Sketch XLI

“Maple Avenue,” The Old McMichael Homestead

It is just one hundred years since James McMichael, a native of “auld Ayrshire,” came to the New World to take advantage of the grand opportunities which at that time were so abundant and so varied for the acquisition of homes and the accumulation of wealth. He was born in 1772, and was, therefore, twenty-five years old when he came to America. He was the second son of George McMichael, and had two brothers—one older and one younger than himself. The name of the elder was John, and that of the younger, George; and their mother’s maiden name was Veronica Murdar. They had a sister Marion, who married Francis Cooper. It is said that James McMichael was the great-grandson of a brother of Alexander Peden, the old prophet in the days of the Covenanters.

James McMichael came to Pennsylvania, and after the township of Townsend was surveyed he came to Norfolk and purchased 400 acres of land, 200 of which, being Lot 9 in the 6th concession, is the old McMichael homestead, known at present as “Maple Avenue,” the silver-medal model farm of Norfolk County.

James McMichael was a man of keen, shrewd business sense, and he knew that these lands would rapidly increase in value as the new settlement developed. At the time he made his purchase other lands lying nearer the settlement might have been purchased as cheaply; but this advantage of location was not a matter of consideration with Mr. McMichael when he chose his lands. He did not buy for immediate settlement, and he knew that in a few years the lands adjoining his own would be occupied and improved. Timber, at that time, possessed no commercial value, being looked upon as an impediment in the way of settling. The larger number of the incoming settlers chose, therefore, the lighter timbered lands, which offered less resistance in the work of reclaiming the soil. This was another so-considered advantage which counted for nothing in the better judgment of Mr. McMichael. He realized the fact that the soil which produced a large, thrifty and dense growth of timber would have the right kind of stuff in its composition for a vigorous growth of grass, cereals and fruit-bearing trees, and he knew that the time was not far distant when the timber itself would become a source of revenue. White pine, rock elm, white ash, walnut and other varieties of timber might tower up as giant monopolists of the land, bidding defiance to the log-cabin builders in their enforced haste to reach the virgin soil; but the time would soon come when these giants of the forest would be endowed with a commercial value. Further-more, this particular lot possessed natural topographical advantages which may or may not have been recognized by Mr. McMichael when he decided upon its purchase. “Maple Avenue” possesses rich, low-lying meadow lands and loamy, gravelly uplands in proper proportions, to make it one of the most valuable farms in Ontario for a mixed husbandry, being adapted to stock-raising, fruit-culture and the production of grain. These natural advantages have been followed up and developed to a marked degree by the present owner.

After making his purchase, Mr. McMichael returned to Pennsylvania, where he joined his brother George, who had come to America, and the two purchased a farm in that State. Soon after, Mr. McMichael married Rosannia, daughter of Isaac Dermott, whose father had emigrated from Holland in 1750. After living on this farm for about twenty years, a serious flaw was discovered in the title, of so hopeless a nature that James concluded to abandon his interest in it and commence anew on his Canada land.

The original log-cabin of ‘James McMichael‘ was built near the spot where the palatial residence of his grandson, Joseph K., now stands. But his pioneer life in old Townsend was of short duration. Like the distinguished Edward McMichael, of Walsingham, he was cut down just as his fellow-pioneers began to admire his sterling qualities, and, like that old pioneer, left a widow and ten children to occupy his log-cabin and mourn his untimely end in a new country, far from home and among strangers.

James McMichael left nine sons—George, Richard, John, James, Jacob, David, Isaac, William and Aaron; and one daughter—Mary. The daughter was the eldest child. She married William Parney; her children are enumerated in the Parney genealogy.

George McMichael, eldest son of James, married Jane, daughter of Deacon Joseph Kitchen, of Charlotteville. He settled on the homestead, and by this marriage had two sons—Joseph K. and Oscar; and one daughter—Malinda. By a subsequent marriage he had one daughter—Emma Jane. He was a shrewd business man, and improved the homestead and accumulated wealth. In 1856 he was cut down in the prime of life, at the age of fifty-one years. Oscar died young, and Joseph K. succeeded to the homestead.

Richard McMichael, second son of James, married Mahala, daughter of Ezra Parney, and settled on land adjoining the homestead. Among the grand old men whose names are recorded in the list of Norfolk’s latter-day pioneers, the name of Richard McMichael will always occupy a place in the first column. He was one of nature’s noblemen. He was large in stature, large in intellect, and large in good deeds. He was broad-minded and whole-souled, and his formulated opinions on all the leading social, political and religious questions of his day were moderate in tone and liberal in judgment. He was generous, hospitable and exceedingly popular. He did not crave office, but when it was thrust upon him as a duty, and he saw it in the light of duty, he never shirked it. For about fifteen years he served in the Township and County Councils, and during sixty years of his life he officiated as deacon in the Boston and Waterford Baptist churches. For years he led the political party of his choice as the President of its organized association in the riding, and in this and every other capacity he won the esteem and confidence of all with whom he came in contact. When his golden wedding was celebrated his nine children were all present, making it an event of unusual occurrence. He died in 1889, in his eight-third year. He left four sons—James, Jonathan, Alexander and Calvin; and five daughters—Letitia, Charity, Elizabeth, Josephine and Orpha. Alexander and Calvin succeeded to the old homestead.

John McMichael, third son of James, married Matilda Murray, and settled in Dumfries where he raised a large family.

James McMichael, fourth son of James, was married three times. He settled in Brantford, and raised a large family.

Jacob McMichael, fifth son of James, married Lavinia, daughter of Simon Mabee, and settled on Lot 13, 5th concession of Townsend. This latter-day pioneer proved himself a worthy brother of Richard McMichael, and much that has been written of the latter will apply to Jacob as well. He was upright and honorable in all the busy activities of his life, and he left a record behind him of which his children may proudly boast. He was a model farmer and figured prominently in the various agricultural societies. For many years he officiated as deacon in the old Boston Baptist church. He died at a ripe old age, leaving ten sons—Simon, Lafayette, James, David, Aaron, Hezekiah, Jacob, Homer, Arkell and Orvell; and two daughters—Abigail and Mary. Of this family three are doctors in New York City, one is a doctor in Chicago, one a Baptist preacher in New York State, and one is an artist and another a merchant in the city of Buffalo.[1]

David McMichael, sixth son of James, married Jane McBride, and settled at Palermo, below Hamilton.

Isaac McMichael, seventh son of James, married Calista Truax, and settled in Hamilton.

William McMichael, eighth son of James, married Mrs. William Cunningham nee Martha Kern, and settled near Boston. Subsequently, he settled in Waterford, where he died. He was a close economizer, and accumulated wealth. He had four sons—Oscar, Walter, Romaine and Albert; and two daughters—Mary, and Valdora. Albert and Valdora occupy the fine old Waterford home with their aged mother.

Aaron McMichael, youngest son of James, married Emily McMichael, and settled just north of Waterford, where he established a fine home. He is remembered by the old people as a “hale fellow well met,” and known as “McMichael, the Dentist.” He had three sons—Solon, George and Herbert; and one daughter, Ida. Solon holds a prominent Government position at present, being Inspector of Customs for the Dominion.

When James McMichael looked upon his native heath in “Auld Scotia” for the last time, his proud ambition no doubt drew heavily upon his imagination as to what the future held in reserve for him. He was going to the New World to hew out a home for himself. What would be the result? Would he succeed in the founding of a home, and would sons and daughters go out from that home who would “rise up and call him blessed,” and so stamp his name upon the plastic institutions of the new land as to command respect and admiration for his name?

Many years have come and gone since the name of James McMichael was recorded among the soil reclaimers of “glorious old Norfolk,” and the family record has become a part of the century’s history. If James McMichael and many others of our brave old pioneers might be permitted to see the wonderful transformation which has been brought about in one short century, as a result of their moral and material pioneer work, they would retire to their well-earned rest feeling fully compensated for the privations they suffered and the sacrifices they made. When James McMichael came to America he brought something with him far more valuable in the work of national foundation-laying than a brave heart and a stout pair of arms. He brought inherent principles of individual character, which he transmitted to his posterity, and which show a tendency to increased strength as the generations succeed each other. Summed up, these principles are: Reverence for God and sacred things; love of home, and a rigid observance of law and order.

Joseph K. McMichael is not only the owner of a model farm, but he is a model citizen. Of course he is a model farmer, but like many other men he might be this and not be a model citizen. In the three grand duties of citizenship he is equally prominent, namely, religious, social and political. As a business man he is prompt, upright and economical. As a [a] farmer, he is stock-raiser, grain producer and fruit grower; and in architectural arrangement and arboricultural designs he is an artist.Under his guiding hand and watchful eye, “Maple Avenue” has become one of the most beautiful rural homes in Ontario.

[1] David Aaron McMichael, born on April 30, 1843, was one son of Jacob McMichael, not two. An additional son Richard Frederick, born on October 14, 1846 was missed. Both were listed with their parents in the 1852 Census of Townsend Township.