John Flesher

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

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,^[5] and was lauded as "a conscientous and earnest advocate of the principles of that party..."^[1]

References