Dictionary of Glengarry Biography

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====== Drew, George Alexander ====== 
(21 or 28 Feb. 1826-5 July 1891), judge. Born near Williamstown, GC. Parents: John Drew and his wife Margaret McKay. George Alexander, who attended the grammar schools at Willamstown and Cornwall, studied law under John Sandfield Macdonald in Cornwall, and was called to the bar in 1854. He practised law at Elora, Wellington County, Ont., and became a Q.C. in 1872. He was the Conservative MP for Wellington North from 1867 to 1872 and from 1878 to 1882. He was defeated as candidate for MP in 1872, 1874 and 1875. Drew was appointed judge of the County of Wellington in May 1882 and local judge of the High Court of Justice for Ontario in June 1882. He was also chairman of the General Sessions of the Peace and judge for the Surrogate Court for the County of Wellington. He remained a judge till he died. Married: (1) Elizabeth Mary Jacob, (2) Maria Louise Jacob.

<tab>Probably of the same family, another George Alexander Drew, was Progressive Conservative premier of Ontario from 1943 to 1948, and leader of the Opposition at Ottawa from 1949 to 1956. In the former role, he initiated a period of Progressive Conservative Party rule in Ontario that lasted for 42 years.


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<fs small>Rose i, 77-78 * Johnson (1968) * Fraser, //Gravestones//, I, 147 (parents) * R.E. Bawtinhimer, “The Development of an Ontario Tory: Young George Drew,” //Ontario History// 69:1 (March 1977) 55-75
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