William Harkin (1831 – 1881) was an Ontario medical doctor and political figure. He represented Prescott in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario from 1875 to 1881 as a Conservative member.

William Harkin
Ontario MPP
In office
1875–1881
Preceded byGeorge Wellesley Hamilton
Succeeded byAlbert Hagar
ConstituencyPrescott
Personal details
Born1831 (1831)
Hawkesbury, Upper Canada
Died1881 (aged 49–50)
Toronto, Ontario
Political partyConservative
Spouse
Eliza McDonell
(m. 1859)
OccupationDoctor

He was born in Hawkesbury, Ontario in 1831, the son of Irish immigrants. He studied medicine at McGill University and qualified to practice in 1858. In 1859, he married Eliza McDonell. He served as reeve for Vankleek Hill. Harkin died in office in 1881.

His son James served as Canada's first commissioner of national parks.

Electoral history

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1875 Ontario general election: Prescott
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative William Harkin 988 62.57 +8.31
Liberal R.P. Pattee 591 37.43 −8.31
Total valid votes 1,579 59.61 −16.01
Eligible voters 2,649
Conservative hold Swing +8.31
Source: Elections Ontario[1]
1879 Ontario general election: Prescott
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative William Harkin 900 47.62 −14.95
Liberal Mr. Ryan 622 32.91 −4.52
Independent S. Johnson 232 12.28  
Independent Mr. Vanbridger 136 7.20  
Total valid votes 1,890 58.77 −0.84
Eligible voters 3,216
Conservative hold Swing −5.22
Source: Elections Ontario[2]

References

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  1. ^ "Data Explorer". Elections Ontario. 1875. Retrieved April 6, 2024.
  2. ^ "Data Explorer". Elections Ontario. 1879. Retrieved April 19, 2024.

Bibliography

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  • Histoire des Comtes Unis de Prescott et de Russell, L. Brault (1963)
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