Captain John Theophelus Richey Stinson was born 31 August, 1842 in Tunbridge, Wells, England to Joseph Henry Stinson and Hannah Day Chette. By 1861 the family had emigrated to Toronto, Canada West and were living at 12 Jarvis Street.

In 1865 John had already joined up with the Queen’s Own Rifles and was a Sergeant in Number 7 (Toronto Civil Service) Company. On June 2 1866, the Queen’s Own fought a battle against Fenian invaders from the United States, Stinson was Acting Lieutenant of 7 Company and saw action. Later in 1866 he was promoted to Captain of 7 Company and continued to serve in that capacity until at least 1869.

John’s brother, Charles William, 1839 – 1866, commissioned as an officer in Company S, Illinois 23rd Infantry Regiment on 27 Nov 1862. He died of malaria while serving there as an assistant surgeon during the American Civil War.

In 1868 John married Ann Penfold Smith. In his civilian life he was a clerk at the Department of Education. He died in 1904 and is buried in St James Cemetery in Toronto, Ontario along with Ann.

Timeline of Military Service:

• 1865, listed as Sergeant, No. 7 (Civil Service) Company;
• 1865, 10 November, promoted Ensign;
• 1866, 2 June, served as Acting Lieutenant in No. 7 Company during Battle of Ridgeway;
• 1866, 21 August, promoted Lieutenant;
• 1866, 30 November, promoted Captain of No. 7 Company;
• 1867, 29 March, listed as Captain of No. 7 Company on nominal roll;
• 1869, listed as Captain of No. 7 Company on paylist.