John Flesher
John Flesher (June 8, 1833 – March 5, 1910) was an Ontario merchant and political figure.
John Flesher | |
|---|---|
| Ontario MPP | |
| In office 1875–1879 | |
| Preceded by | George McManus |
| Succeeded by | Charles Robinson |
| Constituency | Cardwell |
| Personal details | |
| Born | June 8, 1833 Duffield, Derbyshire, England |
| Died | March 5, 1910 (aged 76) |
| Political party | Conservative |
| Spouse(s) | Mary Ann Fowler (m. 1855) |
| Children | 9 |
| Occupation | Merchant |
Early life
Flesher was born in Duffield, Derbyshire, England in 1833,[1] the son of Rev. John Flesher, a Methodist preacher and Jane (née Cawood) Flesher. He was educated in a collegiate institute at Ramsgate.[1]
Settler and businessman
Flesher emigrated to Canada West in 1847 at the age of 14 with his older brother William, who was to become an MP and a prominent figure in the settlement of Grey County.[2] John first settled in Flesherton, the village that his brother had founded, where he helped his brother operate a grist mill and saw mill. In 1855, he married Mary Ann Fowler, the only daughter of Rev. William Fowler of New York City;[1] together they would raise twelve children, nine of whom survived infancy.[1]
In 1857, he became the Flesherton post master, a position his brother had also held,[3] but after six months, he resigned and moved his family to Albion, Ontario to open a store.[1] He returned almost immediately to Grey County, then the following year, he purchased a mill property owned by his brother in Adjala Township,[1] where for the next ten years he manufactured flour and lumber. He also started his political career, serving as a school trustee.[1]
In 1868, he moved to the village of Orangeville, Ontario, where he operated a store for a few years before switching to brokerage and conveyancing.[1] He also became a Master Mason.
Politician
When Orangeville was incorporated as a town in 1874, he was elected to the first town council, and served as councillor for several terms.[4]
Flesher was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario, representing the Cardwell district as a Conservative from 1875 to 1879, and was lauded as "a conscientious and earnest advocate of the principles of that party..."[1]
References
- The Canadian biographical dictionary and portrait gallery of eminent and self-made men: Ontario Volume. Chicago: American Biographical Publishing Company. 1880.
- Hubbard, Mildred Young (1986). Split Rail Country: A History of Artemesia Township. Owen Sound: Historical Society of Artemesia Township. Archived from the original on 2011-05-27. Retrieved 2010-02-26.
- "Affichage du document". Bureaux et maîtres de poste. Bibliothèque et Archives Canada. 2007-01-31. Archived from the original on 2012-07-10. Retrieved 2010-03-03.
- Shain, F. (1913-12-11). "Orangeville Town Origins". Orangeville Banner. Retrieved 2010-03-03.