Archibald Woodbury McLelan PC (20 December 1824 – 26 June 1890) was a Canadian shipbuilder and politician, the sixth Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia.

Archibald McLelan
The Hon. Archibald McLelan
6th Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia
In office
9 July 1888 – 26 June 1890
MonarchVictoria
Governor GeneralThe Lord Stanley of Preston
PremierWilliam S. Fielding
Preceded byMatthew Henry Richey
Succeeded byMalachy Bowes Daly
Personal details
Born
Archibald Woodbury McLelan

(1824-12-20)20 December 1824
Londonderry, Nova Scotia, Canada
Died26 June 1890(1890-06-26) (aged 65)
Halifax, Nova Scotia
Political partyAnti-Confederate
Liberal-Conservative
Spouse
Caroline Metzler
(m. 1842)
RelationsGloud Wilson McLelan (father)
Alma materMount Allison University
Occupationlumber merchant and shipbuilder
ProfessionPolitician
CabinetPresidents of the Privy Council (1881–1882)
Ministers of Marine and Fisheries (1882–1885)
Minister of Finance (1885–1887)
Postmaster General (1887–1888)

McLelan was born in Londonderry, Nova Scotia, the son of member of the Nova Scotia House of Assembly member Gloud Wilson McLelan. Archibald McLelan was educated in Great Village and joined his father's shipping and retail business. On his father's death in 1858 he succeeded him in the House of Assembly.

Strongly opposed to confederation with Canada, McLelan was elected as the first federal member of parliament for Colchester as an Anti-Confederate.

He reconciled himself to Confederation and was summoned to the Senate of Canada in 1869 where he sat as a Liberal-Conservative.

He resigned from the Upper House to run again for the House of Commons of Canada in an 1881 by-election and was returned to parliament as a Conservative.

McLelan served from 10 December 1885–26 January 1887 as the Minister of Finance in the second administration of Sir John A. Macdonald.

In 1842, he married Caroline Metzler. McLelan died in Halifax at the age of 65.

Electoral record

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1867 Canadian federal election: Colchester
Party Candidate Votes
Anti-Confederation Archibald McLelan 1,649
Liberal–Conservative Adams George Archibald 1,289
Source: Canadian Elections Database[1]
1872 Canadian federal election: Colchester
Party Candidate Votes
Liberal Frederick M. Pearson 1,634
Unknown J.F. Blanchard 1,209
Source: Canadian Elections Database[2]
By-election on 18 June 1881

On Thomas McKay's resignation in June 1881

Party Candidate Votes
Conservative Archibald McLelan 1,802
Independent Charles N. Cummings 1,374
1882 Canadian federal election: Colchester
Party Candidate Votes
Conservative Archibald McLelan 1,887
Unknown F.A. Laurence 1,452
1887 Canadian federal election: Colchester
Party Candidate Votes
Conservative Archibald McLelan 2,446
Liberal Samuel David McLelland 1,819
By-election on 27 October 1887

On Mr. McLelan being un-seated for bribery by agents

Party Candidate Votes
Conservative Archibald McLelan 2,137
Liberal Samuel David McLelland 1,511

References

edit
  • "Archibald McLelan". Dictionary of Canadian Biography (online ed.). University of Toronto Press. 1979–2016.
  • Archibald McLelan – Parliament of Canada biography
Parliament of Canada
Preceded by
None
Member of Parliament for Colchester
1867–1869
Succeeded by
Preceded by Member of Parliament for Colchester
1881–1888
Succeeded by

  1. ^ Sayers, Anthony M. "1867 Federal Election". Canadian Elections Database. Archived from the original on 22 January 2024.
  2. ^ Sayers, Anthony M. "1872 Federal Election". Canadian Elections Database. Archived from the original on 3 February 2024.