Abram Farewell

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Abram Farewell (December 21, 1812 – February 8, 1888) was a Canadian businessman and political figure. He represented Ontario South in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario from 1871 to 1875.

Abram Farewell
Ontario MPP
In office
1871–1874
Preceded byWilliam McGill
Succeeded byNicholas W. Brown
ConstituencyOntario South
Personal details
Born(1812-12-21)December 21, 1812
Harmony, Upper Canada
DiedFebruary 8, 1888(1888-02-08) (aged 75)
Oshawa, Ontario
Political partyLiberal
OccupationBusinessman

He was born in Harmony (now part of Oshawa) in Upper Canada in 1812 and taught school in Whitby Township. He later worked in his father's business before opening his own store in Harmony. He later became part-owner of ships transporting grain to American markets. He helped establish a firm which manufactured agricultural equipment and helped found the Bank of Toronto. He helped form the Port Whitby and Port Perry Railway and, with others, won a contract to build part of the Canadian Pacific Railway line between Fort William (now part of Thunder Bay, Ontario) and Selkirk, Manitoba. Although a so-called radical Reformer, he did not take part in the Upper Canada Rebellion. In 1843, he was elected to the council for the Home District and later became a member of the council for Ontario County. Although he presented himself as a candidate in the provincial legislature in almost every general election from 1854 to 1875, he was elected only once in 1871. He was also involved in the temperance movement in the region. He died in Oshawa in 1888.

Electoral history

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1871 Ontario general election: Ontario South
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Abram Farewell 1,180 52.17 −4.18
Conservative William McGill 1,082 47.83 +4.18
Turnout 2,262 65.81 −17.79
Eligible voters 3,437
Liberal hold Swing −4.18
Source: Elections Ontario[1]
1875 Ontario general election: Ontario South
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Nicholas W. Brown 1,614 50.52 +2.68
Liberal Abram Farewell 1,581 49.48 −2.68
Total valid votes 3,195 72.91 +7.10
Eligible voters 4,382
Conservative gain from Liberal Swing +2.68
Source: Elections Ontario[2]

References

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  1. ^ "Data Explorer". Elections Ontario. 1871. Retrieved March 31, 2024.
  2. ^ "Data Explorer". Elections Ontario. 1875. Retrieved April 6, 2024.
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