James Lyons Biggar

Who was James Lyons Biggar?

James Lyons Biggar was an Ontario merchant and political figure. He represented Northumberland East in the Canadian House of Commons from 1874 to 1878 as an Independent Liberal.

He was born in Carrying Place, Upper Canada in 1824, the son of Charles Biggar, whose parents had come from Biggar in Scotland. He was educated at Victoria College in Cobourg. In 1846, he married Isabella Hodgins; his wife's brothers, Thomas and John George, became prominent figures in the province. Biggar owned a general store and served as postmaster at Carrying Place. He also served as commissioner in the Court of Queen's Bench there. He represented East Northumberland in the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Canada from 1861 until Confederation. He was defeated by Joseph Keeler for the federal seat in 1872 and then defeated Keeler in 1874; that election was appealed but Biggar won the by-election which followed. In the 1878 general election, he was again defeated by Keeler. Biggar served as a member of the Senate for Victoria College. He died in Clifton Springs, New York at the age of 55.

The Biggars had eleven children: