Bradish Billings

Philomen Wright

Colonel John By

Nicholas Sparks
    Nicholas Sparks, from County Wexford, was originally employed by Philemon Wright.
In 1821 he bought land on the south side of Wellington Street, extending to almost
Somerset Street on the south, west to Bronson Avenue and east to Confederation Square.
He donated land to Christ Church (Anglican) and St. James (Methodist) churches
and established a market at the corner (today) of Lyon and Wellington Streets.
See map of Uppertown.

Rice Honeywell, UEL
    Rice Honeywell was an American who married Ruth Allen, the daughter of a Loyalist. His son,
Ira Honeywell built a log cabin on the Grand (Ottawa) River in 1809. He was the first settler 
on the south side of the river. His property was located at the end of Woodroffe Avenue at 
today's Western Parkway. Rice and Honeywell Avenues are named after his family. 
(Source: Bruce Elliott, The City Beyond).

Captain John LeBreton and Livius Sherwood (original owners of Lebreton Flats)

Daniel O'Connor

Thomas Darcy McGee

Thomas Ahearn
Thomas Ahearn was the man who brought electricity to Ottawa in the 19th century.
There is a picture of his likeness on the Glebe page - he opened up the Glebe
to commuters by building the streetcar line along Bank Street to Lansdowne Park.

Colonel George Thew Burke



The City of Ottawa was incorporated in 1854.
Here are the elected officials for the first year (1855):

Mayor: John Bower Lewis (no relation)

Aldermen: John Forgie, Andrew Main, Edward McGillivray, Nicholas Sparks, 
Henry J. Friel, Edward Smith, James Goodwin, James Leamy, Lyman Perkins.

Councillors: James Matthews, Thomas Langrell, N.S. Blaisdell, Thomas Hunton,
John Rochester, Nathaniel Burwash, Charles Rowan, Joseph Beauchamp,
Damase Bourgeois, Eusebe Varin.

Only male property owners were allowed to vote.
Source: 1879 Belden Atlas, Page xxix. (digital version at  http://digital.library.mcgill.ca/countyatlas/)
There is also, on the previous page in the Atlas, an interesting table compiled
from the 1871 census. The table shows the number of employees, the annual wage bill, 
and dollar value of output for about 40 industries in Ottawa.
September 3, 2004:

Thanks to Bob Mackett who has sent along some interesting newspaper clippings
related to the well known Heron family of Ottawa.