Historic Hyde Park – The Elson Homestead Joseph Elson was born in 1804 in Markham Township, the son of a Hessian soldier who had come to Canada after the American Revolution. His parents died when he was a small boy and he was raised by various relatives. After working at farming, milling, whiskey-making, and pottery, Elson was granted 200 acres of land in the 1820s in London Township by Colonel Thomas Talbot. He also bought 100 acres from the Canada Company on the north-east corner of Oxford Street and Hyde Park Sideroad in 1834. Elson is thought to have single-handedly cleared 81 acres of this land and to have built a log house and a pottery. In the early years there was no church in the settlement. Neighbours would congregate here to sing hymns, accompanied by Mrs. Elson on the piano, and to listen to itinerant preachers. In 1855, Elson built the present brick house with brick and mortar made on site, in which his descendants lived for generations. Peter Elson (son of Joseph and his wife, Samantha Hart) inherited the farm in 1860 and added another 180 acres. He served as a school trustee, Reeve of London Township, Warden of the County of Middlesex, and Member of Parliament for East Middlesex from 1904 to 1913. His son, Paul, assumed ownership of the farm in 1903, built a new barn, and enlarged the house. Paul’s brother, Reverend Albert J. Elson, B.A., B.D., spent 17 years as a missionary in China, and 23 years as a Presbyterian minister in Middlesex County.
North Bay Nugget 23 September 1961, Saturday • Page 9 Farmer Killed By Bull; Went To Aid of Hand LONDON (CP): Howard Elson, 45, former London Township reeve and county warden, was fatally gored by a bull at his suburban farm today when he went to the aid of a hired hand who was being tossed about by the animal. Mr. Elson tried to lure the bull away from John Smits, who was knocked to the ground by the Holstein bull when he took a herd of cows into an enclosure for milking. Elson’s son, Robert, 18, was also gored and trampled by the bull, which was shot by city police moments later. Police credited Mrs. Elson with saving her son’s life. The youth had gone to the aid of his father and was knocked down by the bull. Grabbing a pitchfork, Mrs. Elson stabbed the bull with it and attracted his attention long enough for her son to get out of the enclosure. Mr. Smits, in St. Joseph’s Hospital, is believed to have a broken back. He was tossed into the air and over a five-foot fence. Robert Elson suffered only minor bruises. Mr. Elson entered municipal politics in 1951 as a councillor in London Township and was elected deputy-reeve in 1952 and 1953. He was acclaimed reeve in 1954, 1955 and in 1956 when was also elected warden of Middlesex. He retired from municipal office at the end of 1956 because of pressure of business but conti- nued to serve on various boards and committees.
Howard B. Elson, son of Paul, ac- quired the farm in 1936 and added two more farms to the property. He also served as a township councillor, Reeve of London Town- ship, Warden of Middlesex County, Chairman of the London Town- ship Planning Board, member of the London Township Police Com- mission, and of the East Middle- sex High School Board. Howard is
buried in the St. George’s Cemetery on Gainsborough Road. Robert Elson, son of Howard, represented the fifth generation to live on this property. Info from: www.lpl.ca/books-digital/explore/london-room/local-history/local-historic- sites/elson-homestead
Below: the Elson Homestead in 1915.
Page 12 Hyde Park – Oakridge Villager • April 2026
To advertise here, please contact Cathy@VillagerPublications.com
Made with FlippingBook - Online catalogs