John Esson

Who was John Esson?

John Esson was a merchant and politician in Nova Scotia. He represented Halifax County in the Nova Scotia House of Assembly from 1851 to 1863 as a Reformer.

He was born in Aberdeen, Scotland, the son of Charles Esson and Elizabeth Whyte, and came to Halifax around 1823. He learned the grocery trade from his uncle and later set up his own store, going on to establish a wholesale grocery firm. In 1836, he married Harriet Ann Leonard. Esson was president of the Halifax Fire Insurance Company from 1858 to 1863; he also served as president of the Halifax Agricultural Society. Esson was chair of the province's public accounts committee from 1856 to 1863. He died in office in Halifax at the age of 58.