Fonds - John Stevenson fonds

The Honourable John Stevenson was born in New Jersey in 1812, the son of Quaker parents. While a boy, he came to Canada with his family, eventually settling in Leeds County. In 1831, Stevenson was apprenticed into the mercantile trade with Lasher clan. In 1848, he set up in business on his own, first in Newburgh, then in Napanee, where he prospered. He speculated on lumber, navigation and railways. He operated a mercantile network, mills and a factory which made furniture and pianos. Together with David Roblin, he obtained the contract to construct the railway viaduct over the Napanee River at Napanee. Stevenson served as Justice of the Peace. He was elected Reeve of Napanee from 1860 until 1865 and was the first Warden of Lennox and Addington (following separation from Frontenac). In 1867, he was elected to the Provincial Legislature, and was selected to be the first Speaker of the new Province of Ontario, an appointment he held from 1867-1871. Politically, he was a moderate Reformer, supporting his friend, David Roblin, but avoiding the "Grit" extremes of George Brown. In 1857, he fell out with Roblin when a business deal soured. By taking his support to various conservatives, Stevenson wielded much power during the Confederation period. He supported Sir John A. Macdonald in 1867, but withdrew his support over the proposed, National Policy in the 1870's. He was still active in 1878, when he campaigned for Liberal, Richard John Cartwright. He died on April 1, 1884.