James Bryson Baird (1859-1939)

Merchant, cattle dealer, MLA (1908-1910), MLA (1911-1914), MLA (1914-1915), MLA (1916-1920), MLA(1921-1922).

Born at Appleton, Ontario on 6 March 1859, son of John Baird and Christina Bryson, he was educated at the public schools. He came to Manitoba in 1880, and was elected the first Mayor of Pilot Mound, being re-elected by acclamation for three successive terms. He served as President of the Pilot Mound Board of Trade (2 years) and the School Board (8 years). He was elected to the Manitoba Legislature for the Mountain Constituency in 1907, and was re-elected in the elections of 1910, 1914, 1915, and 1920. He was appointed Speaker of the Assembly, serving from 1915 to 1921 in the administration of T. C. Norris. He was an ardent advocate of woman's suffrage.

In 1882, he married Margaret Teskey, and they had five sons and a daughter.

He died at his Pilot Mound home on 6 November 1939.

Sources:

Who’s Who in Western Canada: A Biographical Dictionary of Notable Living Men and Women of Western Canada, Volume 1, 1911. C. W. Parker, editor. Canadian Press Association, Vancouver.

Western Municipal News, November 1939, page 316.

“Hon. James Baird Is Dead”, Winnipeg Free Press, 7 November 1939. [Manitoba Legislative Library, Biographical Scrapbook B9]

Profile revised: 4 October 2009

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