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Jacob Baxter

Jacob Baxter was speaker of the Legislature of Ontario in 1887-1890 and served as Liberal MLA for Haldimand from 1867 to 1898.

Last revised
Jul 6, 2026
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Jacob Baxter
Ontario MPP
In office
1867–1898
Preceded byRiding established
Succeeded byJoseph William Holmes
ConstituencyHaldimand
Personal details
Born(1832-06-06)June 6, 1832
DiedJuly 23, 1912(1912-07-23) (aged 80)
PartyLiberal
SpouseRose Griffith (m. 1860)
OccupationPhysician

Jacob Baxter (June 6, 18321 – July 23, 19122) was speaker of the Legislature of Ontario in 1887-1890 and served as Liberal MLA for Haldimand from 1867 to 1898.3

He was born in Bertie Township in Welland County, Upper Canada in 1832, the son of Jacob Baxter, former reeve of Bertie. He studied medicine, received the degree of M.D. from the University of New York and the Bellevue Hospital Medical College and set up a medical practice in Cayuga in partnership with his younger brother Benjamin. He also served as justice of the peace and as surgeon for the local militia unit - 37th Haldimand Rifles. In 1860, he married Rose Griffith.1 He was defeated by John Senn in the 1894 general election but Senn's election was appealed and Baxter won the subsequent by-election. After retiring from politics, Baxter served as registrar for Haldimand County.2 He is buried in the Riverside Cemetery, Cayuga, Ontario.

Electoral history

1867 Ontario general election: Haldimand
Party Candidate Votes %
Liberal Jacob Baxter 1,377 56.43
Conservative Mr. Hurssell 1,063 43.57
Total valid votes 2,440 78.36
Eligible voters 3,114
Liberal pickup new district.
Source: Elections Ontario4
1871 Ontario general election: Haldimand
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Jacob Baxter 1,212 60.78 +4.35
Conservative Mr. Amsden 782 39.22 −4.35
Turnout 1,994 59.90 −18.46
Eligible voters 3,329
Liberal hold Swing +4.35
Source: Elections Ontario5
1875 Ontario general election: Haldimand
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Jacob Baxter 1,476 53.87 −6.91
Conservative R. Waldbrook 1,264 46.13 +6.91
Turnout 2,740 75.84 +15.94
Eligible voters 3,613
Liberal hold Swing −6.91
Source: Elections Ontario6
1879 Ontario general election: Haldimand
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Jacob Baxter 1,612 51.01 −2.86
Conservative Mr. Thompson 1,548 48.99 +2.86
Total valid votes 3,160 76.44 +0.60
Eligible voters 4,134
Liberal hold Swing −2.86
Source: Elections Ontario7
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