William Hunter (Canadian politician)

William Hunter (September 28, 1858 – March 8, 1939) was a businessman and political figure in British Columbia. He represented Slocan from 1907 to 1916 and from 1920 to 1924 in the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia as a Conservative.

William Hunter
MLA for Slocan
In office
1907–1916
Preceded byWilliam Davidson
Succeeded byCharles Franklin Nelson
In office
1920–1924
Preceded byCharles Franklin Nelson
Succeeded bynone
Personal details
Born(1858-09-28)September 28, 1858
Hemmingford, Quebec
DiedMarch 8, 1939(1939-03-08) (aged 80)
Silverton, British Columbia
Political partySocialist Party of British Columbia
Spouse(s)Maggie Parsons (m. 1901)
OccupationBusinessman

He was born in Hemmingford, Quebec in 1858,[1] the son of William Hunter and Janet Mackay, and was educated on Prince Edward Island. In 1884, Hunter came to British Columbia, where he was employed in railway construction for two years. He then worked at bridge building in Washington state until 1889, when he moved to Nelson. Hunter was involved in mining for a year. He next built the International Hotel in Nelson, selling the hotel after operating it for five months. He next operated as a general merchant in New Denver. In 1891, he moved to the future site of the town of Silverton and built a steamship to operate on Slocan Lake. Two years later, he opened a store in Silverton. Hunter later opened a number of branch stores in the region. He was also involved in mining and served as a justice of the peace for Silverton. In 1901, he married Maggie Parsons.[1]

Hunter ran unsuccessfully for a seat in the provincial assembly in 1903 before being elected in 1907. He was reelected two more times, then was defeated by Charles Franklin Nelson when he ran for reelection in 1916, losing by one vote. In 1920, Hunter defeated Nelson to win the Slocan seat.[2]

He died in Silverton at the age of 81.[3]

References
  1. Gosnell, R Edward (1906). A history; British Columbia. pp. 497–9. Retrieved September 14, 2011.
  2. "Electoral History of British Columbia, 1871-1986" (PDF). Elections BC. Retrieved July 27, 2011.
  3. "Vital Event Death Registration". BC Archives. Retrieved September 14, 2011.


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