Person Record
Images
Metadata
Name |
Switzer, William Frederick Bonner |
Born |
02/10/1879 |
Birthplace |
Peel, Ontario |
Rank/Profession |
Enumerator |
Spouse |
Elizabeth Harriet "Hattie" Brunskill (1880-1960) |
Deceased |
1960 |
Deceased where |
Ontario |
Cemetery Location |
Streetsville Cemetery |
Biography |
William Frederick Bonner Switzer was born on February 10, 1879, in Peel to George Joseph Switzer (1840-1897) and Sarah Dolmage (1851-1906). The family was of Irish heritage and belonged to the Methodist faith. William attended the nearby S.S. #17 "Eden" School in Toronto Township (historic Mississauga), near modern-day Argentia and Derry Roads. As a child, William would have lived on the west half of Lot 9, Concession 5 WHS, Toronto Township, located roughly along Millcreek Dr. between Erin Mills Parkway and Aquitaine Avenue. The Switzer family was prolific in the area, so much so that the area northwest of where they lived (modern-day Lisgar) was named "Switzer's Corners." On November 10, 1841, King's College sold the 100-acre parcel to Samuel Switzer, William's grandfather. At that time, King's College rented land to farmers, and after a certain period, many renters bought the land they had been renting. It is, therefore, quite likely that Samuel Switzer had been living on this property for some time. In 1875, a small portion of the land was sold for the construction of the Credit Valley Railroad. On September 30, 1886, Samuel granted the land to his son, William's father, George Switzer. On December 29, 1920, William married Elizabeth Harriet "Hattie" Brunskill (1880-1960) in Buffalo, New York, USA. After their marriage, they returned to Streetsville and lived off Main Street. According to the 1921 Canadian census, William served as a government enumerator for the 1921 census in Streetsville. In 1933, William and Hattie took a trip to Le Havre, France, and returned to Canada aboard the RMS Aurania. William passed away in 1960 and is buried in Streetsville Cemetery. |
