James Lyons Biggar
Source: Library and Archives Canada
James Lyons Biggar (February 4, 1824 – May 24, 1879) was an Ontario merchant and political figure. He represented Northumberland East in the Canadian House of Commons from 1874 to 1878 as an Independent Liberal.[1]
He was born in Carrying Place, Upper Canada in 1824,[1] the son of Charles Biggar, whose parents had come from Biggar in Scotland. He was educated at Victoria College in Cobourg. In 1846, he married Isabella Hodgins; his wife's brothers, Thomas and John George, became prominent figures in the province.[2] Biggar owned a general store and served as postmaster at Carrying Place. He also served as commissioner in the Court of Queen's Bench there.[3] He represented East Northumberland in the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Canada from 1861 until Confederation.[4] He was defeated by Joseph Keeler for the federal seat in 1872 and then defeated Keeler in 1874; that election was appealed but Biggar won the by-election which followed. In the 1878 general election, he was again defeated by Keeler.[1] Biggar served as a member of the Senate for Victoria College.[4] He died in Clifton Springs, New York at the age of 55.[3]
The Biggars had eleven children. First was Charles Robert Webster, a lawyer who married Jane Helen Mowat, the daughter of Oliver Mowat. Second was Frances Camilla, who married George R. Pattullo, a newspaper publisher from Woodstock, Ontario. Third was William Hodgins, a lawyer who served in the Ontario legislative assembly.[2] Fourth was Alexander Murray, who died young. Fifth was James Lyons, a military figure who helped to establish the Canadian Army. Sixth was Edward Herbert, who died young. Seventh was Sarah Isabel, who married George Elliott Casey; the latter served in the House of Commons. Eighth was Mary Emmeline, who married George F. Burton. Ninth was George Coltman, a prominent Toronto businessman who married Ethel B. Tate. Tenth was Eliza Maria, who married Richard A. Bull. Lastly was Henry Percival, an authority on the history of New France, who served as chief archivist for Canada in Europe.[5]
Mr. Biggar's sister Marie Eliza, married Herbert Charles Wilson who served in the legislative assembly for the Northwest Territories while Mr. Biggar's grandson, Oliver Mowat Biggar served as Canada's first Chief Electoral Officer.
Biggar Township in Nipissing District was named in his honour.[2]
[edit] References
- ^ a b c Synopsis of federal political experience from the Library of Parliament
- ^ a b c Nothing but Names, HF Gardner (1899)
- ^ a b Johnson, J.K. (1968). The Canadian Directory of Parliament 1867-1967. Public Archives of Canada.
- ^ a b The Canadian parliamentary companion, 1874 HJ Morgan
- ^ Entry for William Hodgins Biggar in the Canadian Encyclopedia
