David Stirton, Postmaster of Guelph, was born in Forfarshire, Scotland, in 1816, his parents, James and Janet Stirton, emigrating to Canada when David was about eleven years of age.

The family settled in the bush about five miles from the present city of Guelph. At that time there were no schools in the neighbourhood, so that, with the exception of the rudiments of instruction, which he had obtained before leaving Scotland, David Stirton�s education was entirely self-acquired.

He shared in all the labours of "roughing it" in the bush, and for forty-five years, as man and boy, toiled as a farmer in the townships of Guelph and Puslinch.

He was long connected with the municipal affairs of the latter township. For nineteen consecutive years, ending with 1867, he represented South Wellington in the old Canadian Parliament, and for nine years after Confederation retained a seat in the House of Commons for that constituency. It is very seldom that any representative of the people can show such a long-continued and unbroken term of service.

Mr. Stirton retired from Parliamentary life in 1876; upon his appointment to the office of Postmaster of Guelph.

He has been twice married�in 1842 to Miss Mary Beattie of Puslinch, and in 1847 to Miss Henrietta M�Gregor�having children by both marriages.

His brother, Mr. William Stirton was the first male child born in Guelph.