Michael Hogan (politician)
Encyclopedia
Michael Hogan was a businessman, politician, and longest-serving mayor of St. Albert, Alberta
.
immigrants. He was a teacher and farmer in Ontario
before immigrating to Alberta
in 1900. He taught in Strathcona
(which was amalgamted with Edmonton
in 1912) before moving to St. Albert. In 1910 he entered the insurance and real estate businesses with Lucien Boudreau
; he would eventually buy Boudreau out.
In 1919, Hogan was elected Mayor of St. Albert, a position that he would hold for twenty-four years, which is still a St. Albert record. At the time he took office, the town's finances were in poor shape. To cope with this situation, Hogan eliminated the town's policeman (who was responsible, in addition to the preservation of law and order, for such diverse tasks as sidewalk maintenance). In 1924, the town also reluctantly cut its teachers' salaries. In 1925, the policeman was restored and was ordered to "rid the town of idle men and men and to keep children, particularly young girls, off the street at night."
These measures were not sufficient to turn St. Albert's finances around. In 1927, the report of the municipal inspector noted debts totalling $16,500 and commented that the town's "financial situation is not at all good." The same year, the policeman was eliminated once more - in favour of a Police Committee that would be responsible for hiring police on an ad hoc basis as needed - and just as quickly restored.
In 1928, an agreement was reached with Calgary Power to supply light, heat, and power to the town for the first time.
During the early part of the 1920s, an agreement was concluded between St. Albert and Edmonton for the latter's fire department to assist in putting out fires in St. Albert. This arrangement did not protect the town from a major fire in 1929 that gutted its downtown.
In 1930, Hogan presided over a meeting to found an Old Timers' Association of St. Albert. The organization floundered and quickly vanished. More successful were his efforts to raise funds for a community hall - fundraising efforts began in 1939 and the building was constructed by 1941.
Provincially, Hogan started out as a supporter of the United Farmers of Alberta
under John Edward Brownlee
, but subsequently became disillusioned with the party and joined the Liberal Party of Alberta. During the 1926 provincial election
, he sought election as an independent Liberal in the riding of St. Albert
against his old business partner Boudreau, who had secured the nomination for the Liberal Party (the incumbent UFA MLA, Télesphore St. Arnaud
, was not seeking re-election). Boudreau defeated Hogan in the second count.
Hogan was a devoted member of the Knights of Columbus
and the Edmonton Exhibition Association.
Michael Hogan was still mayor when he died on June 30, 1943.
, St. Albert's first mayor.
Hogan subsequently married Blanche Escallier in 1919. The couple had three sons: John, Frank, and Leo. All served overseas during the Second World War; Frank was killed in action with the Royal Canadian Air Force
.
Hogan Road in St. Albert is named in his honour.
St. Albert, Alberta
St. Albert is a suburban city in Alberta, located northwest of Edmonton, on the Sturgeon River. It was originally settled as a Métis community, and is now the second largest city in the Edmonton area. St...
.
Early life
Michael Hogan was born August 16, 1872 in Park Hill, Ontario to IrishIreland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
immigrants. He was a teacher and farmer in Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
before immigrating to Alberta
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...
in 1900. He taught in Strathcona
Strathcona
Strathcona is an 19th century variation of "Glen Coe", a river valley in Scotland. The word was invented for use in the title Baron Strathcona and Mount Royal, first used for Donald Smith, a Canadian railway financier, in order to avoid association with the Massacre of Glencoe of 1692...
(which was amalgamted with 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...
in 1912) before moving to St. Albert. In 1910 he entered the insurance and real estate businesses with Lucien Boudreau
Lucien Boudreau
Lucien Boudreau was a politician, mayor of St. Albert, Alberta, and member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta .-Early life:...
; he would eventually buy Boudreau out.
Public service
Hogan became the secretary of the Municipal District of Ray (which was incorporated into the new Municipal District of Morinville in 1943) in 1905, and held the position until shortly before his death. He also served as Ray's police magistrate between 1917 and 1921, and was involved with the St. Albert Board of Trade and served on the St. Albert Town Council.In 1919, Hogan was elected Mayor of St. Albert, a position that he would hold for twenty-four years, which is still a St. Albert record. At the time he took office, the town's finances were in poor shape. To cope with this situation, Hogan eliminated the town's policeman (who was responsible, in addition to the preservation of law and order, for such diverse tasks as sidewalk maintenance). In 1924, the town also reluctantly cut its teachers' salaries. In 1925, the policeman was restored and was ordered to "rid the town of idle men and men and to keep children, particularly young girls, off the street at night."
These measures were not sufficient to turn St. Albert's finances around. In 1927, the report of the municipal inspector noted debts totalling $16,500 and commented that the town's "financial situation is not at all good." The same year, the policeman was eliminated once more - in favour of a Police Committee that would be responsible for hiring police on an ad hoc basis as needed - and just as quickly restored.
In 1928, an agreement was reached with Calgary Power to supply light, heat, and power to the town for the first time.
During the early part of the 1920s, an agreement was concluded between St. Albert and Edmonton for the latter's fire department to assist in putting out fires in St. Albert. This arrangement did not protect the town from a major fire in 1929 that gutted its downtown.
In 1930, Hogan presided over a meeting to found an Old Timers' Association of St. Albert. The organization floundered and quickly vanished. More successful were his efforts to raise funds for a community hall - fundraising efforts began in 1939 and the building was constructed by 1941.
Provincially, Hogan started out as a supporter of the United Farmers of Alberta
United Farmers of Alberta
The United Farmers of Alberta is an association of Alberta farmers that has served many different roles throughout its history as a lobby group, a political party, and as a farm-supply retail chain. Since 1934 it has primarily been an agricultural supply cooperative headquartered in Calgary...
under John Edward Brownlee
John Edward Brownlee
John Edward Brownlee was the fifth Premier of Alberta, Canada, serving from 1925 until 1934. Born in Port Ryerse, Ontario, he studied history and political science at the University of Toronto's Victoria College before moving west to Calgary to become a lawyer...
, but subsequently became disillusioned with the party and joined the Liberal Party of Alberta. During the 1926 provincial election
Alberta general election, 1926
The Alberta general election of 1926 was the sixth general election for the Province of Alberta, Canada. It was held on June 28, 1926 to elect members of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta. The writs of election were issued on May 10, 1926 allowing for an election period of 40 days.After Herbert...
, he sought election as an independent Liberal in the riding of St. Albert
St. Albert (provincial electoral district)
St. Albert formally styled Saint Albert is a provincial electoral district in Alberta, Canada. The district is one of 83 current districts mandate to return a single member to the Legislative Assembly of Alberta of Alberta, Canada....
against his old business partner Boudreau, who had secured the nomination for the Liberal Party (the incumbent UFA MLA, Télesphore St. Arnaud
Télesphore St. Arnaud
Télesphore St. Arnaud was a provincial politician from Alberta, Canada. He served as a member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta from 1921 to 1926 sitting with the United Farmers caucus in government.-Political career:...
, was not seeking re-election). Boudreau defeated Hogan in the second count.
Hogan was a devoted member of the Knights of Columbus
Knights of Columbus
The Knights of Columbus is the world's largest Catholic fraternal service organization. Founded in the United States in 1882, it is named in honor of Christopher Columbus....
and the Edmonton Exhibition Association.
Michael Hogan was still mayor when he died on June 30, 1943.
Family and Legacy
Michael Hogan married Vera Rheaume in 1912. Their marriage produced a daughter, Evelyn, before Vera died of a stroke in 1917. Evelyn would go on to marry Eugene Perron, daughter of Fleuri PerronFleuri Perron
Fleuri Perron was a businessman, politician, and mayor of St. Albert, Alberta.-Early life:...
, St. Albert's first mayor.
Hogan subsequently married Blanche Escallier in 1919. The couple had three sons: John, Frank, and Leo. All served overseas during the Second World War; Frank was killed in action with the Royal Canadian Air Force
Royal Canadian Air Force
The history of the Royal Canadian Air Force begins in 1920, when the air force was created as the Canadian Air Force . In 1924 the CAF was renamed the Royal Canadian Air Force and granted royal sanction by King George V. The RCAF existed as an independent service until 1968...
.
Hogan Road in St. Albert is named in his honour.