William Buell (February 28, 1792 – April 29, 1862) was a journalist and political figure inUpper Canada.
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Buell was born in Elizabethtown (laterBrockville) in 1792, the son ofWilliam Buell and his wife Martha Naughton. He fought at theBattle of Crysler's Farm during theWar of 1812. He operated a book store in Brockville and also served as editor of theBrockville Recorder from 1823 to 1849. The paper expressed his reform-oriented political views and also helped promote the development of the town by campaigning for improvements to transportation links. His brotherAndrew Norton also contributed material to the newspaper and supported William in his political career.
He was elected to theLegislative Assembly of Upper Canada forLeeds as a Reform candidate in1828 and again in1830. In the next series of elections, violence at the polls byOgle Robert Gowan'sOrangemen resulted in the election results being declared invalid. Buell was eventually elected in1836. However, Gowan and the Conservatives prevailed in the following election. During theUpper Canada Rebellion, Buell served with thelocal militia. He was appointed justice of the peace in theJohnstown District in 1840. In 1848, he helped elect his nephewWilliam Buell Richards in Leeds. In 1849, he sold the newspaper and retired to his farm. He served as Brockville mayor in 1856 and 1857.
He died in Brockville in 1862.
His sonJacob Dockstader Buell served in the House of Commons and also served as mayor of Brockville.