Hollis Smith

Hollis Smith was a businessman and political figure in Canada East, now part of the Canadian province of Quebec.
Smith was born in Plainfield, New Hampshire and grew up in Hatley, [Quebec (historic township)|Hatley Township] in Lower Canada. He settled near Lennoxville, first as a farmer, then later opening a general store.
He then opened stores at Compton and Eaton. He also acquired land and worked with Alexander Tilloch Galt of the British [American Land Company] to build a road to open up access to the Eastern Townships.
Smith supported the Montreal [Annexation Manifesto] of 1849. He helped establish Bishop's College and was a partner in the St. Lawrence and Atlantic Railroad and the Sherbrooke Cotton Factory.
In 1856, he moved his residence to Sherbrooke, where he was secretary for the Mutual [Fire Insurance Company]. In 1856, he was elected to the Legislative Council of the Province of Canada for Wellington district. Originally a Liberal, he declared himself an Independent in 1857 and a Conservative in 1858.
He died in Sherbrooke, after an attack of apoplexy.
His daughter Susan Selina married Alexander Manning, a mayor of Toronto.