Joseph Sheard
Encyclopedia
Joseph Sheard was a Canadian
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...

 architect and politician. He was Mayor of Toronto from 1871 to 1872.

Born in Hornsea, near Hull, Yorkshire, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...

, his father died when he was only 6 weeks old, leaving 4 young children to be raised by his mother. He quit school at the age of 9 and found a job as an apprentice with a barrel-maker.

He sailed from Hull on April 15th, 1833 aboard the "Foster" landing in Quebec. He made his way by "Durham Boat" to Prescott, Upper Canada where he boarded the steamboat "William the Fourth" for York, arriving in Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...

 in 1833.

He first was a carpenter, builder, and then became an architect in the 1840s. He built the Henry Cawthra's house (a mansion at the corner of King & Bay, Toronto) which was demolished in 1946. He also built the Ontario Bank building (at the corner of Scott & Wellington).

At the time of Confederation he was the Commissioner of Works and an Alderman (1851- 1871) in St. Patrick's Ward. He introduced the motion for the August "Civic holiday". In 1851, he is listed as an alderman, a building inspector, and an architect civil engineer. He designed the Dead house in St. Michael's Cemetery, and he helped design the Parliament Buildings of Canada in Ottawa.

When he was Foreman of Public Works, he refused to build the gallows to hang two leaders of the Upper Canada Rebellion
Upper Canada Rebellion
The Upper Canada Rebellion was, along with the Lower Canada Rebellion in Lower Canada, a rebellion against the British colonial government in 1837 and 1838. Collectively they are also known as the Rebellions of 1837.-Issues:...

, Samuel Lount
Samuel Lount
Samuel Lount was a businessman and political figure in the province of Upper Canada. He participated in the Upper Canada Rebellion of 1837....

 and Peter Matthews
Peter Matthews (rebel)
Peter Matthews was a farmer and soldier who participated in the Upper Canada Rebellion of 1837.He was born in the Bay of Quinte region of Upper Canada around 1789, the son of United Empire Loyalists. In 1799, the family moved to Pickering Township. Peter served with Isaac Brock as a sergeant in...

.

A park was named in his honour on the lot that was once his home (The Mayor Joseph Sheard Parkette). It is found between the streets Yonge, McGill, Anne (now called Granby) and Church (12 McGill St).

His son, Dr. Charles Sheard
Charles Sheard
Charles Sheard, M.D. was a medical doctor, public health official and politician.Dr Sheard was born in Toronto and educated at Upper Canada College and the Trinity College Medical School earning a gold medal upon his graduation in 1879...

, became the city's Chief Medical Officer and also served as a Member of Parliament.

Works

Building Year Completed Builder Style Source Location Image
Cherry Street Hotel / Palace Street School 1859 Joseph Sheard
Joseph Sheard
Joseph Sheard was a Canadian architect and politician. He was Mayor of Toronto from 1871 to 1872.Born in Hornsea, near Hull, Yorkshire, England, his father died when he was only 6 weeks old, leaving 4 young children to be raised by his mother...

15, 18 409 Front Street East
Octagonal mortuary vault; designated historic property under Ontario Heritage Act (1975) 1855 Joseph Sheard
Joseph Sheard
Joseph Sheard was a Canadian architect and politician. He was Mayor of Toronto from 1871 to 1872.Born in Hornsea, near Hull, Yorkshire, England, his father died when he was only 6 weeks old, leaving 4 young children to be raised by his mother...

St. Michael's Cemetery (Toronto)
St. Michael's Cemetery (Toronto)
St. Michael's Cemetery is a historic Roman Catholic cemetery in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It is located just southwest of Yonge Street and St. Clair Avenue. The cemetery is invisible from the street, being located in the middle of a city block and ringed by homes and stores. It is accessible only...

, Deer Park, Toronto
Deer Park, Toronto
Deer Park is a neighbourhood in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, centred on the intersection of Yonge Street and St. Clair Avenue; its boundaries are the Vale of Avoca section of Rosedale ravine in the east, Farnham Avenue and Jackes Avenue in the south, Avenue Road and Oriole Parkway in the west, the...

, Toronto, Ontario
Ashbridge Estate
Ashbridge Estate
The Ashbridge Estate is an historic home in the east end of Toronto. The building is located on Queen Street East near Coxwell Avenue in the Ashbridge's neighbourhood, Toronto between Leslieville and The Beaches...

1854 Joseph Sheard
Joseph Sheard
Joseph Sheard was a Canadian architect and politician. He was Mayor of Toronto from 1871 to 1872.Born in Hornsea, near Hull, Yorkshire, England, his father died when he was only 6 weeks old, leaving 4 young children to be raised by his mother...

Queen Street East near Coxwell Avenue, Ashbridge's neighbourhood, Toronto

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