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RICHARD HARCOURT
[Welland Telegraph, 1904/05]
Richard Harcourt, M.A., M.P.P., was born in Seneca township, county of Haldimand, on March 17, 1849. In 1870 he took his M.A. degree at Toronto University, and in1871 he was appointed school inspector of Haldimand. Five years later he took up law with a Toronto firm, and in 1878 began his practice in Welland. The same year he was elected as a Liberal to fill a vacancy in Monck, and has held the constituency ever since. In August of 1890, he entered Sir Oliver Mowat’s cabinet as Provincial Treasurer, and afterwards took the portfolio of Minister of Education, which he now holds. He is conceded to be one of the ablest public man of the day.
Was born in Crowland Township on October 3rd, 1827. His main business has been farming, but other matters have engaged his attention. In early life he underwent Normal School Training and for a time was engaged in teaching. Later on he was Township Clerk for a number of years. He was mainly instrumental in establishing a Post Office at Brookfield Station, of which he was Postmaster for a time. He has acted as executor and trustee for some important estates, and was collector of customs at Fort Erie for about seven years. He is a Conservative in politics and was the standard bearer for his party in the Dominion elections of 1874, his opponent being the late Wm. A. Thomson, by whom he was defeated. He was subsequently offered the nomination for the Ontario Legislature which he declined.
Robert Cooper was born in the township of Wainfleet, in September, 1852. He is a son of David Cooper who at that time owned a grist mill and farm near Marshville. In 1860 David Cooper moved to Welland and purchased the Aqueduct Mills which he ran until 1878, when the government took the land upon they stood to build the aqueduct. Robert was in the mill with his father until that time. For the next six years he was absent from the county, spending a year in California on his wedding trip. Returning to Welland he started a flour and feed business, which he carried on intermittently until two years ago when he built the Riverside Mills, one of the most prosperous industries in the county. Mr. Cooper served four years in the town council and in 1891 was elected deputy-reeve. The same year he was appointed County Clerk, which position he holds at the present time. He has been a successful businessman and an excellent official.
Was born in the Township of Wainfleet, Welland County, on April 19th, 1860, the son of the late Robt. Hay. He moved to Thorold Township in 1896 where he served two years in the Township Council. In the fall of 1900 he moved to the Town of Thorold where he served two years in the Town Council. He is at the present a member of the Public School Board. Mr. Hay has a large meat business in Thorold, is a member of the Methodist church and in politics is a Conservative.
