Alexander Peter Cockburn (April 7, 1837 – June 2, 1905) was a

Canadian Canadians () are people identified with the country of Canada. This connection may be residential, legal, historical or cultural. For most Canadians, many (or all) of these connections exist and are collectively the source of their being ''C ...

businessman and political figure. He represented

Victoria North Victoria North could refer to: * Victoria North (federal electoral district) *Victoria North (provincial electoral district) Victoria North was an electoral riding in Ontario, Canada. It was created in 1867 at the time of confederation A ...

in the

1st Parliament of Ontario The 1st Parliament of Ontario was in session from September 3, 1867, until February 25, 1871, just prior to the 1871 Ontario general election, 1871 general election. This was the first session of the Legislature after Confederation succeeding t ...

and Muskoka and then

Ontario North Ontario North was a federal electoral district represented in the House of Commons of Canada from 1867 to 1925. It was located in the province of Ontario. It was created by the British North America Act 1867. The North Riding of Ontario init ...

in the

House of Commons of Canada The House of Commons of Canada () is the lower house of the Parliament of Canada. Together with the Monarchy of Canada#Parliament (King-in-Parliament), Crown and the Senate of Canada, they comprise the Bicameralism, bicameral legislature of Ca ...

as a

Liberal Liberal or liberalism may refer to: Politics * Generally, a supporter of the political philosophy liberalism. Liberals may be politically left or right but tend to be centrist. * An adherent of a Liberal Party (See also Liberal parties by country ...

member from 1872 to 1887. He was born in

Finch The true finches are small to medium-sized passerine birds in the family Fringillidae. Finches generally have stout conical bills adapted for eating seeds and nuts and often have colourful plumage. They occupy a great range of habitats where the ...

in 1837, the son of

Scottish Scottish usually refers to something of, from, or related to Scotland, including: *Scottish Gaelic, a Celtic Goidelic language of the Indo-European language family native to Scotland *Scottish English *Scottish national identity, the Scottish ide ...

immigrants. He moved to

Kirkfield Kirkfield is a village located in the city of Kawartha Lakes, in the Canada, Canadian province of Ontario. The incorporated place, unincorporated village was named in 1864 after the initial name, ''Novar'', was rejected by the government. A list of ...

with his family in 1857. He opened a store there in 1863 and became postmaster. He was reeve of Eldon Township from 1864 to 1865. In 1864, he moved to

Orillia Orillia () is a city in Ontario, Canada, about 30 km (18 mi) north-east of Barrie in Simcoe County. It is located at the confluence of Lake Couchiching and Lake Simcoe. Although it is geographically located within Simcoe County, the city is a Lis ...

. After a visit to the Muskoka District in 1865, he moved to Gravenhurst, where he opened a general store, established

stagecoach A stagecoach (also: stage coach, stage, road coach, ) is a four-wheeled public transport coach used to carry paying passengers and light packages on journeys long enough to need a change of horses. It is strongly sprung and generally drawn by ...

service and initiated

steamboat A steamboat is a boat that is marine propulsion, propelled primarily by marine steam engine, steam power, typically driving propellers or Paddle steamer, paddlewheels. The term ''steamboat'' is used to refer to small steam-powered vessels worki ...

service on

Lake Muskoka Lake Muskoka is located between Port Carling and Gravenhurst, Ontario, Canada. The lake is surrounded by many cottages. The lake is primarily within the boundary of the Township of Muskoka Lakes, the southeast corner is within the boundary of t ...

. In 1867, he helped found the Muskoka Settler's Association and became its first president. While in office, he lobbied for improved rail and water links to the region. Cockburn also published pamphlets describing the natural beauty of the region, aimed at promoting tourism. His steamboat operation expanded to ten ships and a booming resort industry developed in the Muskoka region, that has continued to the present time. He died in

Toronto Toronto ( , locally pronounced or ) is the List of the largest municipalities in Canada by population, most populous city in Canada. It is the capital city of the Provinces and territories of Canada, Canadian province of Ontario. With a p ...

in 1905.

Electoral history

References

External links

* * *
Cockburn Family archival papers
held at th
University of Toronto Archives and Records Management Services
{{DEFAULTSORT:Cockburn, Alexander Peter 1837 births 1905 deaths Members of the House of Commons of Canada from Ontario Liberal Party of Canada MPs Ontario Liberal Party MPPs People from the United Counties of Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry People from Gravenhurst, Ontario Canadian people of Scottish descent 19th-century mayors of places in Ontario 19th-century members of the House of Commons of Canada 19th-century members of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario