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Joseph Rorke

1832 – 1907

Canadian politician

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About Joseph Rorke

Lived 1832 – 1907 (aged 74). Joseph Rorke was a Canadian politician.

Joseph Rorke (April 26, 1832 – April 11, 1907) was an Ontario businessman and political figure. He represented Grey Centre in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario as a Conservative member from 1886 to 1894.

He was born in Tecumseh Township, Simcoe County, Upper Canada in 1832, the son of Richard Rorke, an immigrant from Ireland. He moved with his family to Collingwood Township in 1848. Rorke worked on his father's farm and taught school. In 1859, he was appointed a justice of the peace. From 1860 to 1864, he worked as an accountant for merchants in Clarksburg. Rorke married Susan Donaldson in 1867 and was named a notary public that same year. He served in the local militia, first as captain and then lieutenant. Rorke was reeve for Collingwood Township from 1873 to 1878 and served as warden for Grey County in 1876. He was a member of the board of directors for the North Grey and Northern Extension Railways. He was a district and county master for the Orange Lodge and a member of the Freemasons. He ran unsuccessfully for a seat in the provincial legislature in 1879. In 1888, he married Jennie Morton after the death of his first wife. He died at Collingwood, Ontario in 1907.

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Important facts

Birth century
Occupation
Nationality
Positions held
Member of the Ontario Provincial Parliament

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Joseph Rorke's

Frequently asked questions

Who was Joseph Rorke?

Canadian politician

When was Joseph Rorke born?

Joseph Rorke was born on 26 April 1832 in Simcoe County, Ontario.

When did Joseph Rorke die?

Joseph Rorke died on 11 April 1907 in Collingwood.

What was Joseph Rorke's occupation?

Joseph Rorke was a politician.

What nationality was Joseph Rorke?

Joseph Rorke was Canadian.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Joseph Rorke

· Wikidata: Q6286649

· DBpedia: Joseph Rorke

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Joseph Rorke. https://biography.guide/joseph-rorke/

MLA: "Joseph Rorke." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/joseph-rorke/.

Chicago: "Joseph Rorke." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/joseph-rorke/.

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