John McGowan (politician)

John McGowan (November 5, 1845 – October 20, 1922) was an Ontario businessman, farmer and political figure. He represented Wellington North in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario from 1874 to 1879 and Wellington Centre in the House of Commons of Canada as a Liberal-Conservative member from 1901 to 1904.

John McGowan
Member of Parliament
for Wellington Centre
In office
1900–1904
Preceded byAndrew Semple
Succeeded byRiding abolished
Ontario MPP
In office
1871–1879
Preceded byRobert McKim
Succeeded byRiding abolished
ConstituencyWellington North
Personal details
Born(1845-11-05)November 5, 1845
Greenock, Scotland
DiedOctober 20, 1922(1922-10-20) (aged 76)
Political partyConservative
OccupationFarmer

He was born in Greenock, Scotland in 1845 and came to Canada West with his parents in 1857. He settled in Peel Township (now part of Mapleton Township) and served as reeve there. He also managed a linseed oil mill in Elora. He was elected to the Ontario legislature in an 1874 by-election and was reelected in 1875. He was elected to the House of Commons in 1900, and served for four years.[1]

Electoral history

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Ontario provincial by-election, February 1874: Wellington North
Resignation of Robert McKim
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative John McGowan 1,627 50.94 +14.47
Independent Mr. O'Callaghan 1,567 49.06  
Total valid votes 3,194 100.0   +32.53
Conservative gain from Liberal Swing +14.47
Source: History of the Electoral Districts, Legislatures and Ministries of the Province of Ontario[2]: 396 
1875 Ontario general election: Wellington West
Party Candidate Votes %
Conservative John McGowan 1,553 51.63
Liberal Robert McKim 1,455 48.37
Total valid votes 3,008 73.82
Eligible voters 4,075
Election voided
Source: Elections Ontario[3]
Ontario provincial by-election, October 1875: Wellington West
Previous election voided
Party Candidate Votes %
Conservative John McGowan 1,238 50.57
Liberal Robert McKim 1,210 49.43
Total valid votes 2,448
Conservative pickup new district.
Source: History of the Electoral Districts, Legislatures and Ministries of the Province of Ontario[2]: 403 

References

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  1. ^ "Pioneer - McGOWAN, Duncan". Roots Web. 2003. Archived from the original on 29 July 2003.
  2. ^ a b Lewis, Roderick (1968). Centennial Edition of a History of the Electoral Districts, Legislatures and Ministries of the Province of Ontario, 1867–1968. OCLC 1052682.
  3. ^ "Data Explorer". Elections Ontario. 1875. Retrieved 6 April 2024.
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