John Rorke
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 1863 to 1882 as a Conservative and Confederate.
John Rorke | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of the Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly for Carbonear | |
| In office 1863–1882 | |
| Monarch | Queen Victoria |
| Prime Minister | Hugh Hoyles, Frederick Carter, Charles Fox Bennett, William Whiteway |
| Preceded by | Edmund Hanrahan |
| Succeeded by | Alfred Penney |
| Personal details | |
| Born | John Rorke 9 June 1807 Athlone, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland |
| Died | 13 August 1896 (aged 89) |
| Political party | Conservative |
| Spouse | Mary Toque |
| Occupation | Politician, Merchant |
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.
References
- "John Rorke & Sons Limited fonds, 1879-1933". Memorial University. Retrieved 3 March 2022.
- "Rorke Stores". Registered Heritage Structures. Memorial University. Retrieved 21 October 2009.
- "Rorke's Stone Jug". Registered Heritage Structures. Memorial University. Retrieved 21 October 2009.
Sources
- Cuff, Robert H (1990). Dictionary of Newfoundland and Labrador Biography. ISBN 0-921191-51-0.