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Charles Gifford (Canadian politician)

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Charles Gifford
Ontario MPP
In office
1872–1874
Preceded byAlexander Fraser
Succeeded byWilliam Hargraft
ConstituencyNorthumberland West
Personal details
Born(1821-02-24)February 24, 1821
Exmouth, Devon, England
DiedApril 20, 1896(1896-04-20) (aged 75)
Northumberland County, Ontario
Political partyConservative
Spouse
Frances Elizabeth Fuller
(m. 1855)
EducationMount Radford School
OccupationLawyer

Charles Gifford (February 24, 1821 – 20 April 1896) was an Ontario political figure. He represented Northumberland West in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario as a Conservative member from 1872 to 1874.

Gifford was born in Exmouth, Devon, England in 1821. He was educated at Mount Radford School in Exeter, University College School in London and the University of London. He studied law and was called to the English bar in 1846. He served as captain in the local militia, later becoming colonel. He was elected to the provincial legislature in a by-election called in 1872 after the resignation of Alexander Fraser, the sitting member. He was defeated in the general election held in 1875. That same year, Gifford sponsored the building of a sailing ship built in Cobourg, the Countess of Dufferin, that raced in the America's Cup in 1876.[1]

He died at Hamilton Township, Northumberland in 1896.[2]

Electoral history

[edit]
Ontario provincial by-election, January 1872: Northumberland West
Resignation of Alexander Fraser
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Charles Gifford 1,167 52.21 +3.12
Independent J. Fisher 1,068 47.79  
Total valid votes 2,235 100.0   +12.31
Conservative gain from Liberal Swing +3.12
Source: History of the Electoral Districts, Legislatures and Ministries of the Province of Ontario[3]: 251 
1875 Ontario general election: Northumberland West
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal William Hargraft 1,251 52.59  
Conservative Charles Gifford 1,128 47.41 −4.80
Total valid votes 2,379 70.78
Eligible voters 3,361
Liberal gain from Conservative Swing +2.40
Source: Elections Ontario[4]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Morgan, Henry James (1862). The Canadian Parliamentary companion. Ottawa H.J. Morgan. p. 340 – via Internet Archive.
  2. ^ "FamilySearch.org". Retrieved 18 June 2023.
  3. ^ Lewis, Roderick (1968). Centennial Edition of a History of the Electoral Districts, Legislatures and Ministries of the Province of Ontario, 1867–1968. OCLC 1052682.
  4. ^ "Data Explorer". Elections Ontario. 1875. Retrieved April 6, 2024.