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John Ostrander, Esq. |
| Mr. John Ostrander, who now holds the honorable office of Reeve of
Middleton, was born in the Township of Crowland on 22nd Decr. 1821. His ancestors, who
were of German extraction, came with other U. E. Loyalists to Canada at the close of the
last century. They removed to Bayham in 1822. When a young man, Mr. Ostrander settled in
Middleton. He was poor, but very industrious. He was honest and frugal.
He was also
possessed of a great love of knowledge, and improved every opportunity to educate himself.
He was thoughtful, ingenious, enterprising. His morals were correct.
In 1845 he built a
sawmill; to this he added farming. Prosperity seemed to follow him in every undertaking,
-- in truth, he was following prosperity. In 1868 Mr. Ostrander erected a grist-mill on
lot 3, 2nd Concession Middleton, north of Talbot street on the Little Otter Creek.
In 1873
he built another grist-mill on 14th Concession Walsingham on the Venison Creek.
His business in his mills has always been of a local character. Mr. Ostrander entered the Township Council in 1852, and filled the office of Deputy Reeve for about 12 years. He has been Reeve during the last two years. He has also acted as Magistrate for 20 years, and has taken a deep interest in the Agricultural Society of Middleton. His efforts in this direction have done much to advance the interests of farmers. Mr. Ostrander has acquired wealth. His love of work is a prominent trait of his character. When he was young, he was a mighty hunter -- following the deer for days, and often killed three in a day. He has shot four in a day. His feats in walking or working have been equally wonderful. But throughout all he has been a careful student and a lover of books. His character and his success are well worth study by the young men of our day.
Mr. Ostrander married, in 1845, Edith, daughter of Mr. John Holmes, of Bayham, who died
leaving one child Daniel. In 1848, his married Mrs. Emmeline Earls, daughter of Mr. Henry
Soverien [sic] of Fredricksburg. Their children are Sarah Margaret, Amy
Elizabeth, and John Albert. [Also see: Norfolk's Militia] |
 Enlargement |
| From page 81 of the Mika re-print of 1877 Illustrated Historical Atlas of Norfolk County Copyright 1998-2012 John Cardiff |