Wayback Wednesday - The history of Featherston Drive

Modern Mississauga and Heritage Mississauga have come together to present an ongoing series called “Way Back Wednesday’s."

We’ll share information about the history of Mississauga here and answer your questions.

Today’s topic is the history of Featherston Drive.

Featherston Drive, near Erindale, is named in reference to Joseph Featherston (1843-1913), a prominent farmer and popular politician. Born in Trafalgar Township, Featherston (sometimes spelt Featherstone) purchased a farm along Mississauga Road, north of Dundas Street, in 1867. He was primarily engaged in the breeding and exporting of cattle and swine from his “Pine Grove Farm”. During his career, he was considered Canada’s foremost breeder of pigs, and is credited According to the Dictionary of Canadian Biography, “Featherstone introduced Essex hogs into Ontario, had the oldest established registered herd of Improved Yorkshire hogs in Canada, and, at one point or another, raised every major breed, including Berkshires, Suffolks, Tamworths, and Chester Whites. The hogs of J. Featherstone and Son won prizes year after year all over North America and were particularly successful at the world’s fairs in New Orleans (1884–85) and Chicago (1893). Featherston served as a provincial judge for numerous types of pigs, and was the first president of the Dominion Swine Breeders’ Association in 1890–91. He was president as well of the Dominion Livestock Association in 1887, and first vice-president of the Dominion Livestock Insurance Company in 1887–88. Featherston’s introduction of breeding stock and the success of his herds, combined with his work in promoting and organizing the industry, served to improve the overall quality of Canadian swine.”

Featherston also entered the political world, serving first as a local councillor and then as Deputy Reeve. In 1886-1887, he served as Reeve of Toronto Township (Mississauga). In 1891 he entered federal politics with the Liberal Party, winning elections in 1891 and 1892. In 1896 he was re-elected as the Liberal candidate for Peel County, posting the largest margin of victory in the history of Peel.