1896: Thomas Prouse

Thomas Prouse, Dereham

Born on December 26, 1844 in Devonshire England, Thomas Prouse immigrated to Canada in 1846. He farmed at Lot 10 Concession 6 Township of Dereham. He would first serve on County Council in 1885, and would hold the positions of 2nd Deputy Reeve, Deputy Reeve and Reeve for the Township of Dereham until 1899. He would be elected Warden in 1896.

Mr. Prouse was a trusted member of the Mt. Elgin Methodist Church for 40 years, where he served as a board member for 23 years, as well as superintendent of the Sunday school for many years. In his later years, he served as president of the Dereham and West Oxford Fire Insurance Company. He passed away on May 7, 1912 and is buried in the Mt. Elgin, Cemetery.