Alexander Bethune (politician) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Alexander Bethune
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| Mayor of Vancouver | |
| In office 1907–1908 |
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| Preceded by | Frederick Buscombe |
| Succeeded by | Charles Douglas |
| Personal details | |
| Born | January 31, 1852 Peterborough, Ontario |
| Died | June 10, 1947 (aged 95) Los Angeles County, California |
| Spouse | Catherine MacIntosh |
| Occupation | Businessman, merchant |
Alexander Bethune (born January 31, 1852 – died June 10, 1947) was a businessman and merchant. He served as the 12th Mayor of Vancouver, British Columbia. He was mayor from 1907 to 1908. Before becoming mayor, he was an alderman on the city council for seven years.
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Early Life and Family
Alexander Bethune was born in Peterborough, Ontario. His parents were William B. and Catherine Bethune.
In 1878, he married Catherine MacIntosh. She was from Paisley, Ontario. They had two daughters together. Bethune was a member of the Presbyterian church. For fun, he enjoyed hunting, fishing, and driving cars.
Bethune's Career Journey
After finishing school in Ontario, Bethune moved to Manitou, Manitoba in 1887. There, he started a hardware business. He also worked as the postmaster of Manitou. He served on the city council there as an alderman.
In 1890, he moved further west to Vancouver. In Vancouver, he opened a shoe store called Mills & Bethune. This store operated from 1896 to 1900. After that, he started working in the building business.
Serving Vancouver City Council
Alexander Bethune was elected to the Vancouver City Council in 1900. He served on the council until 1907. That year, he was elected as the mayor of Vancouver. During the election, a big topic was whether a new railway should have a stop in the city. This was the Vancouver Westminster and Yukon Railway.
Challenges as Mayor
During his time as mayor, Alexander Bethune faced some difficult events. One major event was the September 1907 Vancouver riots. During these events, some people protested against Asian immigration. Mayor Bethune allowed a rally to happen at city hall. After the rally, a crowd went to Vancouver's Chinatown and Japantown. They continued protesting and caused damage. Later, Mayor Bethune said he regretted the riot. He asked citizens to act more calmly.
Later Life and Passing
Alexander Bethune passed away in 1947. He died in Los Angeles County, California. His body was brought back to Vancouver. He was buried at Mountain View Cemetery.
Images for kids
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Alexander Bethune, 12th Mayor of Vancouver.
