joseph, of Helena, Montana, who married Nettie LaMarsh, deceased; Miss Sarah, of Leamington; Hugh, who married Bertha LaMarsh, and died aged thirty years; William G., of this sketch; Janet, who married William Dring, of Mersea township; Lucinda, who married Charles Mills, of Wheatley, County of Essex; and Miss Annie, of Leamington...
Janet
McDonald
Joseph McDonald ca 1854-
Version 6.08 Copyright © 1998-2016