Born

• 28 January 1822, at Logierait near Dunkeld, Scotland
• Emigrated to Canada in 1842

Education

• Public school at Perth, Moulin and Dunkeld, Scotland

Personal Status

• Married 1845, Helen Neil (1826-1852)
• One daughter (two other children died in infancy)
• Re-married 1853, Jane Sym (1825-1893)

Professional Life

• Stonemason
• Building contractor
• 1852-1854 Editor of the Lambton Shield 1866-1874 Major, 27th Lambton Volunteer Infantry 1871-1872 MLA Ontario Author

Died

• 17 April 1892, Toronto, Ontario

Buried

• Lakeview Cemetery, near Sarnia, Ontario

Party

• Liberal
• 1873-1880 Party Leader

Constituencies

• 1867-1882 Lambton, Ontario
• 1882-1892 York East, Ontario

Other Ministries

• 1873-1878 Public Works

Political Record

• Formed first Liberal administration of the Dominion of Canada 1873
• Secret Ballot 1874
• Founding of Royal Military College 1874
• Creation of the Supreme Court 1875
• Creation of the Office of the Auditor General 1878
• Leader of the Opposition 1878-1880