PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND.
John and Catherine (Dewar) McLaren, the father born at Brudenell River, Prince Ed- ward Island, in 1829. The paternal grand- father, William McLaren, was a native Of Perth, Scotland, who came tO Prince Ed- ward Island in 1803, and here followed farming, which pursuit the subject’s father also followed. The latter died in 1894. He was the father of six children, namely: Jes- sie, deceased, the wife of A. Forbis, a farmer in Lot 48; James and William, deceased; the subject Of this sketch, next in order of birth; Nathaniel, who resides in Forest Hill; Eliza- beth, the wife of Murdock McLeod, 0f Char- lottetown. In politics the father was a Tory, and in religion a Baptist. '
Daniel McLaren attended the district schools in his youth and was reared to the life of a teacher. He now, in partnership with his son A. W., owns and operates a farm of one hundred and sixty-five acres, located at Belle River, one hundred acres Of which are under the plow and devoted to the raising of mixed crops. They also give some attention to dary farming, sending the milk .to the cheese factory at Belle River. In 1905 Mr. McLaren met with a disastrous loss by fire, nearly all of the buildings and other improvements on the place being de- stroyed. During the last twenty years he has been engaged in the mercantile business at Flat River and during the last sixteen years at Belle River, being successful in both enterprises. He has also served during the last sixteen years as postmaster at Belle River.
In 1859 Mr. McLaren married Miss Mar- garet Cameron, a daughter of Thomas Cameron, of Nova Scotia, and to them have been born three children, John T., now de- ceased, who was a doctor in British Colum-
bia ; A. W., who lives at home and assists in 26 '
401
the operation of the farm, and married Miss Mary J. McKenzie; and Cassie, deceased. TO A. W. and Mary McLaren have been born three children, John T., Marion and Cath- erine. In politics Mr. McLaren supports the Conservative party, while in religion he is an active member Of the Presbyterian church, being an elder and trustee in the church and superintendent of the Sabbath school. Fra- temally he was at one time a member of the Orangemen. He is a man Of staunch personal qualities of character, his actions being characterized by the strictest integrity, and he now occupies an enviable position in the community.
JOHN NICHOLSON, who successfully op- erates a fine farm in Lot 60, Queens coun- ty, was born at Flat River, on May 24, 1848, and is a son of John and Catherine (Bell) Nicholson, the father born at Bell Creek, where he followed farming. The paternal grandfather, Alex Nicholson, was born in Scotland, on the Isle of Skye, and was a passenger on the ship “Polly” in 1803, settling at Bell Creek. He was a successful farmer and died in 1820. He married Miss Mary Nicholson and to them were born the following children: Niel, who died in 1888; Isabella, who died in 1841; John, the subject’s father, who died in 1858; Samuel, who died in 1866, in Australia; Alexina, who died in 1883. To John and Catherine Nicholson were born the following chil- dren: Isabella, the widow Of Hector Mor- rison, deceased; John, the subject of this sketch; Alex, deceased; Samuel, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this volume; Catherine, deceased, who was the wife Of Renold McPhee, of Little Sands, Kings