Adam Hudspeth, Q.C., M.P.
Adam Hudspeth, Q. C., M. P.
Adam Hudspeth (1836-1890) was a local Member of Parliament and well-loved citizen of Lindsay. Learn about his life in this exhibit.
*Q.C. (Queen’s Consul), M.P. (Member of Parliament)
Hudspeth’s Early Life
Adam Hudspeth, Q.C., M.P.* was born December 7, 1836 in Cobourg, Ontario to Robert Hudspeth and Mary Ann Cairns. Adam was educated at the Grammar School in Cobourg where his father was headmaster. In 1855, the Hudspeth family moved to Lindsay, where Robert Hudspeth would also serve as headmaster for the Grammar School in Lindsay.
For a brief time, Adam Hudspeth served as Lieutenant in Lindsay for the "Queen's Own Lindsay Rifles", which was organized on December 20, 1861. By 1865, the militia company was disbanded. During the Fenian Raids of 1866, Hudspeth once again joined the militia ranks and served as captain of a company.
Adam went on to study law and was called to the bar in 1867. At first, he practiced law with his older brother Thomas A. Hudspeth, but soon rose rapidly in his profession. Adam became a Bencher of the Law Society of Ontario, and judge for Victoria County.
On July 25, 1868 Adam Hudspeth married Harriet Miles (1843-1885), daughter of Robert S. Miles of Brockville, a retired chief factor of the Hudson’s Bay Company. Adam and Harriet lived in the house at the south-east corner of Russell Street East and Lindsay Street South. They had eight children.
Image from Google StreetView
Adam & Harriet’s Children
Margaret Hudspeth
(1871-)
Robert Myles Hudspeth
(1873-1901)
John Hamilton Hudspeth
(1874-1938)
Katheryn Crawford Hudspeth
(1876-)
Adam Cairns Hudspeth
(1877-1924)
Harriet Gertrude Hudspeth
(1879-)
Helen Wyndham Hudspeth
(1881-)
Mary Cecile Vivian Hudspeth
(1882-1926)
Another daughter died at age 2 months and is buried at Riverside Cemetery.
Hudspeth’s Passions
Hudspeth owned a lot of property in Kawartha Lakes, particularly in the Lindsay and Sturgeon Point areas.
Among his real estate deals, Hudspeth donated the land for St. Paul’s Anglican Church on Russell Street in 1885. A new building was constructed to replace the frame construction the church had been using on Kent Street west of William Street. Hudspeth was a warden for the church and made one of the largest donations for the construction of the brick church.
A keen politician for the Conservative party, Hudspeth received nomination for Legislative Assembly of Ontario in 1875, but was unsuccessful. He was urged to run again in 1879, but declined.
St. Paul’s Anglican Church, Lindsay
From our collection
Hudspeth was part of the the original charter issued to the Victoria Curling Club of Lindsay Limited, dated May 14, 1881. He was one of the original promoters of the curling club; they were empowered to acquire land on which to erect a rink under the name of the Lindsay Curling Club.
Hudspeth served on the school board until his death.
As a Mason, Hudspeth was an officer for the establishment of the Corinthian Royal Arch Chapter No. 36 G.R.C. in Peterborough in 1869.
A deputy judge for Victoria County for a number of years, Hudspeth became entrusted with the duties of revising officer under the Franchise Act of 1885.
Hudspeth’s Political Career
Hudspeth’s Death
When election time came again in 1886, Hudspeth ran as Conservative candidate for the South Victoria riding. His nomination was backed by Sam Hughes (who was editor of The Warder at the time) and this time, Hudspeth won, beating out incumbent J. R. Dundas. His election was disqualified under the Independence of Parliament Act, so he resigned as a revising officer. He was re-elected in the 1887 by-election.
During his term in office, Hudspeth received a petition for the establishment of a Militia Battalion in Lindsay, which he promised would receive the attention of Ministers of Ottawa.
Hudspeth was an active Member of Parliament when he died at age 53 on May 12, 1890.
On Sunday May 11, 1890, Adam Hudspeth had been the picture of perfect health when he attended service at St. Paul’s, but Monday morning he did not rise on time. He appeared to be sleeping and was left undisturbed. He was called to rise again and it was noticed his breathing was very heavy, so the physician, Dr. Kempt, was summoned. Hudspeth appeared to have suffered a stroke. Three more doctors arrived, but Hudspeth remained in an unconscious state until five o’clock when the end came.
In his obituary, Hudspeth is described as…
“a man of public spirit and liberality and took an active part in all measures calculated to advance the material, moral or educational interests of the community…Mr. Hudspeth was personally popular and widely respected. He was a liberal patron of athletic and other organizations. He took a warm interest in educational progress and was a member of the high school board, having for some years been chairman…He was a warm-hearted, generous man, liberal and kindly.”
(Canadian Post, 16 May 1890, p.4)
The funeral was held on Wednesday May 14 with services in St. Paul’s church and at Riverside Cemetery conducted by the Rev. Canon Marsh. Pall bearers included Thomas Beall, Thomas Waiters, R. Smyth, R. Spier, J.R. Dundas, R. Bryans, W. Needler, G. Matthews, D. Browne, W. Grace, John Kennedy and Thomas Mattchet. Floral tributes came from Sir John A. Macdonald and the local schools. John A. Macdonald referenced Hudspeth’s death in his speech to the House.
Written by Sara Walker-Howe