William Arnson Willoughby

Who was William Arnson Willoughby?

William Arnson Willoughby was an Ontario physician and political figure. He represented Northumberland East in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario as a Conservative member from 1886 to 1887, from 1888 to 1898 and from 1902 to 1908.

He was born in West Gwillimbury Township, Simcoe County, Canada West in 1844, the son of George H. Willoughby who came to Upper Canada from Ireland. He graduated with an M.D. from Victoria College in 1867 and practiced in Grafton and later Colborne. Willoughby served as a member of the Colborne town council, including seven years as reeve. He was warden for Northumberland and Durham Counties in 1884. Willoughby also served as surgeon for the local militia. He was elected to the provincial assembly in 1886 but unseated after an appeal; he was reelected to the seat after the death of Richard Clark in 1888.