sentences:  In 1879, he became the "de facto" governor of the District of Rainy River, holding executive, judicial and magisterial power over the new settlements situated west of Ontario.Lyon was born in Glasgow, Scotland in 1825 and the fourth child of John Lyon (c.1791–1876) and Catherine, née McFarlane (1788–1853).His family immigrated to Upper Canada in 1832 and settled in the Esquesing Township of Halton County, Ontario.