David Wark

David Wark, (February 19, 1804 – August 20, 1905) Irish-born, was a prominent Canadian Senator who served nearly 38 years in office.[1]

This article is about the Canadian senator. For the Australian politician, see David Wark (Australian politician).
David Wark
David Wark
Source: Library and Archives Canada
Member of the Senate of Canada
In office
1867–1905
Preceded byWilliam Hales Hingston
Succeeded byRodolphe Lemieux
Personal details
Born(1804-02-19)February 19, 1804
Derry, Ireland
DiedAugust 20, 1905(1905-08-20) (aged 101)
Fredericton, New Brunswick
Political partyLiberal Party of Canada
OccupationMerchant

He represented Kent County in the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick from 1843 to 1850. In 1847, he introduced a resolution calling for free trade among the British North American colonies and was, therefore, among the first to seek the closer relations among the colonies that eventually led, 20 years later, to Confederation.[2]

Wark was named to the Legislative Council in 1850 and served until Confederation. He served in the province's Executive Council as a minister without portfolio from 1858 to 1862 and as Receiver General from 1866 to 1867.[1]

Wark was named Senator by a Royal Proclamation in 1867. Known as the "Grand Old Man of the Canadian Senate", he served until his death at the age of 101. At the time of his demise, Wark was the longest lived legislator in the world; he was later surpassed by another Canadian Senator, Georges-Casimir Dessaulles, who died in 1930 at the age of 102.

Family background

David Wark's family originated in Scotland, but his forebears emigrated to Ireland in the early 17th century as part of an organized colonization known as the Plantation of Ulster.[3] His father was a farmer near Derry and David Wark was born there on February 19, 1804.[3] He received his elementary education in Derry schools before pursuing more advanced studies under the supervision of the resident Presbyterian clergyman.[3]

Emigration and business career

In 1825, at the age of 21, Wark emigrated to eastern New Brunswick's Richibucto, Rexton area where he worked as a bookkeeper for local merchants and for six years, taught their children.[3][4] By 1836, he had saved enough money to buy his own general store and later, he began a successful, 40-year career in the lumber business.[3][4] His long public service career began when he was appointed county magistrate and then, a judge in the Court of Common Pleas.[4]

Political career

In 1842, Wark was elected to the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick as a Liberal.[1][3] He was re-elected in 1846.[3] In 1850, he was appointed to the upper house or Legislative Council of New Brunswick where he served for 16 years.[3] During that time, he was appointed to the cabinet or Executive Council of New Brunswick as Minister Without Portfolio (1858-1862) and Receiver General (1866-1867).[1]

When New Brunswick joined Confederation in 1867, Wark was appointed to the Senate of Canada.[1] He sat in the senate for 37 years, nine months and 28 days until his death in 1905.[1] During his time there, he served continuously as a member of the powerful standing committee on banking, commerce and railways which became the standing committee on banking and commerce in 1875.[1]

By 1871, he had earned enough money to retire from business pursuits and move to Fredericton.[3]

References
  1. Parliament of Canada. "Hon. David Wark". Retrieved October 26, 2018.
  2. Debates of the Senate of the Dominion of Canada, 9th Parliament, 4th Session Vol. 1, April 28, 1904. During a Senate tribute to Wark after his 100th birthday, his colleague Senator Richard William Scott said: "Among the many instances that might be quoted of the value of your life, I might cite one which I think is worth being remembered. It is, that the first impulse given to the expansion of our present Dominion was due to you, when in 1847 you moved a resolution in the provincial legislature of New Brunswick, expressing the hoped that the sister provinces would abolish the custom-houses that then divided them. That certainly was the forerunner of the confederation of this Dominion."
  3. Jack, Isaac Allen. (1900) Biographical Review: Province of New Brunswick. Boston: Biographical Review Publishing Company.
  4. "Historic People". Village of Rexton. Retrieved October 26, 2018.
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