Joseph Sheard


Joseph Sheard was an English architect and politician. He was Mayor of Toronto from 1871 to 1872.
Born in Hornsea, near Hull, Yorkshire, England, his father died when he was only six weeks old, leaving four young children to be raised by his mother. He quit school at the age of 9 and found a job as an apprentice with a barrel-maker.
Aged 19, he sailed from Hull on 15 April 1833 aboard the "Foster" landing in Quebec. He made his way by "Durham Boat" to Prescott, Upper Canada where he boarded the steamboat "William the Fourth" for York, arriving in Toronto in 1833.
He first was a carpenter, builder, and then became an architect in the 1840s. He built the William Cawthra house which was demolished in 1946. He also built the Ontario Bank building. He was also a member of the Orange Order in Canada.
At the time of Confederation, he was the Commissioner of Works and an alderman in St. Patrick's Ward. He introduced the motion for the August Civic Holiday. In 1851, he is listed as an alderman, a building inspector, and an architect civil engineer. He designed the Dead house in St. Michael's Cemetery, and he helped design the Parliament Buildings of Canada in Ottawa.
When he was Foreman of Public Works, he refused to build the gallows to hang two leaders of the Upper Canada Rebellion, Samuel Lount and Peter Matthews. When he refused he said, 'I'll not put a hand to it,' said he; 'Lount and Matthews have done nothing that I might not have done myself, and I'll never help build a gallows to hang them."
A park was named in his honour on the lot that was once his home. It is found between the streets Yonge, McGill, Anne and Church.
His son, Dr. Charles Sheard, became the city's Chief Medical Officer and also served as a Member of Parliament. Other and current living members of the Sheard family include:

BuildingYear CompletedBuilderStyleSourceLocationImage
Cherry Street Hotel / Palace Street School1859Joseph Sheard15, 18409 Front Street East
Octagonal mortuary vault; designated historic property under Ontario Heritage Act 1855-56Joseph Sheard1414 Yonge Street, St. Michael's Cemetery, Deer Park, Toronto, Toronto, Ontario
Ashbridge Estate1854Joseph SheardQueen Street East near Coxwell Avenue, Ashbridge's neighbourhood, Toronto
Bishop's Palace1852 additionsJoseph Sheard200 Church Street
Northfield 1856; renovations 2003-2005Joseph Sheard372 Jarvis Street
Tin and Copper Smith Building 1857Joseph Sheard83 Yonge Street
Laughlin Lodge 1858 alterationsJoseph Sheard87 Elm Street

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