James Ross (Alberta politician)

Infobox Politician (general)
name= James Ross


imagesize=200
title= Alderman on the Edmonton Town Council
term_start= January 2, 1894
term_end= January 14, 1895
term_start2= December 13, 1897
term_end2= December 12, 1898
term_start3= December 8, 1902
term_end3= December 12, 1904
birth_date= August 14, 1851
birth_place= Toronto, Ontario
death_date= June 21, 1936
spouse= Ellen McBeath (7 children)
profession= Tinsmith
religion=Methodist
footnotes=

James Ross (born August 14, 1851; died June 21, 1936) was a politician in Alberta, Canada and a municipal councillor in Edmonton.

Biography

Ross was born August 14, 1851 in Toronto. He received his apprenticeship in tinsmithing and worked as a journeyman. He moved to Edmonton in 1878 and established a tinshop in 1882. In 1883, he created the Ross Brothers general hardware store with his brother, Frederick. They sold the business in 1912. He was director of the Western Canadian Vinegar Company and Vice President of the Alberta Milling Company.

James Ross married Ellen McBeath of Edmonton; the pair had seven children. He was active with the Freemasons, Methodist Church, and the Liberal Party of Alberta.

In 1892, Ross ran for alderman on Edmonton's first town council. He finished twelfth of fourteen candidates, and was not elected (the top six were). However, he was elected in his second attempt, in 1894, when he finished third of nine candidates. He served one year, and withdrew from politics until 1897, when he was elected to both the town council (on which he served one year) and the public school board (on which he served two years). His final foray into politics took place during the 1902 election, when he was elected to the town council for a third time. Aldermanic terms had been extended to two years, so Ross served until 1904. He did not seek re-election.

James Ross died June 21, 1936.

References

* [http://www.epl.ca/Elections/results/EPLBiographiesLetter.cfm?id=S Edmonton Public Library biography of James Ross]
* [http://www.edmonton.ca/CityGov/ElectionHistory/Members%20of%20Council%20Biographies.doc City of Edmonton biography of James Ross]