Edmund Leavens Chandler

Who was Edmund Leavens Chandler?

Edmund Leavens Chandler was a merchant and political figure in Quebec. He represented Brome in the Canadian House of Commons from 1879 to 1880 as a Liberal member.

He was born in Frelighsburg, Missisquoi County, Lower Canada, the son of Horace Mitchell and Lydia Leavens. After completing his education, Chandler taught school for several years and then worked as secretary for realty dealers in Lowell, Massachusetts for about five years. In 1855, he settled at Brome Corner in Canada East and entered business there as a general merchant with Henry Rogers. Chander also served as secretary-treasurer for the Brome County council and chairman of Brome township's board of school commissioners. In 1860, he married Amanda Jane Darling. Chandler was mayor of Brome township and warden of Brome County from 1868 to 1872. He helped promote the development of the South-Eastern Railway, later bought by the Canadian Pacific Railway, and served as its secretary-treasurer. Chandler died in office at Brome Corner at the age of 50.