John Walker (Canadian politician)
Encyclopedia
John Walker was a Scottish
-born industrialist and political figure in Ontario
. He represented London
in the Canadian House of Commons
in 1874 as a Liberal
member.
Born in Argyleshire, the son of John Walker and Mary McHardy, Walker was educated at the Stirling
Academy and established himself in business in Leith
and later Glasgow
. He served as a member of the Queen's Own Yeomanry Cavalry in Glasgow. In 1856, he married Janet Machattie; she died in 1863. Walker came to Kent County
, Canada West in 1864, chosen by investors in Scotland to develop agricultural and oil interests on property formerly owned by George Brown
. On his arrival, he was named magistrate. Walker raised a volunteer company during the Fenian raids
and later reached the rank of lieutenant-colonel in the militia. In 1867, he settled in London, Ontario
, where he established a plant for the production of sulfuric acid
and an oil refinery. For a time, he served as vice-president for the Canadian Pacific Railway
. In 1868, Walker married Laura, the daughter of Jacob Hespeler
. Walker defeated John Carling
in the 1874 federal election
but, after his election was overturned on appeal, James Harshaw Fraser
won the 1875 by-election that followed. Walker ran unsuccessfully against Carling for reelection to the House of Commons in 1878. He was one of the founding directors of Imperial Oil
in 1880. Walker became registrar for Middlesex County
after retiring from politics. He died in London, Ontario
at the age of 57.
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
-born industrialist and political figure in Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
. He represented London
London (electoral district)
London was a federal electoral district represented in the Canadian House of Commons from 1867 to 1968. It was located in the province of Ontario.It consisted initially of the City of London, Ontario....
in the Canadian House of Commons
Canadian House of Commons
The House of Commons of Canada is a component of the Parliament of Canada, along with the Sovereign and the Senate. The House of Commons is a democratically elected body, consisting of 308 members known as Members of Parliament...
in 1874 as a Liberal
Liberal Party of Canada
The Liberal Party of Canada , colloquially known as the Grits, is the oldest federally registered party in Canada. In the conventional political spectrum, the party sits between the centre and the centre-left. Historically the Liberal Party has positioned itself to the left of the Conservative...
member.
Born in Argyleshire, the son of John Walker and Mary McHardy, Walker was educated at the Stirling
Stirling
Stirling is a city and former ancient burgh in Scotland, and is at the heart of the wider Stirling council area. The city is clustered around a large fortress and medieval old-town beside the River Forth...
Academy and established himself in business in Leith
Leith
-South Leith v. North Leith:Up until the late 16th century Leith , comprised two separate towns on either side of the river....
and later Glasgow
Glasgow
Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands...
. He served as a member of the Queen's Own Yeomanry Cavalry in Glasgow. In 1856, he married Janet Machattie; she died in 1863. Walker came to Kent County
Kent County, Ontario
Kent County, area 2,458 sq km is a historic county in the Canadian province of Ontario. Population in 2006 was 108,589.The county was created in 1792 and named by John Graves Simcoe in honour of the English County. The county is in an alluvial plain between Lake St...
, Canada West in 1864, chosen by investors in Scotland to develop agricultural and oil interests on property formerly owned by George Brown
George Brown (Canadian politician)
George Brown was a Scottish-born Canadian journalist, politician and one of the Fathers of Confederation...
. On his arrival, he was named magistrate. Walker raised a volunteer company during the Fenian raids
Fenian raids
Between 1866 and 1871, the Fenian raids of the Fenian Brotherhood who were based in the United States; on British army forts, customs posts and other targets in Canada, were fought to bring pressure on Britain to withdraw from Ireland. They divided many Catholic Irish-Canadians, many of whom were...
and later reached the rank of lieutenant-colonel in the militia. In 1867, he settled in London, Ontario
London, Ontario
London is a city in Southwestern Ontario, Canada, situated along the Quebec City – Windsor Corridor. The city has a population of 352,395, and the metropolitan area has a population of 457,720, according to the 2006 Canadian census; the metro population in 2009 was estimated at 489,274. The city...
, where he established a plant for the production of sulfuric acid
Sulfuric acid
Sulfuric acid is a strong mineral acid with the molecular formula . Its historical name is oil of vitriol. Pure sulfuric acid is a highly corrosive, colorless, viscous liquid. The salts of sulfuric acid are called sulfates...
and an oil refinery. For a time, he served as vice-president for the Canadian Pacific Railway
Canadian Pacific Railway
The Canadian Pacific Railway , formerly also known as CP Rail between 1968 and 1996, is a historic Canadian Class I railway founded in 1881 and now operated by Canadian Pacific Railway Limited, which began operations as legal owner in a corporate restructuring in 2001...
. In 1868, Walker married Laura, the daughter of Jacob Hespeler
Jacob Hespeler
Jacob Hespeler was a prominent businessman in Canada West and the founder of the town of Hespeler .- Early life :...
. Walker defeated John Carling
John Carling
Sir John Carling, PC, KCMG of the Carling Brewery was a prominent politician and businessman from London, Ontario, Canada...
in the 1874 federal election
Canadian federal election, 1874
The Canadian federal election of 1874 was held on January 22, 1874, to elect members of the Canadian House of Commons of the 3rd Parliament of Canada. Sir John A...
but, after his election was overturned on appeal, James Harshaw Fraser
James Harshaw Fraser
James Harshaw Fraser was a lawyer and political figure in Ontario. He represented London in the Canadian House of Commons from 1875 to 1878 as a Liberal-Conservative member....
won the 1875 by-election that followed. Walker ran unsuccessfully against Carling for reelection to the House of Commons in 1878. He was one of the founding directors of Imperial Oil
Imperial Oil
Imperial Oil Limited is Canada's largest petroleum company. The company is engaged in the exploration, production and sale of crude oil and natural gas. It is controlled by US based ExxonMobil, which owns 69.6% of its stock...
in 1880. Walker became registrar for Middlesex County
Middlesex County, Ontario
Middlesex County is a primarily rural county in Southwestern Ontario. Landlocked, the county is bordered by Huron and Perth counties on the north, Oxford County on the east, Elgin County on the south, and Chatham-Kent and Lambton County on the west.The seat is the city of London, although the city...
after retiring from politics. He died in London, Ontario
London, Ontario
London is a city in Southwestern Ontario, Canada, situated along the Quebec City – Windsor Corridor. The city has a population of 352,395, and the metropolitan area has a population of 457,720, according to the 2006 Canadian census; the metro population in 2009 was estimated at 489,274. The city...
at the age of 57.