James Cunningham (August 1, 1834 – May 4, 1925)
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 ...

merchant and

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politician, who represented New Westminster 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 ...

during the 3rd Parliament from 1874 to 1878. Born in Anyevny, County Monaghan,

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, the son of James Cunningham, he was educated in Anyevny, later coming to Canada and entering business as a merchant in New Westminster. In 1864, Cunningham married Mary Ann Woodman. He resigned his seat in the House of Commons in 1878. He sat as MLA for

New Westminster City New Westminster City was a provincial electoral district in the Canadian province of British Columbia from 1871 to 1912. For other electoral districts in New Westminster, please see New Westminster (electoral districts). Demographics Politica ...

from 1884 to 1886. In 1873, he also served as the first

Mayor In many countries, a mayor is the highest-ranking official in a municipal government such as that of a city or a town. Worldwide, there is a wide variance in local laws and customs regarding the powers and responsibilities of a mayor as well a ...

of New Westminster. Cunningham died in New Westminster at the age of 91. His brother

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served in the British Columbia assembly.

References

1834 births 1925 deaths Politicians from County Monaghan Canadian people of Ulster-Scottish descent Members of the House of Commons of Canada from British Columbia Mayors of New Westminster Liberal Party of Canada MPs Members of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia Irish emigrants to pre-Confederation British Columbia {{BritishColumbia-mayor-stub