John White (Liberal MP)

John White (June 8, 1811 – May 3, 1897) was an Ontario lumber merchant and political figure. He represented Halton in the House of Commons of Canada as a Liberal member from 1867 to 1874.[2]

John White
May 1874 photograph by William James Topley
Member of Parliament for Halton
In office 1867–1874
Succeeded by	Daniel Black Chisholm
Personal details
Born	(1811-06-08)June 8, 1811 Omagh, County Tyrone
Died	May 3, 1897(1897-05-03) (aged 85) Milton, Ontario
Nationality	Canadian
Political party	Liberal
Spouse(s)	Mehitabel C. Post  ​ ( m. 1836; died 1837) Louisa Knight  ( m. 1849) [1]
Occupation	Lumber merchant, farmer

Biography

Born in Omagh, County Tyrone, Ireland, in 1811,[2] White came to Canada with his family in 1823, first settling in Etobicoke,[3] and was educated in York, Upper Canada. He served on the council of Gore District for nine years, and then, after moving to Halton County, was subsequently elected to that council.

White was elected to the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Canada for Halton in 1851, defeated in 1854, and returned once more in 1858, serving until Confederation.[4] In 1867, he was elected as the first MP for Halton in the House of Commons of the new Parliament of Canada, where he served until his narrow defeat in the 1874 election. When the newly elected MP, Daniel Black Chisholm, was later unseated because of bribery undertaken by his agents, White decided not to stand for re-election, and retired in favour of William McCraney who won the 1875 byelection.[3]

White was known as a horse breeder, and several horses owned by White and his brother James won the Queen's Plate, including the first running of this event.[5] At the time of his death, his horses had won the Plate more than any other owner's to that date.[3] He also served as Captain and Adjutant in the 3rd Battalion,[3] and was later, upon the creation of the active militia in 1867, Lieutenant in the 20th Halton Battalion of the Canadian militia (one of the predecessors of the Lorne Scots).[3][4]

White was married twice: to Mehitabel Post in 1836 and to Louisa Knight in 1849.[5] He died in Milton at the age of 85.[6]

Electoral record

1874 Canadian federal election
Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Liberal–Conservative	Daniel Black Chisholm	1,464	50.4
	Liberal	J. White	1,441	49.6	-2.9
Total valid votes			2,905	100.0

1872 Canadian federal election
Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Liberal	John White	1,414	52.5	+0.1
	Liberal–Conservative	G.C. McKindsey	1,278	47.5
Total valid votes			2,692	100.0

1867 Canadian federal election
Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Liberal	John White	1,422	52.5
	Liberal–Conservative	Mr. Chisholm	1,289	47.5
Total valid votes			2,711	100.0

References

1. "Obituaries: Mrs. White". Canadian Champion. Milton. February 18, 1909. p. 2.
2. John White – Parliament of Canada biography
3. Canadian Champion 1897.
4. Morgan, Henry J. (1869). The Canadian Parliamentary Companion (Fifth ed.). Montreal: Montreal Printing and Publishing Co. p. 151.
5. "John White. Farmer, lumber dealer, member of parliament. 1811-1897.: Halton Images". images.halinet.on.ca. Retrieved 2016-11-27.
6. Johnson, James Keith, ed. (1968). The Canadian Directory of Parliament 1867-1967. Ottawa: Public Archives of Canada.

External links

• "Death of John White, ex-M.P." Canadian Champion. Milton. May 6, 1897. p. 2.

Legislative Assembly of the Province of Canada
Preceded by Caleb Hopkins	Member of the Legislative Assembly for Halton 1851-1854	Succeeded by George King Chisholm
Preceded by George King Chisholm	Member of the Legislative Assembly for Halton 1857-1867	Confederation
Parliament of Canada
New constituency	Member of Parliament for Halton 1867–1874	Succeeded by Daniel Black Chisholm