Memorable Manitobans: Lyman Melvin Jones (1843-1917)

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Lyman Melvin Jones
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Merchant, MLA (1886-1888), MLA (1888-1892), Mayor of Winnipeg (1887-1888), Provincial Treasurer.

Born in York County, Ontario, on 21 September 1843, he joined the staff of the farm implements firm of A. Harris, Son & Co. at Brantford, in 1873. Four years later he became a partner, and in 1879 was sent to Winnipeg to become its western manager.

In 1881 he was elected an Winnipeg City Alderman, and became chairman of the finance committee for the City of Winnipeg. In 1887 he was elected Mayor, and became Vice-President of the Winnipeg Board of Trade. He was re-elected Mayor in 1888. The same year he accepted the portfolio of Provincial Treasurer in the Greenway government. He was elected in a by-election in March 1888 representing Shoal Lake, and re-elected in July 1888 in the provincial election for North Winnipeg.

As Provincial Treasurer he negotiated in London, England for the first provincial loan to build a competing railway line between Winnipeg, Portage la Prairie and Brandon. He resigned in 1889, and in 1891, when his firm became Massey-Harris, he moved to Toronto to become director and general manager. In 1903 he became president and general manager. He was called to the Senate in 1901 and knighted in 1911.

In 1873, he married Louisa Irwin (?-?) and they had one daughter. He served as President of the Granite Curling Club (1885-1886).

He died at Toronto, Ontario on 16 April 1917.

See also:

Lyman Melvin Jones, Dictionary of Canadian Biography XIV, 545-46.

Sources:

Pioneers and Early Citizens of Manitoba, Winnipeg: Manitoba Library Association, 1971.

We thank Rick Mutton for providing additional information used here.

This page was prepared by Gordon Goldsborough.

Page revised: 12 April 2022

Memorable Manitobans

Memorable Manitobans

This is a collection of noteworthy Manitobans from the past, compiled by the Manitoba Historical Society. We acknowledge that the collection contains both reputable and disreputable people. All are worth remembering as a lesson to future generations.

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