The subject of this short sketch, George Washington Badgerow, very properly ranks among that younger class of Ontario’s deserving men, just entering public life, but whose previous career, though brief, gives promise of ultimate success. He is a native of the Province, and was born on the 28th of May, 1841, in the township of Markham. His parents were Martin and Elizabeth (Harrington) Badgerow.
Martin Badgerow was a native of the State of New York, but came to Canada with his parents about the year 1810, and settled in Markham, engaging in farming. They were a well to do family, and followed agricultural pursuits successfully for many years. In 1843 Martin Badgerow removed to Scarboro’, where he engaged in woolen manufacture as well as farming, He died in 1878 at the age of seventy years.
Our subject was educated at the Markham grammar school, where by close attention to his studies he took a high rank, receiving a first-class certificate. After leaving school he taught for three years in the district school of York, and was for one year mathematical teacher in the Bowmanville Union school. He then became a student at law in the office of Messrs. Paterson, Harrison, and Bain, where he remained for five years. He was called to the Bar of Ontario, at the Easter term, 1871, and immediately entered upon the practice of his profession in Toronto. He is now at the head of the firm of Badgerow and Fullerton, barristers, solicitors, etc.
Mr. Badgerow is a Liberal in political sentiments, as were his father and grandfather before him. At the general election held June 5, 1879, he contested the East Riding of York in the interests of the Reform party, and obtained a seat in the Ontario Parliament, where he has passed one session, during which he took a very conspicuous stand in support of Toronto University. He is a fluent speaker, and bids fair to become a prominent member of the House.
January 23, 1867, Mr. Badgerow was married in Toronto, to Rachel, daughter of. William Mulholland, Esq., of the township of York, by whom he has three children.