Percival Baker
Encyclopedia
Percival Baker was a farmer, church minister and provincial politician from Alberta
, Canada
. He served as a member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta
for two days in 1921 before his death.
in 1862. He attended the University of Kentucky
. After graduating from University he joined the ministry of the Baptist Church and served for many years. He moved to Alberta in 1908 and took up farming.
, and was defeated by Liberal incumbent William A. Campbell
.
Baker became heavily involved in the United Farmers of Alberta
eventually becoming Vice President for the organization.
He ran and was elected successfully 1921 provincial election
for the United Farmers of Alberta
he faced Campbell again this time defeating him Campbell was attempting to regain his seat after being defeated in the 1917 Alberta general election
. Baker won despite being unable to campaign for the last week of the election he won his district of Ponoka by a large majority. The accident that claimed his life happened 3 weeks prior on his farm, while chopping down trees.
After the accident he was transferred to the Royal Alexandra Hospital
in Edmonton for the final week of his life and died from injuries 24 hours after winning the election on July 20, 1921. Prior to his death it was speculated he would have been a member of the United Farmers governing cabinet.
He holds the record for shortest time served as a member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta
and died as a member-elect having never being officially sworn into office.
Future premier John Edward Brownlee
would replace him as the representative for his electoral district. Brownlee was acclaimed in a by-election held on December 9, 1921.
Baker was a big family man, at the time of his death he left behind a wife and 7 children (2 daughters and 5 sons).
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...
. He served as a member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta
Legislative Assembly of Alberta
The Legislative Assembly of Alberta is one of two components of the Legislature of Alberta, the other being the Queen, represented by the Lieutenant-Governor of Alberta. The Alberta legislature meets in the Alberta Legislature Building in the provincial capital, Edmonton...
for two days in 1921 before his death.
Early life
Baker was born in York County, OntarioYork County, Ontario
York County is a historic county in Upper Canada, Canada West, and the Canadian province of Ontario.York County was created in 1792 and was part of the jurisdiction of Home District of Upper Canada...
in 1862. He attended the University of Kentucky
University of Kentucky
The University of Kentucky, also known as UK, is a public co-educational university and is one of the state's two land-grant universities, located in Lexington, Kentucky...
. After graduating from University he joined the ministry of the Baptist Church and served for many years. He moved to Alberta in 1908 and took up farming.
Political career and death
He ran as an Independent in the 1913 provincial electionAlberta general election, 1913
The Alberta general election of 1913 was the third general election for the Province of Alberta, Canada. The writ was dropped on 25 March 1913 and election day was held 17 April 1913 to elect members of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta. Elections in two northern districts took place on 30 July...
, and was defeated by Liberal incumbent William A. Campbell
William A. Campbell
William Alexander Campbell was a provincial politician from Alberta, Canada. He served as a member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta from 1909 to 1917 sitting with the Liberal caucus in government.-Political career:...
.
Baker became heavily involved in 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...
eventually becoming Vice President for the organization.
He ran and was elected successfully 1921 provincial election
Alberta general election, 1921
The Alberta general election of 1921 was the fifth general election for the Province of Alberta, Canada. It was held on July 18, 1921 to elect members to the 5th Alberta Legislative Assembly....
for 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...
he faced Campbell again this time defeating him Campbell was attempting to regain his seat after being defeated in the 1917 Alberta general election
Alberta general election, 1917
The Alberta general election of 1917 was the fourth general election for the Province of Alberta, Canada, held on 7 June 1917 to elect members of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta....
. Baker won despite being unable to campaign for the last week of the election he won his district of Ponoka by a large majority. The accident that claimed his life happened 3 weeks prior on his farm, while chopping down trees.
After the accident he was transferred to the Royal Alexandra Hospital
Royal Alexandra Hospital
Royal Alexandra Hospital can refer to:*Royal Alexandra Hospital *Royal Alexandra Hospital *Royal Alexandra Hospital, Brighton*Royal Alexandra Hospital for Children, Sydney, Australia*Royal Alexandra Hospital...
in Edmonton for the final week of his life and died from injuries 24 hours after winning the election on July 20, 1921. Prior to his death it was speculated he would have been a member of the United Farmers governing cabinet.
He holds the record for shortest time served as a member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta
Legislative Assembly of Alberta
The Legislative Assembly of Alberta is one of two components of the Legislature of Alberta, the other being the Queen, represented by the Lieutenant-Governor of Alberta. The Alberta legislature meets in the Alberta Legislature Building in the provincial capital, Edmonton...
and died as a member-elect having never being officially sworn into office.
Future premier 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...
would replace him as the representative for his electoral district. Brownlee was acclaimed in a by-election held on December 9, 1921.
Baker was a big family man, at the time of his death he left behind a wife and 7 children (2 daughters and 5 sons).
