John Rorke

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John Rorke
Member of the Newfoundland House of Assembly for Carbonear
In office
1866–1882
MonarchQueen Victoria
Premier
Preceded byEdmund Hanrahan
Succeeded byAlfred Penney
Personal details
Born
John Rorke

9 June 1807
Athlone, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland
Died13 August 1896(1896-08-13) (aged 89)
Political partyConservative
SpouseMary Toque
OccupationPolitician, Merchant

John Rorke (9 June 1807 – 13 August 1896) was an Irish-born merchant and political figure in Newfoundland. He represented Carbonear in the Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly from 1866 to 1882 as a Conservative and Confederate.

He was born in Athlone and came to Newfoundland in 1824, working as a clerk for Bennett and Ridley, a fishery supply firm. In 1830, he established his own firm in Carbonear. He married Mary Toque.[1]

In 1859, a fire destroyed most of Carbonear, including Rorke's business and home; rebuilding began in the following year, and some of the rebuilt stone buildings remain as heritage structures in Carbonear.[2][3] Rorke served as a member of the Executive Council from 1879 to 1882. He died in Carbonear at the age of 89.[citation needed]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "John Rorke & Sons Limited fonds, 1879-1933". Memorial University. Retrieved 3 March 2022.
  2. ^ "Rorke Stores". Registered Heritage Structures. Memorial University. Retrieved 21 October 2009.
  3. ^ "Rorke's Stone Jug". Registered Heritage Structures. Memorial University. Retrieved 21 October 2009.

Sources[edit]

  • Cuff, Robert H (1990). Dictionary of Newfoundland and Labrador Biography. ISBN 0-921191-51-0.