William Ralph Meredith, who represents the City of London in the Ontario Legislature, is a native of Middlesex County, in this Province, and was born in the Township of Westminster, March 31, 1840. His father, John Cooke Meredith, born in the City
of Dublin, Ireland, and there graduated at Trinity College, is Clerk of the Division Court for the County of Middlesex. His mother, before her marriage, was Sarah Pegler.
Our subject was educated in the London Grammar School and the University of Toronto, being graduated from the law department of the latter institution, and called to the Bar at the Trinity term, 1861. Mr. Meredith opened a law office in London, in the autumn of the year just mentioned, and in a short time built up a remunerative practice. As a lawyer, he is held in high esteem in the community, and holds a high position in the fraternity. He is good in common law and consultation, and is regarded by many as the leading Chancery lawyer in Western Ontario. He is Solicitor for the City of London.
He was elected a Bencher of the Law Society of Ontario in 1871, and created a Q. C. in 1876. In August, 1872, Mr. Meredith was returned to the seat in the Local Parliament which he now holds, on the resignation of the sitting member, Hon. John Carling, and was re-elected at the general elections, in January, 1875, and June, 1879.
In politics his affiliations are with the Liberal Conservative party, and hence is opposed to the Mowat administration. He favors compulsory voting. He is the leader of his party in the Province. He adheres to the English Church, though not, we believe, a communicant.
Mr. Meredith was a member of the Senate of the University of Toronto, which conferred upon him the degree of LL.B., in 1872.
The wife of our subject was Mary Holmes, daughter of Marcus Holmes of London, Ontario, married June 26, 1862. They have four children living, and lost one son in infancy.