James Albert Manning Aikins (1851-1929)

MP (1911-1917), Lieutenant-Governor of Manitoba (1916-1926).

Born at Grahamsville, Peel County, Ontario on 10 December 1851, son of J. C. Aikins and Mary Elizabeth Aikins. Educated at Richview Public Schools, Brampton Grammar School, Upper Canada College, University of Toronto (BA 1875, MA 1876). Called to the Ontario Bar, 1878. Came to Winnipeg and called to the Manitoba Bar, 1879. Called to the North Western Territories Bar (Saskatchewan and Alberta), 1882. Created QC, 1884; President of the Canadian Bar Association, President of the Manitoba Bar Association. Bencher for the Law Society of Manitoba (1880-1886). Since 1880, has served as Secretary-Treasurer and President Manitoba Law Society; Counsel for the Department of Justice, 1879-1896; Counsel for Manitoba Government, drafting Manitoba Liquor Bill,1900; Counsel for the Canadian Pacific Railway Western Canada, 1881-1911. Appointed by the Dominion Government one of the Royal Commission to investigate and report on administration of justice in North-West Territories, 1880. Appointed by Dominion Government to represent Canada at the International Congress on Moral Education at The Hague, 1912.

Appointed by the Manitoba Government a member of the Royal Commission concerning agricultural education, 1902; represented Manitoba Government on Strathcona Trust Board Member of the House of Commons for Brandon, 1911 to 1915; resigned to lead the Conservative party in Manitoba Provincial election; Director of Wesley College; Member of the Council of University of Manitoba; Hon. Bursar, University of Manitoba, since 1887, Chairman of the Royal Commission University of Manitoba, 1907. President YMCA, 1879 to 1882. President, Canadian Club of Winnipeg (1905-1906). Honorary Colonel and member Dominion Cadet Board; on Board of Visitors, Royal Military College, Kingston; Hon. Lieut-Col. 90^th Regiment, Winnipeg Rifles, 1910; appointed Honorary Colonel 99^th Regiment, Brandon, 1911. Appointed Lieutenant Governor of Manitoba, 1916, at the expiration of the term was reappointed. In 1919 he was awarded an honorary degree by the University of Manitoba.

He was a member of the Manitoba Club, St. Charles Country Club, Rideau Club (Ottawa), York Club (Toronto), and Brandon Club. Fellow of the Royal Colonial Institute (London, England). Married first, Mary B. McLellan, 1884; secondly, Mary F. Colby. Had one son and two daughters. Address, Government House, Winnipeg.

In 1910 he was listed by the Winnipeg Telegram as one of Winnipeg’s 19 millionaires.

His Lieutenant-Governor’s papers are held at the Archives of Manitoba.

More information:

James Albert Manning Aikins, Dictionary of Canadian Biography Online

Sources:

Profile revised: 17 January 2010

A collection of noteworthy Manitobans from the past, compiled by the Manitoba Historical Society. Search the collection by word or phrase, name, place, occupation or other text: Custom Search Browse surnames beginning with: A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | Y | Z Send inquiries to the Memorable Manitobans Administrator at biographies@mhs.mb.ca Suggest a Memorable Manitoban  |  Sources  |  Acknowledgements