James McGill Strachan
Encyclopedia
James McGill Strachan was a lawyer, business and political figure in Canada West.
He was born in Cornwall
in Upper Canada
in 1808, the oldest son of Reverend John Strachan
. He purchased a commission in the 68th Foot Regiment and studied at the Royal Military College Sandhurst. In 1836, he returned to Upper Canada where he began the study of law and was admitted to the bar in 1838. During the Upper Canada Rebellion
, he served as military secretary to Sir Francis Bond Head
. He joined the law practice of John Hillyard Cameron
in Toronto
as a partner. In 1841, he was elected to the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Canada
for Huron
; he was unseated after a successful appeal by William Tiger Dunlop. He also served on the Toronto city council. He went bankrupt in 1847 after speculating in land and railway companies but had recovered by 1853. He died in Toronto in 1870.
He was born in Cornwall
Cornwall, Ontario
Cornwall is a city in Eastern Ontario, Canada and the seat of the United Counties of Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry, Ontario. Cornwall is Ontario's easternmost city, located on the St...
in Upper Canada
Upper Canada
The Province of Upper Canada was a political division in British Canada established in 1791 by the British Empire to govern the central third of the lands in British North America and to accommodate Loyalist refugees from the United States of America after the American Revolution...
in 1808, the oldest son of Reverend John Strachan
John Strachan
John Strachan was an influential figure in Upper Canada and the first Anglican Bishop of Toronto.-Early life:Strachan was the youngest of six children born to a quarry worker in Aberdeen, Scotland. He graduated from King's College, Aberdeen in 1797...
. He purchased a commission in the 68th Foot Regiment and studied at the Royal Military College Sandhurst. In 1836, he returned to Upper Canada where he began the study of law and was admitted to the bar in 1838. During the Upper Canada Rebellion
Upper Canada Rebellion
The Upper Canada Rebellion was, along with the Lower Canada Rebellion in Lower Canada, a rebellion against the British colonial government in 1837 and 1838. Collectively they are also known as the Rebellions of 1837.-Issues:...
, he served as military secretary to Sir Francis Bond Head
Francis Bond Head
Sir Francis Bond Head, 1st Baronet KCH PC , known as "Galloping Head", was Lieutenant-Governor of Upper Canada during the rebellion of 1837.-Biography:...
. He joined the law practice of John Hillyard Cameron
John Hillyard Cameron
John Hillyard Cameron, QC was an Ontario lawyer, businessman and political figure. He was a Conservative member of the Canadian House of Commons representing Peel from 1867 to 1872 and Cardwell from 1872 until his death.He was born in Blendecques, France in 1817...
in Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
as a partner. In 1841, he was elected to the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Canada
Legislative Assembly of the Province of Canada
The Legislative Assembly of the Province of Canada was the lower house of the legislature for the Province of Canada, which consisted of the former provinces of Lower Canada, then known as Canada East and later the province of Quebec, and Upper Canada, then known as Canada West and later the...
for Huron
Huron County, Ontario
Huron County is a census division and county of the province of Ontario, Canada. It is located on the southeast shore of its namesake, Lake Huron, in the southwest part of the province...
; he was unseated after a successful appeal by William Tiger Dunlop. He also served on the Toronto city council. He went bankrupt in 1847 after speculating in land and railway companies but had recovered by 1853. He died in Toronto in 1870.