Background
He was born in Ballymacash, Ireland in 1813 and came to Montreal, where his brothers had already settled, in 1827.
He was born in Ballymacash, Ireland in 1813 and came to Montreal, where his brothers had already settled, in 1827.
He represented Montreal Centre in the 1st Canadian Parliament and Montreal West from 1875 to 1878 as a Liberal member. He also served as president of the Molson Bank and a director of the Sun Mutual Life Insurance Company in Montreal, serving as president from 1871 to 1889. He served as a volunteer to help put down the Lower Canada Rebellion.
In 1866, he was named justice of the peace.
He was elected to the House of Commons in 1867, but did not run again until an 1875 by-election in Montreal West after the sitting member was unseated. He died from diabetes in Montreal in 1889.
He had supported McGill College during his life and left a large sum from his estate to the college and other charities.