PATRICK McGARVIN, residing upon his extesive
well-improved farm in Dover township, about three miles from
Chatham, is one of the leading agriculturists of the County of
Kent, owning about 284 acres, largely under cultivation. He is
progressive and energetic, and during his twenty-six years’
residence upon his present property, has made some marked
improvements there.
McGarvin comes of a prominent family long known
in this section. His faterh, Michael McGarvin, a man of marked
force of character and ability, was born on the river Thames,
and passed many years of his life along the river, in Harwich
township. Reared to a life of strong activity, he early
developed habits of industry and self-reliance of much value to
him in later years. A taste for agriculture, and good openings
in that line in his vicinity, decided him as a young man to
embark upon life as a farmer. Energetic and thrifty, he soon
secured a good farm, which he improved and cultivated
extensively, making it one of the most attractive places in the
vicinity. This fine old homestead, embracing 200 acres, he
worked for many years, and there he passed his last days, dying
November 5th, 1897, at the age of ninety-one years.
During his young manhood Mr. McGarvin married
Olive Wood, who lived to the good old age of eighty-six years,
and they had ten children: Susan, the widow of David Wilson,
residing in Harwich township; John, a farmer of Dover township;
Joseph and George, farmers of Harwich township; Catherine, who
married Robert Smith, farmer of Dover township; Patrick and
Louisa, twins, the latter the widow of Bruce Holmes, and a
resident of Harwich township; James, who died March 27th,
18967, at the age of forty-five years, being killed by the
explosion of an engine; Peter a farmer of Harwich townsip; and
Robert, a farmer and sawmill operator of Chatham. Mr. McGarvin
was not only a highly successful and prosperous farmer, but a
man of influence in all the affairs of the community. His keen
business discernment gave weight to his word in all matters of
public interest. Large-hearted and generous, he gave his
support to all worthy enterprises, and the churches especially
found him a liberal supporter. Though christened a Roman
Catholic, and reared as a Methodist, he usually attended the
Presbyterian Church.
Patrick McGarvin was born, in Harwich township
March 7th, 1848, and there on his father’s
well-regulated farm, grew to manhood. As a youth he received
plenty of training in agriculture and business, and was given
sufficient leisure for the cultivation of the intellectual
faculties. The need of assistance upon the home farm decided
him as a young man to remain with his parents, and there he
carried on agriculture for several years. Having made a good
start, about 1872 he secured his present farm in Dover township,
then embracing 227 acres, 100 of which were under cultivation.
This place he cleared, improved and added to until it now
embraces 284 acres, all under cultivation. Here he is still
engaged in all lines of general agriculture, and in conducting
one of the largest enterprises in his line in the country. He
is one of the largest growers of sugar beets in the country,
having seventy acres in beets in 1903. For a number of years
past he has been an importer of blooded horses – Norman stock
--- and still continues that line. A wise financial manager, as
well as a successful agriculturist, he has now won for himself a
very solid prosperity.
In Chatham township, in December, 1881, Mr.
McGavin married Jennie Brodie, who was born in St Catharine’s<
Ontario, and died January 31st, 1901,a at the age of
forty-one years and five months. Of this union there were three
children: Ellen, Nettie and Johnnie, who are all at home.
Mr. McGarvin has achieved his success through his
untiring efforts in one main industry, preferring to perfect
himself in one line to scattering his forces over several. He
is progressive, keeps well posted upon all the latest scientific
methods, and has been remarkably successful in selecting those
especially adapted to the needs of his farm. As a Conservative
he has always evinced a keen interest in public affairs, though
he has been wholly disinclined to office seeking. He is a man
of firm religious convicions, and a consistent member of the
Presbyterian Church.
THOMAS BRODIE, father of Mrs. McGarvin, came from
Scotland to the County of Kent in the early days, and, settling
upon a splendid tract of land there, made a fine home for
himself. He married Janet McCarl, of Scotland, and they had six
children: Thomas and John, farmers of Chatham township; Jennie,
Mrs. McGarvin; and three others, now deceased.
Pages 188 - 189
