Portrait of Charles Priddis, London, Ontario

"Priddis, Charles T. Mr. Charles Priddis was born in 1844 at London, England and died in 1921. He joined the gold rush to California in 1849, as well as being in the Fenian Raids. He then went to Texas for fourteen years ranching, cotton growing as well as freighting. He came to Calgary with a C.P.R. survey crew, probably as a wrangler and packer as he was not a surveyor. In 1881 he was detailed to winter the animals for the survey crew of the C.P.R. In 1883 he took part in the Rebellion and returned to his homestead the NE 1/4 22-22-3-W5th. Mrs. Priddis and their four children remained at London, Ontario. She opened a dry goods and grocery store and took up a farm on the outskirts of London. Charles donated the land for the Priddis school as well as loaning his home for classes until the school was completed. He also donated land for the Priddis Farmers and Ranchers hall and St. James church. "