James Young (Canadian politician)

For other people of the same name, see James Young (disambiguation).

James Young
File:JamesYoung23.jpg James Young in 1870
Member of the Canadian Parliament for Waterloo South
In office 1867–1878
Preceded by	Riding created
Succeeded by	Samuel Merner
Personal details
Born	(1835-05-24)May 24, 1835 Galt, Upper Canada
Died	Galt, Ontario
Nationality	Canadian
Political party	Liberal
Spouse(s)	Margaret McNaught (m. 1858; d. 1913)

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

Early Life

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

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

Politics

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.

Electoral Record

Canadian federal election, 1878: 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)

Canadian federal election, 1874: Waterloo South
Party		Candidate	Votes	%	∆%
	Liberal	James Young	acclaimed	–	–
Total valid votes			–	–
	Liberal hold		Swing		–
Source(s)

Canadian federal election, 1872: Waterloo South
Party		Candidate	Votes	%	∆%
	Liberal	James Young	acclaimed	–	–
Total valid votes			–	–
	Liberal hold		Swing		–
Source(s)

Canadian federal election, 1867: 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)

Later life

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.

External links

• James Young – Parliament of Canada biography
• Ontario Heritage Trust Plaque

Parliament of Canada
Preceded by None	Member of Parliament from Waterloo South 1867–1878	Succeeded by Samuel Merner