George Adam Clare, PC (June 6, 1854 – January 9, 1915) was a businessman, manufacturer and politician based in Preston, Ontario, Canada (now part of Cambridge, Ontario).

George Adam Clare
Member of the Canadian Parliament
for Waterloo South
In office
1900–1915
Preceded byJames Livingston
Succeeded byFrank Stewart Scott
Personal details
Born(1854-06-06)June 6, 1854
Preston, Canada West
DiedJanuary 9, 1915(1915-01-09) (aged 60)
Political partyConservative

He was born in Preston to John Clare and Margaret Beck. In 1875, he went to work at his father's foundry eventually purchasing the enterprise in partnership with his brother and another associate upon his father's retirement in 1881. The business was incorporated in 1901 as Clare Bros. Co. Ltd., with George Clare as its president.[1]

In 1876, he married Catherine Fink.[2]

Clare also headed a number of other companies such as Galt Stove and Furnace, Clare and Clare and Brodest Ltd. of Winnipeg, Solid Leather Shoe Co. Ltd, Preston Car and Coach Co. and Canadian Office and School Furniture Co. Ltd.[1]

Clare was elected to the Preston town council in 1883 and became reeve of Preston in 1886 serving for two years. He assumed this position again from 1891 to 1898.[1]

When Preston was incorporated as a town in 1900 he became its first mayor. He also served as warden of Waterloo County in 1895.[1]

Clare was also active in federal politics running as the Conservative Party's candidate in Waterloo South on several occasions. He was defeated by James Livingston in the 1891 and 1896 federal elections before winning a seat in the House of Commons of Canada in the 1900 election. He served as a Member of Parliament until his death in 1915 and was named to the Queen's Privy Council of Canada in 1913, a rare honour for someone not in Cabinet.[1] Clare died in Preston.[2]

He was inducted to the City of Cambridge Hall of Fame in 2005.[1]

Electoral record

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1911 Canadian federal election: Waterloo South
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative George Adam Clare 3,492 56.96 +5.24
Liberal Sylvester Moyer 2,639 43.04 -5.24
Total valid votes 6,131 100.0
Conservative hold Swing +5.24
Source(s)
"Waterloo South, Ontario (1867-1968)". History of Federal Ridings Since 1867. Library of Parliament. Retrieved 5 September 2015.
1908 Canadian federal election: Waterloo South
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative George Adam Clare 3,015 51.72 -1.79
Liberal Sylvester Moyer 2,815 48.28 +1.79
Total valid votes 5,830 100.0
Conservative hold Swing -1.79
Source(s)
"Waterloo South, Ontario (1867-1968)". History of Federal Ridings Since 1867. Library of Parliament. Retrieved 5 September 2015.
1904 Canadian federal election: Waterloo South
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative George Adam Clare 2,785 53.51 +1.41
Liberal George Laird 2,420 46.49 +1.41
Total valid votes 5,205 100.0
Conservative hold Swing +1.41
Source(s)
"Waterloo South, Ontario (1867-1968)". History of Federal Ridings Since 1867. Library of Parliament. Retrieved 5 September 2015.
1900 Canadian federal election: Waterloo South
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative George Adam Clare 2,708 52.10 +1.21
Liberal Peter Shantz 2,490 47.90 -1.21
Total valid votes 5,198 100.0
Conservative gain from Liberal Swing +1.21
Source(s)
"Waterloo South, Ontario (1867-1968)". History of Federal Ridings Since 1867. Library of Parliament. Retrieved 5 September 2015.
1896 Canadian federal election: Waterloo South
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal James Livingston 2,543 50.89 -2.87
Conservative George Adam Clare 2,454 49.11 +2.87
Total valid votes 4,144 100.0
Liberal hold Swing -2.87
Source(s)
"Waterloo South, Ontario (1867-1968)". History of Federal Ridings Since 1867. Library of Parliament. Retrieved 5 September 2015.
1891 Canadian federal election: Waterloo South
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal James Livingston 2,228 53.76 -0.68
Conservative George Adam Clare 1,916 46.24 +0.68
Total valid votes 4,144 100.0
Liberal hold Swing -0.68
Source(s)
"Waterloo South, Ontario (1867-1968)". History of Federal Ridings Since 1867. Library of Parliament. Retrieved 5 September 2015.

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f "Hall of Fame members: George A. Clare". City of Cambridge. Retrieved 10 February 2007.
  2. ^ a b Johnson, J.K. (1968). The Canadian Directory of Parliament 1867-1967. Public Archives of Canada.
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