About Patrick Purcell
Lived 1833 – 1891 (aged 58). Patrick Purcell was a Canadian politician and railway worker.
Patrick Purcell (May 1, 1833 – May 1, 1891) was a Canadian railway contractor and political figure in Ontario. He represented Glengarry in the House of Commons of Canada as a Liberal member from 1887 to 1891.
He was born in Glengarry County, Upper Canada; his father was a native of Ireland and his mother came from Scotland. In 1852, Purcell married Isabella McDonald. He was a construction contractor and built St. Peter's Canal in Nova Scotia and sections of the Canadian Pacific Railway and Intercolonial Railway. Purcell was reeve of Charlottenburg Township in 1884.
After Purcell's death in 1891, he was buried east of Cornwall. Shortly afterwards, his body was removed from the grave by young men from the area but was later recovered after it was found floating in the Saint Lawrence River.
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Important facts
Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped Patrick Purcell's
Frequently asked questions
Who was Patrick Purcell?
Canadian politician
When was Patrick Purcell born?
Patrick Purcell was born on 1 May 1833.
When did Patrick Purcell die?
Patrick Purcell died on 1 May 1891.
What was Patrick Purcell's occupation?
Patrick Purcell was a politician and railway worker.
What nationality was Patrick Purcell?
Patrick Purcell was Canadian.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Patrick Purcell. https://biography.guide/patrick-purcell/
MLA: "Patrick Purcell." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/patrick-purcell/.
Chicago: "Patrick Purcell." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/patrick-purcell/.
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