Maurice Fenelon
Encyclopedia
Maurice Fenelon was an Irish
-born educator, merchant and political figure in Newfoundland. He represented St. John's West
in the Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly
from 1871 to 1878.
He was born in County Carlow
and came to St. John's
in 1856 to teach at Saint Bonaventure's College
. He moved to the United States
in 1867 but by 1870 had returned to St. John's and was teaching at the St John's Academy. He also opened a book store in St. John's. Fenelon married Ellen Kitchen. He was first elected to the Newfoundland assembly in an 1871 by-election as an anti-Confederate. He resigned his seat in 1878 and was named inspector for Roman Catholic
schools in 1879. In 1886, he was named to the Legislative Council of Newfoundland
and appointed to the Executive Council as colonial secretary by Robert Thorburn
. In 1889, he was removed from the Executive Council after a change in government and was an unsuccessful candidate for a seat in the assembly in 1889 and 1892. His business was destroyed in the Great Fire of 1892
. Fenelon was named to the Legislative Council in 1894 by Conservative leader Augustus Frederick Goodridge
and served until his death in St. John's in 1897. Also in 1894, he was named a director for the Commercial Bank of Newfoundland.
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
-born educator, merchant and political figure in Newfoundland. He represented St. John's West
St. John's West
St. John's West was a federal electoral district in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada, that was represented in the Canadian House of Commons from 1949 to 2003.This riding was created in 1949 when Newfoundland joined the Canadian Confederation....
in the Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly
Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly
The Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly is one of two components of the General Assembly of Newfoundland and Labrador, the other being the Lieutenant-Governor of Newfoundland and Labrador. The Newfoundland and Labrador General Assembly meets in the Confederation Building at St...
from 1871 to 1878.
He was born in County Carlow
County Carlow
County Carlow is a county in Ireland. It is part of the South-East Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It is named after the town of Carlow, which lies on the River Barrow. Carlow County Council is the local authority for the county...
and came to St. John's
St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador
St. John's is the capital and largest city in Newfoundland and Labrador, and is the oldest English-founded city in North America. It is located on the eastern tip of the Avalon Peninsula on the island of Newfoundland. With a population of 192,326 as of July 1, 2010, the St...
in 1856 to teach at Saint Bonaventure's College
Saint Bonaventure's College
St. Bonaventure's College is an independent kindergarten to grade 12 Catholic School in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. It is located in the historic centre of North America's oldest city, adjacent to the Roman Catholic Basilica of St...
. He moved to the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
in 1867 but by 1870 had returned to St. John's and was teaching at the St John's Academy. He also opened a book store in St. John's. Fenelon married Ellen Kitchen. He was first elected to the Newfoundland assembly in an 1871 by-election as an anti-Confederate. He resigned his seat in 1878 and was named inspector for Roman Catholic
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
schools in 1879. In 1886, he was named to the Legislative Council of Newfoundland
Legislative Council of Newfoundland
The Legislative Council of Newfoundland was established in 1854 when the British Government granted a new constitution to Newfoundland establishing an Executive Council of not more than seven members of the majority party and a Legislative Council of not more than 15 members upon nomination of the...
and appointed to the Executive Council as colonial secretary by Robert Thorburn
Robert Thorburn
Sir Robert Thorburn was a Newfoundland merchant and politician who served as the colony's Premier from 1885 to 1889.Born in Scotland, Thorburn emigrated to Newfoundland in 1852 when he was sixteen...
. In 1889, he was removed from the Executive Council after a change in government and was an unsuccessful candidate for a seat in the assembly in 1889 and 1892. His business was destroyed in the Great Fire of 1892
Great Fire of 1892
The Great Fire in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador on July 8, 1892, is remembered as the worst disaster ever to befall that city. Previous "Great Fire"s had occurred in St...
. Fenelon was named to the Legislative Council in 1894 by Conservative leader Augustus Frederick Goodridge
Augustus F. Goodridge
Augustus Frederick Goodridge was a Newfoundland merchant and politician. Born in Devon, Goodridge arrived in Newfoundland when he was 13 and worked in his father's business and later became a fish merchant in St. John's. A Conservative, he was first elected to the House of Assembly in 1880...
and served until his death in St. John's in 1897. Also in 1894, he was named a director for the Commercial Bank of Newfoundland.