Joseph James Duffus (June 17, 1876 – February 7, 1957) was a Canadian merchant and parliamentarian. Born and raised in

Peterborough, Ontario Peterborough ( ) is a city on the Otonabee River in Ontario, Canada, about 125 kilometres (78 miles) northeast of Toronto. According to the 2021 Census, the population of the City of Peterborough was 83,651. The population of the Peterborough ...

, Duffus was a graduate of the Royal School of Cavalry and Royal School of Infantry and in his career was a soldier, farmer and businessman."Sen. J. Duffus, 80, Dies As His Seat Is Debated", ''Toronto Daily Star'', February 7, 1957 He served with the 3rd Prince of Wales Canadian Dragoons and the 247th Regiment and with the Canadian Coronation Contingent and rose to the rank of

lieutenant colonel Lieutenant colonel ( , ) is a rank of commissioned officers in the armies, most marine forces and some air forces of the world, above a major and below a colonel. Several police forces in the United States use the rank of lieutenant colone ...

and then

colonel Colonel (abbreviated as Col., Col or COL) is a senior military officer rank used in many countries. It is also used in some police forces and paramilitary organizations. In the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries, a colonel was typically in charge of ...

. Duffus was a merchant and building contractor by trade and was active in politics and was elected to Peterborough's

city council A municipal council is the legislative body of a municipality or local government area. Depending on the location and classification of the municipality it may be known as a city council, town council, town board, community council, rural counc ...

in 1909 after two unsuccessful attempts."Senator J.J. Duffus - Sick Two Years, Unaware of Move To Unseat Him", ''Globe and Mail'', February 8, 1957 He served as an alderman for six years before being elected mayor in 1916 and 1917. He also served as president of the Peterborough

Chamber of Commerce A chamber of commerce, or board of trade, is a form of business network. For example, a local organization of businesses whose goal is to further the interests of businesses. Business owners in towns and cities form these local societies to ad ...

. He attempted to win a seat 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 ...

in the

1926 Events January * January 3 – Theodoros Pangalos declares himself dictator in Greece. * January 8 **Abdul-Aziz ibn Saud is crowned King of Hejaz. ** Crown Prince Nguyễn Phúc Vĩnh Thuy ascends the throne, the last monarch of V ...

and 1930 federal elections but was defeated in both attempts. He was elected the

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 of Parliament for Peterborough West in the 1935 federal election and was summoned to the

Senate of Canada The Senate of Canada (french: region=CA, Sénat du Canada) is the upper house of the Parliament of Canada. Together with the Crown and the House of Commons, they comprise the bicameral legislature of Canada. The Senate is modelled after the B ...

in 1940 prior to the 1940 election in order to free his seat up for Roland Maxwell Glover, publisher of the '' Peterborough Examiner''; Glover was defeated in the general election. Duffus died in office in 1957 after a lengthy illness. His two-year absence from the Senate prior to his death led to an attempt to have the Senator removed from office under the provisions of the BNA Act that allowed a Senate seat to be declared vacant if its occupant missed two successive sessions.

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External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Duffus, Joseph James 1876 births 1957 deaths Liberal Party of Canada MPs Members of the House of Commons of Canada from Ontario Canadian senators from Ontario Liberal Party of Canada senators Mayors of Peterborough, Ontario