James was the eldest son of James Mahon and Ellen Troy. Born in Ireland in the early 1800's he, along with 7 siblings and their parents arrived in Canada in 1819.
James continued the family tradition of masonry in Perth and area. He and Mary married in Perth and eventually had eleven children. They moved to Renfrew County in the late 1850's where he continued working with stone.
While we can't identify their children by name in the photo we do know who they are:
Mary who married Thomas Neville, then John Black McDonald;
John Jacob married Mary Steep, then Mary Ann Hudder (twenty children! between Mary and Mary Ann);
James Joseph who married Caroline Watt (ten children) and settled in Tisdale, Sask;
William who married Flora Ann McDonald (twelve children) and moved to Iron City, Michigan. On a previous post we talked about the Spanish River Train Accident where Flora and son Charles met their demise;
Ellen who married Ronald McDonald. Yes, Ronald McDonald was a relative ;)
Catherine;
Thomas who married Mary McDonald;
Elizabeth passed at the age of 9;
Charles who perished driving logs on the Madawaska River in 1902 alongside his brother Robert;
Richard who married Margaret Smith (eight children);
and Robert who perished driving logs on the Madawaska River in 1902 alongside his brother Charles.
