1951: J. Grant Sutherland
J. Grant Sutherland, East Nissouri
James Grant Sutherland was born in East Nissouri Township on January 19, 1909. In the 1920s, he worked for Ford Motor Company in Detroit, Michigan before settling down on Lot 29, Concession 10 to farm in 1938.
He was first elected to East Nissouri Township Council in 1941 and would serve as Deputy Reeve from 1946-1947. He served as Reeve from 1948-1951 and was elected Warden of the County of Oxford in 1951 on the 54th ballot. His term as Warden saw the construction of the 3rd Registry Office for the County and a visit by Princess Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh.
He was a member of the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority for twenty-eight years; being an executive member for twenty-six years and vice-chairman from 1975 until his death. He was appointed a Commissioner of the Blanshard Municipal Telephone System in November 1968, and was elected Chairman in April 1974.
J. Grant Sutherland passed away on April 6, 1977 and is buried in the Kintore Presbyterian Cemetery.
