Arza Clair Casselman

Who was Arza Clair Casselman?

Arza Clair Casselman was an Ontario lawyer and political figure. He represented Grenville in 1921 and then Grenville—Dundas from 1925 to 1958 in the Canadian House of Commons as a Conservative and later Progressive Conservative member.

He was born in Williamsburg Township, Ontario in 1891, the son of Michael Casselman. He studied at Morrisburg and then Osgoode Hall and was called to the bar in 1915. He served in the Canadian Army in World War I. On his return, he set up practice in Prescott. He married Dorothy Chalmers in 1920. In 1921, he was elected to the House of Commons but stepped aside to allow Arthur Meighen to take his seat in 1922. In 1925, Casselman married Elizabeth Mundle after the death of his first wife. In 1931, he was named King's Counsel. He served as whip for the Conservative party from 1935 to 1955. In 1946, he married Jean Rowe, the daughter of Earl Rowe. His wife Jean was elected to his seat after his death in 1958.