Construction at 243 Cambria Street began in 1892 and completed the following year. Assessment of 1893 identifies Joseph Miller Salkeld, 34-year-old carpenter, as owner of this property and its new building. The red brick home is high and wide, with asymmetrical and irregular facade elements of the ornate Queen Anne style popular at that time.
Joseph "Joe" Miller Salkeld (1856-1910) was the second of nine children of English immigrant Joseph Salkeld (1826 -1908) and his first wife, Elizabeth Seegmiller (1835 -1874), died in childbirth. Her parents were pioneer farmers in Downie (Perth), where all their children were born. In 1876, widower, Joseph Sr. married Mary Jane McCutcheon (1832 — 1916) a widow.
Mary McGuigan (1854-1927) who was born in North Easthope, Perth County became Joseph's wife in late 1879 at St. Joesph's Catholic Church in Stratford. Mary was the second of ten children and eldest daughter of Irish-born Roman Catholics, Micheal McGuigan (1818-1889) and Bridget Quinliven (1836-1904). They arrived in Canada from Scotland around 1845 to farm. Mary was called the adoptive daughter of Michael's brother, William (1823-1885) and his wife Hester (1826-1893), who were childless. According to the 1871 Census, Mary was living with them on a nearby farm. The McGuigan family were keen educators, both brothers gave part of their land to build the "Irish Schoolhouse". William, Mary's brother, was the teacher as listed in the 1881 Census.
Joseph, of Seaforth, was identified as a 23-year-old mechanic on their marriage license. The young couple were living in Seaforth when they welcomed a son, William (1880-1944). Their three daughters,Alice (1884-1903), Jennie "Jane Matilda (1886-1958), and Louise Maude (1888-1968) were born in London, Ontario. By the 1891 Census, the family was living in Stratford and Joseph was a builder /carpenter. Joseph and Mary sold the house on Cambria Street in 1896. The city directory shows Joseph as an agent for the Brantford Fence Company.
The Salkeld family continued to be found in Stratford until 1899, however, the 1901 Census shows them living in Nut Lake, Saskatchewan.
Mary chose to return to Stratford with the younger girls, with Joseph taking the train back to visit the family, (family anecdotes Find-a-grave). Their oldest daughter, Alice, died out west in 1903, and is buried in Stratford.
Joseph died, in February 1910 in his barn in Wadena, Saskatchewan. His death was reported as an accidental poisoning. He is buried in Avondale Cemetery in Stratford.
Mary died in 1927 in Chicago, Illinois, at the time she was living with her daughter, Jane, and her family. She is buried alongside Joseph and their daughter Alice.