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Joss, John, was born in
Aberdeenshire, Scotland, on the 22nd of January, 1851. His parents were
John Joss and Jane Taylor. His father followed the occupation of gardener
and farmer, and still continues that business in Aberdeenshire. John Joss,
the subject of our sketch, received a common school education in
Aberdeenshire and in 1867 learned the trade of carpenter and joiner in his
native country for about a year, after which he removed to
Newcastle-on-Tyne, England. In 1873 he set sail for Canada, and settled in
London, County of Middlesex, where he remained about a year and a-half. In
1875, Mr. Joss removed to Toronto, and acted as foreman with Robert
Anderson, builder. In 1878 he established a business for himself as
builder and contractor, and in that occupation he has remained ever since.
Since that year he has engaged extensively in building properties on
speculation, as well as for private use. In religion Mr. Joss is a
Presbyterian, and he is an elder of Old St. Andrew's church. He has also
been the superintendent of the St. Mark's mission Sunday-school, in
connection with St. Andrew's church, for the last eight years. He has
always been active and zealous in promoting every undertaking that has had
its object some moral good. Mr. Joss is also an untiring advocate of
temperance, and believes it to be the duty of the legislature to put down
by force of law the traffic in an article which has never brought good,
but always evil to every home and mankind generally. In politics Mr. Joss
is an uncompromising Reformer, believing that the principals of the
liberal party of Canada are best calculated to promote the public welfare,
and that they must ultimately prevail. He has always been an active worker
in the political field. He is not a blind party-follower, but a man who
has deep-seated convictions, and vigorously affirms and defends them. With
respect to his business, it may be said that Mr. Joss carries on very
extensive works, and is regarded as one of the foremost contractors in
Toronto. He was married, first, to Eliza Clarke, of Aberdeen, Scotland,
who died in 1876, leaving no family. In 1880, he married Barbara, second
daughter of the late James Rettie, of Rothie Norman, Aberdeenshire,
Scotland, and of Toronto. In social life Mr. Joss counts many friends; and
in his business relations he has what all men court - the confidence and
respect of those with whom he has dealings. |
