PLUMB, Josiah Burr, Canadian statesman, born in East Haven, Connecticut, 25 March, 1816 ; died in Niagara, Ont., 12 March, 1888. His father was rector of the Episcopal church at East Haven. The son was for many years manager of the State bank at Albany, New York, and a director in several banks in Buffalo and Oswego. He was one of a committee that was appointed by the Democrats of New York state to confer with the slave states on the northern border, with a view to prevent the civil war. He subsequently removed to Canada, and was elected to the Dominion parliament for Niagara in 1874, being an active debater on the Conservative side. He was unseated on petition the same year, and re-elected shortly afterward for the same constituency. Through the disqualification of his opponent, who received the majority of votes, he was declared elected again in 1878. In 1877-'8 he accompanied Sir John Macdonald during his national polity campaign, rendering efficient service to his party. He was an unsuccessful candidate for North Wellington in 1882, and was called to the senate, 6 February, 1883. He presided over the senate during most of the session of 1886, owing to the illness of Sir Alexander Campbell, and was appointed speaker of that body in April, 1887, which office he held at the time of his death.