I was recently sent a message from a member of the Burlington Historical society, who shared a photo of an antique book he had found in Waterdown. Inside the front cover was stamped with the name W. E. Breckon, Freeman. I was aware of Breckon family history in East Burlington, but not in Freeman. This prompted me to do a bit of research.
Thornhill Farms and Farminghouse, at 5355 North Service Road, was built in 1854 for John Sr. and Isabella Breckon. They emigrated from Yorkshire in 1830 and took up a 100-acre grant of land north of what is now the QEW and west of what is now Burloak Drive. The log house they built in 1830 was replaced by this house, where their son Wesley and grandson William E. Breckon were born. The house was owned in 1974 by Lely Ltd. and occupied by Mr. Ken Clark, Lely Manager. It was demolished circa 2000.
William Ernest Breckon was born March 8, 1893 in Halton, Ontario. His parents were Wesley and Delilah Breckon, one of six children. He married Susan Rachel Atkinson on January 5, 1921, in St, Catharines, Lincoln, Ontario. He settled in Nelson (Freeman), Burlington, Ontario.
William (known as Bill), was a grower of registered seed grain for 15 years. He was the founding President of the Halton Crop Improvement Association in 1942.
In 1954, William Breckon of Burlington became the first Ontario farmer to win the World Wheat Championship at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair with his Genesee grain grown on his Nelson Township farm. Breckon’s widely acclaimed world championship was the first for an Ontario farmer and the first for winter wheat. He led the winter wheat class seven times before becoming “wheat king” in 1964.
Mr. Breckon also served as Director of the Royal Winter Fair for seven years. He was inducted into the Ontario Agricultural Hall of Fame in 1986.
William Breckon was also a Jersey breeder, a director and chairman of the Toronto Milk Producers Association and a founding member of the Ontario Whole Milk League. He operated his own dairy in Bronte from 1933 to 1938.
He was an active member of the community, serving the Nelson Township School Board as chairman or trustee from 1943-1956. A new school (formerly on Tuck Drive) and park were named in his honour. A historical plaque in his honour still stands on the property of Breckon Park.
William Ernest Breckon died July 24, 1985 at the age of 92. He is buried in Appleby Pioneer Cemetery, Burlington.
Note: If you are mingling with friends and relatives this holiday season and think you may have an item, photos or stories of historical significance you may wish to share, donate or have research done, please contact The Burlington Historical Society at [email protected] We can even copy and scan items and return them to you. Thanks, and have a Happy Holiday Season.
