White, John

DEATH OF JOHN WHITE, EX-M.P.
Halton's Oldest Resident Departs
This Life.
One of the most prominent landmarks of the early history of Halton was removed on Monday, through the death of John White, Esq. Deceased was born in Ireland in 1811, and came to Canada in 1823, settling first in Etobicoke and later in the county of Halton. He carried on an extensive lumbering business with his brother James and soon became one of the most influential men in the county. He was first elected to Parliament as a Liberal in 1851 defeating Dr. Hamilton, and, with the exception of one term, sat continuously for the County of Halton in the old Parliament of Canada and, the House of Commons until 1874, and for a number of years was Liberal whip. In 1854 he was defeated by the late Col. Geo. K. Chisholm by a majority of 300, but in 1857 he was elected over Col. Chisholm by a majority of 520. At the general election of 1861 Mr. White defeated the late Finlay McCallum by 331, and in 1863 he was again victorious over ex-Sheriff Levi Willson, by a majority of 831. In 1867, on the first election for the newly constituted House of Commons, Mr. White again found himself opposed by Col. Chisholm and after a long and severe contest again defeated him by 137 majority. At the next election, in 1872, Sheriff McKindsey tried his fortune against the old political warhorse with similar results, a majority of 135 being recorded against him. In October 1873, when the ministry of the late Hon. Alex. Mackenzie came into power Mr. White entered his last contest. On this occasion his usual success deserted him and B. D.Chisholm, of Hamilton, was the victor. A new and more stringent election law had come into force, however, and Mr. Chisholm was unseated for bribery by an agent. Mr. Wm. McCraney, ex-M.P., was his opponent in the contest which followed - Mr. White having retired - and he was successful, with Mr. White's last majority of 135. Mr. White has been entirely out of public life, but took a keen interest in matters affecting the County of Halton. He was a man of good business ability, and fearless in what he believed to be right. In his death Halton loses its most historic character and its longest continued representative in Parliament.