Jesse Ketchum House at Yonge Street and the northwest corner of Adelaide Street West.

Jesse Ketchum House at Yonge Street and the northwest corner of Adelaide Street West.

"Ketchum was born in Spencertown, New York, and came to Upper Canada in 1799 to join his brother Seneca. In 1812 he took over a tannery on the south-west corner of Newgate (Adelaide) and Yonge Streets, prospered in business, and became one of the city's leading benefactors. His particular interests were in secular education and religious instruction. He was also a strong advocate of the temperance movement.

This kindly 'Children's Friend' established a number of trust funds to distribute Bibles and prize books throughout the city's public schools and Sunday-schools. He continued with his philanthropic work in Toronto after he moved to Buffalo in 1845."

Courtesy: Toronto Public Library.

Frederic Victor Poole

1912