James Young (Canadian politician)

James Young (May 24, 1835 – January 29, 1913) was an Ontario businessman, journalist and politician. He represented Waterloo South in the House of Commons of Canada as a Liberal member from 1867 to 1878.

James Young
Ontario MPP
In office
1879–1886
Preceded byHugh Finlayson
Succeeded byWilliam Bruce Wood
ConstituencyBrant North
Member of Parliament
for Waterloo South
In office
1867–1878
Preceded byRiding established
Succeeded bySamuel Merner
Personal details
Born(1835-05-24)May 24, 1835
Galt, Upper Canada
DiedJanuary 29, 1913(1913-01-29) (aged 77)
Galt, Ontario
Political partyLiberal
Spouse
Margaret McNaught
(m. 1858)
OccupationBusinessman

Biography

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Early life

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He was born in Galt in Upper Canada in 1835, the son of Scottish immigrants. He worked with a local newspaper and then bought several newspapers in the area in 1853 which he continued to publish until around 1863. He also wrote articles for other journals in the province. He became a partner in a wheel factory at Galt and also served on the town council.

Family

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James Young married Margaret McNaught, daughter of John McNaught and his wife (née Kirkpatrick), on February 11, 1858. The couple resided at "Thornhill" in Galt, Ontario.[1]

Politics

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In 1867, he was elected to the 1st Canadian Parliament for Waterloo South as a member of the Liberal Party; he was reelected in 1872 and 1874.

In 1879, he was elected to represent Brant North in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario. He was appointed Treasurer and Commissioner of Agriculture in 1883, but resigned these posts later that year due to ill health. He opposed reciprocity in trade with the United States and supported an elected Senate.

Later life

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After he retired from politics in 1886, he wrote a number of books dealing with Canadian history and politics, including Public men and public life in Canada, being recollections of parliament and the press, published in 1902. He died in Galt in 1913.

Electoral history

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Federal

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1867 Canadian federal election: Waterloo South
Party Candidate Votes %
Liberal James Young 1,324 58.02
Unknown James Cowan 958 41.98
Total valid votes 2,282 100.0
Source(s)
"Waterloo South, Ontario (1867-1968)". History of Federal Ridings Since 1867. Library of Parliament. Retrieved 5 September 2015.
1872 Canadian federal election: Waterloo South
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal James Young acclaimed
Total valid votes
Liberal hold Swing
Source(s)
"Waterloo South, Ontario (1867-1968)". History of Federal Ridings Since 1867. Library of Parliament. Retrieved 5 September 2015.
1874 Canadian federal election: Waterloo South
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal James Young acclaimed
Total valid votes
Liberal hold Swing
Source(s)
"Waterloo South, Ontario (1867-1968)". History of Federal Ridings Since 1867. Library of Parliament. Retrieved 5 September 2015.
1878 Canadian federal election: Waterloo South
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Samuel Merner 1,468 50.76
Liberal James Young 1,424 49.24
Total valid votes 2,892 100.0
Conservative gain from Liberal Swing
Source(s)
"Waterloo South, Ontario (1867-1968)". History of Federal Ridings Since 1867. Library of Parliament. Retrieved 5 September 2015.

Provincial

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1879 Ontario general election: Brant North
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal James Young 990 60.37 +6.20
Conservative Mr. Baird 650 39.63 −6.20
Total valid votes 1,640 66.80 +4.26
Eligible voters 2,455
Liberal hold Swing +6.20
Source: Elections Ontario[2]

Works

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References

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