On April 29, 1875, the north part of lot 93 on King Street, Stratford, was owned by George Shane, a carpenter, and a house was built on the lot.  He rented the house to John Hoflich, a painter, and his wife Mary “Lizzie” (Uniac).  John was born in Buffalo, New York in 1857 and was living in Mitchell at the time he and Lizzie were married on February 9, 1874. They lived there for a year and are listed in the 1880-1881 City Directory as living at 209 Erie Street.  They had a daughter Mary "Minnie" Irene who was born on February 10, 1881 and a son, William Herbert Leo, born on April 1, 1884.

George’s next tenant was Mrs. C Pollard, in the assessment record, it lists a family of three were living in the house in April of 1876.  In 1877, Robert Alexander Brayden, a painter, and his family of four are living in the house.  John James McMahon purchased the lot 94, on May 29, 1877 from George Shane. The land was valued at $100.00 as per the assessment record. On June 14, 1878 James purchased the south part of lot 93, and a house valued at $350.00 was built. James was also listed as the owner of lot 94 and 95.  James resided in this house until he died on January 21, 1916.

James McMahon was born in Huntingdon, Quebec on January 14, 1837 and later moved to Port Hope.  In the 1861 Census he is listed as single, and a salesman, living in Port Hope, Ontario. In his obituary, it says he was married to Annie McQuade in Port Hope and moved to Stratford at the age of 36.  They had a daughter Susan, born  September 6, 1872, a son, John, born in 1874, followed by another son, Peter Michael, born October 6, 1876, another son, Charles Edward, born November 29, 1878, another daughter, MaryAnn, born May 1, 1881. 

John’s occupation is listed in the 1877 assessment record, as a tailor. He worked for merchant tailor, William Boles. William Boles was one of many tailors in town and his business was in the Myers Block building, located at the corner of Ontario Street opposite Market Street in Stratford. James worked his entire career, spanning over forty-three years with William.  His daughter MaryAnn is listed as a tailoress in the 1901 Census, continuing the trade of the family.

Annie, his wife, predeased him by two and a half years and both are buried in Avondale Cemetery.