Harry Johnston (Canadian politician)

Harry Bruce Johnston (November 5, 1883 – January 20, 1943) was a Canadian politician, who served in the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia.

Harry Johnston
Member of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia
In office
1937–1943
Preceded byWilliam Henry Sutherland
Succeeded byVincent Segur
ConstituencyRevelstoke
Personal details
Born(1883-11-05)November 5, 1883
Teeswater, Ontario
DiedJanuary 20, 1943(1943-01-20) (aged 59)
Arrowhead, British Columbia
Political partyBritish Columbia Liberal Party
SpouseJessie Whitbread
Children2
OccupationTimber producer

Early life

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Harry was born on November 5, 1883,[1] to James Johnston and Mary Victoria Ross in Teeswater, Ontario, where he completed his secondary education.[2] In 1906, he arrived in Arrowhead, British Columbia, becoming a merchant.[3] By 1905, Edward McGaghran owned a general store, carrying a wide range of products.[4] The next year, Jessie Whitbread became an employee,[5] and Harry Johnston became a partner in the renamed McGaghran & Johnston store, which expanded into men's furnishings,[6] while retaining a groceries line.[7] McGaghran, who trained as a millwright, was superintendent of the Arrow Lakes Lumber Co mill at Arrowhead at the time of his death in 1912.[8] In 1918, Johnston expanded into the lumber business.[3] He produced and retailed cedar poles and posts. By 1919, he was also secretary of the local school board.[9] His interest in the general store ceased around 1920.[10] Prior to entering politics, he managed Columbia River Timbers.[11]

Political career

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Winning the Revelstoke seat for the Liberal Party in 1937 and 1941, he served in the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia until his death[3] on January 20, 1943, at Arrowhead.[12][13] Premier John Hart and several cabinet members attended the funeral.[14] This seat, which the Liberals had held since 1916, was lost in the June 1943 byelection.[3]

Marriage and children

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In 1908, he married Jessie Whitbread[2] (1884–1971).[15] Their children were John Wallace (1911–1988)[16] and Effie Lorena Jean (1913–1989).[17] John unsuccessfully ran in the September 1962 byelection for his father's old seat.[18]

References

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  1. ^ "The Canadian Parliamentary Guide: line 1". 1941. p. 411.
  2. ^ a b "The Canadian Parliamentary Guide: line 2". 1941. p. 411.
  3. ^ a b c d Bilsland, William Winstanley (1955). A History of Revelstoke and the Big Bend. library.ubc.ca (MA). pp. 212–213 (200–201).
  4. ^ "Kootenay Mail". library.ubc.ca. 7 Oct 1905. p. 4.
  5. ^ "Mail Herald". library.ubc.ca. 9 May 1906. p. 1.
  6. ^ "Mail Herald". library.ubc.ca. 29 Sep 1906. p. 8.
  7. ^ "1910 BC Directory". bccd.vpl.ca.
  8. ^ "Mail Herald". library.ubc.ca. 20 Jul 1912. p. 4.
  9. ^ "1919 BC Directory". bccd.vpl.ca.
  10. ^ "1920 BC Directory". bccd.vpl.ca.
  11. ^ "1937 BC Directory". bccd.vpl.ca.
  12. ^ "Death Certificate (Harry Bruce JOHNSTON)". royalbcmuseum.bc.ca.
  13. ^ "Daily Colonist". archive.org. 22 Jan 1943. p. 3.
  14. ^ "Daily News". library.ubc.ca. 27 Jan 1943. p. 3.
  15. ^ "Death Certificate (Jessie Lorena JOHNSTON)". royalbcmuseum.bc.ca.
  16. ^ "Death Certificate (John Wallace JOHNSTON)". royalbcmuseum.bc.ca.
  17. ^ "Death Certificate (Effie Lorena Jean McCULLOCH)". royalbcmuseum.bc.ca.
  18. ^ "Electoral History of BC 1871–1986" (PDF). www.elections.bc.ca. p. 293 (283).