Charles May (Alberta politician)
| Charles May | |
|---|---|
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| 8th Mayor of Edmonton | |
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In office December 11, 1905 – December 10, 1906 |
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| Preceded by | Kenneth W. MacKenzie |
| Succeeded by | William Antrobus Griesbach |
| Alderman on the Edmonton City Council | |
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In office December 14, 1903 – December 11, 1905 |
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| Personal details | |
| Born |
June 30, 1858 Wellington County, Canada West |
| Died | March 1, 1932 (aged 73) Vancouver, British Columbia |
| Profession | Carpenter, contractor |
| Signature |  |
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^[n] Known as the Edmonton Town Council from 1903 to 1904 |
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^[n] Known as the Edmonton Town Council from 1903 to 1904
Charles May (June 30, 1858 – March 1, 1932) was Canadian contractor and politician. He served on the Edmonton City Council and later as Mayor of Edmonton from 1905 to 1906.
A native of what would become the province of Ontario, May moved to Manitoba soon after completing education in his hometown. In Manitoba, he would take to briefly farming, before entering into the construction industry, which he would establish prominence in. After doing work for the railway, he would move to Winnipeg where he would join a contracting firm and become involved in the construction of many buildings. After moving west and living briefly in Carberry, Manitoba, May came to Edmonton in 1902.
In Edmonton he would rise to be one of the city's most prominent contractors, constructing many of the city's landmark buildings, as well as houses for its prominent residents. Long interested in municipal affairs, he entered civic politics with his election to the Edmonton Town Council in 1903. After an aldermanic term that saw the inclusion of Alberta as a province in Canada, in 1905 he was elected as mayor of the newly incorporated city; during his term he would oversee many improvements and advances to the city. Retiring after one term in office and returning to his contracting firm, he would eventually leave Edmonton in 1922 for Vancouver where he would live for 10 years leading up to his death in 1932. An active community man, May also founded and oversaw many local organizations. A Liberal in politics, he is remembered as a progressive mayor whose policies helped the accelerate development of city of Edmonton.
May was born in Wellington County, Canada West in 1858, to John and Helen (née Esson) May. Both of his parents were immigrants who had come to Canada early in their lives, his father originally from County Londonderry, Ireland, was a veteran of the 1837 Upper Canada Rebellion, and his mother a native of Aberdeenshire, Scotland. Charles attended and completed public schooling in Wellington County, and around 1871 the May family relocated to Paisley, Ontario. Upon the death of his father shortly thereafter, May was tasked with the responsibilities of heading and providing for his family, along with a brother, Thomas.
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