William Harkin

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 by	George Wellesley Hamilton
Succeeded by	Albert Hagar
Constituency	Prescott
Personal details
Born	1831 (1831) Hawkesbury, Upper Canada
Died	1881 (aged 49–50) Toronto, Ontario
Political party	Conservative
Spouse	Eliza McDonell ​ (m. 1859)​
Occupation	Doctor

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

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

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

Bibliography

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

External links

• Ontario Legislative Assembly parliamentary history
• The Canadian parliamentary companion and annual register, 1880, CH Mackintosh