John Flesher

John Flesher (June 8, 1833 – March 5, 1910) was an Ontario merchant and political figure.

John Flesher
Ontario MPP
In office
1875–1879
Preceded byGeorge McManus
Succeeded byCharles Robinson
ConstituencyCardwell
Personal details
Born(1833-06-08)June 8, 1833
Duffield, Derbyshire, England
DiedMarch 5, 1910(1910-03-05) (aged 76)
Political partyConservative
Spouse(s)
Mary Ann Fowler
(
m. 1855)
Children9
OccupationMerchant

Early life

Flesher was born in Duffield, Derbyshire, England in 1833,[1] the son of Rev. John Flesher, a Methodist preacher and Jane (née Cawood) Flesher. He was educated in a collegiate institute at Ramsgate.[1]

Settler and businessman

Flesher emigrated to Canada West in 1847 at the age of 14 with his older brother William, who was to become an MP and a prominent figure in the settlement of Grey County.[2] John first settled in Flesherton, the village that his brother had founded, where he helped his brother operate a grist mill and saw mill. In 1855, he married Mary Ann Fowler, the only daughter of Rev. William Fowler of New York City;[1] together they would raise twelve children, nine of whom survived infancy.[1]

In 1857, he became the Flesherton post master, a position his brother had also held,[3] but after six months, he resigned and moved his family to Albion, Ontario to open a store.[1] He returned almost immediately to Grey County, then the following year, he purchased a mill property owned by his brother in Adjala Township,[1] where for the next ten years he manufactured flour and lumber. He also started his political career, serving as a school trustee.[1]

In 1868, he moved to the village of Orangeville, Ontario, where he operated a store for a few years before switching to brokerage and conveyancing.[1] He also became a Master Mason.

Politician

When Orangeville was incorporated as a town in 1874, he was elected to the first town council, and served as councillor for several terms.[4]

Flesher was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario, representing the Cardwell district as a Conservative from 1875 to 1879, and was lauded as "a conscientious and earnest advocate of the principles of that party..."[1]

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References
  1. The Canadian biographical dictionary and portrait gallery of eminent and self-made men: Ontario Volume. Chicago: American Biographical Publishing Company. 1880.
  2. Hubbard, Mildred Young (1986). Split Rail Country: A History of Artemesia Township. Owen Sound: Historical Society of Artemesia Township. Archived from the original on 2011-05-27. Retrieved 2010-02-26.
  3. "Affichage du document". Bureaux et maîtres de poste. Bibliothèque et Archives Canada. 2007-01-31. Archived from the original on 2012-07-10. Retrieved 2010-03-03.
  4. Shain, F. (1913-12-11). "Orangeville Town Origins". Orangeville Banner. Retrieved 2010-03-03.
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