William George Weichel | |
|---|---|
) | |
| Member of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario | |
| In office 1923–1929 | |
| Constituency | Waterloo North |
| Member of the House of Commons of Canada | |
| In office 1911–1917 | |
| Constituency | Waterloo North |
| Personal details | |
| Born | July 20, 1870 Elmira, Ontario |
| Died | May 2, 1949 (aged 78) Kitchener, Ontario |
| Political party | Conservative |
| Occupation | Merchant, politician |
William George "Billy" Weichel (July 20, 1870 – May 2, 1949) was a merchant and political figure in Ontario, Canada. He represented Waterloo North in the House of Commons of Canada from 1911 to 1917 as a Conservative member and in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario from 1923 to 1929.[1]
Biography
He was born in Elmira, Ontario,[1] the son of Michael Weicher, who came to Canada from Germany,[2] and Margaret Schmidt.[3] Weichel was educated in Elmira and Berlin (later Kitchener).[2] He worked eight years as a clerk in his father's hardware store before becoming a salesman for a saw manufacturer in Galt. In 1896, Weichel opened a hardware store with other members of his family in Waterloo, later becoming sole owner. Weichel was also director for several insurance companies.[4] In 1898, he married Jessie Rose Kinsman.[2] He defeated William Lyon Mackenzie King to win a seat in the federal parliament in 1911. Weichel was defeated in a bid for reelection to the federal seat as a Unionist candidate in 1917. Weichel served as mayor of Waterloo from 1922 to 1923. He was unsuccessful in the provincial elections of 1929 and 1934.[1] He died in Kitchener at the age of 78.[3]