James Hamilton Ross

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James H. Ross
Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of the North-West Territories
In office
1891–1894
Preceded by Herbert Charles Wilson
Succeeded by John Felton Betts
Personal details
Born (1856-05-12)May 12, 1856
London, Canada West
Died December 14, 1932(1932-12-14) (aged 76)
Victoria, British Columbia

James Hamilton Ross (May 12, 1856 December 14, 1932) was a Canadian politician, the Yukon Territory's third Commissioner, and an ardent defender of territorial rights. He is also considered to be the first resident of Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan.

Early life

On January 2, 1882, Ross, a western Canadian rancher born in London, Canada West, and four other men were scouting the location for the Canadian Pacific Railway divisional point when they became the first residents of the modern-day town of Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan.

Four days later, Ross established a homestead on the site, becoming the town's first permanent resident.

Territorial political career

Soon after, Ross became an active participant in territorial government. He continuously campaigned for responsible government and was active in the negotiations to create the provinces of Alberta and Saskatchewan.

Ross sat in the Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories between 1883 and 1901, and was Speaker from 1891 to 1894 and a member of the Executive Council between 1895 and 1897. Ross also served as treasurer and then became the Commissioner of the Yukon Territory on March 11, 1901, becoming the first Yukon Commissioner to reside in Government House in Dawson City.

On August 15, 1901 his wife and daughter were lost in the sinking of the S.S. Islander near Juneau.[1]

One of his remaining daughters, Jane Ross, married Alistair Fraser, the son of Lieutenant-Governor of Nova Scotia Duncan Cameron Fraser, who later went on to become Lieutenant-Governor in his own right.

Federal political career

Ross ran for a seat to the Canadian House of Commons in a by-election held on December 2, 1902. He became the Yukon's first Member of Parliament defeating Yukon territorial councilor Joseph Clarke.[2] He did not visit the Yukon Territory during the campaign and incurred no election expenses other than his deposit.[3]

Ross was appointed to the Senate in 1904. Between 1904 and 1905, Ross represented Regina, Northwest Territories and after 1905 until his death, he continued to represent Regina after the creation of the province of Saskatchewan. From 1902 until his death, Ross was a member of the Liberal Party caucus.

James Hamilton Ross died in 1932 in Victoria, British Columbia.

References

  1. "Loss of a Liner" The Times (London). Tuesday, 20 August 1901. (36538), p. 8.
  2. "Yukon election results". Parliament of Canada. December 2, 1902. Retrieved December 16, 2010. 
  3. "Expenses of Election". Vol III No. 42 (The Yukon Sun). February 17, 1903. p. 2. 

External links

Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories
Preceded by
Herbert Charles Wilson
Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Northwest Territories
1891-1894
Succeeded by
John Betts
Political offices
Preceded by
William Ogilvie
Commissioner of the Yukon
19011902
Succeeded by
Frederick Tennyson Congdon
Parliament of Canada
Preceded by
New District
Member of Parliament Yukon
19021904
Succeeded by
Alfred Thompson
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