1857- 1858: John Barwick, Blandford

John Barwick, Blandford

Born in Dublin, Ireland, John Barwick came to Canada with his father, who was a major in the Seventy-Ninth Highlanders.  They would eventually settle on the 2nd Concession, Blandford Township.  He was one of the oldest magistrates of the County and was prominent all his life in local affairs. He took an active interest in the North Oxford Agricultural Society where he served as President for several years, and also, served for one year as the President of the Provincial Agricultural Association. He was Lieut.-Colonel of the Second Battalion of the Oxford Militia, as well as an agent for the Trust and Loan Company of Toronto. A staunch conservative, he once contested North Oxford for the old Legislature of Canada prior to Confederation. He served on both the District of Brock Council and the Oxford County Council, where he was elected Warden in 1857 and 1858.

Mr. Barwick was also a Census Commissioner for the County of Oxford and Western District on two occasions when the decennial census was taken. He was appointed postmaster at Drumbo and held that position until his untimely death on September 13, 1899. 

He was also an enthusiastic member of Old St. Paul’s Church, Woodstock and took an active interest in its welfare. The Woodstock Sentinel-Review, noted “...that in all matters of a municipal, political, church of domestic character, Mr. Barwick was in frequent request as an authority and wise-counsellor” (W-SR, FP September 14, 1899).