John and Esther Misner

John Misner was born to Henry Medcalf Misner and his wife Sarah (Sally) Ann Buckley on their farm in Walpole Township, Haldimand County on February 23, 1845. John was a descendant of two Woodhouse Township Pioneers—John Misner Sr. (c. 1750-1813) and Patrick Long (c. 1748-1809). After a period of time in the Niagara Settlement, pioneer John Misner settled in Woodhouse Township by 1798. Patrick Long had land both in Woodhouse and Walpole from the later 1790’s and his family lived on both sides of the townline.

As a young man, John Misner settled on a farm in Woodhouse Township, and on November 5, 1873 in Waterford, Townsend Township he married Esther Elizabeth Jacobs. Born to Lewis and Mary (Lyons) Jacobs on June 15, 1851 in what was then known as Bytown and renamed Ottawa, Esther was adopted by George and Catherine Forsyth and lived in Woodhouse Township.

The couple was married less than thirteen years when John died on September 30, 1886. During that time they had nine children—Margaret (Maggie) in 1874, Charlotte (Lottie) in 1875, Daisy in 1877, Florence May in 1878, Edith Esther (Edie) in 1880, Henry Hubert in 1881, Minnie in 1883, Laurel Elizabeth in 1885 and an unnamed son who died young. One can only imagine the hardships faced by widow Esther Misner in providing for this young family alone.

Esther moved afterwards to Toronto and was recorded in the 1901 Census of Ward 2. In the 1911 Census of Ward 4, Toronto she was operating a boarding house. Some of the family continued in Woodhouse Township and others went with their mother to Toronto. Two of her daughters Minnie and Laurel were nurses in World War I and earned the Royal Red Cross for their exceptional service.

Family Pictures

The pictures presented here were provided by family researcher Lee Payne. All were taken following the 1886 death of John Misner.