Memorable Manitobans: Abram William Harrison (1898-1979)

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Abram William Harrison
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Miller, MLA (1941-1945), MLA (1946-1949), MLA (1950-1953), MLA (1954-1957), MLA (1958-1959), Speaker (1958-1963), MLA (1959-1962), MLA (1963-1966).

Born at Holmfield on 15 July 1898, son of William Salt Harrison (1856-1926) and Maria Elizabeth Wilkinson (1869-1955), he was educated at Holmfield School. He was employed as Manager of the family-owned Harrison Milling and Grain Company. On 24 November 1937, he married Amelia Agnes Sutherland (1910-1995), daughter of Edward Sutherland and Laura Webb, of Holmfield. They had four children: William Edward Harrison (1938-2007), Heather Ruth Harrison, Errick Harrison, and Tomasina Harrison. He was first elected to the Manitoba Legislature at a by-election in June 1943, replacing the late John Bell Laughlin. He was re-elected at the general elections in 1945, 1949, 1953, 1958, 1959, and 1962. He served as Speaker (1958-1963) and Minister Without Portfolio (1963-1966). He did not stand for re-election in 1966. He died at his home in Holmfield on 14 November 1979 and was buried in the Holmfield Cemetery.

See also:

Historic Sites of Manitoba: Harrison Mill and Grain Elevators (Holmfield, RM of Killarney-Turtle Mountain)

Sources:

Birth and death registrations, Manitoba Vital Statistics.

The Canadian Parliamentary Guide, 1947.

Obituary, Winnipeg Free Press, 15 November 1979, page 71.

Members of the Legislative Assembly (deceased), Legislative Assembly of Manitoba.

Obituary [William Edward Harrison], Winnipeg Free Press, 15 December 2007.

Obituaries and burial transcriptions, Manitoba Genealogical Society.

We thank Jamie Harrison for providing additional information used here.

This page was prepared by Gordon Goldsborough.

Page revised: 4 November 2020

Memorable Manitobans

Memorable Manitobans

This is a collection of noteworthy Manitobans from the past, compiled by the Manitoba Historical Society. We acknowledge that the collection contains both reputable and disreputable people. All are worth remembering as a lesson to future generations.

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