James Robinson Fallis

In 1903, Fallis' steers were described in The Globe as being considered "the best that have ever entertained this market", the Union Stock Yards.{{cite news|title=Live stock markets|work=The Globe|date=2 September 1903|page=9|location=Toronto ON}}

At the 1912 meeting of Peel's County Conservative Association, Fallis was elected secretary.{{cite news|title=Peel Conservatives meet at Brampton|work=The Globe|date=19 Feb 1912|location=Toronto ON|page=3}} On 27 October 1913, nominations for both the Liberal and Conservative parties of Peel were held at the Brampton Town Hall. The Liberals nominated the Reeve of Brampton, A. H. Milner, while Fallis received the Conservative nomination. Fallis' speech outlined his loyalty to Premier of Ontario Sir James Whitney, and his "business-like way" of running the province, highlighting the discounts created by his public hydro policy, good roads program, and reforms to the election process to remove numbering from ballots.{{cite news|title=A. H. Milner and J. R. Fallis nominated in Peel County|work=Toronto Daily Star|date=28 October 1913|location=Toronto ON|page=12}} Provincial agriculture minister James Duff campaigned for Fallis in Streetsville.{{cite news|title=Rural depopulation is being combatted|work=The Globe|date=1 November 1913|location=Toronto ON|page=5}}

As incumbent, Fallis was chosen by the Conservative party as its nominee for the 1914 provincial election. Nominated by Reuben Lush, his candidacy was uncontested at the event, held at Brampton Town Hall. His acceptance speech denied misspending by his party's government, denied responsibility for rural depopulation, placing that blame on cities and Western provinces, and the introduction of the Workmen's Compensation Act.{{cite news|title=James Fallis nominated by Peel Conservatives|work=The Globe|date=25 May 1914|location=Toronto ON|page=15}}

At the beginning of the First World War, Fallis travelled to Ottawa, "securing a letter from officers of the Militia Department" allowing him to sell them horses. Returning to the County, he formed a partnership with horse-dealer E. J. Jones of Brampton, and they identified animals at area farms for Government inspection; any that were "passed" were purchased by Fallis or his firm. Fallis profited "less than $3000" and Jones "about $3500" in the horses resale to the government. Sir Charles Davidson's Commission of Inquiry took up the matter, with the Commission's counsel suggesting he "intervened for personal profit when the vendor and Government had been brought together, without rendering any service." Fallis insisted there was nothing wrong with the procedures, and that he didn't prevent farmers from selling direct to the government.{{cite news|title=War horses sold by Tory member at handsome profit for his firm|work=The Globe|date=3 December 1915|location=Toronto ON|page=1}}

After being defeated by the Liberal candidate, William James Lowe, in the 1916 by-election, he continued to be active in the livestock trade.{{cite news|title=Successful sale of surplus stock at O.A.C.|work=The Globe|date=1 November 1916|location=Toronto ON|page=12}}{{cite news|title=Sale of breeding stock at the O.A.C.|work=The Globe|date=7 November 1917|location=Toronto ON|page=15}}

After the death of Joseph Dixon in 1925, Fallis was sworn in as Peel's Surrogate Court Registrar and Local Registrar of the High Court.{{cite news|title=Becomes Registrar|work=The Globe|date=14 November 1925|location=Toronto ON|page=16}}{{cite news|title=Dr. Hutchinson Sworn In As Registrar and Sheriff|work=The Globe|date=10 Dec 1934|location=Toronto ON|page=4}} He shared Justice of the Peace duties with W. J. Fenton, as of 1929.{{cite news|title=Alfred Hore passes was popular athlete; Two offices vacant|work=Toronto Daily Star|date=9 September 1929|location=Toronto ON|page=26}} He was also Chairman of the Brampton High School Board.{{cite news|title=Brampton High School requires... [classified ad]|work=The Globe|date=8 November 1926|location=Toronto ON|page=18}}

Fallis sold 300 acres of his 500-acre farm in 1927, in four parcels.{{cite news|title=Judgment reserved in Beaver Co. action|work=Toronto Daily Star|date=8 February 1927|page=23}}

He married Jessie Fletcher on 6 October 1920.{{cite news|title=James R. Fallis Honored on Eve of His Wedding|work=The Globe|date=6 October 1920|location=Toronto ON|page=2}} As of 1922, he was a Right Worthy Brother with the Masons, River Park Lodge, A. F. & A. M., No. 356,{{cite news|title=Streetsville Masons instal [sic]|work=The Globe|date=16 January 1922|location=Toronto ON|page=15}} and as of 1929, the Potentate's Aide for a Rameses Temple.{{cite news|title=Wallace and Fallis Win Shriners' Golf Prizes|work=The Globe|date=21 June 1929|location=Toronto ON|page=11}} Fallis and Dr. D. L. Heggie were the Brampton Curling Club's representatives to the Ontario Curling Association as of 1930.{{cite news|title=Brampton Curling Club Elects Season's Officers|work=The Globe|date=9 April 1930|location=Toronto ON|page=11}} He is also known to have refereed local lacrosse games,{{cite news|title=Junction beat Brampton|work=The Globe|date=12 July 1906|location=Toronto ON|page=10}}{{cite news|title=Shamrocks 15, Brampton 5.|work=Toronto Daily Star|date=12 July 1906|location=Toronto ON|page=3}} and served at least one season, 1911, as honorary President of the Brampton Excelsiors.{{cite news|title=Three teams in the O.L.A.|work=The Globe|date=3 May 1911|page=10}}

His sister, Miss Mary C. Fallis, was a teacher at Caledon, Broddytown, and finally Central Public School in Brampton, staying the grade 2 teacher at the last school for 36 years.{{cite news|title=Well-known teacher passes at Brampton|work=The Globe|date=22 November 1932|location=Toronto ON|page=9}} Mother Euphemia Ella Fallis died in 1933.{{cite news|title=Mrs. Euphemia Ella Fallis|work=The Globe|date=13 Apr 1933|location=Toronto ON|page=12}}

{{Reflist}}

• Canadian Parliamentary Guide, 1915, EJ Chambers

• {{Ontario MPP biography|id=james-robinson-fallis}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Fallis, James Robinson}}

Category:1871 births

Category:1935 deaths

Category:Politicians from Brampton

Category:Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario MPPs

Category:20th-century members of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario