=Thoburn, William= (Almonte, Ont.), Woollen Manufacturer, Member of Parliament and ex-Mayor, came to Canada in the year 1857, from Portsmouth, England, where he was born on April 14, 1847, and received his early education at Pakenham School, Pakenham, Ontario. He removed to Almonte in 1867, and for eleven years was engaged in mercantile business. For the last thirty-six years he has been extensively interested in the manufacture of woollens, having built up a large business and his goods are known the world over. Having made a success of his own business affairs, he was persuaded to offer himself as the Conservative Candidate for the House of Commons for North Lanark, and was first elected in 1908, and re-elected in 1911, and was one of the few members in his seat in the Chamber of the House of Commons the night of the terrible fire, when that beautiful building was totally destroyed, Feb. 3, 1916. Besides his many business and political duties, he connected himself with many Boards, and is Vice-President of the Ker-Ben Stove and Furnace Foundry; director of the Trusts and Guarantee Company, Toronto; director of the Almonte Knitting Company, Almonte; life director of the General Hospital, Ottawa, and director of the Rosamond Memorial Hospital, Almonte. He served for several years as a school trustee and councillor, and was for seven years Mayor, and has always taken a keen interest in everything pertaining to the good and welfare of the Town of Almonte. Mr. Thoburn is a widower and has two children: Annie, married to Percy Jamieson, Almonte, and Mae Elliott, married to A. M. May, Toronto. He is a member of the Methodist Church, and much interested in Church and Missionary work; a member of the Rideau Club, Ottawa, and in politics a staunch Conservative. Mr. Thoburn took an active part in patriotic work during the war, and was always one of the first citizens in his district to contribute financially and otherwise whenever called upon. In his parliamentary duties he is looked upon as a man of good judgment and his advice on many matters is often sought by his colleagues. * * * * *