Harry Johnston (Canadian politician)

Harry was born on November 5, 1883,[1] to James Johnston and Mary Victoria Ross in Teeswater, Ontario, where he completed his secondary education.[2] In 1906, he arrived in Arrowhead, British Columbia, becoming a merchant.[3] By 1905, Edward McGaghran owned a general store, carrying a wide range of products.[4] The next year, Jessie Whitbread became an employee,[5] and Harry Johnston became a partner in the renamed McGaghran & Johnston store, which expanded into men's furnishings,[6] while retaining a groceries line.[7] McGaghran, who trained as a millwright, was superintendent of the Arrow Lakes Lumber Co mill at Arrowhead at the time of his death in 1912.[8] In 1918, Johnston expanded into the lumber business.[3] He produced and retailed cedar poles and posts. By 1919, he was also secretary of the local school board.[9] His interest in the general store ceased around 1920.[10] Prior to entering politics, he managed Columbia River Timbers.[11]

Winning the Revelstoke seat for the Liberal Party in 1937 and 1941, he served in the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia until his death[3] on January 20, 1943, at Arrowhead.[12][13] Premier John Hart and several cabinet members attended the funeral.[14] This seat, which the Liberals had held since 1916, was lost in the June 1943 byelection.[3]

In 1908, he married Jessie Whitbread[2] (1884–1971).[15] Their children were John Wallace (1911–1988)[16] and Effie Lorena Jean (1913–1989).[17] John unsuccessfully ran in the September 1962 byelection for his father's old seat.[18]