John Galt 1779-1839
Guelph was founded on April 23, 1827, by the Scottish author and colonizer, John Galt, first superintendent of the Canada Company. That body, composed of a group of British speculators, purchased land throughout Upper Canada, including the Huron Tract which embraced most of the unsurveyed lands between Guelph and the site of Goderich. Galt was conscientious and hard working and showed considerable humanity in his dealings with the company's pioneer settlers. However, the large expenditures involved and the limited profits earned during his term of office led to his discharge and return to England in 1829.
Plaque via Alan L. Brown's site Ontario Plaques. Full page here.