Lachlin McCallum

Lachlin (Lachlan) McCallum (March 15, 1823 – January 13, 1903) was a Canadian politician.

Lachlin McCallum
Member of Parliament for Monck
In office 1874–1887
Preceded by	James David Edgar
Succeeded by	Arthur Boyle
In office 1867–1872
Preceded by	Riding established
Succeeded by	James David Edgar
Ontario MPP
In office 1871–1872
Preceded by	George Secord
Succeeded by	Henry Ryan Haney
Constituency	Monck
Personal details
Born	(1823-03-15)March 15, 1823 Tiree, Argyllshire, Scotland
Died	January 13, 1903(1903-01-13) (aged 79) Stromness, Ontario, Canada
Political party	Conservative
Spouse	Priscilla Dawson Thewliss ​ ​ (m. 1854)​
Occupation	Contractor, Ship owner

McCallum, born in Tiree, Argyllshire, Scotland, was a contractor and shipowner before entering politics as a Liberal-Conservative. He represented the riding of Monck in the House of Commons of Canada from 1867 to 1872, when he was defeated by James David Edgar. However, in 1874, McCallum defeated Edgar by a margin of just 34 votes, and was returned to Parliament.

Due to the closeness of the result, McCallum was unseated on May 12, 1875. In the subsequent byelection, McCallum again defeated Edgar, this time by a mere 4 votes.

McCallum was an unsuccessful candidate for a seat in assembly for the Province of Canada in 1863. He was also a member of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario having been elected in the 1871 election in the riding of Monck. He was a member of the Ontario Conservative Party.

He served as reeve for the United Townships of Sherbrooke and Moulton in Ontario.

McCallum remained in the House until 1887, when he was appointed to the Senate; he served in the Senate until his death at the age of 79.

McCallum was the founder and Naval Captain (Colonel) of the Dunnville Naval Brigade 1861–1866. During the Fenian Raid he commanded the 'war tug' W.T. Robb and fought with his men against the Fenians in Fort Erie on the afternoon of June 2. Outnumbered 10 to 1, McCallum and sixteen other men fought their way out of Fort Erie before being rescued by the Robb.

McCallum lived in Stromness, Ontario. In 1854, he married Priscilla Dawson Thewliss. He died in office in Stromness in 1903.

Electoral history

Federal

1867 Canadian federal election: Monck
Party	Candidate	Votes
	Liberal–Conservative	Lachlin McCallum	1,126
	Unknown	Dr. Frazer	871
Eligible voters			2,539
Source: Canadian Parliamentary Guide, 1871

1872 Canadian federal election: Monck
Party	Candidate	Votes
	Liberal	James David Edgar	1,334
	Liberal–Conservative	Lachlin McCallum	1,293
Source: Canadian Elections Database

By-election on 22 June 1875 Due to unseating of Lachlin McCallum, 12 May 1875
Party		Candidate	Votes
	Liberal–Conservative	Lachlin McCallum	1,333
	Liberal	James David Edgar	1,329

1882 Canadian federal election: Monck
Party	Candidate	Votes
	Liberal–Conservative	Lachlin McCallum	1,445
	Unknown	George A. McCallum	1,420

Provincial

1871 Ontario general election: Monck
Party	Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Conservative	Lachlin McCallum	931	50.13	−5.96
	Liberal	James David Edgar	926	49.87	5.96
Turnout			1,857	66.35	−12.24
Eligible voters			2,799
	Conservative hold		Swing		−5.96
Source: Elections Ontario

External links

• Ontario Legislative Assembly parliamentary history
• Lachlin McCallum – Parliament of Canada biography