William Harrison (reeve)

Infobox Person
name = "William Harrison"


caption = William Harrison with wife Christina
spouse = Christina Harrison (née Whelpton)
birth_date = May 10, 1834
death_date = March 2, 1922
resting_place = Richmond Hill Presbyterian cemetery
religion = Methodist

William Harrison (May 10, 1834 - March 2, 1922) was a harness and saddlecite web|url = http://edrh.rhpl.richmondhill.on.ca/default.asp?ID=s9.4|title = Business on the Hill|author = Robert M. Stamp|publisher = Town of Richmond Hill Public Library|date = 1991|work = Early Days in Richmond Hill - A History of the Community to 1930] maker who served as the second reeve of Richmond Hill, Ontario in 1874. He was the community's first historian.cite web|url = http://edrh.rhpl.richmondhill.on.ca/default.asp?ID=s8.4|title = The First Village Council|author = Robert M. Stamp|publisher = Town of Richmond Hill Public Library|date = 1991|work = Early Days in Richmond Hill - A History of the Community to 1930]

Born in Bath, Englandcite web|url = http://edrh.rhpl.richmondhill.on.ca/cemeteries/stone.asp?ID=RHPresCem&SID=RHS4.15|title = Harrison|publisher = Town of Richmond Hill Public Library] his family moved to a farm north of Richmond Hill, Ontario in 1843.cite web|url = http://edrh.rhpl.richmondhill.on.ca/default.asp?ID=s8.7|title = Who Was Who in the 1873 Municipal Elections|author = Robert M. Stamp|publisher = Town of Richmond Hill Public Library|date = 1991|work = Early Days in Richmond Hill - A History of the Community to 1930] After the death of his father a mere nine months after the family arrived in Canada, the family moved into the Richmond Hill community. Harrison opened a saddle and harness maker's shop in Richmond Hill, Ontario in 1856.cite web|url = http://edrh.rhpl.richmondhill.on.ca/default.asp?ID=sab|title = Appendix B. Occupations*|author = Robert M. Stamp|publisher = Town of Richmond Hill Public Library|date = 1991|work = Early Days in Richmond Hill - A History of the Community to 1930] In Richmond Hill, Harrison took an active role in society. He was involved in organising the community's first fire brigade. He was a founding member of the Richmond Hill Mechanics' Institute and Literary Society. Harrison closed his shop in 1908.

Harrison was elected reeve of the village of Richmond Hill in 1874.cite web|url = http://edrh.rhpl.richmondhill.on.ca/default.asp?ID=saf|title = Appendix F. Community Organizations|author = Robert M. Stamp|publisher = Town of Richmond Hill Public Library|date = 1991|work = Early Days in Richmond Hill - A History of the Community to 1930] He served on the Richmond Hill Village Council only a single year, and was replaced in 1875 by William Trench.

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