| Gunn, Alexander, M.P. for the City of Kingston, Ontario, was a Scotsman by birth, and came to Canada with his parents when a mere lad. He was born at Brims, Caithness-shire, Scotland, on the 5th of October, 1828. His father was James Gunn, who carried on farming and contracting in Caithness, his mother was Janet Shearer. Alexander, the eldest of their children, received his early education at Forss parish school in Caithness and finished in Kingston, where his parents first lived after coming to Canada. Mr. Gunn began his career in the grocery business, with John Carruthers, in Kingston, and continued in this businessmaking a very sucessful career of it. Being a public-spirited gentleman, he was pursuaded to offer himself as candidate for the House of Commons for the city of Kingston. He was elected in the general elections of 1878, defeating Sir John A. Macdonald, who had held Kingston for a number of years. Alexander Gunn was elected again in a general election. In politics he was always a steadfast Liberal. Mr. Gunn married, on the 13th October, 1864, at Kingston, Angelique Agnes Matthews, daughter of the late Robert Matthews. |
Janet Shearer sister of Willam the shoemaker. married to James Gunn 4 Dec 1827. He witnessed marriage of Barbara Campbell and William Shearer in 1831. 1841 census Piece: SCT1841/41 Place: Thurso-Caithness Enumeration District: 5 Civil Parish: Thurso Ecclesiastical Parish, Village or Island: - Folio: 0 Page: 7 Address: -Brimms GUNN James M 40 Mason born Caithness GUNN Janet F 40 born Caithness GUNN Alexr M 12 Caithness GUNN William M 10 Caithness GUNN Janet F 8 Caithness GUNN Christian F 6 Caithness GUNN John M 15 Agricultural Labourer Caithness FINLAYSON Cathrine F 15 Female Servant Caithness The family migrated to Canada where Alexander became an MP |
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