James Morrison

James Morrison

James Morrison, "J.J.," salesman, farmer, farm leader (b near Arthur, Canada W 25 July 1861; d at Toronto 17 Mar 1936). He attended business college in Toronto during 1885 and worked as a salesman until 1900 when he returned to the family farm. He became active in local educational and farm issues as a member of the Patrons of Industry and joined the Ontario Grange in 1907. In 1914 he helped plan the development of the United Farmers of Ontario (secretary 1914-33) and the United Farmers Co-operative Company (secretary 1914-35). Morrison organized the delegation of 3000 Ontario farmers that marched on Ottawa in 1918 to protest the government's CONSCRIPTION policy. He also played a crucial role in the Progressive victory in Ontario in 1919, although he declined the premiership in favour of E.C. DRURY. Because he thought the Progressive movement should remain exclusively a farmers' movement, Morrison soon disagreed vigorously with Drury's approach; his obstructionism contributed significantly to the Drury government's defeat in 1923.