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Past Presidents 1844 - 2025

For more than a century and a half, the Markham Fair has grown and thrived thanks to the dedication, vision, and leadership of its presidents. Each president has played a vital role in guiding the Fair through changing times, strengthening its agricultural roots, and supporting its commitment to community.

This page honours those individuals whose contributions have helped shape the Markham Fair into one of Canada’s oldest and most celebrated agricultural events. Below is a historical listing of the men and women who have proudly served as President of the Markham Fair.

Past Presidents of Markham and East York Agricultural Society since inception till date:

YearNameOccupation
1844William ArmstrongFarmer Hotel Proprietor*
1845 – 1855No InformationNo Information
1856Salem EckhardtImplement MFG Auctioneer*
1857Salem EckhardtImplement MFG Auctioneer*
1858Salem EckhardtImplement MFG Auctioneer*
1859David ReesorSenator, Cheese Factory Proprietor, Founder of Markham Newspaper*
1860Thomas MilneFarmer, Mill Operator*
1861Thomas MilneFarmer, Mill Operator*
1862Thomas MilneFarmer, Mill Operator*
1863William EakinLumber Mill Proprietor*
1864Henry JenningsFarmer, Stock Raiser*
1865Henry C. MarrGrocer, Flour & Feed Merchant*
1866Henry C. MarrGrocer, Flour & Feed Merchant*
1867James TranFarmer, Stock Producer*
1868William PadgetFarmer*
1869James EckhardtLicense Inspector & JP*
1870James EckhardtLicense Inspector & JP*
1871James TranFarmer*
1872Robert MarshFarmer*
1873Robert MarshFarmer*
1874Edward EckhardtFarmer*
1875Thomas MartinFarmer*
1876Robert MarshFarmer*
1877Robert MarshFarmer*
1878Henry T. RobsonFarmer, Gardner*
1879Alex PingleFarmer*
1880William C. LundyCooper & Mill Owner*
1881John GormleyFarmer*
1882Foster B. HemingwayFarmer*
1883William MillikenFarmer, Postmaster, Champion Plowman*
1884Arthur QuantzFarmer*
1885John CrawfordFarmer, Purebred Horses & Cattle*
1886Henry R. CorsonNewspaper Publisher*
1887James GilmourCommissioner of Affidavits*
1888James GilmourMerchant*
1889John PattersonFarmer*
1890Alex RussellFarmer*
1891Alex PingleFarmer*
1892George GormleyFarmer*
1893James J. GrillFarmer*
1894Lem SummerfeltFarmer*
1895Peter W. BoyntonFarmer*
1896Wm GrantFarmer*
1897John MillerPurebred Cattle Importer*
1898Garrett VanzantMerchant, Gov of Toronto Jail*
1899Dr. Russell C. TefftVeterinarian*
1900John LawrieFarmer*
1901John IsaacFarmer, Cattle Importer*
1902John W. CowieFarmer*
1903James E. EckhardtLicense Inspector & JP*
1904Tom HoodFarmer*
1905Jonathan B. GouldFarmer*
1906Jonathan B. GouldFarmer*
1907William HarperBlacksmith*
1908James MalcolmMerchant & Insurance Agent*
1909Edward D. KirkButcher*
1910Dr. N. James ArmstrongVeterinarian*
1911Robert OrmerodFarmer*
1912Capt. H. S. AdamBank Manager*
1913James TorranceFarmer, Hotelkeeper*
1914James TorranceHorse Importer*
1915Walter MinerFarmer*
1916George ScottFarmer*
1917Thomas HargraveFarmer*
1918Robert CunninghamFarmer*
1919Peter H. ReesorFarmer*
1920Fred E. N. ReesorLocust Hill Creamery Proprietor*
1921George TranFarmer*
1922James GleasonFarmer, Early Fire Chief*
1923D. Everton JonesMill Operator*
1924John CouperthwaiteFarmer*
1925Arthur M. DavisonMotor Car Agent, Post Office*
1926Arthur M. DavisonMotor Car Agent, Post Office*
1927John (Jack) H. GowlandFarmer*
1928George CowieFarmer*
1930Edward (Ted) MasonFarmer*
1931Robert C. DavidsonFarmer*
1932Wesley C. GohnFarmer, County Warden*
1933Robert P. Armstrong Farmer*
1934Robert P. Armstrong Farmer*
1935Robert P. Armstrong Farmer*
1936George L. HamblyFarmer*
1937George L. HamblyFarmer*
1938Anson H. CrosbyFarmer, Orchard, Prize Poultryman*
1939William G. MaxwellRoad Superintendent, Farmer*
1940Lyman A. KennedyFarmer*
1941James RennieFarmer*
1942Orville B. HeiseyMilk Truck, Planning Mill Proprietor*
1943John ScottFarmer*
1944Kenneth DeaconFarmer*
1945William ClarkFarmer, Reeve*
1946George B. LittleFarmer, Army Officer*
1947John (Jack) TorranceClydesdale Horse Importer*
1948Fred BaggFarmer*
1949Charles BoyntonFarmer, Purebred Hogs*
1950Charles BoyntonFarmer, Purebred Hogs*
1951Earl GrahamMerchant, Postmaster*
1952Llyod TurnerFarmer*
1953Joseph D. LanthierFarm Manager*
1954J. Gordon LunauLivestock Drover*
1955George W. HenryFarmer*
1956Alex W. DavidsonFarmer*
1957Nick SchoutenFlorist & Nursery Proprietor*
1958T. Harry PaisleyLivestock Drover*
1959David J. TranFarmer*
1960Raymond BrillingerMill Operator & Farmer*
1961Harry M. WarrinerFarmer*
1962Maurice HamillFarmer*
1963Dalton RumneyFarmer*
1964Walter GouldFarmer*
1965Howard CosburnFarmer*
1966Walter ReesorFarmer*
1967William Sutherland Farmer, Manager*
1968Joseph TranFarmer*
1969Charles E. ReeveCourt Clerk*
1970Bert GardhouseFarmer*
1971Bert PaisleyLivestock Drover*
1972Gerald MannFarmer, Manager*
1973Ellis BrittonFarmer*
1974Robert H. ThompsonRailway Carman Inspector*
1975Ivan NortonFarmer*
1976Harvey BrownFarmer*
1977Rogers GardhamBank Manager
1978(Mrs.) Alma WalkerSocial Services Worker, Mayor*
1979Brian (Mac) CosburnEngineer
1980Fred W. CrawfordBank Manager*
1981Dennis SeeleyPolice Sergeant
1982William WalkerAuctioneer*
1983Barry LittleDairy Farmer
1984Bryan ArmstrongFarmer, Actor
1985Harold R. SnowballFire Captain*
1986Mary (Cosburn) BeareHomemaker*
1987Rick WannopFarmer
1988David MorrisonContractor*
1989Diane WardHomemaker
1990Carol Anne WhiteWeaving Instructor
1991Don MillerDairy Farmer
1992Bob LittleRegional Waterworks Manager*
1993Trevor HurleyMedical Salesman
1994Brian LeeBusinessman*
1995Doug SavageDairy Farmer
1996Jan KingFarmer & Businessman
1997Carrie PurcellResearch Manager/Veterinary Technician
1998David OwenElectrician*
1999Terry BoagSchool Teacher
2000Chris KingSchool Principal
2001Ray BrownAuctioneer
2002Gord DeaconContractor*
2003Kim EmpringhamVeterinary Technician
2004Paul ReesorDairy Farmer
2005Lynne HarringtonHomemaker
2006Paul DonahoeFire Captain*
2007Blair PurcellEntrepreneur
2008Blair SeeleyEntrepreneur
2009Karen MurphyNurse*
2010Kevin HollandsEntrepreneur
2011Robert MillerHydro Supervisor
2012Phillip RedshawLogistics & Inventory Control Manager
2013Lesley EnglishCFO, VP of Operations
2014Kelly WinnitoyCustomer Relations Consultant
2015Bryant HulshofFarmer / Contractor
2016Todd LittleHydro Utilities / Commodities Farmer
2017Darren LittleGolf Course Grounds Manager
2018Doug Van WoldeWebsite Developer / Professional Photographer
2019Michelle HulshofSchool Teacher
2020Amanda KingSchool Teacher
2021Amanda KingSchool Teacher
2022Brad HulshofDairy Farmer
2023Chris ReesorDairy Farmer
2024Scott RedshawHeavy Equipment Technician Supervisor
2025Dylan ArmstrongMobile Truck & Coach Technician / Entrepreneur

* Deceased

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