John Symons (1808 - 1902)

Born 19 Nov 1808 in Derbyshire, England, United Kingdom

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Biography

John Symons was born in Derby, England, 19 Nov 1808. He studied law there, and was admitted as an English solicitor in 1832. He practiced in London until 1851, when he visited Canada, settling there permanently in 1852

In 1858 he formed the Canada Landed Credit Company (later the Canada Landed and National Investment Company), and was manager of the corporation for more than 20 years.

Symons married Isabel Thorburn, daughter of David Thorburn of Queenston Heights. David Thorburn was one of the first wardens of the Niagara District, which for many years he represented in Parliament. He and his wife, Isabel Thompson of Niagara Falls, both died at Queenston.

John and Isabel Symons had the following children:

• John T. Symons, captain in the 12th York Rangers, and a well-known man among real estate agents;
• D. T. Symons, a barrister;
• Isabel Symons, m. Dr. George Shaw, of Hamilton;
• Leila Frear Symons; and
• Kate Symons.

In 1901, John was living with his wife, children, and two Thorburns (siblings of his wife): ^[1]

• John Symons 92, b. 19 Nov 1808
• Isabeal Symons 72, b. 24 Nov 1828
• Eliza Symons 41, b. 1 May 1859
• Kate Symons 29, b. 29 Aug 1872
• John Symons 40, b. 1 Nov 1860
• David Symons 38, b. 4 Sep 1862
• Katherine Thurborne 65, b. 2 Mar 1836
• Mary Thurborne 62, b. 21 Sep 1838

After her husband's death, in 1902, Mrs. Symons continued to live in the old home, at No. 68 Avenue Road, built by Mr. Symons.

Symons was the author/editor of The Battle of Queenston Heights, Thompson & Co., 1859, Toronto, Ont., 1859. ^[2]

Sources

1. ↑ Year: 1901; Census Place: Toronto (City/Cité) Ward/Quartier No 4, York (east/est), Ontario; Page: 11; Family No: 107; Original data: Library and Archives Canada. Census of Canada, 1901. Ottawa, Ontario, Canada: Library and Archives Canada, 2004. http://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/census/1901/Pages/about-census.aspxl. Series RG31-C-1. Statistics Canada Fonds. Microfilm reels: T-6428 to T-6556.
2. ↑ St. Catherines Museum - The Battle of Queenston Heights

• Commemorative Biographical Record of the County of York, J. H. Beers & Co., Toronto, 1907, p. 12