Manuscript Collection MS COLL 00110 - John Charlton Papers

John Charlton (1829-1910), a merchant and politician, was born near Caedonia, New York, on February 3, 1829. The son of Adam and Ann Gray, he was educated at the Springhill Academy of New York, and came to Canada with his parents in 1849. In 1853 he opened a general store at Lynedoch, Norfolk country, Upper Canada, and in 1859 he became Canadian manager of a firm of lumber merchants at Tonawanda, New York. In 1861 he bought the Canadian business of this firm, and under varying names carried on the business for more than forty years. He represented North Norfolk in the Canadian House of Commons from 1872-1904, and during this period took an active part in the debates on the tariff. Though a moderate protectionist, he was a liberal in politics, and was in favor of commercial union with the United States. In 1854 he married Ella, daughter of George Gray of Charlotteville, Upper Canada. A few years before his death he published a volume of 'Speeches and Addresses' (Toronto, 1905). He died at Lynedoch, Ontario, on February 11, 1910.