Joseph Emm Seagram (1841-1919)

Joseph Seagram, industrialist, politician and sportsman, was born near Galt, Upper Canada. In 1864 he came to Waterloo where he subsequently began the association with the distillery of which he became sole proprietor in 1883. As a leading businessman, he took an active part in local public affairs, and represented Waterloo in the House of Commons from 1896 to 1908. In addition to his business and political activities, Seagram was prominent in Canadian racing circles; many of his horses won the Queen's Plate and King's Plate and from 1906 to 1919 he was president of the Ontario Jockey Club. He died at Waterloo.