Colin MacDougall was a politician

Politician

A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...

 and lawyer

Lawyer

A lawyer, according to Black's Law Dictionary, is "a person learned in the law; as an attorney, counsel or solicitor; a person who is practicing law." Law is the system of rules of conduct established by the sovereign government of a society to correct wrongs, maintain the stability of political...

.

The son of Lachlin MacDougall and Sarah Ruthwen, he was educated locally and at the University of Michigan

University of Michigan

The University of Michigan is a public research university located in Ann Arbor, Michigan in the United States. It is the state's oldest university and the flagship campus of the University of Michigan...

. In 1864, MacDougall married Catherine Ross. He was called to the Ontario bar in 1869. MacDougall served as reeve for the township from 1857 to 1858 and from 1860 to 1861. He ran unsuccessfully for the Elgin West seat in the House of Commons in 1867. He was elected to the Canadian House of Commons

Canadian House of Commons

The House of Commons of Canada is a component of the Parliament of Canada, along with the Sovereign and the Senate. The House of Commons is a democratically elected body, consisting of 308 members known as Members of Parliament...

 in a 1874 by-election, after the death of William Harvey

William Harvey

William Harvey was an English physician who was the first person to describe completely and in detail the systemic circulation and properties of blood being pumped to the body by the heart...

 on June 14, 1874. He lost in the 1878 election

Canadian federal election, 1878

The Canadian federal election of 1878 was held on September 17 to elect members of the Canadian House of Commons of the 4th Parliament of Canada. It resulted in the end of Prime Minister Alexander Mackenzie's Liberal government after only one term in office. Canada suffered an economic depression...

 to Thomas Arkell

Thomas Arkell

Thomas Arkell was a Canadian politician, farmer and grain merchant. He was elected to the Canadian House of Commons in 1878 as a Member of the Liberal-Conservative Party to represent the riding of Elgin East. He was defeated in the election of 1882...

.