John Bryden (MLA)
Encyclopedia
John Bryden was a Scottish
-born businessman and political figure in British Columbia
, Canada. He represented Nanaimo from 1875 to 1876 and North Nanaimo from 1894 to 1900 in the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia
.
He was born in Dalzellyie, Kirkoswald
, the son of John Brydan and Ann Cooper. Bryden received a certificate in mining and metallurgy and was hired by the Vancouver Coal Mining and Land Company operating near Nanaimo
on Vancouver Island
. In 1866, he married Elizabeth Hamilton, the daughter of Robert Dunsmuir
who was a superintendent for the mine. In 1881, he went to work for a coal mining operation owned by his father-in-law. Bryden became a justice of the peace
and served as a captain in the militia. He was president of the Albion Iron Works, treasurer for the Esquimalt and Nanaimo Railway and vice-president for the Union Colliery of British Columbia. The 1890 Coal Mines Regulation Act, provincial legislation, prevented persons of Chinese origin from working underground in coal mines. Bryden launched a legal challenge against the use of Chinese workers underground by the Union Colliery, with the intent of having the legality of the act reviewed: this resulted in the act being struck down since it was found that it interfered with federal powers.
In 1875, he was elected to the council for Nanaimo and then to the British Columbia assembly; he resigned from the assembly in 1876. Bryden was defeated when he ran for reelection in 1900. Bryden died in Esquimault
at the age of 81.
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
-born businessman and political figure in British Columbia
British Columbia
British Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858...
, Canada. He represented Nanaimo from 1875 to 1876 and North Nanaimo from 1894 to 1900 in the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia
Legislative Assembly of British Columbia
The Legislative Assembly of British Columbia is one of two components of the Parliament of British Columbia, the provincial parliament ....
.
He was born in Dalzellyie, Kirkoswald
Kirkoswald, South Ayrshire
Kirkoswald is a village in South Ayrshire, Scotland....
, the son of John Brydan and Ann Cooper. Bryden received a certificate in mining and metallurgy and was hired by the Vancouver Coal Mining and Land Company operating near Nanaimo
Nanaimo, British Columbia
Nanaimo is a city on Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Canada. It has been dubbed the "Bathtub Racing Capital of the World" and "Harbour City". Nanaimo is also sometimes referred to as the "Hub City" because of its central location on Vancouver Island and due to the layout of the downtown...
on Vancouver Island
Vancouver Island
Vancouver Island is a large island in British Columbia, Canada. It is one of several North American locations named after George Vancouver, the British Royal Navy officer who explored the Pacific Northwest coast of North America between 1791 and 1794...
. In 1866, he married Elizabeth Hamilton, the daughter of Robert Dunsmuir
Robert Dunsmuir
Robert Dunsmuir was a Scottish-Canadian coal miner, railway developer, industrialist and politician. -Origins in Scotland:...
who was a superintendent for the mine. In 1881, he went to work for a coal mining operation owned by his father-in-law. Bryden became a justice of the peace
Justice of the Peace
A justice of the peace is a puisne judicial officer elected or appointed by means of a commission to keep the peace. Depending on the jurisdiction, they might dispense summary justice or merely deal with local administrative applications in common law jurisdictions...
and served as a captain in the militia. He was president of the Albion Iron Works, treasurer for the Esquimalt and Nanaimo Railway and vice-president for the Union Colliery of British Columbia. The 1890 Coal Mines Regulation Act, provincial legislation, prevented persons of Chinese origin from working underground in coal mines. Bryden launched a legal challenge against the use of Chinese workers underground by the Union Colliery, with the intent of having the legality of the act reviewed: this resulted in the act being struck down since it was found that it interfered with federal powers.
In 1875, he was elected to the council for Nanaimo and then to the British Columbia assembly; he resigned from the assembly in 1876. Bryden was defeated when he ran for reelection in 1900. Bryden died in Esquimault
Esquimalt, British Columbia
The Township of Esquimalt is a municipality at the southern tip of Vancouver Island, in British Columbia, Canada. It is bordered to the east by the provincial capital, Victoria, to the south by the Strait of Juan de Fuca, to the west by Esquimalt Harbour and Royal Roads, to the northwest by the...
at the age of 81.