Josiah Burr Plumb

Josiah Burr Plumb (25 March 1816 – 12 March 1888) was an American-born Canadian businessman and parliamentarian.

Josiah Burr Plumb
Speaker of the Senate of Canada
In office
4 April 1887  12 March 1888
Preceded byWilliam Miller
Succeeded byGeorge William Allan
Senator for Ontario
In office
8 February 1883  12 March 1888
Nominated bySir John A. MacDonald
Member of Parliament for Niagara
In office
22 January 1874  30 November 1874
Preceded byAngus Morrison
Succeeded byHimself
In office
22 December 1874  16 September 1878
Preceded byHimself
Succeeded byPatrick Hughes
In office
20 March 1879  19 June 1882
Preceded byPatrick Hughes
Succeeded byRiding dissolved
Personal details
Born(1816-03-25)25 March 1816
East Haven, Connecticut
Died12 March 1888(1888-03-12) (aged 71)
Political partyConservative

Born in East Haven, Connecticut, Plumb immigrated to Canada in 1865 and settled near Niagara Falls, Ontario.

Soon thereafter he became active in the Conservative Party of Canada. He was elected three times as a member of parliament for Niagara in the House of Commons of Canada. He was first elected in the Canadian federal election of 1874, but this result was voided, although he successfully defended the seat in a by-election held on 22 December 1874. Although defeated in the 1878 election, he regained his seat in a contested election in 1879.

Following a defeat in 1882 election, he was appointed to the Senate of Canada on 8 February 1883 on the recommendation of Sir John A. Macdonald. He served as Speaker of the Senate from 4 April 1887 – 12 March 1888, upon his death.

By-election on 22 December 1874
Party Candidate Votes
ConservativeJosiah Burr Plumb354
UnknownSolomon John Johnson Brown251
1878 Canadian federal election: Niagara
Party Candidate Votes
LiberalPatrick Hughes312
ConservativeJosiah Burr Plumb310