John White (Conservative MP)

John White (May 6 1833 – September 24 1894) was an Ontario machinist and political figure. He represented Hastings East in the Canadian House of Commons as a Conservative member from 1871 to 1887.

He was born in Donegal, County Donegal, Ireland in 1833 and grew up there. In 1856, he married Esther Johnston. He operated a cheese factory on the Moira River near the town of Roslin. White served as reeve for Tyendinaga. He was elected to the House of Commons by acclamation in an 1871 by-election after the sitting member was named to the Senate. White was Grand Master for the Orange Lodge in Ontario East and, in 1874, became Deputy Grand Master for British North America.

History professor Donald Akenson of Queen's University has proposed that this John White may have actually been Eliza McCormack White, John White's sister, and so, the first woman elected to the House of Commons.

References

*"At Face Value: The Life and Times of Eliza McCormack/John White", Don Akenson McGill-Queen's University Press (1990) (ISBN 0-7735-0765-5)

External links

* [http://www.parl.gc.ca/information/about/people/key/bio.asp?Language=E&query=3121&s=M Political Biography from the Library of Parliament]
* [http://www.canadiana.org/ECO/mtq?doc=32955 "The Canadian parliamentary companion and annual register, 1881", CH Mackintosh ]

Additional Info re John White MP Hastings

Arrived in Canada as a child from Ireland and was self educated.

He was Reeve of Tyendinaga Township in 1870-71, 1873, 1877-78 and 1881-82,

During his term as a Progressive Conservative Member of the Dominion Parliament from 1871-1887 representing Victoria Riding (then Hastings and Prince Edwards Counties) he secured privileges for the Orange Order of which he was Worthy Grand Master of Ontario East.

In addition to his municipal and parliamentary duties, John White operated two Cheese factories, one on the property east of the house, the other on Lot 20, on the 8th Concession of Tyendinaga. Also had a foundry for making stoves, plows etc. on this property and another in Madoc. He was a partner in the first foundry/smelter at the iron works in Marmora.

John and Esther were parents to 9 children. The farm is still owned by his descendents.

The present brick house at Lot 4 Concession 9, Tyendinaga Township, was built in the years 1873-74; the frame house was moved to the new site as living quarters while the brick part was being completed. This was intended to be a temporary arrangement which remained permanent as an addition to the new house to accommodate the family and extra hired help. A bake oven and wagon house were attached to the house.

At the time of his death in September 1894, he was engaged in lumbering in British Columbia and died out there.