- Born January 28, 1822 in Logierait, Perthshire, Scotland
- Was forced to quit school at the age of 13 but continued to educate himself throughout his life
- Fell through the ice on one of his winter treks across the ice from Wolfe Island to Kingston. Managed to get himself out and there after carried a pole
- Married Helen Neil in 1845 and had one daughter (two other children died in infancy)
- Refused Knighthood 3 times and never received it. The previous PM and the 6 that followed all accepted Knighthoods
- His wife passed away in 1852. Re-married Jane Sym in 1853
- Died: April 17, 1892, Toronto, Ontario and is buried in Lakeview Cemetery, near Sarnia, Ontario