Sir George W. Ross 1841-1914

Born on a nearby farm, Ontario's fifth prime minister was for many years a teacher and a school inspector in Middlesex County. He was elected to the federal parliament in 1872 as Liberal member for Middlesex West. In 1883, he entered the Ontario government as minister of education under Oliver Mowat. When A.S. Hardy retired in 1899, G.W. Ross became prime minister of Ontario and provincial treasurer. His government, 1899-1905, promoted distribution of hydro-electric power and the construction of a provincial railway for northern Ontario. Appointed to the Senate in 1907, he was its Liberal leader from 1911 until his death. Ross was knighted for his public service in 1911.