Joshua Homer

Joshua Attwood Reynolds Homer (August 1, 1827 – September 20, 1886) was a Canadian Member of Parliament from British Columbia.[1]

The son of Joseph Homer,[2] he was born in Barrington, Nova Scotia[1] and educated there,[2] but later moved to the British Columbia Colony, settling in New Westminster in 1858, and becoming a merchant. In 1860, he married Sophie Wilson. In 1863, he was elected to the first Colonial Assembly of British Columbia. Homer was reelected in 1864.[2] Homer eventually became High Sheriff for the colony. In that capacity, he declared the union with Vancouver Island on behalf of Governor Frederick Seymour in 1866.[3]

Homer was a Liberal-Conservative candidate in New Westminster during the 1874 federal election but lost to Liberal James Cunningham. Homer was later elected Member of Parliament in an 1882 by-election when incumbent Thomas Robert McInnes resigned to accept an appointment in the Senate. His election was confirmed in the general election only six months later. Homer died in office[1] in New Westminster before he could complete the term.[2]

References

1. Joshua Homer – Parliament of Canada biography
2. Johnson, J.K. (1968). The Canadian Directory of Parliament 1867-1967. Public Archives of Canada.
3. Snyders, Tom (2001). Namely Vancouver: A Hidden History of Vancouver Place Names. p. 136. ISBN 9781551520773. Retrieved 2009-09-30.