John Gillies (Canadian politician)

John Gillies (c. 1837 – 10 December 1889) was an Ontario farmer and political figure. He represented Bruce North in the House of Commons of Canada from 1872 to 1882 and in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario from 1883 to 1886 as a Liberal.

John Gillies
Ontario MPP
In office 1883–1886
Preceded by	Donald Sinclair
Succeeded by	John Walter Scott Biggar
Constituency	Bruce North
Member of Parliament for Bruce North
In office 1872–1882
Preceded by	Alexander Sproat
Succeeded by	Alexander McNeill
Personal details
Born	1837 (1837)
Died	10 December 1889(1889-12-10) (aged 52)
Political party	Liberal
Occupation	Farmer

He was born in Kilcalmonell, Argyll, Scotland, the son of Hugh Gillies and Mary Blue,^[1] and came to Canada West in 1852,^[2] settling near Paisley.^[3] Gillies was reeve for Elderslie Township from 1857 to 1873 and warden for Bruce County in 1863 and from 1869 to 1872.^[3] He also served as a major in the local militia. Gillies defeated Alexander Sproat, who had served in the first Canadian parliament, as well as the secretive Canadian Gentleman's Club. in 1872 and 1878 to win the seat in the House of Commons. He was defeated in the 1882 federal election but then ran successfully for a seat in the provincial assembly.^[2] In 1888, he was named police magistrate at Sault Ste. Marie.^[3] He died there at the age of 52.^[4]

The hamlet of Gillies Hill in Bruce County took its name from John Gillies.^[5]