Premier of Ontario, Canada. A member of the Ontario Progressive Conservative Party, he served as Ontario's 7th Premier from October 1914 until November 1919. After studying law at the Osgoode Hall Law School, he received his law license in 1888 and established a law practice in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. In 1908 he was elected to the Ontario Legislature and three years later he became Minister of Forests and Mines. Following the death of Premier James P. Whitney in September 1914, he became his successor the following month. During his term, a number of social, environmental, and educational issues were enacted, including compensation to workers for injuries, providing loans to settlers, correcting housing issues, allowing women to vote in provincial elections, the establishment of reforestation and fire prevention services, and teaching of agriculture in public schools. Additionally, as Canada had entered into World War I in July 1914, efforts were made to increase war production. In 1916 he enacted the Ontario Temperance Act that prohibited the sale of alcohol which closed down all drinking establishments. In the 1919 election, his government was defeated and he relinquished his position and was succeeded by Ernest Charles Drury. Following his retirement from politics, he resumed his law practice in Toronto and in 1922 he became President of the Empire Club of Canada, serving until 1923. He was a recipient of the Most Distinguished Order of St. Michael and St. George. He died at the age of 77.
Premier of Ontario, Canada. A member of the Ontario Progressive Conservative Party, he served as Ontario's 7th Premier from October 1914 until November 1919. After studying law at the Osgoode Hall Law School, he received his law license in 1888 and established a law practice in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. In 1908 he was elected to the Ontario Legislature and three years later he became Minister of Forests and Mines. Following the death of Premier James P. Whitney in September 1914, he became his successor the following month. During his term, a number of social, environmental, and educational issues were enacted, including compensation to workers for injuries, providing loans to settlers, correcting housing issues, allowing women to vote in provincial elections, the establishment of reforestation and fire prevention services, and teaching of agriculture in public schools. Additionally, as Canada had entered into World War I in July 1914, efforts were made to increase war production. In 1916 he enacted the Ontario Temperance Act that prohibited the sale of alcohol which closed down all drinking establishments. In the 1919 election, his government was defeated and he relinquished his position and was succeeded by Ernest Charles Drury. Following his retirement from politics, he resumed his law practice in Toronto and in 1922 he became President of the Empire Club of Canada, serving until 1923. He was a recipient of the Most Distinguished Order of St. Michael and St. George. He died at the age of 77.
Bio by: William Bjornstad
Family Members
Advertisement
See more Hearst memorials in:
Records on Ancestry
Advertisement
