Elora in Centre Wellington in Wellington County, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)
Charles Clarke 1826-1909
Photographed by Tim Boyd, November 24, 2025
1. Charles Clarke 1826-1909 Marker
Inscription.
A leader in the radical reform movement in 19th-century Ontario, Clarke was born in Lincoln, England. In his youth he developed a keen interest in politics and, after emigrating to Upper Canada and settling in Elora in 1848, he joined the ranks of the province's radical reformers. In 1851 Clarke played a prominent role in drafting the Clear Grit platform which included such policies as representation by population, universal male suffrage and the secret ballot. Although he devoted his energies primarily to local affairs for the next two decades, he represented this area in the provincial legislature from 1871-91 and then served as Clerk of the Assembly. Before finally retiring to his home here in 1907, Clarke saw most of the policies he had advocated enacted into law.,
A leader in the radical reform movement in 19th-century Ontario, Clarke was born in Lincoln, England. In his youth he developed a keen interest in politics and, after emigrating to Upper Canada and settling in Elora in 1848, he joined the ranks of the province's radical reformers. In 1851 Clarke played a prominent role in drafting the Clear Grit platform which included such policies as representation by population, universal male suffrage and the secret ballot.
Although he devoted his energies primarily to local affairs for the next two decades, he represented this area in the provincial legislature from 1871-91 and then served as Clerk of the Assembly. Before finally retiring to his home here in 1907, Clarke saw most of the policies he had advocated enacted into law.
L'un des chefs du mouvement de réforme radicale de l’Ontario du XIXe siècle, Charles Clarke est né à Lincoln (Angleterre). Il s'intéressa très jeune à la politique et, après avoir émigré dans le Haut-Canada et s'être établi à Elora en 1848, il se joignit aux réformistes radicaux de la province. En 1851, M. Clarke joua un rôle important dans l'ela-boration de la plate-forme du "Clear Grit" qui demandatt notamment la représentation populaire, le suffrage universel pour les hommes et le scrutin secret. Il se consacra principalement aux affaires locales pendant les vingt années suivantes et représenta sa circonscription à l'Assemblée législative de la province de 1871 à 1891 ou il exerça ensuite les fonctions de greffter. Avant de se retirer en ses lieux en 1907, M. Clarke vit promulguer la plupart de ses politiques.
Topics and series.
Click or scan to see this page online
This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Government & Politics. In addition, it is included in the Canada, Ontario Heritage Trust series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1848.
Location. 43° 40.96′ N, 80° 25.751′ W. Marker is in Centre Wellington, Ontario, in Wellington County. It is in Elora. It is at the intersection of Church Street and Geddes Street, on the right when traveling east on Church Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 37 Geddes Street, Centre Wellington ON N0B 1S0, Canada. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Huron-Perth-Waterloo-Wellington Area and in Southwestern Ontario. It is also in Central Canada. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once a British colony, the Viceroyalty of New France, the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy, and Rupert’s Land.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Lower Geddes Street (a few steps from this marker); Upper Metcalfe Street (about 90 meters
4. Charles Clarke, as Speaker of the Ontario Legislature, ca 1880
Wikipedia (public domain)
Credits. This page was last revised on November 28, 2025. It was originally submitted on November 27, 2025, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. This page has been viewed 53 times since then and 21 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on November 27, 2025, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
![Charles Clarke 1826-1909 Marker [français] image. Click for full size.](Photos9/911/Photo911490.jpg?1127202551500PM "Charles Clarke 1826-1909 Marker [français]. Click for full size.")
