Donald Finlayson facts for kids

Donald M. Finlayson (born August 9, 1854 – died September 30, 1934) was an important farmer and politician in Saskatchewan. A politician is someone who helps make rules and decisions for a community or country. Donald Finlayson served as a representative for two areas, North Battleford and Jack Fish Lake, in the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan. This assembly is like a big meeting where elected people discuss and create laws for the province. He was part of the Liberal Party, which is a political group with certain ideas about how to run the government.

Who Was Donald Finlayson?

Donald M. Finlayson was a key figure in the early days of Saskatchewan. He was known for his work as a farmer and for his long career helping to govern the province. He represented the people of his area for many years, from 1908 until 1934.

Early Life and Moving West

Donald Finlayson was born in Elgin County, Ontario, a province in Canada. His parents, Duncan Finlayson and Annabel Matheson, were originally from Scotland. When he was older, Donald decided to move west to Battleford, Saskatchewan in 1879. This was a time when many people were moving to new areas to start farms and build communities. In 1881, he married his wife, Katie.

A Time of Change: The North-West Rebellion

In 1885, a major event called the North-West Rebellion happened in the area. This was a conflict between the Canadian government and some Indigenous peoples and Métis. Donald Finlayson and his family were warned about the danger and were not at home when their house was damaged during the rebellion. He also helped out by serving with the local militia, which was a group of citizens who acted as soldiers to protect their community during the conflict.

Serving the People: His Political Career

Donald Finlayson became a politician to serve the people of Saskatchewan. He was first elected to the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan in 1908, representing the North Battleford area. He continued to serve there until 1917. After that, he was elected to represent the Jack Fish Lake area, and he held that position until 1934. As a Liberal, he worked with his party to make decisions and laws for the province.

Community Leader and Farmer

Besides his political work, Donald Finlayson was also an important leader in his local community. He was the president of the North Battleford Agricultural Society. This group likely helped farmers in the area share knowledge, improve their farming methods, and organize events related to agriculture. His life showed a strong commitment to both farming and public service.