Sir John Carling

Sir John Carling

Sir John Carling, brewer, politician (b in London Twp, Upper Canada 23 Jan 1828; d at London, Ont 6 Nov 1911). His father, Thomas C. Carling, a Methodist agricultural labourer, had emigrated from Yorkshire in 1818. At age 21 John joined the brewing and malting business which his father had established in 1843 near Victoria Barracks, London. He inherited the business in 1849 and continued as president, but he left its operation to his brother William and entered politics. He represented London as a Conservative in the assembly of the Province of Canada 1857-67 and in the Ontario Assembly 1867-73.

After Confederation, Carling also sat in the House of Commons 1867-74, 1878-91 and 1892-95. He held several Cabinet posts, most notably as postmaster general, under John A. MACDONALD 1882-85, and minister of agriculture 1885-92. In 1893 he was created KCMG; he sat in the Senate 1891-92 and 1896 to his death. The incorporation of the Carling Brewing and Malting Co in 1883 helped to finance his political career.