James Bethune (politician)

James Bethune (July 7, 1840 – December 18, 1884) was an Ontario lawyer and political figure. He represented Stormont in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario as a Liberal member from 1872 to 1879.

James Bethune
Ontario MPP
In office
1872–1879
Preceded byWilliam Colquhoun
Succeeded byJoseph Kerr
ConstituencyStormont
Personal details
Born(1840-07-07)July 7, 1840
Glengarry County, Upper Canada
DiedDecember 18, 1884(1884-12-18) (aged 44)
Political partyLiberal
OccupationLawyer

He was born in Glengarry County in Upper Canada in 1840. He studied at Queen's College and University College. He articled in law, was called to the bar in 1862 and opened a practice in Cornwall. In 1865, he was named County Crown Attorney for Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry. He was called to the Quebec bar in 1869. He was elected to the 2nd Parliament of Ontario for Stormont in an 1872 by-election and was reelected in 1875. In 1870, he moved to Toronto and formed a law firm with Edward Blake and James Kirkpatrick Kerr. He retired from politics in 1879.

Electoral history

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1871 Ontario general election: Stormont
Party Candidate Votes %
Conservative William Colquhoun 705 50.18
Liberal James Bethune 700 49.82
Turnout 1,405 74.34
Eligible voters 1,890
Election voided
Source: Elections Ontario[1]
Ontario provincial by-election, March 21, 1872: Stormont
Previous election voided
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal James Bethune 790 51.10 +6.75
Conservative William Colquhoun 756 48.90 −6.75
Total valid votes 1,546 100.0   +8.49
Liberal gain from Conservative Swing +6.75
Source: History of the Electoral Districts, Legislatures and Ministries of the Province of Ontario[2]: 357 
1875 Ontario general election: Stormont
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal James Bethune 948 53.77 +3.95
Conservative William Colquhoun 815 46.23 −3.95
Total valid votes 1,763 77.19 +2.85
Eligible voters 2,284
Liberal gain from Conservative Swing +3.95
Source: Elections Ontario[3]

References

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  1. ^ "Data Explorer". Elections Ontario. 1871. Retrieved March 31, 2024.
  2. ^ Lewis, Roderick (1968). Centennial Edition of a History of the Electoral Districts, Legislatures and Ministries of the Province of Ontario, 1867–1968. OCLC 1052682.
  3. ^ "Data Explorer". Elections Ontario. 1875. Retrieved April 6, 2024.
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