Alexander Cameron
Encyclopedia
Alexander Cameron known as the “Earl of Essex”, was an Irish
-born businessman and lawyer who began the town of Essex and owned much of the land around Windsor, Ontario
and Essex County
in the late 19th century.
The son of Allan Cameron, a British soldier, he came to Amherstburg
, Upper Canada
with his father and grew up there. Cameron was educated at Upper Canada College
, articled in law in Toronto
and was called to the bar in 1853, setting up practice in Toronto and Windsor. He was married twice: to Calcina Medora, the daughter of Andrew Norton Buell, in 1853 and to Catharine Ward (née Lyon) in 1878.
Early in his life Cameron sought a career in politics, but after a bitter election and accusation of corruption in 1854, Cameron’s interest in politics came to an end. Cameron then bought a great deal of land in Essex County
and was forced to borrow money from his father-in-law to pay the mortgage when the land value did not increase. Cameron also leased Talbot road in Essex County
after the municipality sought to lease main roads to toll companies. In the 1870s Cameron’s business dealings finally became profitable. He bought land in Essex County
that was adjacent to railways and becoming increasingly valuable.
In the 1880s Cameron developed land in Windsor, Ontario
along with John Curry; as well as practicing law with Francis Cleary and R. F. Sutherland.
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
-born businessman and lawyer who began the town of Essex and owned much of the land around Windsor, Ontario
Windsor, Ontario
Windsor is the southernmost city in Canada and is located in Southwestern Ontario at the western end of the heavily populated Quebec City – Windsor Corridor. It is within Essex County, Ontario, although administratively separated from the county government. Separated by the Detroit River, Windsor...
and Essex County
Essex County, Ontario
Essex County is a county and census division located in Southwestern Ontario and covers an area at the southernmost tip of Canada. The administrative seat is Essex...
in the late 19th century.
The son of Allan Cameron, a British soldier, he came to Amherstburg
Amherstburg, Ontario
Amherstburg is a Canadian town near the mouth of the Detroit River in Essex County, Ontario. It is approximately south of the U.S...
, Upper Canada
Upper Canada
The Province of Upper Canada was a political division in British Canada established in 1791 by the British Empire to govern the central third of the lands in British North America and to accommodate Loyalist refugees from the United States of America after the American Revolution...
with his father and grew up there. Cameron was educated at Upper Canada College
Upper Canada College
Upper Canada College , located in midtown Toronto, Ontario, Canada, is an independent elementary and secondary school for boys between Senior Kindergarten and Grade Twelve, operating under the International Baccalaureate program. The secondary school segment is divided into ten houses; eight are...
, articled in law in Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
and was called to the bar in 1853, setting up practice in Toronto and Windsor. He was married twice: to Calcina Medora, the daughter of Andrew Norton Buell, in 1853 and to Catharine Ward (née Lyon) in 1878.
Early in his life Cameron sought a career in politics, but after a bitter election and accusation of corruption in 1854, Cameron’s interest in politics came to an end. Cameron then bought a great deal of land in Essex County
Essex County, Ontario
Essex County is a county and census division located in Southwestern Ontario and covers an area at the southernmost tip of Canada. The administrative seat is Essex...
and was forced to borrow money from his father-in-law to pay the mortgage when the land value did not increase. Cameron also leased Talbot road in Essex County
Essex County, Ontario
Essex County is a county and census division located in Southwestern Ontario and covers an area at the southernmost tip of Canada. The administrative seat is Essex...
after the municipality sought to lease main roads to toll companies. In the 1870s Cameron’s business dealings finally became profitable. He bought land in Essex County
Essex County, Ontario
Essex County is a county and census division located in Southwestern Ontario and covers an area at the southernmost tip of Canada. The administrative seat is Essex...
that was adjacent to railways and becoming increasingly valuable.
In the 1880s Cameron developed land in Windsor, Ontario
Windsor, Ontario
Windsor is the southernmost city in Canada and is located in Southwestern Ontario at the western end of the heavily populated Quebec City – Windsor Corridor. It is within Essex County, Ontario, although administratively separated from the county government. Separated by the Detroit River, Windsor...
along with John Curry; as well as practicing law with Francis Cleary and R. F. Sutherland.