Lizars
The Sister Authors
Kathleen MacFarlane Lizars
Educated in Toronto and in Scotland, Kathleen MacFarlane Lizars (1863-1931) collaborated with her sister, Robina Lizars Smith, on two works of history and a novel.
The sisters, as part of a prominent family in Stratford, Ontario, descended from Irish naval and military men, as well as Scottish professionals and men of letters.
The Lizars sisters' historical works were praised for the quality of the writing and the infusion of wit and humour into a frequently dull genre. Commited to their Charge , their local colour novel, is set in the expressively named "Slowford-on-the-Sluggard." Kathleen wrote a third history on her own, The Valley of the Humber 1615-1913 (1913).
For a time, she served as private secretary to John Robson when he was premier of British Columbia, and as part of her extensive travels through Europe, travelled with him to England where she also summered for much of the 1920s.
Living at Toronto's Windsor Arms Hotel for twenty-five years, Kathleen died of a stroke in 1931. She is likely buried at the Lizars family plot in Avondale Cemetery, Stratford. Source: Simon Fraser University
Robina Alison Lizars
Robina Alison Lizars (1850-1918), known sometimes as "Ruby," descended from Irish naval and military men and Scottish professionals and men of letters. Her father, Daniel Lizars (1822-1894), rose from barrister to judge of Perth County Court.
Robina married a widower, the brilliant jurist Robert Smith (1838-1885), in 1876. Upon accepting appointment as judge to the Supreme Court of Manitoba, Robert went west, while Robina remained in Stratford to care for the couple's two young sons and Robert's three children from his first marriage.
Six months later, when Robert suddenly died of tuberculosis, Robina returned to her family home with her boys. She then collaborated with her sister, Kathleen Lizars, on two works of history and a local colour novel. In the Days of the Canada Company (1896); Humours of '37: Grave Gay and Grim (1897); Committed to His Charge: A Canadian Cronical (1900)
Considered to be an organist of great ability, Robina served for a time on the executive of the Ontario Music Teachers' Association. She died after a short illness in 1918. Source: Simon Fraser University
Daniel Home Lizars
Daniel Home Lizars, Judge of the County of Perth, and was born in the County of Renfrewshire, Scotland, February 11, 1822. When he was eleven years of age the family immigrated to Canada, and settled at Goderich, County of Huron.
He was educated in the Goderich Grammar School; studied law in that town with John Strachan; was called to the Bar at Hilary term in 1853; practiced at Goderich and Stratford in company with Mr. Strachan for five years; was appointed County Attorney in 1858 and County Judge in 1864, still holding the latter office. He is also Master in Chancery and Deputy Registrar. When Stratford became an incorporated town, the friends of the Judge urged him to be a candidate for the first mayor; he consented to run, but was defeated by Col. J. C. W. Daly, ( see Daly Ave.) the vote being very close. He has never been an office seeker.
The Home Memorial Church was built on land donated by Judge Daniel Lizars in 1876.