George Hugh Macdonell (February 10, 1851 – April 1, 1920) was a contractor and political figure in Ontario, Canada. He represented Algoma in the House of Commons of Canada from 1891 to 1896 as a Conservative member.

George H. Macdonell
Member of the Canadian Parliament
for Algoma
In office
1891–1896
Preceded bySimon James Dawson
Succeeded byAlbert Dyment
Mayor of Port Arthur, Ontario
(present-day Thunder Bay, Ontario)
In office
1886–1888, 1900
Personal details
Born(1851-02-10)February 10, 1851
Toronto, Canada West
DiedApril 3, 1920(1920-04-03) (aged 69)
Lethbridge, Alberta
Political partyConservative
Spouse(s)Eliza McCracken
(m. 1876–1893; her death)
Occupationcontractor

He was born in Toronto, Canada West, the son of Duncan Macdonell, and was educated in Williamstown and at Bishop's College in Lennoxville, Quebec. He continued his education in the military schools of Montreal and served with Colonel Garnet Wolseley in the Red River Expedition. Macdonell operated a warehouse in Montreal for several years. He was then hired by contractors working on the Canadian Pacific Railway, later going into business on his own and moving to Port Arthur. In 1876, Macdonell married Eliza McCracken.[1] Macdonell was also involved in mining and was an insurance agent. Macdonell was mayor of Port Arthur from 1886 to 1888. He ran unsuccessfully for a seat in the Ontario assembly in 1890.[1] Macdonell defeated Daniel Francis Burk in the 1887 federal election but was defeated by Albert Dyment when he ran for reelection to the House of Commons in 1896.[2] His wife, Eliza died in 1893.[3]

He was elected Port Arthur mayor again in 1900 but left to pursue business interests in Manitoba. Later, he was named Dominion Lands Agent for Medicine Hat and then Lethbridge.[2]

George Hugh Macdonnell died in Lethbridge on April 1, 1920.[4] He was buried at the Lethbridge Cemetery.[5]

Electoral record

edit
1896 Canadian federal election: Algoma
Party Candidate Votes %
Liberal Albert Dyment 3,176 70.19
Conservative George Hugh Macdonell 1,349 29.81
1891 Canadian federal election: Algoma
Party Candidate Votes %
Conservative George Hugh Macdonell 2,251 55.39
Unknown Daniel F. Burk 1,813 44.61

References

edit
  1. ^ a b The Canadian parliamentary companion, 1891, AJ Gemmill
  2. ^ a b Mayor Macdonell on thunderbay.ca
  3. ^ "The Toronto Daily Mail - Google News Archive Search". news.google.com. Retrieved 16 May 2020.
  4. ^ "Fenian Raid and Riel Rebellion Veteran, Geo. H. Macdonell, Is Dead.", Lethbridge Herald, Thursday, April 01, 1920, Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada
  5. ^ "Obituary: Mr. George Macdonell", Medicine Hat News, Monday, April 05, 1920, Medicine Hat, Alberta, Canada