James Somerville (Wentworth County, Ontario politician)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

James Somerville
Member of the Canadian Parliament
for Brant North
In office
1882–1896
Preceded byGavin Fleming
Succeeded byDistrict was abolished in 1892
Member of the Canadian Parliament
for Wentworth North and Brant
In office
1896–1900
Preceded byDistrict was created in 1892
Succeeded byWilliam Paterson
Personal details
Born(1834-06-07)June 7, 1834
Dundas, Upper Canada
DiedMay 24, 1916(1916-05-24) (aged 81)
Dundas, Ontario
Political partyLiberal

James Somerville (June 7, 1834 – May 24, 1916) was an Ontario journalist, newspaper editor and political figure. He was a Liberal member of the House of Commons of Canada who represented Brant North from 1882 to 1896 and Wentworth North and Brant from 1896 to 1900.

He was born in Dundas, Upper Canada in 1834 and educated there and in Simcoe. In 1854, he became editor and owner of the Ayr Observer. In 1858, he returned to Dundas, where he established the True Banner. In the same year, he married Jeanette Rogers. Somerville served as mayor of Dundas in 1874 and was warden for Wentworth County.

He died in Dundas in 1916.

Electoral record[edit]

1882 Canadian federal election: Brant North
Party Candidate Votes
Liberal James Somerville 1,603
Conservative James R. Currey[1] 652
1887 Canadian federal election: Brant North
Party Candidate Votes
Liberal James Somerville 1,660
Conservative J.R. Curry 496
1891 Canadian federal election: Brant North
Party Candidate Votes
Liberal James Somerville 1,729
Conservative R.L. Hamilton 613

References[edit]


  1. ^ "Conservative convention". Brantford Weekly Expositor. 16 June 1882. p. 2. Retrieved 8 June 2023.