Hollis Smith

Hollis Smith (June 24 1800 – March 29 1863) was a businessman and political figure in Canada East.

He was born in Plainfield, New Hampshire in 1800 and grew up in Hatley Township in Lower Canada. He esettled near Lennoxville, first as a farmer, then later opening a general store. He then opened stores at Compton and Eaton (now part of Cookshire-Eaton). He also acquired land and worked with Alexander Tilloch Galt of the British American Land Company to build a road to open up access to the Eastern Townships. Smith supported the Montreal Annexation Manifesto of 1849. He helped establish Bishop's College and was a partner in the St. Lawrence and Atlantic Railroad and the Sherbrooke Cotton Factory. In 1856, he moved his residence to Sherbrooke, where he was secretary for the Mutual Fire Insurance Company. In 1856, he was elected to the Legislative Council of the Province of Canada for Wellington district. Originally a Liberal supporter, he declared himself an Independent in 1857 and a Conservative in 1858.

He died in Sherbrooke in 1863, after an attack of apoplexy.

His daughter Susan Selina married Alexander Manning, a mayor of Toronto.

External links

* [http://www.biographi.ca/009004-119.01-e.php?&id_nbr=4709 Biography at the "Dictionary of Canadian Biography Online"]