Erskine Henry Bronson

Who was Erskine Henry Bronson?

Erskine Henry Bronson was an American-born Canadian businessman and political figure. He represented the City of Ottawa in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario from 1886 to 1898.

He was born in Bolton, New York in 1844, the son of Henry Franklin Bronson, and came to Bytown with his family in 1853. Bronson was educated in Ottawa and New York. He became a partner in the Bronsons and Weston Lumber Company in 1867 and took control of the company when his father died in 1889.

Bronson served on Ottawa City Council from 1872 to 1877 and was a provincial minister in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario from 1886 to 1898. He was also a public school board trustee for 18 years.

Bronson was president of the Ottawa Power Company, Limited. This resulted from his efforts to diversify the family business. The power house and power plant at Chaudière Falls which were erected in 1900 following the 1900 Hull–Ottawa fire were owned by this company. Bronson also was responsible for the 1891 construction of Generating Station No. 2 at the falls. He, with Gordon B. Pattee, formed Standard Electric Light Company. Bronson was later director of the Ottawa Electric Company later absorbed by Ottawa Hydro.