John Graham (Manitoba politician)

John Graham (March 9, 1864[1] – November 7, 1951[2]) was a politician in Manitoba, Canada. He served in the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba from 1914 to 1920, as a member of the Liberal Party.

John Graham
Member of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba
In office
1914–1920
Personal details
Born(1864-03-09)March 9, 1864
Selkirkshire, Scotland
DiedNovember 7, 1951(1951-11-07) (aged 87)
St. Vital, Manitoba
Political partyLiberal
Spouse
Elizabeth Heattie
(m. 1892)
OccupationFarmer, politician

Biography

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Graham was born in Selkirkshire, Scotland, the son of William Graham and Lillias Riddell, and was educated at Aslekirk, Selkirk and Heriot, Midlothian. He came to Canada in 1890, and worked as a farmer and livestock importer. In 1892, Graham married Elizabeth Heattie. For many years, he was the Manitoba vice-president on the Board of the Clydesdale Horse Association. Graham resided in Carberry during his political career, and was a Presbyterian in religion.[2]

He was first elected to the Manitoba legislature in the 1914 provincial election, defeating incumbent Conservative Robert F. Lyons[1] by sixty-eight votes in the constituency of Norfolk. The Conservatives won this election, and Graham sat as a member of the opposition.

In early 1915, the Conservative administration of Rodmond Roblin was forced from office amid a corruption scandal. A new election was called, which the Liberals won in a landslide.[3] Graham was personally re-elected, defeating Lyons[1] by 163 votes. For the next five years, he served as a backbench supporter of Tobias Norris's administration. He was defeated in the 1920 election, losing to Conservative Reuben Waugh[1] by 217 votes.

He died at home in St. Vital in 1951.[2]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d "MLA Biographies - Deceased". Legislative Assembly of Manitoba. Archived from the original on March 30, 2014.
  2. ^ a b c "John Graham (1864-1951)". Memorable Manitobans. Manitoba Historical Society. Retrieved December 10, 2012.
  3. ^ "Legislature Scandal". TimeLinks. Manitoba Historical Society. Retrieved November 29, 2012.