James Wilson (Ontario MPP)

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James Wilson
Ontario MPP
In office
1867–1871
Preceded byRiding established
Succeeded byJohn Fitzgerald Clarke
ConstituencyNorfolk North
Personal details
Born(1810-12-14)December 14, 1810
Carlow, Ireland
DiedMay 14, 1891(1891-05-14) (aged 80)
Brantford, Ontario
Political partyConservative
Spouse
Susanna Shaver
(m. 1832)
OccupationPreacher

James Wilson (December 14, 1810 – May 14, 1891) was an Irish-born farmer, Methodist preacher and political figure in Ontario.[1] He represented Norfolk North in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario from 1867 to 1871 as a Conservative member.

He was born in Carlow in Ireland, the son of a Methodist preacher who came to Upper Canada in 1817. In 1832, he married Susanna Shaver. Wilson settled in Chinguacousy Township, moving to Townsend Township three years later. In 1846, Wilson built a steam-powered sawmill. He served on the township council for Townsend, also serving as deputy reeve. Wilson was defeated by John Fitzgerald Clarke when he ran for reelection to the assembly in 1871.[1] He died in 1891 and was buried at Wilsonville Cemetery in Townsend Township.[2][3]

Electoral history[edit]

1867 Ontario general election: Norfolk North
Party Candidate Votes %
Conservative James Wilson 987 50.05
Liberal M.H. Foley 985 49.95
Total valid votes 1,972 83.84
Eligible voters 2,352
Conservative pickup new district.
Source: Elections Ontario[4]
1871 Ontario general election: Norfolk North
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal John Fitzgerald Clarke 1,122 56.78 +6.83
Conservative James Wilson 854 43.22 −6.83
Turnout 1,976 74.43 −9.41
Eligible voters 2,655
Liberal gain from Conservative Swing +6.83
Source: Elections Ontario[5]
1871 Ontario general election: Norfolk South
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Simpson McCall 1,009 53.30 +2.84
Conservative James Wilson 884 46.70 −2.84
Turnout 1,893 71.73 −6.33
Eligible voters 2,639
Liberal hold Swing +2.84
Source: Elections Ontario[6]
1879 Ontario general election: Norfolk North
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal John Bailey Freeman 1,490 52.12 −0.08
Conservative James Wilson 1,369 47.88 +0.08
Total valid votes 2,859 71.55 −4.23
Eligible voters 3,996
Liberal hold Swing −0.08
Source: Elections Ontario[7]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b "Illustrated historical atlas of the county of Norfolk, Ontario". H.R. Page & Co. 1877. Retrieved December 11, 2010.
  2. ^ "Wilsonville Cemetery - Townsend Township - Norfolk County Ontario".
  3. ^ "Person Details for James Wilson, "Ontario Deaths, 1869-1937 and Overseas Deaths, 1939-1947" — FamilySearch.org". FamilySearch. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016.
  4. ^ "Data Explorer". Elections Ontario. 1867. Retrieved March 15, 2024.
  5. ^ "Data Explorer". Elections Ontario. 1871. Retrieved March 31, 2024.
  6. ^ "Data Explorer". Elections Ontario. 1871. Retrieved March 31, 2024.
  7. ^ "Data Explorer". Elections Ontario. 1879. Retrieved April 19, 2024.

External links[edit]