John Egan (Canadian politician)

John Egan (November 11 1811 – July 11 1857) was a Canadian businessman and political figure in the Ottawa region.

Related Topics:
November 11 - 1811 - July 11 - 1857 - Canadian - Ottawa

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He was born near Aughrim, Ireland in 1811. He came to Canada in 1830. After working with a lumber company on the upper Ottawa River, he entered the business himself near Bytown. He founded the Ottawa Valley town of Eganville on the Bonnechere River, later expanding his operation to the Quyon, Petawawa and Madawaska Rivers. In the late 1840s, he began building a number of sawmills. Together with Ruggles Wright, he also operated a steamship transporting goods on the Ottawa River. Egan also played an important role in the development of railways service to the area, including the Bytown and Prescott Railway.

Related Topics:
Aughrim - Ireland - Ottawa River - Bytown - Eganville - Bonnechere River - Quyon - Petawawa - Madawaska River - 1840s - Sawmill - Ruggles Wright - Steamship - Bytown and Prescott Railway

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By 1850, he was the dominant force in the timber trade along the Ottawa River. He had been elected mayor of Aylmer in 1847. He was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Lower Canada in the riding of Ottawa County in 1848 and was reelected thre in 1851. In 1854, he became the first elected representative for the newly formed riding of Pontiac.

Related Topics:
Aylmer - Lower Canada - Ottawa County - Pontiac

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A decline in the red pine market forced him into bankruptcy in 1854.

Related Topics:
Red pine - Bankruptcy

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He died in 1857 at Quebec City while still representing Pontiac.

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