Matthew McCauley (politician)

Matthew McCauley
1st Mayor of Edmonton
In office February 10, 1892 – January 14, 1895
Succeeded by	Herbert Charles Wilson
Alderman on the Edmonton Town Council
In office January 13, 1896 – December 14, 1896
Member of the Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories
In office November 4, 1898 – May 21, 1902
Preceded by	Frank Oliver
Succeeded by	Richard Secord
Constituency	Edmonton
Member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta
In office November 9, 1905 – March 22, 1909
Preceded by	New District
Succeeded by	James Bismark Holden
Constituency	Vermilion
Personal details
Born	July 11, 1850 Owen Sound, Ontario
Died	October 25, 1930 (aged 80) Sexsmith, Alberta
Political party	Alberta Liberal Party
Spouse(s)	Matilda Benson (1875–1896; her death) Annie Cookson (1902–1930; his death)
Profession	Businessman
Signature

Matthew "Matt" McCauley (July 11, 1850 – October 25, 1930) was the first mayor of the city of Edmonton, and a member of the legislative assemblies of both the Northwest Territories and Alberta.

McCauley was born into a farming family at what later became the province of Ontario to an Irish father and Canadian mother. His restless nature and desire for adventure led him to travel west to Manitoba. In Manitoba, he established a livery business, which he ran until he set off for Edmonton in 1879. He farmed for two years in Fort Saskatchewan before finally moving to Edmonton, where he established the settlement's first livery and cartage business.

Along with a couple prominent Edmonton citizens, he formed an association aimed to restore order in the area, settling many disputes, including during the 1885 Riel Rebellion as it's captain. He soon established a school board, recognizing the need for a school, which he served as president and trustee for 18 years. Shortly before Edmonton was incorporated as a town in 1892, he formed the Board of Trade. Upon the incorporation, he was acclaimed the town's first mayor in 1892, and the next two following years. He did not run for re-election at the end of his third term, opting to run for the seat representing Edmonton on the Territorial Legislature, which he served for 6 years. Following his defeat moved to Tofield, Alberta farm until 1905, when he returned to Edmonton and was elected to the new Legislative Assembly of Alberta. The following year, he resigned his seat to serve as the first warden of the province's first penitentiary. After 5 years as warden, he moved to British Columbia to fruit farm, but he moved back to Sexsmith, Alberta 13 years later to farm, where he died in 1930.

Early life

Matthew McCauley was born July 11, 1850 in Owen Sound, Ontario to Alexander and Eleanor (née Latimer) McCauley.^[1] His father Alexander was an Irish immigrant who was born in Antrim. He moved to Canada at the age of five, and went on to become a successful farmer.^[1][2] Though his early years were described as him being a "typical farm boy" of the time, he received schooling from the Owen Sound Public School. McCauley desired to follow in the footsteps of this father as a farmer after his completing his education, but his restless nature and passion for adventure set him off to the west, where he first set off to Fort Garry in Manitoba.^[1]

McCauley established a livery business, the first of the kind in Winnipeg. He married Matilda Benson of Sarnia, Ontario in 1875, and resided in Winnipeg with her for the next four years, where he continued to operate his livery business. After growing restless in Winnipeg in 1879, McCauley sold his business and traveled west once again, this time to Edmonton. McCauley arrived in Edmonton in the fall of 1879 after 21 days of travelling by ox cart.^[3] He purchased a farm in Fort Saskatchewan the following spring, and farmed for two years before moving to Edmonton in 1882.^[1] In Edmonton, he opened the town's first livery and cartage business, the Edmonton Cartage Company, and a butcher shop in 1883.

Career in Edmonton

McCauley in his younger years.

Protective Association

McCauley arrived in Edmonton at the time of what has been described "one of the biggest conflicts ever." The Hudson Bay Company has recently surveyed lots of land that were intended to be sold as property, however word broke out that the particular are of land was the only land surveyed in the entire district. People attracted to the area were unable to afford land, and therefore built shacks.^[4] As more claim-jumpers moved in, it was requested that they move three or four miles outwards, but they refused. McCauley sent many urgent messages to Ottawa to settle the dispute in a civil manner, but to no avail.^[5] As a result of the government not being able to do anything, and the lack of a law enforcement agency in the town, a group of prominent citizens formed a "Protective Association" as an attempt to restore law and order, to which McCauley was elected it's captain.^[5]

As captain, McCauley tried hard to settle the dispute and reach a compromise with the claim-jumpers who "head no desire for a peaceful settlement." He was involved in a brief altercation with a claim jumper whom he approached and ordered to move. The man was armed with two revolvers and refused to move, therefore McCauley and his crew jacked the shack off it's foundation and sent it down the riverbank.^[5] The Protective Association, however was involved in a legal problems brought up by the claim jumpers, for "willful damage to property." The brief trial resulted in McCauley, as the captain being fined 40 dollars, and six other members of the committee found guilty, but being let off with court costs. The Protective Association eventually managed to restore peace and order in Edmonton, and claim jumpers eventually decided that the area was not the place to build on.^[5]

Edmonton School Board

After realizing Edmonton as a suitable place for raising his children, McCauley soon recognized the community's need for a school.^[6] McCauley led a group of prominent men and arranged for a school to be built on land donated by the Hudson Bay Company. The school opened in on January 2, 1882.^[6] Three years after the opening of the school, McCauley found himself and a small group of people paying off bills for the school. Initially, McCauley suggested that land owners be taxed with the funds going to the school, but protest followed. McCauley then decided to propose that Edmonton be designated as an official school district by the government in Ottawa, which was voted in favor of following a close vote.^[7] The school district was successfully negotiated with Ottawa, and it became the first of its kind in the North-West Territories.^[7] Edmonton became known as having the "finest school system in the west of Portage La Prairie" that set an example for many other following cities.^[7] McCauley served as chairman of the newly formed School Board from 1885 to 1888, when he stepped down, although he served as a trustee for 18 years following. He was nicknamed "Edmonton's Father of Education" in honor of his efforts to bring an education system to the community.^[8]

Rebellion of 1885

During the Riel Rebellion in 1885, news of the Frog Lake Massacre spread to Edmonton, invoking fear to many residents.^[8] McCauley quickly responded by organizing a group of able body men into what was known as the "Home Guard," which formed a sentry that ensured security from possible attacks.^[8]

Politics

Edmonton

In 1889, McCauley co-founded (with Frank Oliver and John Alexander McDougall) the Edmonton Board of Trade, forerunner to the Chamber of Commerce.^[9]

When Edmonton was incorporated as a town on January 9, 1892, it held its first election in 1892 with McCauley acclaimed as mayor.^[10] Among his concerns during his first term were to "establish order" among the scattered shacks near the trading post, and widening various streets around the town, in preparation for what he envisioned in the future of Edmonton becoming a "busy metropolitan".^[10] He was re-acclaimed in 1893 and 1894^[11] before stepping aside voluntarily after his third term, never having contested an election. During his term as mayor, the Canadian government decided to move the Dominion Land Office from Edmonton to Strathcona, which was then a separate community. Angry Edmontonians descended on the office and tore to pieces the wagon that the officer was packing with records for transportation, and McCauley persuaded the government to relent. In 1893, he went to Ottawa to enter negotiations with the federal government for a street railway system. McCauley was successful, and the system became the first in the west.^[11] McCauley also saw Edmonton's need for a hospital, and consequently established what later became Grey Nuns Hospital, arranging for the Grey Nuns to establish at the town, along with a nurse.^[11]

In 1896, McCauley sought election to Town Council once again, this time as alderman. He was easily elected, finishing first of eight candidates in an election in which the top six were elected. He served a single term, and did not seek re-election the following election.

Territorial and provincial

Following his decision not to run for re-election as mayor in 1893, three years later, McCauley sought to be Edmonton's representative in the North-West Territories Legislature. During his term as representative, he worked to upgrade Edmonton's school system, along with upgrading the town's trade industry.^[12] He served in this capacity until 1902, when he was defeated.

In 1901, McCauley sold Edmonton Cartage Company and used the proceeds to buy one thousand acres (4 km²) of farmland in Tofield, Alberta,^[13] where he farmed until returning to Edmonton in 1905.^[14] While in Tofield, he married Annie Cookson - his first wife, Matilda, had died in 1896 - with whom he had four children, bringing his total to twelve.^[12]

Upon Alberta becoming a province in 1905, McCauley returned to Edmonton and was elected as a Liberal member to the Legislative Assembly of Alberta in the riding of Vermilion in the province's first general election. During his tenure, he had introduced many bills to the house, and advocated for a university to be founded.^[15]

McCauley played a vital role in Edmonton being chosen as the provincial capital city. In a speech, he pointed out the ongoing development at Peace River, Alberta, and how Edmonton would be the "logical centre of the province".^[15]

Later career

McCauley in 1910

McCauley resigned his seat in the Legislature the following year after he was elected, after his appointment to be warden of the Edmonton Penitentiary, the first of it's kind in Alberta. It was said that his reputation of "honesty, fairness and ability to keep law and order" was a contributing factor in his appointment. In he years he served in the capacity, he was greatly respected amongst his colleagues, and it was said that "he never once had a complaint against him from either staff nor inmates."^[15]

McCauley resigned as warden in 1912 to become a fruit farmer in Penticton in the Okanagan valley.^[16] After thirteen years farming in Penticton, he moved to Sexsmith, Alberta to farm on a recently-bought 1000 acre farm.^[16]

Personal life

McCauley as the warden of the Edmonton Penitentiary.

McCauley married Matilda Benson of Sarnia, Ontario in 1875, in which he would remain married to until her sudden death in 1896. He married once again in 1902, to Annie Cookson, originally from Manchester, England.^[16]

McCauley was an active member of the Edmonton community. He served as a director of the Edmonton Agricultural Association for 16 years. The association brought the Edmonton Exhibition to Edmonton, one of the prominent fairs of the west at the time.^[9] As telephone service was brought to Edmonton, McCauley was one of the first to receive one installed. His telephone number was #1.^[10] When John Hamilton-Gordon, 1st Marquess of Aberdeen and Temair would visit Edmonton for business, McCauley and his wife would usually be the ones to entertain him.^[11] Also an avid curler, McCauley led his curling team where he served as a skip to many victories. He also enjoyed other sports, including horse carriage racing.^[12]

McCauley School was named his honour in 1912. McCauley Plaza was also built on the site of his home, overlooking the North Saskatchewan River.^[17]

Death and legacy

McCauley died in Sexsmith on October 25, 1930 following a long illness.^[18] He was survived by his second wife, Annie Cookson, and 11 children and step-children.^[18] Upon learning of his death, all school flags in Edmonton were ordered to fly at half-staff.^[16] Almost 600 students from McCauley School, which was named in his honour, stood in "solemn salute".^[16] McCauley's body was brought back to Edmonton, when he laid in state on October 30 at the First Presbyterian Church.^[19] He was interred at the Edmonton Cemetery.^[16]

McCauley was often called "Honest Matt McCauley".^[20] It was said that he "has a strong personality, high ideals and indomitable will ans was generous to a fault."^[20] Edmonton's McCauley neighbourhood is named for him.

References

1. ^ ^{a b c d} Bolwer
2. ^ MacRae 1912, pg. 525
3. ^ Keane 1913, pg. 2
4. ^ Aylen-van de Sande 1992, pg. 3
5. ^ ^{a b c d} Aylen-van de Sande 1992, pg. 4
6. ^ ^{a b} Aylen-van de Sande 1992, pg. 5
7. ^ ^{a b c} Aylen-van de Sande 1992, pg. 6
8. ^ ^{a b c} Aylen-van de Sande 1992, pg. 7
9. ^ ^{a b} Aylen-van de Sande 1992, pg. 8
10. ^ ^{a b c} Aylen-van de Sande 1992, pg. 10
11. ^ ^{a b c d} Aylen-van de Sande 1992, pg. 11
12. ^ ^{a b c} Aylen-van de Sande 1992, pg. 13
13. ^ David Howell (October 3, 2004). "Town's first mayor left indelible mark". Edmonton Journal. 
14. ^ Keane 1913, pg. 3
15. ^ ^{a b c} Aylen-van de Sande 1992, pg. 14
16. ^ ^{a b c d e f} Aylen-van de Sande 1992, pg. 15
17. ^ Allan 1957, pg. 3
18. ^ ^{a b} "Pioneer Citizen Passes At Sexsmith; Former Warden Of Alberta Penitentiary". The Edmonton Historical. October 25, 1930. 
19. ^ "City's First Mayor Buried". Edmonton Bulletin. October 30, 1930. http://www.ourfutureourpast.ca/newspapr/np_page2.asp?code=ndap1128.jpg. Retrieved June 2, 2011. 
20. ^ ^{a b} Aylen-van de Sande 1992, pg. 16

Bibliography

• Jim Bolwer. "Matthew McCauley". Alberta Historical Review 20: pp. 11–17. 
• MacRae, Archibald Oswald (1912). History of the province of Alberta, Volume 1. Calgary, Alberta: Western Canada History Co. http://www.ourroots.ca/page.aspx?id=3704527&qryID=2f188e0f-3bcb-4f85-843f-9bb205b7186a. 
• Marjorie Aylen-van de Sande (April 3, 1992). "Matthew McCauley - Edmonton's Eminent Pioneer". 
• Irene Keane (January 25, 1913). "Matthew McCauley, Old Timer". Edmonton Capital. 
• Iris Allan (June 1975). "Edmonton's First Mayor". Heritage. 

Links

• Biography of Matthew McCauley in Real Estate Weekly
• Edmonton Public Library Biography of McCauley
• City of Edmonton biography of McCauley
• History of Alberta's early schools

Persondata
Name	Maccauley, Matthew
Alternative names
Short description
Date of birth	July 11, 1850
Place of birth	Owen Sound, Ontario
Date of death	October 25, 1930
Place of death	Sexsmith, Alberta