Joseph Benjamin Prince facts for kids
Joseph Benjamin Prince (born April 29, 1855 – died October 25, 1920) was an important person in Saskatchewan, Canada. He was a farmer, a rancher, and a politician. He helped make laws for the Northwest Territories and later for all of Canada.
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Early Life and Moving West
Joseph Benjamin Prince was born in a place called St-Grégoire, Canada East (which is now part of Quebec). His parents were Benjamin Prince and Louise Bourdage.
When he was younger, he worked with a team that measured land. This is called a surveying corps. After that, he moved to Winnipeg with his brother. Later, he traveled even further west to a town called Battleford.
Building Businesses in Battleford
When Joseph Prince arrived in Battleford, he helped the town grow. He built the very first sawmill there. A sawmill is a place where logs are cut into lumber.
He also worked with a partner to build the first flour mill. This mill helped turn grain into flour for baking. Besides these businesses, he raised farm animals, which is called ranching. In 1898, he opened a department store in Battleford, selling many different kinds of goods.
In 1887, Joseph Prince married Ernestine Brassard.
Public Service and Politics
Joseph Prince was involved in his community and in politics. During the North-West Rebellion, he served in the Home Guard. This was a group of local citizens who helped protect their area during a time of conflict.
He was elected to the Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories. He represented the area of Battleford from 1898 to 1905. During this time, he was an Independent politician, meaning he didn't belong to a specific political party.
Later, in 1907, he became the mayor of Battleford. He served as mayor until 1909.
In 1909, Joseph Prince was chosen to be a Senator for Canada. A Senator is a person who helps make laws for the whole country in the Senate of Canada. He was appointed by the Prime Minister at the time, Sir Wilfrid Laurier. He served as a Liberal Senator for the Saskatchewan division until he passed away in 1920 at the age of 65.
Family Legacy
Joseph Benjamin Prince's son, Paul, also became a politician. Paul later served in the Saskatchewan assembly, following in his father's footsteps.
