1866: Thomas Oliver

Thomas Oliver, Woodstock

Born in March 1821 in Kildonan, Sutherland, Scotland; Thomas Oliver was a businessman and political figure. Upon arriving in Canada, he settled in Zorra Township where he taught school for several years. He would later move to Woodstock where he became a dry goods merchant. He served on Town Council as Deputy Reeve in 1860, 1864 and 1865 and was elected Reeve for the Town of Woodstock in 1861. In 1866, he was elected County Warden. 

Thomas Oliver represented Oxford North in the House of Commons, as member of the Liberal Party from 1867 to 1880. He passed away in Toronto on November 9, 1880 and is buried in the Woodstock Baptist Cemetery.