Emanuel McEachen

MCEACHEN, EMANUEL farmer and justice of the peace; b. ca. 1816 in South Lake, son of Charles McEachen and Mary Beaton; Roman Catholic; d. 5 November 1875 in Charlottetown. McEachen, a Conservative, was first elected to the House of Assembly in 1853 for 1st Kings. He was re-elected in a by-election in 1866, the general elections of 1870 and 1873, and in a by-election held in September 1873. He was defeated in the general elections of 1858, 1863, 1867, and 1872. Following the 1853 election, McEachen was appointed to Executive Council. He was removed from Executive Council when he struck Liberal Member William McGill in an anteroom of the Legislature. He eventually returned to Executive Council following the general election of 1870 and served until 1872 when the government of J. C. Pope was defeated. In 1873, when Pope and the Conservatives had returned to power, McEachen was appointed Commissioner of Public Lands. He served in the position until his death. McEachen was well-known for his advocacy of publicly funded separate schools. At a time when most Roman Catholics in the Conservative party joined forces with the Liberals, he remained with his party. McEachen felt that religion, no matter what type, should be a part of education. He was also opposed to the Island joining Canada. While known for his temper, he was considered a kind man who bore few grudges. In addition to his political career, he served as a Justice of the Peace in 1864. McEachen was born four months after the death of his father. Early in life, he took responsibility for the family farm of over 100 acres, supporting his mother and sisters. Emanuel McEachen died 5 November 1875.