M Th (May 24, I85I - )

Elder (I887 - left in Union of I925)

Trustee (I897 - I9I5 at various times)

S. S. Superintendent (I897 to I922 at various times)

Born in Halifax to Thomas and Sarah(DowIer). Following early education, at nineteen he was employed as junior clerk of the Nova Scotia Railway. He moved to Moncton when the railway was merged with the Inter-Colonial Railway. In I892 he was transferred to Charlottetown as accountant and auditor ofthe Prince Edward Island Railway.

On November 27, I875, he married Sarah L. Weldon and they had five children. She died March 3|, I889, and he married June 6, I900 Martha Campbell Sutherland of Sea View, P.E.I.

Mr. Huggan took an interest in such movements as tended to uplift his fellow man, and was a advocate of temperance, having been a total abstainer from childhood.

IRD H D ID (Mar I2, I833 -Jan I2, I914)

Elder( I870 - I903)

He was born in New Glasgow, P. E. I. After early education in West River, he attended the Presbyterian Theological Seminary in Truro, N. S. with a view of entering the ministry. Upon graduation he turned aside from theology to enter the field of Journalism. In I859 he returned to Charlottetown and founded THE PATRIOT of which he was editor for almost 40 years. The Y.M.C.A. established in Charlottetown in I856 had David Laird and one of its early presidents. (John T. MacKenzie, Elder and Trustee of Zion was another President).

Soon afterwards he entered public office as city councillor. He entered provincial politics and was Liberal leader. He and ”on. Robert P. Haythome were appointed delegates to proceed to Ottawa in February I873, to discuss the difficulties the Island was experiencing in connection with the Railway. He resigned as Liberal leader to run in the first federal seats alter Prince Edward Island joined confederation on July I, I873. lie was elected, on Sep l7, to the House of Commons from Queens County.

He was made Minister of the Interior on Oct 23, I873, and quickly gained the attention of Sir. John A. McDonald. In I876 he was appomted the first Governor of the new North West Territories, which included Saskatchewan, Alberta and the north. As the only schools in the Territories were for indians and half-breeds, a Presbyterian minister acted as tutor for their children.

When his term was up in I88I, he returned to P. E. I. He was unsuccessful in two successive attempts to return to politics, partly due to the fact he was away from the Island for eight years and Islanders knew little of him. In I898 Laird was appointed Indian Commussroner for Manitoba and the North West Territories. He made numerous treaties during his term in the West.

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