David Reesor

Who was David Reesor?

David Reesor was an Ontario businessman and political figure. He was a Liberal member of the Senate of Canada for King's division from 1867 to 1901.

He was born in Reesorville, Upper Canada in 1823 to parents Abraham Reesor and Anna Dettwiler, descended from Pennsylvania Dutch Mennonite immigrants who first settled in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. David was the nephew of Abraham Stouffer, founder of Stouffville, and of Peter Reesor, co-founder of Reesorville and Cedar Valley. In 1848, he married Emily McDougall, who was the sister of politician William McDougall. Reesor was editor of the Markham Economist. He was also a magistrate and notary public, reeve of Markham, Ontario and served as warden for York and Peel counties. Though Reesor came from a pacifist Mennonite background, he became a lieutenant-colonel in the local militia. He was elected to the Legislative Council of the Province of Canada for King's division in 1860 and served until Confederation, when he was named to the Senate. During the debates preceding Confederation, Reesor supported an elected Senate. He resigned in 1901.