1925: J.W. Innes

J.W. Innes, West Oxford

Born in West Zorra Township on July 11, 1872, James W. Innes was a farmer and cattleman. He first entered politics in 1921 as a member of the West Oxford Township Council. From 1923-1925 he served as Reeve and in 1925 was elected County Warden.

In 1925, he was the Liberal candidate for the House of Commons in the riding of South Oxford, but was defeated by Donald Sutherland by the narrow margin of two hundred votes.

He served for three years as president of the Woodstock District Farmers’ Club and was president of the Woodstock Agricultural Society for two years. In 1935, he was appointed manager of the Woodstock store of the Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO). In addition, he was a member of the King Solomon’s Masonic Lodge and member of the Board of Managers of Chalmers United Church. 

J.W. Innes passed away in 1952 and is buried in the Knox Presbyterian Church Cemetery in Harrington, Ontario.