John McMurrich

John McMurrich (February 3, 1804 – February 13, 1883) was a businessman and political figure in Canada West and later Ontario.

John McMurrich
Ontario MPP
In office
1867–1871
Preceded byRiding established
Succeeded byAlfred Boultbee
ConstituencyYork North
Personal details
Born(1804-02-03)February 3, 1804
Paisley, Scotland
DiedFebruary 13, 1883(1883-02-13) (aged 79)
Toronto, Ontario
Political partyLiberal
OccupationBusinessman

He was born near Paisley, Scotland in 1804 and came to Upper Canada in 1833 to work in a York (Toronto) dry goods business affiliated with a Glasgow-based firm. He became a partner in 1837. McMurrich served on Toronto city council in 1860. He was elected to the Legislative Council of the Province of Canada in an 1862 by-election. He served on the Public School Board in Toronto for a number of years and was chairman from 1865 to 1867 and in 1870. In 1867, he was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario for York North as a Liberal; he was defeated in 1871. He was a member of the Toronto Board of Trade and served as president for a number of Toronto companies. He died in Toronto in 1883.

His eldest son, William Barclay McMurrich, was a mayor of Toronto. His second son, George McMurrich, was a long-time alderman on Toronto City Council.[1] Another son, J. Playfair McMurrich, became a distinguished zoologist.

Legacy

McMurrich name bears on a few places in Ontario:

Electoral history
1867 Ontario general election: York North
Party Candidate Votes%
LiberalJohn McMurrich1,36954.20
ConservativeAlfred Boultbee1,15745.80
Total valid votes 2,52673.90
Eligible voters 3,418
Liberal pickup new district.
Source: Elections Ontario[2]
1871 Ontario general election: York North
Party Candidate Votes%±%
ConservativeAlfred Boultbee1,30650.10+4.29
LiberalJohn McMurrich1,30149.90−4.29
Turnout 2,60766.64−7.26
Eligible voters 3,912
Conservative gain from Liberal Swing +4.29
Source: Elections Ontario[3]

References
  1. "Ald. M'Murrich Lost Battle with Death", Toronto Daily Star (1900-1971); Toronto, Ontario [Toronto, Ontario]. 08 Sep 1913: 11.
  2. "Data Explorer". Elections Ontario. 1867. Retrieved March 15, 2024.
  3. "Data Explorer". Elections Ontario. 1871. Retrieved March 31, 2024.
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