He was born in West Gwillimbury, Simcoe County, Upper Canada, the son of James Landerkin, who came there from Nova Scotia. He was educated at Victoria College in Cobourg, where he received his M.D.. Landerkin worked on a farm for several years before obtaining his medical degree. He practised medicine in Hanover, Ontario. Landerkin was also president of Canada Mutual Mining and Development Company. In 1870, he married Mary Matilda Kirkendall. Landerkin was defeated by George Jackson for the federal seat in 1878. He died in Hanover at the age of 64.
