James Dougall

James Dougall (September 21, 1810-April 5, 1888) was a politician, a merchant and a horticulturalist. [Halpenny, Francess G (1982). Dictionary of Canadian Biography; Volume XI, 1881 to 1890. University of Toronto Press, Les Presses de l'université Laval.]

Early life

He was born in Paisley, Scotland in 1810, where he grew up as the son of a manufacturer. [Halpenny, Francess G (1982). Dictionary of Canadian Biography; Volume XI, 1881 to 1890. University of Toronto Press, Les Presses de l'université Laval.] In 1826, at the age of 16, due to the economic conditions of Scotland at the time, James was sent to Canada by his father John.

He and his brother John Dougall began by the selling of dry goods, first in Quebec, and later moving the business to Montreal and York, in the Toronto region. They were later joined by their father in 1828. [Halpenny, Francess G (1982). Dictionary of Canadian Biography; Volume XI, 1881 to 1890. University of Toronto Press, Les Presses de l'université Laval.]

Ontario

In 1830, he moved to Windsor, Ontario, and began to make connections in the area, aiding his business. He married Suzanne Baby, daughter of François Baby, in 1832. With his wife Suzanne, he had five sons and two daughters. [Halpenny, Francess G (1982). Dictionary of Canadian Biography; Volume XI, 1881 to 1890. University of Toronto Press, Les Presses de l'université Laval.] The marriage to Suzanne gave him a quite a strong connection to the local area, and it aided him to successfully open his first general store, “Dougall’s Emporium”, [Armstrong, Frederick H. “James Dougall and the Founding of Windsor, Ontario” Ontario History (Canada, 1984) p.48-64.] in Windsor, near the Ferry dock. Dougall helped in subsidizing the land of his father in law, and opened his store near the Ferry dock of the area. In 1837, he became a magistrate for the area. [Halpenny, Francess G (1982). Dictionary of Canadian Biography; Volume XI, 1881 to 1890. University of Toronto Press, Les Presses de l'université Laval.] With the title given to him, he was responsible for naming the city. [Armstrong, Frederick H. “James Dougall and the Founding of Windsor, Ontario” Ontario History (Canada, 1984) p.48-64.] Thus, Dougall is responsible for the naming of the current city of Windsor, Ontario. Canada was under British reign at the time, and due to this, a name with ties to Britain had to be chosen, and so came the name of Windsor. By 1837, his business was flourishing, and by 1840, he had two ferries operating to aid his business over the Detroit River. [Halpenny, Francess G (1982). Dictionary of Canadian Biography; Volume XI, 1881 to 1890. University of Toronto Press, Les Presses de l'université Laval.]

In 1837-1838, he aided in the defense of Windsor against a rebellion from a group of individuals from Detroit. [Douglas, Alan R. “The Battle of Windsor” Ontario History (Canada, 1969) p.137-152] He purchased guns, and provided financial aid to the area. This is known as the Patriot War, or the Battle of Windsor. [Cleary, Francis. “Battle of Windsor: James Dougall’s Accounts” Essex History Society, Papers and Addresses (Windsor, Ont. 1915) p.25-29]

Following 1840, Dougall began funding nurseries in Windsor and the surrounding areas. His passion for horticulture grew from simple fruit trees, to small fruits and the plantation of flowers and plants in colder areas. [Crawford, Pleasance. “Some Early Ontario Nurserymen” Ontario Horticultural History (Canada, 1985) p.28-64 ISSN: 0828-8259] Dougall funded several nurseries over the years.

Political career

Dougall’s life in Windsor had a political aspect as well. Windsor attained Village status in 1854, and through this occurrence, Dougall became a member of the first council established in 1858. [Halpenny, Francess G (1982). Dictionary of Canadian Biography; Volume XI, 1881 to 1890. University of Toronto Press, Les Presses de l'université Laval.] Dougall was elected as the second mayor of Windsor in 1859 and served until 1861. [ [http://www.citywindsor.ca/002273.asp Previous Mayors ] ] Six years later, in 1867, he was elected to a second term, and served until 1869. [ [http://www.citywindsor.ca/002273.asp Previous Mayors ] ] While living in Windsor, and the surrounding area, he was active in much of the events of the community.

In 1864, Dougall remarried to Elizabeth Marcon, and had two daughters. The same year, Dougall was elected as the head of the school board, and held that position for the rest of his days. [Halpenny, Francess G (1982). Dictionary of Canadian Biography; Volume XI, 1881 to 1890. University of Toronto Press, Les Presses de l'université Laval.]

Legacy

In 1888, James Dougall died in Windsor, Ontario. He spent the bulk of his life in Windsor and in Anderton County, near Amherstburg, Ontario. He was an active member of the community throughout his life. Dougall Avenue in the city of Windsor is currently named after him, while Victoria Street is named after his daughter. [ [http://209.202.75.197/digi/chi/drawpage.asp?RelationID=dougall How Windsor Was Made ] ]

Notes

References

Halpenny, Francess G (1982). Dictionary of Canadian Biography; Volume XI, 1881 to 1890. University of Toronto Press, Les Presses de l'université Laval. ISBN 0-8020-3351-2.

Armstrong, Frederick H. “James Dougall and the Founding of Windsor, Ontario” Ontario History (Canada, 1984) p.48-64.ISSN: 0030-2953

Douglas, Alan R. “The Battle of Windsor” Ontario History (Canada, 1969) p.137-152ISSN: 0030-2953

Crawford, Pleasance. “Some Early Ontario Nurserymen” Ontario Horticultural History (Canada, 1985) p.28-64ISSN: 0828-8259

Cleary, Francis. “Battle of Windsor: James Dougall’s Accounts” Essex History Society, Papers and Addresses (Windsor, Ont. 1915) p.25-29

External links

* [http://www.biographi.ca/009004-119.01-e.php?&id_nbr=5486 Biography at the "Dictionary of Canadian Biography Online"]
* [http://www.citywindsor.ca/002273.asp]
* [http://209.202.75.197/digi/chi/drawpage.asp?RelationID=dougall]