Sometimes we are fortunate to find little know information about someone born in Lyn. Such was the case with William Caswell
Born at Lyn, Ontario on 20 November 1838, son of Stephen and Mary Caswell, he lived at nearby Ogdensburg, New York for several years before moving to Duluth, Minnesota where he worked as a photographer in partnership with William H. Davy. While living at Duluth, he married Charlotte Atkinson with whom he had two sons, one dying in infancy. He also worked at Grand Forks, Dakota Territory [now North Dakota] where his “skills as a photographer has made his name a household word throughout the civilized world.” In December 1877, he came to Winnipeg as a partner of Simon Duffin in the studio of Duffin & Caswell. The partnership had dissolved by 1880 and Caswell returned to Grand Forks where he remained for the rest of his life. He died there on 27 February 1910 and was buried in the Grand Forks Cemetery.
A Stereoscopic Card photographed by William Caswell
The back of the Stereoscopic Card
Thanks to the Manitoba Historical Society for this information:
Anson McNish was born in Lyn, Ontario, the son of George McNish owner of the Lyn Agricultural Works and Almira Jane Fell.
Anson was a mechanic by trade, but also an Amateur Photographer. As an amateur photographer, Anson has given us some very fine detailed pictures with glimpses into his life and surroundings, and everyday life in the early 1900’s.
Anson married Antoinette (Nettie) Brookman, in Fultonville, NY on August 10, 1910. Together they had one daughter Florence Catherine who was born in 1913 and unfortunately died at the early age of 15 in 1928. Nettie and Florence are prominent features in most of his photographs.
These photos are from the time Anson lived in Weston, Ontario from 1907 to 1920. During that time he worked at the Moffat Stove Works in Toronto. As a side note copies of these photos have been donated to the Weston Historical Society.
1-Anson McNish and his wife Antoinette Brookman
2-Main Street in Weston Ontario in 1908,Today this is the northwest corner of Weston Road and Lawrence Ave.
2a-This print of the Eagel House was published in the Evening Telegram (Toronto) July 6, 1908. It was from a pen and ink drawing attributed to Bernard J. Gloster, 1908. Water colours attributed to Owen Staples c1912. It is almost exactly the same as Anson’s photo above taken in 1908.
3-Canadian Pacific Rail Station in Weston, Ontario
4-Canadian Pacific Railway tracks- Emery, or what is now known as Humbermade.
5-Grand Trunk Railroad Bridge Weston
6-Bridge over the Humber River
7-Humber River, Weston, Ontario- the photo below is of the same location in the summer
8-Nettie McNish, Weston Ontario
9-Anson, Nettie and baby daughter Florence and Friends at a Pic Nic. They may be on a now vanished water course or possibly Humber Creek, not to be confused with the Humber River
10-Presbyterian Church, Weston
11-Presbyterian Church Interior, Weston, Ontario
12-Out for a Drive
13-Nettie McNish on the porch of their Weston Home14-Inside the McNish home15-Inside the McNish home16-Inside the McNish Home17-Bridge over the Humber River, Weston18-Swing Bridge over the Humber River, Weston, Ontario19-Dam on the Humber River20-Along the Humber River, Weston, Ontario21-Next to the Humber River, Weston, Ontario
