12th Premier of British Columbia. He served in this position from August 1898 until February 1900. Born in Upper Canady (present-day Ontario), Canada, he was educated in local schools and by a private tutor. He then became a schoolteacher and in 1862 he moved to British Columbia during a gold rush there and tried his luck at prospecting. Unsuccessful at finding gold, he began working at the Ashcroft Manor Ranch in British Columbia for future Lieutenant Governor Clement Francis Cornwall. After starting a hotel business, in 1869 he purchased the Dominion Ranch and became a rancher. In 1871 he entered politics when he was elected to the British Columbia Legislative Assembly from the Yale district, serving until September 1875. In 1873 he helped to establish the Cache Creek Boarding School, to help ensure the region's scattered population of school-age children could benefit from a formal education. In July 1882 he was re-elected to the Legislature and became Leader of the Opposition two years later, even though he was not affiliated with and political party. In August 1898 he became Premier, succeeding John Herbert Turner. Unable to achieve a unified government during his tenure, coupled with strikes by miners, he stepped down as Premier and was replaced by Joseph Martin. In 1903 he briefly returned to politics when he won a by-election but chose not to run in the provincial election later that year. In 1907 he attempted to win another seat in the Legislature but was unsuccessful. He then retired to his ranch where he died 20 years later at the age of 90.
12th Premier of British Columbia. He served in this position from August 1898 until February 1900. Born in Upper Canady (present-day Ontario), Canada, he was educated in local schools and by a private tutor. He then became a schoolteacher and in 1862 he moved to British Columbia during a gold rush there and tried his luck at prospecting. Unsuccessful at finding gold, he began working at the Ashcroft Manor Ranch in British Columbia for future Lieutenant Governor Clement Francis Cornwall. After starting a hotel business, in 1869 he purchased the Dominion Ranch and became a rancher. In 1871 he entered politics when he was elected to the British Columbia Legislative Assembly from the Yale district, serving until September 1875. In 1873 he helped to establish the Cache Creek Boarding School, to help ensure the region's scattered population of school-age children could benefit from a formal education. In July 1882 he was re-elected to the Legislature and became Leader of the Opposition two years later, even though he was not affiliated with and political party. In August 1898 he became Premier, succeeding John Herbert Turner. Unable to achieve a unified government during his tenure, coupled with strikes by miners, he stepped down as Premier and was replaced by Joseph Martin. In 1903 he briefly returned to politics when he won a by-election but chose not to run in the provincial election later that year. In 1907 he attempted to win another seat in the Legislature but was unsuccessful. He then retired to his ranch where he died 20 years later at the age of 90.
Bio by: William Bjornstad
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