Robert Lee (Canadian politician)
Encyclopedia
Robert Lee was a politician in Alberta
, Canada
and a mayor of Edmonton
.
on March 10, 1862 and graduated from the Dominion Business College in Kingston
. He married Annette Wilson, with whom he would have a daughter and two sons, in 1897. He served as a member of the Lanark City Council from 1892 until 1898, after which he moved to Edmonton. He was in partnership with John Ross in grain trading, insurance, and loans under the name Ross & Lee until 1902, after which he partnered with W I Crafts in real estate, timber, and coal mining under the name Crafts & Lee (another partner was admitted in 1905 as they became Crafts, Lee & Gallinger). He served on the public school board from 1902 until 1904.
He first sought municipal office in 1907
, when he was elected to a two year term as alderman on Edmonton City Council
, finishing fourth of twelve candidates in an election in which the top five candidates were elected. He resigned midway through his term to run for mayor in the 1908 election
, when he defeated Thomas Bellamy
by 1303 votes to 639. He was re-elected in 1909
, defeating Robert Manson
, but did not seek re-election in 1910
and stayed out of municipal politics thereafter.
In 1905 he erected the Lee Block on the corner of Jasper Avenue and Second Street (102 Street). The building housed, among other businesses, Reed's Bazaar. It was destroyed by fire in 1913 but a reconstruction of the building now stands at Fort Edmonton Park
. He was active with the Presbyterian Church and the Liberal Party of Alberta.
Robert Lee died August 5, 1925.
Alberta
Alberta is a province of Canada. It had an estimated population of 3.7 million in 2010 making it the most populous of Canada's three prairie provinces...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
and a mayor of Edmonton
Edmonton
Edmonton is the capital of the Canadian province of Alberta and is the province's second-largest city. Edmonton is located on the North Saskatchewan River and is the centre of the Edmonton Capital Region, which is surrounded by the central region of the province.The city and its census...
.
Biography
Lee was born in Lanark County, OntarioLanark County, Ontario
Lanark County is a county located in the Canadian province of Ontario. As of 2006, the population is 63,785. Its county seat is Perth.The county took its name from the town of Lanark in Scotland.-Geography:...
on March 10, 1862 and graduated from the Dominion Business College in Kingston
Kingston, Ontario
Kingston, Ontario is a Canadian city located in Eastern Ontario where the St. Lawrence River flows out of Lake Ontario. Originally a First Nations settlement called "Katarowki," , growing European exploration in the 17th Century made it an important trading post...
. He married Annette Wilson, with whom he would have a daughter and two sons, in 1897. He served as a member of the Lanark City Council from 1892 until 1898, after which he moved to Edmonton. He was in partnership with John Ross in grain trading, insurance, and loans under the name Ross & Lee until 1902, after which he partnered with W I Crafts in real estate, timber, and coal mining under the name Crafts & Lee (another partner was admitted in 1905 as they became Crafts, Lee & Gallinger). He served on the public school board from 1902 until 1904.
He first sought municipal office in 1907
Edmonton municipal election, 1907
The 1907 municipal election was held December 9, 1907 for the purpose of electing a mayor and five aldermen to sit on the Edmonton City Council, as well as five public school trustees and six separate school trustees...
, when he was elected to a two year term as alderman on Edmonton City Council
Edmonton City Council
The Edmonton City Council is the governing body of the City of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.Members represent wards throughout the city, and are known as councillors. Until 2010, Edmonton was divided in six wards with two councillors representing citizens in each ward...
, finishing fourth of twelve candidates in an election in which the top five candidates were elected. He resigned midway through his term to run for mayor in the 1908 election
Edmonton municipal election, 1908
The 1908 municipal election was held December 14, 1908 for the purpose of electing a mayor and six aldermen to sit on the Edmonton City Council, as well as three public school trustees and five separate school trustees...
, when he defeated Thomas Bellamy
Thomas Bellamy
Thomas Bellamy was a politician in Alberta, Canada and a municipal councillor in Edmonton.-Biography:Bellamy was born in Durham County, Ontario in 1853. He moved to Portage la Prairie, Manitoba in 1881 after marrying Lora Davis in 1875...
by 1303 votes to 639. He was re-elected in 1909
Edmonton municipal election, 1909
The 1909 municipal election was held December 13, 1909 for the purpose of electing a mayor and four aldermen to sit on the Edmonton City Council, as well as three public school trustees and five separate school trustees...
, defeating Robert Manson
Robert Manson
Robert John Manson was a politician in Alberta, Canada and a municipal councillor in Edmonton.-Biography:Manson came to Edmonton from Renfrew County, Ontario in 1891. He fast became one of the city's leading contractors, and was responsible for the creation of buildings including the Alberta...
, but did not seek re-election in 1910
Edmonton municipal election, 1910
The 1910 municipal election was held December 12, 1910 for the purpose of electing a mayor and five aldermen to sit on the Edmonton City Council, as well as three public school trustees and five separate school trustees...
and stayed out of municipal politics thereafter.
In 1905 he erected the Lee Block on the corner of Jasper Avenue and Second Street (102 Street). The building housed, among other businesses, Reed's Bazaar. It was destroyed by fire in 1913 but a reconstruction of the building now stands at Fort Edmonton Park
Fort Edmonton Park
Fort Edmonton Park is an attraction in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Named for the first enduring European post in the area of modern-day Edmonton, the park is the largest living history museum in Canada by area...
. He was active with the Presbyterian Church and the Liberal Party of Alberta.
Robert Lee died August 5, 1925.