John William Fleming (1868-1928)

Pharmacist, Mayor of Brandon (1905-1906, 1911-1913).

Born on a farm near Stanley, New Brunswick on 25 February 1868, son of Dr. Alexander Fleming and Mrs. Fleming, he moved with his family to Sackville, New Brunswick where he recieved his primary education at the Wesleyan seminary. He subsequently attended Mount Allison University.

In the year 1881, when Brandon was still a tent city, Fleming’s parents moved west and located in Brandon, Dr. Fleming opening the first drug store, of which J. W. Fleming was manager until 1903, when he took over the business. In 1909 he was a founding member of the Manitoba Association of Optometrists. Fleming served the city of Brandon as alderman for ward 1, during the years 1895, 1896, 1897, 1898, and 1899 during which times he chaired several committees. In 1903, he was elected mayor by a large majority. He was re-elected in 1905.

He served as Clerk of the Manitoba Legislature from 1915 to 1919, and from 1925 to 1928. He was a member of the Civil Service Commission of Manitoba from 1918. He helped to organize, and was the first President of the Union of Manitoba Municipalities, later be appointed its Honorary President.

On 6 September 1892, he married Annie Elizabeth Matheson, sister of J. S. Matheson. He was a member of the Brandon Club, Brandon Golf Club, Polo and Lacrosse Clubs, and Canadian Club. He lived at 338 Victoria Avenue, Brandon.

He died at Brandon on 10 November 1928.

Sources:

“Mayors of Manitoba,” [Manitoba Free Press, 10 January 1906], Manitoba Biographical Scrapbook B3, page 19, Manitoba Legislative Library.

Death registration, Manitoba Vital Statistics.

This profile was written by Gordon Goldsborough.

Profile revised: 21 December 2009

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