David Henry McFadden

Who was David Henry McFadden?

David Henry McFadden was a politician in Manitoba, Canada. He served in the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba from 1892 to 1907, and again from 1910 to 1915. McFadden was a Conservative, and served as a cabinet minister in the governments of Hugh John Macdonald and Rodmond P. Roblin.

McFadden was born in Peterborough, Canada West, and educated in Bruce, Ontario. He received certification from the Ontario Veterinary College, and practised as a veterinary surgeon. He also served as manager of the Alexandra Realty Co. in Emerson, Manitoba, and was active in municipal politics. In religion, McFadden was a Methodist.

He was first elected to the Manitoba legislature in the 1892 provincial election, defeating Liberal incumbent James Thomson by fourteen votes in the Emerson constituency. The Liberals won a majority government in this election, and McFadden served as an opposition member. He was one of only six Conservatives returned in the 1896 election, defeating candidates of the Liberals and the Patrons of Industry.

McFadden was returned again for Emerson by an increased majority in the 1899 election. At the provincial level, the Conservatives won a majority government under the leadership of Hugh John Macdonald. The Conservative Party assumed office on January 10, 1900, and McFadden was appointed as Minister of Public Works and Provincial Secretary. When Rodmond P. Roblin replaced Macdonald as premier on December 20, 1900, he reassigned McFadden as Municipal Commissioner and Provincial Secretary.