Joseph Stauffer

Lieutenant Joseph Emmett Stauffer (October 29, 1874 – April 10, 1917) was a teacher, politician and soldier from Alberta.[1]

Joseph Emmett Stauffer
Member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta for Didsbury
In office March 22, 1909 – April 10, 1917
Preceded by	New District
Succeeded by	Henry B. Atkins
Personal details
Born	October 29, 1874 Manassas, Virginia, United States
Died	April 10, 1917 (aged 42) Vimy, France
Political party	Liberal
Occupation	Teacher, soldier
Military career
Allegiance	Canada
Service/branch	Canadian Expeditionary Force
Years of service	1916-1917
Rank	Lieutenant
Unit	50th Battalion

Early life

Joseph Emmett Stauffer was born October 29, 1874 in Manassas, Virginia to parents of German-Swiss ancestry.[2] He moved to Canada at a young age with his family, and was educated at Berlin, Ontario. He married Emma Ernst.[2] Stauffer worked as a real estate agent, forest ranger, and Homestead Inspector.[2]

Political career

Stauffer was elected to the Alberta Legislature in the 1909 Alberta legislature. In that election he defeated incumbent Cornelius Hiebert in a landslide in the new Didsbury district.[3]

He was re-elected to a second term in office in the 1913 Alberta legislature, winning with a comfortable but reduced plurality.[4]

Military career

Stauffer enlisted in the Canadian Expeditionary Force and served overseas with the Canadian Infantry (Alberta Regiment) 50th Battalion in World War I. He kept his seat in the provincial legislature while he was overseas fighting in the war. On April 10, 1917 he was killed in action during the Battle of Vimy Ridge.[5][6]

Lieutenant Governor Robert Brett honored Stauffer's memory and military service by making special note in the Throne Speech at the opening of the 4th Alberta Legislative Assembly on February 7, 1918.[7]

The small town of Stauffer, Alberta is named in his honor.[8]

References

1. Mardon, Ernest G; Mardon, Austin A (2012). The Liberals in Power in Alberta 1905-1921. Golden Meteorite Press. p. 79. ISBN 9781897480083. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
2. Chambers, Ernest J., ed. (1916). The Canadian Parliamentary Guide. Ottawa: Mortimer Company Ltd. p. 454. ISSN 0315-6168. OCLC 266967058. Retrieved August 9, 2020.
3. "Didsbury Official Results 1909 Alberta general election". Alberta Heritage Community Foundation. Retrieved May 21, 2020.
4. "Didsbury Official Results 1913 Alberta general election". Alberta Heritage Community Foundation. Retrieved May 21, 2020.
5. "Joseph Emmett Stauffer service record". Veterans Affairs Canada. Retrieved 2007-08-02.
6. "Many Homes Here Suffer Bereavement". Calgary Herald. April 20, 1917. p. 4. Retrieved December 27, 2020.
7. "Speech from the throne". Legislative Assembly of Alberta. February 7, 1918. Retrieved 2007-08-02.
8. "German place names and topographical names in Alberta". University of Alberta. Retrieved 2007-08-02.

External links

• Peter Gunn – Legislative Assembly of Alberta Member Profile
• Legislative Assembly of Alberta Members Listing