Home > James Albert Manning Aikins

Aikins was born in Grahamsville , Peel County, Canada West (now Ontario). His father James Cox Aikins was a prominent Canadian politician, serving as a cabinet minister from 1869 to 1873 and 1878 to 1882Events February 2 The Knights of Columbus are formed in New Haven, Connecticut February 7 In Mississippi City the last heavyweight boxing championship bareknuckle fight takes place. March 2 Robert Maclean fails to assassinate Queen Victoria at Windsor Mar, and also serving as Manitoba's Lieutenant-Governor between 1882Events February 2 The Knights of Columbus are formed in New Haven, Connecticut February 7 In Mississippi City the last heavyweight boxing championship bareknuckle fight takes place. March 2 Robert Maclean fails to assassinate Queen Victoria at Windsor Mar and 18881888 is a leap year starting on Sunday (click on link for calendar). In Germany, 1888 is known as the 1888 Year of Three Emperors. Events January 3 91cm telescope first used at Lick Observatory January 12 ? Blizzards in Dakota and Montana, Minnesota, Nebr.

The younger Aikins was educated at the University of TorontoMotto Velut arbor aevo ("As a tree with the passage of time") Established 1827 School type Public President Frank Iacobucci (interim) Location Toronto, Ontario, Canada Enrollment 63,109 (48,863 at St. George Campus, 6,834 at UTSC, 7,412 at UTM) Faculty 2,, receiving his B.A. in 1875Events January 12 Kwang-su becomes emperor of China. February 27 Newton Booth, 11th Governor of California resigns, having been elected Senator. Lieutenant Governor of California Romualdo Pacheco becomes acting Governor. He is later replaced by elected go. He subsequently moved to Winnipeg with his father, and remained in the western city after the elder Aikins returned to Ontario.

From 1879Events January January 11 Anglo-Zulu War begins January 22 Zulu troops massacre British troops at the Battle of Isandlwana. At Rorke's Drift, outnumbered British soldiers drive the attackers away after hours of fighting. February February 12 At New York C to 1896Events January 4 Utah is admitted as the 45th U. January 5 An Austrian newspaper reports that Wilhelm Rontgen discovered a type of radiation later known as X-rays. January 12 H. Smith takes the first X-ray photograph. January 18 The X-ray machine is exhib, Aikins was a counsel for the Department of Justice. In 1880Events January 1 Construction of the Panama Canal begins February 2 The first electric streetlight is installed in Wabash, Indiana February 13 Thomas Edison becomes the second person to observe the Edison Effect. February 17 Bomb explodes in Winter Palace, he was part of a committee which investigated the administration of justice in the Northwest Territories. Aikins was appointed counsel to the Manitoba government in 1900, and was responsible for drafting the Temperance Act passed by the government of Hugh John Macdonald. He also served as President of the Law Society of Manitoba , and was a solicitor for the Canadian Pacific Railway from 1881 to 1911.

In 1911, Aikins was elected as a Conservative to the Canadian House of Commons, for the riding of Brandon.

The provincial Conservative government of Rodmond P. Roblin was forced to resign amid scandal in May 1915, and Aikins resigned his federal seat to become the provincial party's leader in the election which followed. His task was probably impossible. The new Liberal government of Tobias C. Norris was extremely popular, and succeeded in portraying Aikins as the tool of more sinister figures in the Conservative Party. The Liberals won 40 seats in the election, compared to five for the Tories. Aikins himself was resoundingly defeated in Brandon City .

The following year, Aikins was appointed Lt. Governor of Manitoba. He served in this position (which was largely ceremonial) from August 5, 1916 to October 25, 1926. In 1922, he gave the Norris government permission to continue in office for a few weeks after being defeated in the house, such that important legislation could be passed before the next election.

Aikins died on March 1, 1929.