James Simeon McCuaig (September 29, 1819 – August 4, 1888) was a businessman and political figure in Ontario, Canada. He represented Prince Edward in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario in 1872, and in the House of Commons of Canada as a Conservative member from 1879 to 1882.
He was born in Picton in Upper Canada in 1819, the son of John McCuaig, was educated there and established himself in business in Picton. He owned steamships that operated on Lake Ontario and Lake Erie. McCuaig served two years as Inspector of Provincial Canals. He ran unsuccessfully for a seat in the assembly for the Province of Canada in 1854.
McCuaig was married twice: first to Julia Isabella Glass and then to Maria Augusta Pope. He died near Picton at the age of 68.
Controverted provincial member In the 1871 general election, Liberal Gideon Striker defeated incumbent William Andersons in Prince Edward.
Federal MP With the court ruing already known by end of August, McCuaig did not wait to be formally unseated. He instead sought the House of Commons seat in the dominion election held in October 1872. He was unsuccessful that year, but was later elected to the House of Commons in 1878 supporting temperance in Prince Edward County. Out of six electoral bids, that was his only successful run.
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