Absalom Greeley


Absalom Greeley was the Member of Provincial Parliament for Prince Edward in the 1st Legislative Assembly of Ontario from 1867 to 1870. Greeley ran on the political platform of the Reform movement; however he was thought to be a Yankee Tory; a conservative with American origins in the American Whig Party. He is also supportive of the Family Compact which is not consistent with a Reform platform.

Origins

Absalom Greeley is believed to have emigrated from Maine, U.S.A. with his parents in the early half of the 1800s. His father had been a surveyor there. Although largely self-educated, he is credited with good learning and significant intellect. His place of residence after 1881 is unknown.

Political History

In 1869, he is reported in Toronto newspapers as supporting the extravagant expenses at the Governors residence in an attempt to curry favour with the Family Compact. He is also reported to have tried to sell his party nomination for a county seat as Reeve; an attempt which eventually failed and became public knownledge. Greeley did not run in the 1871 election. In 1881, Greeley was charged with forgery in the town of Picton, Prince Edward County.

Parliamentary Work

As an MPP, he worked on the following Committees:

Standing Committees