John Rorke (9 June 1807 – 13 August 1896) was an Irish-born merchant and political figure in Newfoundland. He represented Carbonear in the Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly from 1866 to 1882 as a Conservative and Confederate.

John Rorke
Member of the Newfoundland House of Assembly for Carbonear
In office
1866–1882
MonarchQueen Victoria
Premier
Preceded byEdmund Hanrahan
Succeeded byAlfred Penney
Personal details
Born
John Rorke

9 June 1807
Athlone, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland
Died13 August 1896(1896-08-13) (aged 89)
Political partyConservative
SpouseMary Toque
OccupationPolitician, Merchant

He was born in Athlone and came to Newfoundland in 1824, working as a clerk for Bennett and Ridley, a fishery supply firm. In 1830, he established his own firm in Carbonear. He married Mary Toque.[1]

In 1859, a fire destroyed most of Carbonear, including Rorke's business and home; rebuilding began in the following year, and some of the rebuilt stone buildings remain as heritage structures in Carbonear.[2][3] Rorke served as a member of the Executive Council from 1879 to 1882. He died in Carbonear at the age of 89.[citation needed]

References

edit
  1. ^ "John Rorke & Sons Limited fonds, 1879-1933". Memorial University. Retrieved 3 March 2022.
  2. ^ "Rorke Stores". Registered Heritage Structures. Memorial University. Retrieved 21 October 2009.
  3. ^ "Rorke's Stone Jug". Registered Heritage Structures. Memorial University. Retrieved 21 October 2009.

Sources

edit
  • Cuff, Robert H (1990). Dictionary of Newfoundland and Labrador Biography. ISBN 0-921191-51-0.