Francis Henry Medcalf
Mayor and First County Master
Francis Henry Medcalf was born to William and Martha at Delgany, County Wicklow, Ireland on May, 10th/1803. The parents along with their eight children arrived in Upper Canada in 1819. In 1823 Medcalf left for the United States and stayed there until 1839, working as a blacksmith and millwright, afterwards landing back in Toronto. In 1847 he established the Don Foundry and Machine Shop on King Street East, a company that specialized in the manufacture of agricultural implements and machinery.
A staunch Orangeman Medcalf served as Master of Toronto’s McKinley L.O.L.275 on several occasions, also serving as District Master and as the first County Master of Toronto on the formation of the County Orange Lodge of Toronto in 1860. Medcalf was the second Grand Master of the Grand Orange Lodge of Ontario West, holding that office in from 1862 to 1864.
He was Mayor of Toronto on two occasions from 1864 to 1866 and again in 1874 and 1875. Municipally he also served as a Toronto alderman for both St.Lawrence and St.David’s Wards. Medcalf had four sons and two daughters. Sons Alfred and Edward were also members of the Orange Association.
Francis Henry Medcalf passed away on May, 26th/1880. His burial service was held at Little Trinity Anglican Church on King Street just east of Parliament Street, for the service County Master E.F.Clarke draped the banner of McKinley No.275 over his coffin. The funeral procession was north on Parliament Street to St.James Cemetery and included; 200 members of the Royal Black Knights, 380 Orangemen from various Toronto lodges, 10 carriages for aldermen of the city and members of the bar, and 23 carriages for friends and family.
Medcalf Hall, the main meeting room of the County Orange hall in Toronto is named in his honour.
Submitted by John Wells – County Secretary – March. 7th/2010
Sources:
www.biographi.com
Wikipedia.ca
Http://roughian.tripod.com
The Globe and Mail, May.29/1880
A staunch Orangeman Medcalf served as Master of Toronto’s McKinley L.O.L.275 on several occasions, also serving as District Master and as the first County Master of Toronto on the formation of the County Orange Lodge of Toronto in 1860. Medcalf was the second Grand Master of the Grand Orange Lodge of Ontario West, holding that office in from 1862 to 1864.
He was Mayor of Toronto on two occasions from 1864 to 1866 and again in 1874 and 1875. Municipally he also served as a Toronto alderman for both St.Lawrence and St.David’s Wards. Medcalf had four sons and two daughters. Sons Alfred and Edward were also members of the Orange Association.
Francis Henry Medcalf passed away on May, 26th/1880. His burial service was held at Little Trinity Anglican Church on King Street just east of Parliament Street, for the service County Master E.F.Clarke draped the banner of McKinley No.275 over his coffin. The funeral procession was north on Parliament Street to St.James Cemetery and included; 200 members of the Royal Black Knights, 380 Orangemen from various Toronto lodges, 10 carriages for aldermen of the city and members of the bar, and 23 carriages for friends and family.
Medcalf Hall, the main meeting room of the County Orange hall in Toronto is named in his honour.
Submitted by John Wells – County Secretary – March. 7th/2010
Sources:
www.biographi.com
Wikipedia.ca
Http://roughian.tripod.com
The Globe and Mail, May.29/1880