William McCraney

Who was William McCraney?

William McCraney was an Ontario businessman and political figure. He represented Halton in the Canadian House of Commons as a Liberal member from 1875 to 1878 and from 1882 to 1887.

He was born in Trafalgar Township, Upper Canada in 1831, the son of Hiram McCraney and Louisa English. From 1852 to 1855, he was involved in lumbering and mining in California. He owned several large farms near Oakville and several sawmills in Halton County. McCraney helped build several Methodist churches and supported temperance. In 1857, he married Elizabeth Coote. In 1868, he sold his farm land and settled in Oakville. He served on the town council, serving as mayor in 1871 and 1872, and also served on the county council. McCraney was also president of the county agricultural society. He was elected as the Member of Parliament for Halton in a by-election in 1875. He was defeated by William McDougall for the Halton seat in 1878 and reelected in 1882.

His brother Daniel was a member of the Ontario assembly. His daughter Susan married Alexander Henderson.