Sous-fonds SF11 - Dennis Lake estate sous-fonds

Dennis Lake (1808-1874) was a farmer who owned extensive lands in the County of Frontenac and district. Dennis was born in Ernestown July 25, 1808. He had a brother Stephen and a sister, Margaret, who married Christopher Cavenell. In 1831 Dennis bought the north half of lot 12 in the second concession of the Township of Portland, from his father and settled on this lot until his retirement in 1873. Dennis married Jane Shibley and had six children, five daughters and a son who died in infancy. The family is listed as Wesleyan Methodists, though later in life Dennis seemed to favour the Church of England. Dennis Lake was hard-working and able in business. He bought many tracts of land which he managed to good advantage. He became a model farmer and his homestead was one of the finest in the Province. He loaned and invested his money, and held many mortgages. He took an active part in the building of the Kingston and Portland Macadamized Road, in which he owned stock. He was a Councillor for the Township of Portalnd, and for the County of Frontenac. In 1873, in ailing health, Dennis moved to Kingston to a home at the corner of Queen and Sydenham Streets. He died an extremely wealthy man in February of 1874.