John Alexander Mathieson

MATHIESON, K.C., HONOURABLE JOHN ALEXANDER, teacher, principal, lawyer, and judge; b. 19 May 1863 in Harrington, son of Ronald Mathieson and Anne Stewart; m. 15 September 1896 Mary Alice I-aird, and they had five children, Annie Louise (died at three years), Helen, Dora, Avila, and David Laird*; Presbyterian; d. 7 January 1947. Mathieson, a Conservative, was first elected to the Legislative Assembly in the general election of 1900 for 4th Kings. He was elected in the general election of 1904 in 5th Kings. He was re-elected in the general elections of 1908, 1912, and 1915. He did not complete his final term, as he resigned in 1917 to accept the appointment as Chief Justice of the Prince Edward Island Supreme Court. In 1903 the Conservative party named Mathieson as Leader of the Opposition and he served in that position for eight years. He became premier in 1911, when the Opposition Conservatives won two by-elections, thereby gaining themajority in the Legislative Assembly. In the general election of 1912 he defeated the Liberals led by H. J. Palmer*. It was the first Conservative triumph in a general election since 1890. Mathieson's leadership and government received a positive endorsement, when the Conservatives won a second mandate in the 1915 general election. He continued as premier until resigning in 1917. In 1912 Mathieson achieved one of his most significant victories as premier through his resolution of the subsidy issue with the federal government. He was a major driving force behind the campaign for ferry service between New Brunswick and the Island, which began operating in 1917. He introduced a new Automobile Act in 1913, despite serious opposition within his caucus. This legislation expanded the use of automobiles, which had been banned in 1908. Premier Mathieson fought to have the British North America Act guarantee the province six seats in the House of Commons, and in 1914 he negotiated a satisfactory compromise with Prime Minister Borden ensuring four seats in the House of Commons, by virtue of an amendment to the British North America Act. As a result of the 1915 amendment, the Island's federal representation rose trom three to four, with Queen's becoming a dual riding. This district elected two Members of Parliament until 1965. In 1934 Mathieson served on the White Commission, a federal government initiative aimed at resolving the lingering economic disparity in the Maritime provinces. The Commission eventually recommended S275,000 per year. Mathieson refused to support the recommendations of the White Commission, convinced that the settlement offered to the Maritime provinces was inadequate. Upon his death, a local newspaper, in tribute to the positive changes made in the province during his term in office, declared Mathieson the "maker of modern Prince Edward Island." Mathieson attended the local school in Harrington. Following this he became a clerk. Liter he attended Prince of Wales College, after which he taught for six years, first at DeSable for two years, then for 18 months in Manitoba, and lastly in Kensington. Mathieson was the principal of schools in both DeSable and Kensington. It was in the legal realm where Mathieson devoted most of his professional energy, and this process began when he studied law in Charlottetown with McLean and McDonald. He was called to the Bar in 1894. Mathieson began practising law in Georgetown, and while living there served as a Member of the Georgetown Council and as a Lieutenant in No. 3 Company in the Georgetown militia. In 1905 he entered into a partnership with Aeneas A. MacDonald '' in Charlottetown and began working in the capital. That same year, Mathieson was named King's Counsel. From 1906 to 1916, he was a partner in Mathieson, MacDonald and Stewart. JamesD. Stewart* was also a member of the firm. Mathieson was appointed Chief Justice of the Supreme Court in 1917, and served on the Bench until he resigned in 1943. John Mathieson died 7 January 1947. Mary Mathieson was born 7 February 1867 and died 9 December 1945. She was the daughter of David Laird* and Mary Louisa Owen, both members of important political families in the province. Son David L. Mathieson* also served in the Legislative Assembly.