James Glendinning

James Glendinning was born in Brock Township in 1849. As a young man he inherited and assumed the operation of his grandfather’s 150 acre Brock Township farm on lot 9, concession 8, near Vroomanton.

James was much the politician and a community spirited man. His first entry into politics was his election to the Brock Township Council and in 1888, he was elected Reeve. In this capacity he also sat on the Ontario County Council. In 1890 his interest turned to provincial issues and he was elected to the Ontario Legislative Assembly for the North Ontario Riding serving through 1894.

The Legislative Assembly at the time met in Kingston and Glendinning relied on his sons to maintain the farm operation. With their departure, Glendinning leased the farm and in 1904, he and his wife retired and took up residence in the village of Sunderland.

Just before the death of his brother Henry in 1904, James had travelled to Swan River, Manitoba for a visit. Possibly through this visit, James took an interest in the financial burden faced by the ill. The Swan River newspaper lists James as a founding member of the Independent Order of the Foresters (I.O.F.), a fraternal benefit society devoted to the financial support of any member falling ill. For many years, James devoted his energy to the promotion of this organization.