A Cyclopaedia of Canadian Biography: Being Chiefly Men of the Time: A Collection of Persons Distinguished in Professional and Political Life, Leaders in the Commerce and Industry of Canada, and Successful Pioneers
History
A Cyclopaedia of Canadian Biography: Being Chiefly Men of the Time: A Collection of Persons Distinguished in Professional and Political Life, Leaders in the Commerce and Industry of Canada, and Successful Pioneers
=Nettleton, John=, Mayor of Collingwood, Simcoe county, Ontario, was
born at Lofthouse, Yorkshire, England, on the 12th of November, 1832,
his father, William Nettleton, and grandfather before him, carrying on
the business of merchant tailors in that village. After learning the
business with his father, Mr. Nettleton, jr., worked at the trade in the
following places, viz.: Leeds, London, Manchester and Liverpool, and at
the latter place he was married to Elizabeth Boardman Womersley, on the
9th May, 1853, in St. Peter’s Church. On the 4th of April, 1857, he and
his wife and one child emigrated to Canada, arriving in Toronto on the
23rd of the same month. After staying there and at Markham village for a
short time, he finally settled down in Collingwood, then a town only in
its infancy. In 1859 he commenced business for himself, and has lived
there continuously ever since. In 1867 he was elected by acclamation as
town councillor for the Centre ward, and for sixteen years he has held
the position of either councillor or deputy reeve. He was elected to the
mayoralty in 1886, and re-elected in 1887. He has been connected with
and has taken an active part in almost everything that has been advanced
for the improvement of the town since the time he took up his abode in
it. In February, 1862, he was initiated into Free Masonry, in Manitou
lodge, No. 90, G.R.C., and after having passed through all the
subordinate offices, he was elected Master in 1867, which position he
held for two years. After being out for a short time, he subsequently
was re-elected, and held the office for three years more. In 1870 he was
appointed by the Grand Lodge of Canada a grand steward; in 1873 he was
elected grand registrar, and in 1879 district deputy grand master for
the Georgian district, which position he held for two years. He was also
the means of instituting Caledonia lodge, No. 249, Angus, and Granite
lodge, No. 352, Parry Sound. In both instances he was elected their
first master, and now holds the position of honorary member in each
lodge. He was also presented by these lodges with a full set of Grand
Lodge regalia, in recognition of his services. In Royal Arch masonry he
has taken the same interest as in the Blue lodge, having been elected
first principal Z in Manitou chapter, No. 27, which office he has held
for several years. He is also past eminent commander of Hurontario
Encampment of Knights Templars, and was elected honorary member of Mount
Calvary Preceptory, No. 12, G.R.C., Barrie. He has also taken an active
part in other benevolent societies as well as Masonic, and was mainly
instrumental in organizing the Ancient Order of United Workmen, the
Select Knights, and also the Sons of England Benevolent Society, in all
of which he was their first master. Mr. Nettleton has also taken an
active part in every political movement that has taken place in the
county during his residence in Collingwood, and has always worked for
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