Thomas Simpson Sproule

The Hon. Thomas Simpson Sproule Canadian Parliament for Grey East
In office 1878–1915
Preceded by	William Kingston Flesher
Succeeded by	District was abolished in 1914
Personal details
Born	(1843-10-25)October 25, 1843 King Township, Upper Canada
Died	November 10, 1917(1917-11-10) (aged 74) Markdale, Ontario
Political party	Conservative
Alma mater	University of Michigan

Thomas Simpson Sproule (October 25, 1843 – November 10, 1917) was a

from 1911–1915, and a member of the Canadian Senate from 1915–1917.

Early life and education

Sproule was born to James and Jane (née Mitchell) Sproule, farmers who had emigrated to

His parents moved to Grey County when he was young, and he attended public schools there before studying at University of Michigan and Victoria University in Cobourg. He left school for two years before returning to Victoria University, graduating in 1868 with a degree in medicine.^[1]

Doctor, businessman, politician, and husband

After his graduation, Sproule first practised medicine at Craighurst, Ontario, before he moved to Galesburg, Michigan. He moved back to Grey County, and settled in

He turned to politics and succeeded the retiring

Sproule was also related to the famous NHL Toronto St. Patricks owner Harvey Sproule. Thomas Sproule's niece was Mary Elizabeth Sproule Head, of Milton, Ontario, who along with her husband, John Head, cared for her young nephew Harvey Sproule and his sister.^[4]

Sproule was subsequently re-elected to Parliament eight times in succession.^[5] Both Sproule and his wife were dedicated teetotallers and Prohibitionists, and when Mary Alice Sproule was the hostess of her husband's political functions, she never allowed alcohol to be served.^[3]

Political views

Sproule was a staunch

, and rose to the position of "Master and Sovereign." In 1906, he became "President of the Imperial Grand Council of the World." The Order was noted for its anti-French and anti-Catholic views, particularly at the time.

As a Conservative MP, he was a supporter of

or French-language instruction.

Following the fall of the Conservative government in the 1896 election, largely by the divisions over the school issue, he became a pronounced critic of the immigration policies of Sir Wilfrid Laurier's government. Sproule opposed the admission to Canada of non-British migrants. He supported the abolition of French-language instruction in Ontario schools, and the implementation of Regulation 17. Sproule also opposed the expansion of French-language services by the federal government.

Speaker of the House

Following the defeat of the Laurier government in the

, nominated Sproule to the position of Speaker of the House of Commons. Because Sproule had to lead the House in prayers in both English and French, he embarked on French lessons despite being a lifelong opponent of the language.

During a thirty-six-day filibuster on the question of the government's naval bill, Sproule lost his patience after weeks of 24-hour sessions, and became the first Speaker ever to "name" a member of the House for disorderly conduct.

Illness and death

Sproule was forced to retire from the Speakership due to ill health, and was named to the Senate of Canada in 1915. He served for two years until his death in 1917.^[5] Four years after his death, Sproule's wife Mary Alice sold Knarsboro Hall,^[6] the house Sproule had built for her, and went to live with her daughter where she stayed until her death in 1941.^[3]

Electoral record

v t e 1878 Canadian federal election: Grey East
Party	Candidate	Votes
	Conservative	Thomas Simpson Sproule	1,664
	Unknown	A. Gifford	1,133

v t e 1882 Canadian federal election: Grey East
Party	Candidate	Votes
	Conservative	Thomas Simpson Sproule	1,934
	Unknown	Peter Christie	1,520

v t e 1887 Canadian federal election: Grey East
Party	Candidate	Votes
	Conservative	Thomas Simpson Sproule	2,400
	Liberal	Robert Gilray	1,845

v t e 1891 Canadian federal election: Grey East
Party	Candidate	Votes
	Conservative	Thomas Simpson Sproule	1,977
	Liberal	John Clark	1,958

v t e 1896 Canadian federal election: Grey East
Party	Candidate	Votes
	Conservative	Thomas S. Sproule	2,560
	Patrons of Industry	James Bowes	2,039

v t e 1900 Canadian federal election: Grey East
Party	Candidate	Votes
	Conservative	T. S. Sproule	2,707
	Liberal	C. W. Hartman	2,342

v t e 1904 Canadian federal election: Grey East
Party	Candidate	Votes
	Conservative	Thos S. Sproule	2,209
	Liberal	Clayton W. Hartman	1,527

v t e 1908 Canadian federal election: Grey East
Party	Candidate	Votes
	Conservative	Thomas Simpson Sproule	2,396
	Liberal	Elzear Raymond	1,260

v t e 1911 Canadian federal election: Grey East
Party	Candidate	Votes
	Conservative	Thomas Simpson Sproule	2,560
	Liberal	Clayton Webb Hartman	1,475

References

External links

• "Thomas Simpson Sproule". Dictionary of Canadian Biography (online ed.). University of Toronto Press. 1979–2016.
• Thomas Simpson Sproule – Parliament of Canada biography