Herbert Charles Wilson

Herbert Charles Wilson
Portrait shot of a man perhaps around 40 (Wilson). He is dressed in archaic clothing, with a checked suit jacket close around his neck. His hair is cut close, but he wears a beard and an impressive mustache, with straight hair from it extending well to each side of the face.
H. C. Wilson in 1895
Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of the North-West Territories
In office
June 30, 1888 – November 7, 1891
Preceded byEdgar Dewdney
Succeeded byJames H. Ross
2nd Mayor of Edmonton
In office
January 14, 1895 – October 6, 1896
Preceded byMatthew McCauley
Succeeded byCornelius Gallagher
Member of Territorial Council for Edmonton
In office
September 15, 1885 – November 7, 1891
Preceded byFrank Oliver
Succeeded byFrank Oliver
Personal details
Born(1859-12-07)December 7, 1859
Picton, Canada West[1]
DiedDecember 17, 1909(1909-12-17) (aged 50)
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Political partyIndependent
Liberal-Conservative[1][2]
Spouse
Emily Charlotte Lee
(m. 1885)
Occupation
  • Politician
  • physician
SignatureCursive signature in ink

Herbert Charles Wilson (December 7, 1859 – December 17, 1909) was a Canadian politician and physician. He was an elected member of the Legislative Assembly of the North-West Territories, representing Edmonton and also served as mayor of the Town of Edmonton, 1895-1897.

Wilson was born in 1859 in Canada West (now Ontario). The son of a manufacturer, Wilson's family had extensive business interests in the area of Picton, Ontario. Wilson studied medicine and moved to Edmonton in 1882, one of the first physicians to settle there. He was appointed to official medical positions and, for several years, owned a drugstore in the hamlet. He served as a consultant to First Nations reserves near Edmonton and also became a director of many local corporations. He was elected to the Territorial council in 1885, and soon became its speaker. During his speakership, he helped to change the council's rules and procedures. He left territorial politics after six years, citing health reasons. He maintained a medical practice in town for many years, and went to considerable efforts to keep up with the latest practices.

Wilson interested himself in civic activities in Edmonton, and eventually ran for town mayor, winning election in 1895. He left office after less than two years in a dispute over town funds. He attempted a comeback in 1904, but was defeated in a run for the town council. He married in 1886, and had a son and two daughters. He died in 1909; an industrial park in the city is named for him.

  1. ^ a b Perry, Footz 2006, p. 181.
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference CA was invoked but never defined (see the help page).