John Rorke (9 June 1807 – 13 August 1896) was an Irish-born merchant and political figure in
Newfoundland. He represented
Carbonear
Carbonear is a town on the Avalon Peninsula in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. It overlooks the west side of Conception Bay and had a history long tied to fishing and shipbuilding. Since the late 20th century, its economy has changed to emphasiz ...
in the
Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly
The Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly is the unicameral deliberative assembly of the General Assembly of Newfoundland and Labrador of the province of Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. It meets in the Confederation Building in St. Jo ...
from 1863 to 1882 as a Conservative and Confederate.
He was born in
Athlone and came to Newfoundland in 1824, working as a clerk for Bennett and Ridley, a fishery supply firm. In 1830, he established his own firm in
Carbonear
Carbonear is a town on the Avalon Peninsula in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. It overlooks the west side of Conception Bay and had a history long tied to fishing and shipbuilding. Since the late 20th century, its economy has changed to emphasiz ...
. He married Mary Toque.
In 1859, a fire destroyed most of Carbonear, including Rorke's business and home; rebuilding began in the following year, and some of the rebuilt stone buildings remain as heritage structures in Carbonear.
Rorke served as a member of the Executive Council from 1879 to 1882. He died in Carbonear at the age of 89.
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Rorke, John
Members of the Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly
1807 births
1896 deaths
People from Athlone
Politicians from County Westmeath
People from Carbonear
Irish emigrants to pre-Confederation Newfoundland
Newfoundland Colony people
Members of the Executive Council of Newfoundland and Labrador