John Robertson Dargavel

Who was John Robertson Dargavel?

John Robertson Dargavel was an Ontario farmer, merchant and political figure. He represented Leeds in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario from 1905 to 1919 as a Conservative member.

He was born in Crosby Township, Leeds County, Ontario, the son of Robert Dargavel, whose suggestion it was in 1827 to name the town of Elgin in honour of Lord Elgin, the one time Governor General. In 1870, John Robertson married Mary Jane Hopkins. Prior to his service as an MPP, he served as clerk for South Crosby Township and as a member of the Elgin School Board. Dargravel was a dairy farmer and was president of the Eastern Ontario Dairymen's Association. He owned a large general store in Elgin.

John Robertson's son was James Sawtell Dargavel, who took over the business when his father took office as MPP. James Sawtell expanded the business to include the cheese mill at Chaffey's Lock.