George Spotton
Toronto Daily Star, July 27 1931
Here's the start of an article about a member of Parliament who was using his free postal privilege to send out flyers for his business college.
George Spotton (1877-1936) was first elected to Parliament in the Huron North riding in 1927, using the campaign slogan "We Will Win". He was a monarchist, advocated stronger ties with the United States, and opposed immigration from Eastern Europe. He passed away from lung cancer.
Spotton was from Wingham. The electric sign for his business college there, installed in 1917, was the largest such sign in Western Ontario. This branch of the college operated from 1905 to 1940, and offered free tuition to the sons and daughters of World War I veterans who had served overseas.
The Canada Business College is listed in the 1931 Toronto city directory, under the management of "George Spotton (Wingham)". The "G. McEachren" mentioned in the article is listed in the city directory as Gertrude McEachern, at 76 Greensides Avenue; this appears to have been a spelling mistake in the directory, as there is a James McEachren at the same address. She isn't in the picture for long, as neither of them are listed in the 1932 directory under either spelling, and 76 Greensides is listed as vacant.
Looking forward: the 1936 directory lists George Spotton as the principal of the college, and Glenna Spotton as the vice-principal. After Mr. Spotton's death, Arthur Spotton took over as principal; presumably, he was Mr. Spotton's son. The college remained in existence in Toronto under the younger Spotton's tutelage until at least 1958; amusingly, the 1948 directory lists the college's principal as "Arthur S. Potton".
Created September 3, 2025.