William Howard Hearst
| William Howard Hearst | |
|---|---|
The Hon. Sir William Hearst
|
|
| 7th Premier of Ontario | |
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In office October 2, 1914 – November 14, 1919 |
|
| Monarch | George V |
| Lieutenant Governor | John Strathearn Hendrie |
| Preceded by | James Whitney |
| Succeeded by | Ernest Charles Drury |
| MPP for Sault Ste. Marie | |
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In office June 8, 1908 – September 23, 1919 |
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| Preceded by | Charles Napier Smith |
| Succeeded by | James Cunningham |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
February 15, 1864 Arran Township, Canada West |
| Died | September 29, 1941 (aged 77) Toronto, Ontario |
| Resting place | Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Toronto |
| Political party | Ontario PC Party |
| Spouse(s) | Isabella Jane Duncan |
| Religion | Methodist, United Church |
Sir William Howard Hearst, KCMG (February 15, 1864 – September 29, 1941) was the seventh Premier of the Canadian province of Ontario from 1914 to 1919.
Sir William Howard Hearst was born in the Township of Arran in Bruce County, Ontario. He studied law at Osgoode Hall, Toronto, and became a lawyer in 1888. Hearst moved to Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, where he opened up a law firm called Hearst, McKay and Darling in the Ganley Block at 604 Queen Street. Hearst participated actively in the Sault Ste. Marie community and he was on the building committee to erect a new Methodist church at the corner of Spring Street and Albert Street in Sault Ste. Marie. The Methodist church that was eventually built still stands and is now known as Central United Church. He was an unsuccessful candidate in the Algoma East riding in 1894. In 1902 he organized support in Northern Ontario for James P. Whitney. Hearst was also appointed Sault Ste. Marie's volunteer fire chief from 1891-1892. Hearst built a house at the corner of Queen Street and Upton Road, known as 'Eastbourne', which would go on to become a designated heritage property in the City of Sault Ste. Marie.
In 1908 Hearst was elected member for the riding of Sault Ste. Marie. He became Minister of Forests and Mines in 1911. On the death of James P. Whitney in 1914, Hearst became his successor and was sworn in as Premier on October 2, 1914.
Under his administration a comprehensive measure to provide compensation to workers for injuries was put into operation. He took steps to deal with housing problems and provide loans to settlers. Municipal acts were passed. School fairs and the teaching of agriculture were inaugurated. Measures were taken to increase war production. Reforestation and fire prevention services were established. And the Orpington Hospital in England was built as a gift from the people of Ontario.
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