Alphonse Fortunat Martin (1849-1905)

Surveyor, MLA (1875-1878), MLA (1886-1888), MLA (1888-1892), MLA (1892-1895).

Born at Rimouski, Canada East, 14 May 1849, the son of Henri Martin and Marie Dessein. He was educated at Rimouski College, and later studied surveying and civil engineering. In 1871 he was admitted as a Dominion Land Surveyor. In 1876 he married Louisa Radiger and there were ten children.

In 1872 he came to Manitoba and settled in the town of West Lynn on the international boundary. He was employed on various early surveys, including that of the parish of Ste. Agathe. In 1874 he was elected to the Legislature representing Ste. Agathe, and the following year he was chosen to lead the opposition. He was defeated in the elections of 1879 and 1883, and in 1886 was successful in the constituency of Morris. He was a supporter of the “Manitoba first” principle, and an advocate of the extensionof the Province’s boundary to Hudson Bay. He was a champion of the separate school system, and in 1891 he debated the subject in the House for nine hours continuously. After retiring from politics he resumed land surveying and continued to practise his profession until the time of his death.

Martin died in Winnipeg, February 1905. He is commemorated by Martin Avenue in Winnipeg.

Authorof Martin on Practical Surveys, 1883.

Sources:

J. A. Gemmill (editor), The Canadian Parliamentary Companion, 1887. Canadiana.org.

Profile revised: 6 July 2008

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