Biographies of Members of the Legislative Assembly
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- Dr. John F. MacNeill
- MACNEILL, M.D., C.M., JOHN FORBES, physician and publisher; b. 11 May 1870 in Long Creek, son of John Alexander MacNeill and Catherine MacKenzie; m. 23 September 1903 Ruby Darrach, and they had one daughter, Ruby; Baptist; d. 8 May 1962 in Summerside. MacNeill, a Liberal, was first elected to the Legislative Assembly in a by-election held 30 August 1922 for 5th Prince. He was re-elected in the general election of 1927 and in a by-election held 12 October 1932. He was defeated in the general elections of 1923 and 1931. In August 1927 he was sworn in as a Minister without Portfolio in the Albert Saunders* Administration. MacNeill was educated in public schools and at Prince of Wales College in Charlottetown. He operated drugstores in Montague and Summerside for a time before he went to McGill University in Montreal to obtain his medical degree. Upon returning to the Island, MacNeill established a practice in Summerside, which he maintained for 55 years. He served as president of the Medical Society of Canada and was involved in numerous Canadian medical organizations. He served as a Grand Master of the Masonic Order in Prince Edward Island. He and his family attended the United Baptist Church in Summerside. John MacNeill died 8 May 1962 at his home. Ruby MacNeill, the daughter of Dr. D. Darrach of Kensington, was born 30 September 1878 and died 25 February 1963., CPG 1929; Elections PEI; Guardian 31 August 1922; Patriot 8 May 1962; PARO: Summerside People's Protestant Cemetery Records.
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- Dr. Lloyd George Dewar
- DEWAR, C.M., O.P.E.I., M.D., (C.M.), D.P.H., LLD., F.RF.P.(C.), LLOYD GEORGE, teacher and physician; b. 20 October 1915 in New Perth, son of John Alexander Dewar* and Laura MacPhee; m. 7 June 1944 Greta Jean Price, and they had two children, Elizabeth Ellen and Brian Lawrence; Church of Christ. Dewar, a Conservative, was first elected to the Legislative Assembly in the general election of 1955 for 2nd Prince. He was re-elected in the general elections of 1959, 1962, 1966, and 1970, as well as in a by-election held on 8 November 1976. He was defeated in the general elections of 1974 and 1978. He served as interim Leader of the Opposition. In 1957 Dewar contested the Conservative leadership against Walter Shaw*, and lost by two votes. From 1959 to 1966, Dewar served as Minister of Education. From 1965 to 1966, he was Provincial Secretary. Dewar served as a Commissioner of the Village of O’Leary. Dewar’s father served in the Legislative Assembly, as did his uncle, Dr. George Forbes Dewar*. “Doctor George,” as he is known, received his primary education at New Perth school. Between 1931 and 1938, he attended Prince of Wales College for four years in between years of teaching school, first in Brudenell from 1933 to 1934 and 1935 to 1936, and later in New Perth from 1938 to 1939. After 1938 he taught school for another year, and, from 1939 to 1943, attended medical school at Dalhousie University. In 1941 Dewar joined the Royal Canadian Medical Corps, achieving the rank of Captain. He was stationed in Vernon, British Columbia, for two years and later transferred to Halifax until his discharge in 1946. Later that year he studied at the University of Toronto and received a Diploma in Public Health. Dewar returned to the Island and practised medicine in Bedeque for a year. On 15 June 1947, he settled in O’Leary and began a medical practice. He has spent more than 50 years practising medicine in the community and continues to do so at the age of 87. Dewar was a president of the Prince Edward Island Medical Society and a founding director and life member of the College of Family Physicians of Canada. Dewar has been involved in numerous community activities. He was president of the O’Leary Library Museum association, a director of the Fathers of Confederation Trust, and a director of the Prince Edward Island Museum and Heritage Foundation. Currently Dewar is chair of the Prince Edward Island Potato Museum. He is a member of the Masonic Lodge and served as Master. Dewar is a member of the Royal Canadian Legion, St.John’s Ambulance, the Maple Leaf Curling Club, and the Mill River Golf Course. He is active in the Lions Club, the Caledonia Club, and the Prince Edward Island Symphony Society. Dewar has written four books: The Brothers Dewar (1976), The Duvar Diary (1979), Life at Leighwood: the Doctor’s Home (1982), and Prescription for a Full Life (1993). Dewar has received many awards and much recognition. Following his military service, he was awarded Canadian Army medals for Volunteer Service and for Long Service. In 1967 he was awarded the Canada Medal and in 1976 Dewar was admitted to the Order of St. John Ambulance as a serving brother. He received the Queen’s Jubilee Medal in 1978 and in 1984 was awarded a life membership in the Royal Canadian Legion. The following year the Masonic Lodge presented him with the Masonic Merit Award. Dewar was awarded the Order of Canada in 1989. In 1993 Dewar received the Meritorious Achievement Award from the Prince Edward Island Museum. In 1997 he was named to the Prince Edward Island Order of Merit. Dewar also received a literary award for Cancer on Mainstreet and was awarded an honourary doctorate degree from the University of Prince Edward Island. Dewar was honoured by the Prince Edward Island Potato Board for his work in promoting the industry. He was also honoured for his efforts in promoting the preservation of Scottish culture. George Dewar and his wife reside in O’Leary. Greta Dewar, the daughter of Laurence Price and Beatrice Storey of Saint John, was born 23 May 1921., CPG 1975. 1978. 1979; WWPEI p. 40. Guardian 22 November 1976. 29 August 2002; Islander 20 October 1990 p. 28; Journal-Pioneer 2 May 1997.
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- Dr. Mark Lorne Bonnell, M.D.
- BONNELL, M.D., (CM.), LL.D., L.M.C.C, HONOURABLE MARK LORNE, physician; b. 4 January 1923 in Hopefield, son of Henry (Harry) George Horace Bonnell and Charlotte Matilda MacEachern; m. 6 July 1949 Ruby Jardine, and they had two children, Mark Lome and Linda Florence; Presbyterian. Bonnell, a Liberal, was first elected to the Legislative Assembly in the general election of 1951 for 4th Kings. He was re-elected in the general elections of 1955, 1959, 1962, 1966, and 1970. From 1955 to 1959, he served as Minister of Health. In 1965 he was appointed Liberal House Leader and acting Leader of the Prince Edward Island Liberal Party. In December 1965 Bonnell was a candidate for the leadership of the Liberal Party, won by Alexander B. Campbell*. He served as Minister of Welfare from 1966 to 1970, and Minister of Tourism Development from 1966 to 1971. Bonnell served as Minister Responsible for Housing from 1970 to 1971. On 15 November 1971, he was appointed to the Senate. Bonnell was a member of the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology, and he chaired the Sub-Committee on Post-Secondary Education and served as deputy chair of the Sub-Committee on Veterans Affairs. Senator Bonnell opposed Bill C-22, the Drug Patent Act, as he was concerned that jobs would be lost and the cost of drugs would increase. Bonnell's elevation to the Senate meant that a by-election was needed in 4lh Kings. Held 4 December 1972, it was won by his brother, John Cranston*, also a Liberal. Their grandfather, Mark H. Bonnell, was elected to the Legislative Assembly in 1922 for 4th Kings and served until 1923. Bonnell was educated at Hopefield school beginning in 1929. In 1934 he attended West Kent School and from 1939 to 1943 Prince of Wales College. In 1949 Bonnell graduated from the medical school of Dalhousie University. He practises as a physician and surgeon in Murray River and Montague, and he was a member of the Medical Staff of Kings County Memorial Hospital in Montague. Bonnell was also a member of the Charlottetown Hospital Medical Staff and an Associate of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital. He was also president of Island Cablevision Limited. Bonnell is a member of the Prince Edward Island Medical Society and the Canadian Medical Society. He is an honourary member of the Prince Edward Island Tourist Association and a Past Master of St. Andrew's Lodge No. 13, and Philae Temple Halifax. He is a past member of the Kings County Board of Trade. In May 2001 Bonnell received an Honourary Doctorate ot Laws from the University of Prince Edward Island. Mark Lome Bonnell is a resident of Murray River. Ruby Bonnell, the daughter of John Jardine of Charlottetown and Freetown, died 17 December 1979., CPG 1997; CWW 2000 p. 137; WWPEI p. 18; Capital List p. 56; Guardian 17 August 1987. 14 May 2001.
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- Duncan Crawford
- CRAWFORD, DUNCAN, teacher, farmer, merchant, justice of the peace, and railway appraiser; b. 1837 in Wood Islands, son of Neil Crawford and Mary Sinclair; m. 1864 Mary MacKenzie, and they had four children, Mary J., William, Maggie G., and Donald M.; Presbyterian; d. 1921. Crawford, a Conservative, was elected to the House of Assembly in a by-election held 21 October 1879 for 4th Queens. He was defeated in the general election of 1882. Crawford was educated at Central Academy in Charlottetown. He was a licensed teacher and taught at Wood Islands for 12 years. Besides working a farm of 100 acres, Crawford owned a general store. He served as a Justice of the Peace and, in 1871, as a railway appraiser. Duncan Crawford died in 1921. Crawford’s parents both emigrated from Inverary, Argyleshire, Scotland, in 1823. Mary Crawford, of Flat River, was born in 1835 and died in 1919. She was the daughter of Donald MacKenzie of Flat River who had emigrated from Scotland., CPG 1880, 1881, 1883; Elections PEI; Meacham’s Atlas; MNI- Hutchinson’s p. 187; MNI-Census 1861, 1881, 1891; Wood Islands Presbyterian Cemetery Records.
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- Edmund Tucker Higgs
- HIGGS, EDMUND TUCKER, businessperson, insurance company president, and ferry service board director; b. 24 November 1873 in Charlottetown, son of Benjamin Wilson Higgs and Amelia A Darby; m. ca. 1905 Anne Irving, and there were no children; Methodist; d. 9 December 1957 in Charlottetown. Higgs, a Liberal, was elected to the Legislative Assembly in the general election of 1919 for 5th Queens. He was defeated in the general elections of 1915 and 1923. Higgs received his education in the public schools in Charlottetown and later attended Charlottetown Business College. A successful business person, he began his career as a junior clerk in the office of Horace Haszard in 1889, and by 1892 became a chief clerk in the firm. In 1913 he began a business, Higgs and Company Limited, and held the dual roles of president and manager. He was also the vice-president of Goff Brothers Limited and became a director of Northumberland Ferries Limited upon its formation. Although occupied with his own business ventures, Higgs served the business community as president of both the Charlottetown Board of Trade and the Maritime Board of Trade. He was granted an honourary membership of the Charlottetown Board of Trade. Higgs had other community involvements. He was a member of the board of directors of the Young Men’s Christian Association and was the superintendent of the Kensington Hall Mission. He was a superintendent and secretary-treasurer of the Methodist Sunday School, as well as treasurer of the trustee board of the Methodist Church in Charlottetown. Higgs played a prominent role in the Victory Loan Campaign and, in 1921, was a member of the Navy League of Canada, Prince Edward Island Division. In addition to these activities and his business pursuits, Higgs was a member of the A.F. and A.M. and the International Order of Oddfellows. Edmund Higgs died 9 December 1957 at the Prince Edward Island Hospital. Anne Higgs, the daughter of David P. Irving* and Anne Irving of Vernon, was born 12 April 1879 and died 15 September 1946. Her brother James Cephas Irving* also served in the Legislature., CPG 1921; PPMP p. 84; Patriot 9 December 1957; PARO: Baptismal Record United Church Pownal Book 1 p. 63; Marriage License Book #16, 1882-1923. p. 112; Sherwood Cemetery Records.
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- Edward Hackett
- HACKETT, EDWARD, merchant and fish inspector; b. 6 July 1840 in Tignish, son of Thomas Hackett and Ellen Condon; m. 1860, Hannah Maria Fitzgibbon of Nova Scotia, and they had 11 children of whom 10 names are known, Thomas (died at 19 in a swimming accident), William, Augustin, John, Laura, Howard, Marcus, Bertha, Clara Lavinia (died in childhood), and Eveline Maude (died in infancy); Roman Catholic; d. 1916. Hackett, a Conservative, was elected to the House of Assembly in the general election of 1876 for 1st Prince. He was elected to the Legislative Assembly for 1st Prince in the general election of 1904. In 1878 Hackett resigned from the House of Assembly and was elected to the House of Commons in the federal election of the same year for Prince County. He was re-elected in the federal election of 1882. In the federal election of 1887, Hackett was defeated. Though re-elected for West Prince in the federal election of 1896, the riding results were declared void on 3 March 1897 due to a breach in the law. In the subsequent by-election held on 27 April 1897 for West Prince, S. F. Perry1'" defeated Hackett. In 1900 Hackett was elected in the federal election for West Prince. Hackett received his education in Tignish schools. Throughout his life he resided in Tignish, where he owned a general store. For many years George Howlan*, Senator and Lieutenant-Governor, was a business associate. Hackett worked as an accountant and was Inspector of Fisheries for the province from July 1888 to June 1896. Edward Hackett died in 1916. Hannah Hackett, daughter of James Fitzgibbon, was born ca. 1840 and was buried 13 June 1894., CDP pp. 249-50; CPG 1879, 1899, 1903, 1905; Daily Examiner 2 August 1883, 29 April 29 1884, 14 November 1884; Examiner 15 October 1900; PARO: MNI-Mercantile Agency Reference Book 1876; MNI-Census 1881, 1891; Tignish St. Simon and St. Jude Roman Catholic Church Records.
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- Edward P. Foley
- FOLEY, EDWARD P., pharmacist; b. 10 March 1891 in Kildare, son of Patrick Foley and Margaret M. Foley; m. first 11 November 1925 Helen Noonan, and there were no children; m. secondly Margaret Tierney, and there were no children; Roman Catholic; d. 17 October 1980 in Summerside. Foley, a Liberal, was first elected to the Legislative Assembly in the general election of 1935 for 5th Prince. He was re-elected in the general elections of 1939, 1951, and 1955. Foley was defeated in the general election of 1943. From 1954 to 1958, he served on Executive Council as a Minister without Portfolio. He became Speaker in 1959. Foley was educated at the local school, Alberton High School, and Prince of Wales College. Following his education, he became a pharmacist in Summerside. He was a member of Summerside’s Board of Trade, and was also a member of the Knights of Columbus, the Summerside Curling Club, and the Summerside Golf Club. Edward Foley died 17 October 1980. Helen Foley, the daughter of J. M. Noonan of Summerside and Margaret Murphy, was born in 1893 and died in 1968., CPG 1936, 1944, 1956; PEI Journal of the legislative Assembly 1959, p. 2 Guardian 18 October 1980, 24 October 1980; PARO: Summerside Cemetery Records.
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- Edward William Clark
- CLARK, WILLIAM EDWARD, farmer and director of livestock testing station; b. 24 March 1932 in Summerside, son of Ivan Leroy Clark and Maisy Laura Miller; m. 21 June 1958 Ruby Ida Best, and they had three children, Colleen Laura, Catherine Erma, and Edith Lynne; United. Clark, a Liberal, was first elected to the Legislative Assembly in the general election of 1970 for 3rd Prince. He was re-elected in the general elections of 1974, 1978, 1979, 1982, 1986, 1989, and 1993. He served as Minister of Agriculture and Forestry from 27 April 1978 to 3 May 1979. On 15 June 1989, Clark was appointed Speaker and served in that position until 15 April 1993. He was named chair of caucus in the same year. He was an executive member of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association. “Eddie” Clark received his primary education at the school in Central Lot 16. Later he attended basic training in the Royal Canadian Navy at the Cornwallis Naval Base, and enrolled in agricultural courses in Charlottetown. From 1951 to 1952, Clark served in the Royal Canadian Navy. He is a beef farmer and was director of the beef testing station in Nappan, Nova Scotia. He was president of the Prince Edward Island Junior Farmers, a leader of the 4-H Club for 25 years, a president of the Prince Edward Island Shorthorn Breeders’ Association, a member of the Federation of Agriculture, a member of the Rural Development Council, chairman of the Family Farm Program, and a board member of the Farm Credit Corporation. Clark served on the board of directors of the Summerside Co-op and was a trustee of Athena Regional High School. He was a member of the Prince Edward Island Heritage Foundation and the Summerside Chamber of Commerce. Clark is a member of the Miscouche Royal Canadian Legion. Clark is chairman of the Lot 16 United Church Congregation and secretary of the Lot 16 Cemetery Committee. Eddie Clark and his wife reside in Belmont Lot 16. Ruby Clark is the daughter of Harry Best of Belmont and Erma MacLaurin., CPG 1971. 1996; ECO 290/78; WWPEl p. 29; Guardian 14 March 1979, 15 October 1985, 4 April 1986, 16 August 1986, 27 April 1989, March 1993, 8 February 1994, 15 February 1996, 15 May 1996, 31 May 1996; Journal-Pioneer 5 December 1992, 12 December 1992, 21 November 1995, 10 May 1996, 31 May 1996.
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- Edward William Clark
- CLARK, WILLIAM EDWARD, farmer and director of livestock testing station; b. 24 March 1932 in Summerside, son of Ivan Leroy Clark and Maisy Laura Miller; m. 21 June 1958 Ruby Ida Best, and they had three children, Colleen Laura, Catherine Erma, and Edith Lynne; United. Clark, a Liberal, w'as first elected to the Legislative Assembly in the general election of 1970 for 3rd Prince. He was re-elected in the general elections of 1974, 1978, 1979, 1982, 1986, 1989, and 1993. He served as Minister of Agriculture and Forestry from 27 April 1978 to 3 May 1979. On 15 June 1989, Clark was appointed Speaker and served in that position until 15 April 1993. He was named chair of caucus in the same year. He was an executive member of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association. “Eddie” Clark received his primary education at the school in Central Lot 16. Later he attended basic training in the Royal Canadian Navy at the Cornwallis Naval Base, and enrolled in agricultural courses in Charlottetown. From 1951 to 1952, Clark served in the Royal Canadian Navy. He is a beef farmer and was director of the beef testing station in Nappan, Nova Scotia. He was president of the Prince Edward Island Junior Farmers, a leader of the 4-H Club for 25 years, a president of the Prince Edward Island Shorthorn Breeders’ Association, a member of the Federation of Agriculture, a member of the Rural Development Council, chairman of the Family Farm Program, and a board member of the Farm Credit Corporation. Clark served on the board of directors of the Summerside Co-op and was a trustee of Athena Regional High School. He was a member of the Prince Edward Island Heritage Foundation and the Summerside Chamber of Commerce. Clark is a member of the Miscouche Royal Canadian Legion. Clark is chairman of the Lot 16 United Church Congregation and secretary of the Lot 16 Cemetery Committee. Eddie Clark and his wife reside in Belmont Lot 16. Ruby Clark is the daughter of Harry Best of Belmont and Erma MacLaurin., CPG 1971. 1996; ECO 290/78; WWPEl p. 29; Guardian 14 March 1979, 15 October 1985, 4 April 1986, 16 August 1986, 27 April 1989, March 1993, 8 February 1994, 15 February 1996, 15 May 1996, 31 May 1996; Journal-Pioneer 5 December 1992, 12 December 1992, 21 November 1995, 10 May 1996, 31 May 1996.
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- Elizabeth (Libbe) Hubley
- HUBLEY, HONOURABLE ELIZABETH M., choreographer, dance instructor, artist, and secretary; b. 8 September 1942 in Howlan, daughter of Bennett Haywood and Florence Brown; m. 12 November 1966 Richard Beck Hubley, and they had six children, Brendan, Susan, Allan, Amos, Jennifer, and Florence; United. Hubley, a Liberal, was first elected to the Legislative Assembly in the general election of 1989 for 4th Prince. She was re-elected in the general election of 1993. Hubley served as Deputy Speaker from 1991 to 1995. During her time in the Legislature, she served on several legislative committees, including economic development and tourism, health and social services, the Special Committee on the Constitution of Canada, and the Election Act and Electoral Boundaries Commission. On 8 March 2001, Hubley was appointed to the Senate by Prime Minister Jean Chretien. “Libbe” Hubley received her early education in local schools and Prince of Wales College in Charlottetown. She then attended the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design in Halifax. In her early career, Hubley worked as a secretary at Trans Canada Credit in Charlottetown and held various positions with companies and organizations in Calgary, Montreal, and Halifax. For many years, she has been actively involved in choreography, dance, and dance instruction, and is the founder of Stepping Out, a studio of traditional Island dancing in Kensington, and home of the Lady Slipper Step Dancers. Following her time in the provincial Legislature, Hubley was appointed to the Veterans Review and Appeal Board at the Department of Veterans Affairs in Charlottetown. Senator Elizabeth Hubley and her husband live in Kensington. Richard Hubley is the son of Amos H. Hubley and Helen W. Peters of Summerside. He worked as a lawyer and Crown Prosecutor., CPG 1996; Guardian 18 April 1989, 15 May 1996, 23 May 1996, 9 March 2001; Questionnaire to Former MLAs.
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- Ella Jean Canfield
- CANFIELD, ELLA JEAN, merchant; b. 4 October 1919 in Westmoreland, daughter of Everett Garrett and Lydia Granville McVittie; m. 30 June 1939 Parker Ellsworth Canfield, and they had one child, Mildred Joyce; Anglican; d. 31 December 2000 in Charlottetown. Canfield, a Liberal, was first elected to the Legislative Assembly in the general election of 1970 for 1st Queens. She was re-elected in the general elections of 1974 and 1978. She was defeated in the general elections of 1966 and 1979. Canfield's election in 1970 marked a milestone in provincial history, as she was the first woman elected to the Legislative Assembly and the first woman to serve on Executive Council. On 10 October 1972, she was appointed Minister without Portfolio and Minister Responsible for the Prince Edward Island Housing Authority. Canfield served in these positions until 2 May 1974. She also served as the chair of the Advisory Committee on the Status of Women. Jean Canfield received her primary education at Crapaud Elementary School. When her family moved to Cambridge, Massachusetts, she attended Cambridge High and Latin School. Canfield also attended Union Commercial College in Charlottetown and the Lincoln School of Nursing in Los Angeles. For 15 years she and her husband ran a general store in Crapaud. Canfield was involved in a number of community activities. She was chair of the management committee of the Crapaud Exhibition, a member of the Home and School Association, and secretary-treasurer of the Englewood School Board. Canfield was an organizer of the Community Schools, served as president and treasurer of the Crapaud Women's Institute, and was a secretary of the St. John's Anglican Church Women's Organization. In 1977 she was awarded the Queen's Jubilee Medal. Canfield was a member of the Crapaud Community Curling Club, the Zonta Club, the Canadian Club, and the Chamber of Commerce of Crapaud and Victoria. Ella Jean Canfield died 31 December 2000 at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital. Parker Canfield, the son of Alfred A. Canfield of Westmoreland, died in July 1971., CPG 1966, 1978. 1979, 1980; WWPEI p. 25; Atlantic Advocate 63 (5) January 1973; Guardian 24 April 1974, 16 April 1979, 2 January 2001.