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James Kennedy Cornwall, DSO, adventurer, businessman, politician, soldier (born 29 October 1869 in Brantford, ON; died 20 November 1955 in Calgary, AB). Known as “Peace River Jim” and “Apostle of the North”, James K. Cornwall was the most effective ambassador of the Canadian Northwest in the early 20th century. Cornwall promoted development and advocated on behalf of Indigenous peoples in the north. He was a member of the Alberta legislature from 1905 to 1909 and served overseas during the First World War as lieutenant-colonel of the 218th Battalion.
Business Career
By the time he arrived in the region in 1896, James K. Cornwall had crisscrossed the Atlantic and travelled throughout Europe, Russia and Asia. An active businessman and promoter, he lived at various locations before moving to Edmonton, Alberta, in 1908.
By then, Cornwall had become involved in several major companies, including Bredin and Cornwall, which he formed with Fletcher Bredin in 1899. By the time they sold out to the Revillon Frères in 1906, their posts were challenging the Hudson's Bay Company for commercial domination in northwestern Alberta and beyond. In 1904, Cornwall and James Woods formed the Northern Transportation Company with steamboats from Athabasca Landing to Lesser Slave Lake. (See also Transportation in the North.)
Support for Indigenous Peoples
According to Father René Fumoleau, author of As Long As This Land Shall Last: A History of Treaty 8 and Treaty 11, 1870–1939 (2004), James K. Cornwall was “one of the most valiant fighters” in support of Indigenous interests in the north. In 1899, he helped transport the Treaty 8 commission and witnessed the negotiations at Lesser Slave Lake and Peace River Crossing. Over the years, he pressured the government to honour oral promises made to Indigenous peoples during treaty negotiations.
Political Career
James K. Cornwall became a staunch advocate of the settlement of the Peace River Country. In 1905, he ran for election to the Alberta legislature in the Peace River riding but was defeated. In 1909, however, he was acclaimed as the Liberal member of provincial parliament (now MLA) for Peace River, serving until 1913. He was central to the extension of railways to his riding and to Athabasca Landing and Waterways (now Fort McMurray).
First World War
During the First World War, James K. Cornwall served overseas as lieutenant-colonel of the 218th Battalion of the Canadian Expeditionary Force, a railway unit he founded and financed. He was awarded the Croix de Guerre by the French and the Distinguished Service Order by King George V. Following the war, he continued to champion his beloved Northwest, advocating development of the Athabasca oil sands and the Northwest Territories.
