James Hamilton Ross (original) (raw)

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Canadian politician

James H. Ross
Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of the North-West Territories
In office1891–1894
Preceded by	Herbert Charles Wilson
Succeeded by	John Felton Betts
Personal details
Born	(1856-05-12)May 12, 1856London, Canada West
Died	December 14, 1932(1932-12-14) (aged 76)Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
Political party	Liberal Party of Canada
Spouse	Barbara Elizabeth McKay (m. ca. 1885 - 1901, her death)
Children	Mary Hathern RossJane Graeme RossJohn Gordon RossChristina Graeme RossJames Hamilton RossBarbara Elizabeth RossWilliam McKay Ross

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

Ross was born in 1856 to John Edgar Ross and Christina Graeme (Hathern) Ross. 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

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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.

Personal life and family

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On August 15, 1901, his wife and youngest son, William, were lost in the sinking of the SS Islander near Juneau.[1]

Another of his 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.

His son, James Hamilton Ross, a chemist at McGill University, developed and patented a new method of synthesizing RDX used by the Allies in the Second World War. He was awarded the Medal of Freedom as well as Member of the Order of the British Empire.

Federal political career

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Ross ran for a seat to the House of Commons of Canada 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.

1. ^ "Loss of a Liner". The Times. No. 36538. London. 20 August 1901. 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.

• James Hamilton Ross Encyclopedia of Canada
• James Hamilton Ross – Canadian Confederation at www.collectionscanada.ca
• James Hamilton Ross – Parliament of Canada biography