John White (Conservative MP)
Encyclopedia
John White 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.
In 1856, White married Esther Johnson. He died in Victoria, British Columbia
at the age of 61.
History professor Donald Akenson
of Queen's University
, in his book At Face Value, 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. Akenson later revealed the book to be a hoax, based on Daniel Defoe's Moll Flanders.
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....
machinist and political figure. He represented Hastings East
Hastings East
Hastings East was a federal electoral district represented in the Canadian House of Commons from 1867 to 1925. It was located in the province of 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...
as a Conservative
Conservative Party of Canada (historical)
The Conservative Party of Canada has gone by a variety of names over the years since Canadian Confederation. Initially known as the "Liberal-Conservative Party", it dropped "Liberal" from its name in 1873, although many of its candidates continued to use this name.As a result of World War I and the...
member from 1871 to 1887.
He was born in Donegal
Donegal
Donegal or Donegal Town is a town in County Donegal, Ireland. Its name, which was historically written in English as Dunnagall or Dunagall, translates from Irish as "stronghold of the foreigners" ....
, County Donegal
County Donegal
County Donegal is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Border Region and is also located in the province of Ulster. It is named after the town of Donegal. Donegal County Council is the local authority for the county...
, Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
in 1833 and grew up there. In 1856, he married Esther Johnston. He operated a cheese factory on the Moira River
Moira River
The Moira River is a river in Hastings County in eastern Ontario, Canada. It travels from its source in the centre of the county to the county seat Belleville and is named after Francis Rawdon-Hastings, Earl of Moira.-Course:...
near the town of Roslin
Roslin, Ontario
Roslin, Ontario is a community in Hastings County, Ontario, Canada.-References:*...
. White served as reeve for Tyendinaga
Tyendinaga, Ontario
Tyendinaga is a township in the Canadian province of Ontario, located in Hastings County. The township had a population of 4,070 in the Canada 2006 Census....
. 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
Orange Institution
The Orange Institution is a Protestant fraternal organisation based mainly in Northern Ireland and Scotland, though it has lodges throughout the Commonwealth and United States. The Institution was founded in 1796 near the village of Loughgall in County Armagh, Ireland...
in Ontario East and, in 1874, became Deputy Grand Master for British North America.
In 1856, White married Esther Johnson. He died in Victoria, British Columbia
Victoria, British Columbia
Victoria is the capital city of British Columbia, Canada and is located on the southern tip of Vancouver Island off Canada's Pacific coast. The city has a population of about 78,000 within the metropolitan area of Greater Victoria, which has a population of 360,063, the 15th most populous Canadian...
at the age of 61.
History professor Donald Akenson
Donald Akenson
Donald Harman Akenson is a historian and author.Akenson received his B.A. from Yale University and his doctorate from Harvard University. He is Professor of History at Queen's University and Beamish Research Professor at the Institute of Irish Studies, University of Liverpool, and Senior Editor...
of Queen's University
Queen's University
Queen's University, , is a public research university located in Kingston, Ontario, Canada. Founded on 16 October 1841, the university pre-dates the founding of Canada by 26 years. Queen's holds more more than of land throughout Ontario as well as Herstmonceux Castle in East Sussex, England...
, in his book At Face Value, 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. Akenson later revealed the book to be a hoax, based on Daniel Defoe's Moll Flanders.
Further reading
- At Face Value: The Life and Times of Eliza McCormack/John White, Don Akenson McGill-Queen's University PressMcGill-Queen's University PressThe McGill-Queen's University Press is a joint venture between McGill University in Montreal, Quebec and Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario....
(1990) (ISBN 0-7735-0765-5)