William McCraney
Source: Library and Archives Canada
Mayor of Oakville
In office 1871–1872
Preceded by	John Barclay
Succeeded by	George King Chisholm
Member of Parliament for Halton
In office 1875–1878
Preceded by	Daniel Black Chisholm
Succeeded by	William McDougall
Member of Parliament for Halton
In office 1882–1887
Preceded by	William McDougall
Succeeded by	John Waldie
Personal details
Born	(1831-12-15)December 15, 1831 Trafalgar Township, Ontario
Died	June 21, 1911 Bellingham, Washington[1]
Resting place	Oakville, Ontario[1]
Political party	Liberal Party of Canada
Occupation	lumber merchant

William McCraney (December 15, 1831 – June 21, 1911) was a businessman and political figure in Ontario, Canada. He represented Halton in the House of Commons of Canada as a Liberal member from 1875 to 1878 and from 1882 to 1887.

Biography

He was born in Trafalgar Township, Upper Canada in 1831, the son of Hiram McCraney and Louisa English.^[2] From 1852 to 1855, he was involved in lumbering and mining in California.^[3] He owned several large farms near Oakville and several sawmills in Halton County.^[3] McCraney helped build several Methodist churches and supported temperance.^[3] In 1857, he married Elizabeth Coote. In 1868, he sold his farm land and settled in Oakville.^[3] He served on the town council, serving as mayor in 1871 and 1872,^[4] and also served on the county council. McCraney was also president of the county agricultural society. He was elected as the Member of Parliament for Halton in a by-election in 1875. He was defeated by William McDougall for the Halton seat in 1878 and reelected in 1882.

His brother Daniel was a member of the Ontario assembly. His daughter Susan married Alexander Henderson.

Electoral record

On Daniel Black Chisholm being unseated, on petition, 8 December 1874: