James Somerville

Who was James Somerville?

James Somerville was an Ontario journalist, newspaper editor and political figure. He was a Liberal member of the Canadian House of Commons who represented Brant North from 1882 to 1896 and Wentworth North and Brant from 1896 to 1900.

He was born in Dundas, Upper Canada in 1834 and educated there and in Simcoe. In 1854, he became editor and owner of the Ayr Observer. In 1858, he returned to Dundas, where he established the True Banner. In the same year, he married Jeanette Rogers. Somerville served as mayor of Dundas in 1874 and was warden for Wentworth County.

He died in Dundas in 1916.