Rural Diary Archive
Rural Diary Archive

Henry McMahon

Black-and-white portrait of Henry McMahon with a serious expression, sporting a full beard. The image is from the 1887–1919 period of his life in Peel County, where he worked as a coal and potato merchant.
Coverage Dates: 1887 to 1919
County: Peel
Township: Albion
Lot: 33 (East Part), later Palgrave
Concession: 5
Gender: Male
Year of Birth: 1859
Year of Death: 1920
Ethnicity: Irish
Religion: Methodist
Occupation: 
Coal and Potato Merchant
Various other occupations
Relationships: 

Parents: Elizabeth Smith and James McMahon
Brothers: John and James
Sisters: Annie, Margery, Sarah, Elizabeth, and Margaret McMahon
Wife: Mary Maud Culbert (aka Cubbins, McTaggert and McFadden)
Sons: James Henry Campbell (JHC or Mac), Russell, John, and Roy
Daughters: Annie, Olive, Mabel, and Pearl

Archive: Peel Art Gallery, Museum and Archive
Posted on Rural Diary Archive: Yes
Age During Diary: 27-59
Coverage: 32 years
Biography: 

Henry does everything – works the family farm and on farms of others (butchering pigs; harvesting hay, oats and peas; repairing fences; etc), provides haircuts, writes letters, mends shoes, etc.  Later he is a travelling salesman – buying items (watches, jewelry, stereoscopes) in Toronto and selling in neighboring areas.  After marriage he is known as a coal and potato merchant.  He is active in the Methodist Church – a Trustee and Treasurer.  His daily journal entries mention names of neighbours and the preachers who came to the church.  He notes births, deaths and marriages.

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