Alexander Martin

Who was Alexander Martin?

Alexander Martin was a Canadian politician.

Born in Springton, Prince Edward Island, the son of Alex and Isabelle Martin, Martin was educated at the Common Schools, the Normal School and Prince of Wales College. In 1868, he married Annie McLeod. A farmer and merchant by occupation, he was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Prince Edward Island for 4th Queens in an 1884 by-election held following the death of Angus D. MacMillan. Martin ran unsuccessfully for reelection to the provincial assembly in 1886, 1890 and 1893. He was elected to the Legislative Council of Prince Edward Island for 2nd Queens in the 1886 general election. Martin supported the abolition of the province's Legislative Council, which occurred in 1893. He later moved to Valleyfield, where he farmed and operated a general store. Martin also taught school for nine years.

A Conservative, he was elected to the Canadian House of Commons for the electoral district of East Queen's in the general elections of 1896 and, in 1900, he lost the seat on a recount before a judge. He was an unsuccessful candidate at a by-election held in 1901, but was elected again in the general elections of 1904.