He was born in Tain, Ross-shire,[1] the son of Hugh Ross Skinner and Mary Fraser McPherson, was educated in Scotland and came to Canada in 1843. He was first employed with a wholesale dry goods firm, establishing an importing and wholesale business in partnership with his younger brother around 1850. In 1849, he married Agnes Johnston, also a native of Scotland. His parents came to Canada in 1861. Skinner served in the militia during the Fenian raids, later reaching the rank of lieutenant-colonel.[2] He operated a farm near Woodstock, Ontario.[3] He was first elected to the House of Commons in an 1874 by-election held after Ebenezer Vining Bodwell was named superintendent for the Welland Canal. Skinner was unsuccessful when he ran for reelection in 1882.[1] He died in West Oxford Township at the age of 68.[3]