Thomas F. Gillespie
Encyclopedia
Thomas Francis Gillespie (December 15, 1838 – August 8, 1893) was an Irish
-born merchant and political figure. He represented Northumberland County
in the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick
from 1870 to 1874 and from 1878 to as a Conservative member.
He was born near Mallow
in County Cork
, the son of John Gillespie and Eliza Sheehan, and was educated at Rathkeale
. Gillespie came to New Brunswick in 1848 and, in 1854, settled in Chatham
, where he purchased an iron foundry. He also sold insurance and general merchandise. In 1855, Gillespie married Elizabeth Cormack. He was a justice of the peace
and lieutenant colonel in the local militia. He ran unsuccessfully for a seat in the federal parliament in 1867 and ran unsuccessfully in by-elections for the provincial assembly in 1867 and 1869 before being elected in 1870. He was defeated in his bid for reelection in 1874, but then reelected in 1878.
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...
-born merchant and political figure. He represented Northumberland County
Northumberland County, New Brunswick
Northumberland County , having the largest area of any county in the province, is located in northeastern New Brunswick, Canada.-Geography:Northumberland County is covered by thick forests, whose products stimulate the economy...
in the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick
Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick
The Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick is located in Fredericton. It was established de jure when the colony was created in 1784, but only came in to session in 1786 following the first elections in late 1785. Until 1891, it was the lower house in a bicameral legislature when its upper house...
from 1870 to 1874 and from 1878 to as a Conservative member.
He was born near Mallow
Mallow, County Cork
Mallow is the "Crossroads of Munster" and the administrative capital of north County Cork, in Ireland. The Northern Divisional Offices of Cork County Council are located in the town....
in County Cork
County Cork
County Cork is a county in Ireland. It is located in the South-West Region and is also part of the province of Munster. It is named after the city of Cork . Cork County Council is the local authority for the county...
, the son of John Gillespie and Eliza Sheehan, and was educated at Rathkeale
Rathkeale
Rathkeale is a town in west County Limerick, Ireland. It is located 30 km southwest of Limerick city on the N21 road to Tralee, and lies on the River Deel. Rathkeale has a significant Irish Traveller population....
. Gillespie came to New Brunswick in 1848 and, in 1854, settled in Chatham
Chatham, New Brunswick
Chatham is a Canadian urban neighbourhood in the city of Miramichi, New Brunswick.Prior to municipal amalgamation in 1995, Chatham was an incorporated town in Northumberland County along the south bank of the Miramichi River opposite Douglastown...
, where he purchased an iron foundry. He also sold insurance and general merchandise. In 1855, Gillespie married Elizabeth Cormack. He was a justice of the peace
Justice of the Peace
A justice of the peace is a puisne judicial officer elected or appointed by means of a commission to keep the peace. Depending on the jurisdiction, they might dispense summary justice or merely deal with local administrative applications in common law jurisdictions...
and lieutenant colonel in the local militia. He ran unsuccessfully for a seat in the federal parliament in 1867 and ran unsuccessfully in by-elections for the provincial assembly in 1867 and 1869 before being elected in 1870. He was defeated in his bid for reelection in 1874, but then reelected in 1878.