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

Canadian Canadians (french: Canadiens) 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 ...

businessman and political figure. He represented Victoria North in the 1st Parliament of Ontario 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 of 1867. The North Riding of Ontario init ...

in the

House of Commons of Canada The House of Commons of Canada (french: Chambre des communes du Canada) is the lower house of the Parliament of Canada. Together with the Crown and the Senate of Canada, they comprise the bicameral legislature of Canada. The House of Common ...

as a

Liberal Liberal or liberalism may refer to: Politics * a supporter of liberalism ** Liberalism by country * an adherent of a Liberal Party * Liberalism (international relations) * Sexually liberal feminism * Social liberalism Arts, entertainment and m ...

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 have stout conical bills adapted for eating seeds and nuts and often have colourful plumage. They occupy a great range of habitats where they are usua ...

in 1837, the son of Scottish 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 The Township of Eldon was a municipality located in the west of the former Victoria County, now the city of Kawartha Lakes, in Ontario, Canada. Communities * Kirkfield *Bolsover *Glenarm *Eldon * Woodville See also *List of townships in On ...

from 1864 to 1865. In 1864, he moved to

Orillia Orillia is a city in Ontario, Canada. It is in Simcoe County between Lake Couchiching and Lake Simcoe. Although it is geographically located within Simcoe County, the city is a single-tier municipality. It is part of the Huronia region of Cent ...

. After a visit to the

Muskoka District The District Municipality of Muskoka, more generally referred to as the District of Muskoka or Muskoka, is a regional municipality in Central Ontario, Canada. Muskoka extends from Georgian Bay in the west, to the northern tip of Lake Couchiching ...

in 1865, he moved to Gravenhurst, where he opened a general store, established

stagecoach A stagecoach 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 four horses although some versions are draw ...

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. Steamboats sometimes use the ship prefix, prefix designation SS, S.S. or S/S ...

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 ...

. 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 ( ; or ) is the capital city of the Canadian province of Ontario. With a recorded population of 2,794,356 in 2021, it is the most populous city in Canada and the fourth most populous city in North America. The city is the ancho ...

in 1905.

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