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Stephen Emmett Clement (Mayor of Brandon) (1867 - 1947)
10/14/2009 at 10:49 AM
Born October 14th 1867 in Cookstown, Ontario, and the Son of Stephen Clement, (who died before 1906). He was educated in Cookstown. He was the first Sheriff of the western Judicial District.
In 1882 he arrived in Brandon with his Father, and finished his education at the Brandon Collegiate Institute (BCI), and Wesley College Winnipeg. He Graduated with a Bachelors of Arts, (B.A.).
He continued his education by taking Law studies with the Honourable Clifford Sifton, and J.A.M. Aikins. He was called to the Bar in 1895.
He established a Law Practice, and Partnered with R. A. Clement and were Solicitors for the Dominion Bank, and other loan companies.
He owned farm property north of Brandon, and was a Trustee of the Brandon School Board for six years, and was a member of the 'Ancient Order Of United Workmen' (A.O.U.W.), the Maccabees, the Liberal Party, and a Trustee of the Methodist Church.
He was also President of the Canadian Club in 1912. He was a representative of the Council of Bar Associations for the Western Judicial District, a Bencher for the Law Society of Manitoba, and a Director of the Brandon General Hospital. He was a director of the Provincial Exhibition, the Manitoba Winter Fair, and a Director of Wesley College.
In 1906 few bothered voting when as an ex-alderman named S. E. Clement succeeded Mayor Fleming as Chief Magistrate. In 1906 he was a City Alderman for two years, and Mayor of Brandon from 1907 to 1908.
In 1909 he retired as Chief Magistrate, and in 1914 he ran as a Liberal Candidate in the provincial election, but was defeated by the Hon. G. R. Coldwell.
In 1915 he ran in the Federal election, and was elected to the Federal Government after defeating James Aikins leader of the Conservatives. He held this seat for one term. In 1927 he was appointed County Court Judge, a position he held until 1944.
In his younger days he played rugby and lacrosse, and was a life long lover of fine horses.
On 30th August 1899 he married Aleta E. Paisley, the Daughter of Mr. James Paisley of Brandon. They had four children: Harold Dixon born 1903, Ethel Ruth, born 1906, Robert James, born 1910, and David William, born 1913.
He died in Brandon on December 31st 1947.
Clement Drive in Brandon commemorates him.
Source: The history of Manitoba by Professor George Bryce, (1906)