1952: Harley McBeth
Harley McBeth, Dereham
Harley Ruddick McBeth was born on Lot 19, Concession 3, Dereham Township on July 13, 1897. He worked as a farmer and as the Director and President of the Dereham and West Oxford Mutual Fire Insurance Company. In 1917, he married Flossie Fishback and they would go on to have two children.
He served as Deputy Reeve of Dereham Township from 1949-1952. In 1952, he was elected County Warden on the 42nd ballot. Later, he would serve as the second Vice-President of the Ex-Warden’s Association.
He was a member of the Salford United Church, where he served as elder, as well as teacher at the Sunday School. In addition, he served as Director and President of the Oxford Federation of Agriculture and as a member of the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority.
As a boy, Harley lived next to former Warden Jack Campbell. He would pass away on July 18, 1963 in his 66th year, and is buried in the Harris Street Cemetery, Ingersoll.