Potentially Significant People  / PIONEERS Agnew, George Sr. Biography: Died 1910 Claims: Earliest land holding in area, patented in 1879; broke land in 1880; E14-5-23W Probable Significance: High Source: A Century of Living/159 Images: As Above Content: No additional information Blair, John Biography: Born 1854 Ontario; left for Alberta in 1910 Claims: Pioneer; livery stable and implement business; post office official Probable Significance: High Source: A Century of Living/205 Images: As Above Content: Mino additional information Callander, James Biography: Born 1870 Blyth Ontario; moved in 1891 Claims: Homesteaded in 1882; general merchant; church services in family home; undertaking Probable Significance: Medium Source: A Century of Living/235 Images: As Above Content: Good additional information Calverley, Moses Biography: Ontario; Married Annie White, 1885; Died 1932 Claims: Pioneer in 1882; Successfull farm. Built large stone house. Probable Significance: Major Source: The Mere Living/ Images: Ken Content: Good additional information Source: A Century of Living 327 Images: As Above Content: Some additional information Duthie, James Biography: Born Aberdeen Scotland 1855; Died 1932 Claims: Pioneer in 1882; wrote Day Book of early community activities; first President of Hartney Ag Society; councilor; President of Shorthorn Breeders Association Probable Significance: Major Source: The Mere Living/ Images: Ken Content: Good additional information Source: A Century of Living/309 Images: As Above Content: Some additional information The “Day Book” which he kept for fifty years, provided valuable insight into the day-to-day trails and joys of pioneer life. See “A Century of Living”  P3 Fee, John Messmore Biography: Fee was here for 30 years Claims: First in area, 1881; founding member of Farmers Institute; involved in creation of Cameron and Whitewater RMs Probable Significance: Major Source: The Mere Living/33 Images: Frontispiece Content: Good additional information Source: A Century of Living/317 Images: As Above Content: Good additional information Founding member in 1893 of a Farmer’s Institute, a forum for farmers. Met monthly – exchanges ideas took turns making presentations on area of expertise. 34 of the most progressive farmers – met at his house and signed the necessary petition. First Reeve of R.M. of Cameron 1897 Hartney, James Harvey Biography: Born 1848 Arnprior Ontario; Died 1922 Claims: Pioneer; merchant; reeve in 1891; MLA 1892-95; provincial Immigration Agent; community named for him; Probable Significance: Major Source: The Mere Living/53 Images: N/A Content: Some additional information Source: A Century of Living/372 Images: N/A Content: Some additional information - Local pressure convinced the CPR to re-name name it’s new town (Airdrie) to Hartney James Hartney’s farm, which he purchased from the CPR (9-6-23) in 1881 became the centre of the community by 1883 when he had established a Post Office and Store on his land. PO Called Hartney – became name for District. In 1891, he was elected Reeve of the Municipality of Glenwood then, the next year, a member of the provincial legislative assembly (1892-95) for the new constituency of Avondale. In January 1900, he was appointed provincial immigration agent, based in Toronto, Ontario. He held the position until December 1915 when the position was abolished. He died in Toronto on 27 December 1924. Long, Samuel F. Biography: Born 1850 Simcoe County Claims: First in area, 1881 Probable Significance: Major Source: The Mere Living/33 Images: N/A Content: Good additional information Source: A Century of Living/454 Images: As Above Content: Some additional information