James Smith was born in 1858 in Northumberland, England, and moved to North America in the early 1880s. He arrived first in Boston before taking work on the railways, eventually settling in the Toronto area. In 1884, he married Harriet Jones, whom he had met in Saratoga Springs, New York. James made a living as a carpenter and built barns and homes throughout the region.
He was known as a steady worker who provided for his family and had a habit of singing while he worked. James and Harriet had four children—Thomas, Ellen, Samuel, and Margaret. He passed away in 1923, at home, with Harriet beside him. He’s remembered for his quiet determination and the solid structures he left behind.
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