James Moir Ferres

James Moir Ferres, born on September third, eighteen thirteen in Aberdeen, Scotland, was a prominent journalist and political figure in Upper Canada. He pursued his education at Marischal College in Aberdeen before making the journey to Montreal in eighteen thirty-three, where he initially took on the role of a teacher at Edward Black's school.

Ferres's career in journalism began in eighteen thirty-five when he co-founded the Missiskoui Standard, a weekly newspaper. His editorial journey continued as he returned to Montreal in eighteen thirty-six to work with the Montreal Herald, eventually becoming its editor in eighteen thirty-nine. A staunch Tory supporter, he held several political appointments, including serving as secretary of the Montreal Turnpike Trust from eighteen forty to eighteen forty-two and as a revenue inspector in Montreal from eighteen forty-four to eighteen forty-eight.

In eighteen forty-eight, Ferres took on the role of editor and chief owner of the Montreal Gazette, a position he maintained until the paper's sale in eighteen fifty-four. His political involvement was marked by his opposition to the Rebellion Losses Bill of eighteen forty-nine, which led to his arrest following the burning of the parliament buildings in Montreal, although he was never prosecuted.

Ferres's political career continued to flourish as he was elected to the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Canada in East Missisquoi as a Conservative in eighteen fifty-four, and later in Brome in eighteen fifty-eight. In eighteen sixty-one, he was appointed to the Board of Inspectors of Asylums and Prisons, becoming chairman in eighteen sixty-eight. His final appointment came in eighteen sixty-nine when he was named warden for Kingston Penitentiary. James Moir Ferres passed away in Kingston in eighteen seventy and was laid to rest in Lachine, Quebec.