For the first 80 years of Vancouver’s existence 1886 – 1966, an election was held at the end of the year for the following calendar year.
The first election for a two year term was held December 14, 1966 when Mayor Tom Campbell was elected.
The first election for a three year term was held November 17, 1990 when Mayor Gordon Campbell was elected.
The first election for a four year term was held November 15 2014 – the same day as other municipalities and regional districts in British Columbia selected their new municipal governments. Mayor Gregor Robertson was elected
This biography of Vancouver Alderman W. J. Brewer was originally published in the Vancouver Daily World newspaper of December 31, 1888, and transcribed by volunteer Lesley H. in May of 2018. the colleague of Robt. Clark, in Ward 3, comes into the council for the first time. He came to the Province, from Australia, about 18 years ago, and farmed for a considerable length of time at Mud Bay. He was born in the year 1842 at Falmouth, England. And was brought up and educated there, leaving for the Australian Colonies in 1865. Thinking that he would better himself here, he left Australia and came to British Columbia in 1870. In the year 1882 he, in conjunction with Donald Chisholm, M.P., made the purchase of 36 acres of land just west of the British Columbia Smelting Company's site, which land has now become immensely valuable. In the year 1885, Mr. Brewer stopped farming, and seeing that the town site of Granville was likely to be transmogrified into the glorious City of Vancouver, came to reside here permanently, and went into contracting with Mr. Fraser. Both are practical carpenters and many buildings in the city show the evidences of their handiwork. Last spring Mr. Brewer erected the fine double residence to be found on Pender Street owned by T. C. Sorby, architect. Of Victoria. Latterly, he acted in the capacity of foreman and overseer in the Lady Stephens and A.G. Ferguson Blocks, on Hastings Street. Mr. Brewer is about 46 years of age and a bachelor. His career in Vancouver, as a private citizen. Has shown him to be an honest, straightforward and outspoken gentleman, one who could be relied upon for keeping his promises and with a level head on his shoulders. The electors of Ward 3 may feel sure that their interests will be well looked after by Mr. Brewer.the colleague of Robt. Clark, in Ward 3, comes into the council for the first time. He came to the Province, from Australia, about 18 years ago, and farmed for a considerable length of time at Mud Bay. He was born in the year 1842 at Falmouth, England. And was brought up and educated there, leaving for the Australian Colonies in 1865. Thinking that he would better himself here, he left Australia and came to British Columbia in 1870. In the year 1882 he, in conjunction with Donald Chisholm, M.P., made the purchase of 36 acres of land just west of the British Columbia Smelting Company's site, which land has now become immensely valuable. In the year 1885, Mr. Brewer stopped farming, and seeing that the town site of Granville was likely to be transmogrified into the glorious City of Vancouver, came to reside here permanently, and went into contracting with Mr. Fraser. Both are practical carpenters and many buildings in the city show the evidences of their handiwork. Last spring Mr. Brewer erected the fine double residence to be found on Pender Street owned by T. C. Sorby, architect.
At the end of December, 1888 the "Vancouver Daily World" newspaper published biographies of Mayor-Elect David Oppenheimer and the Aldermen who would form the Council for 1889. [table id=01 /]
This biography of Vancouver Alderman Gilbert S. McConnell was originally published in the Vancouver Daily World newspaper of December 31, 1888, and transcribed by Transcribimus volunteer Leesa Poffenroth in May of 2018. GILBERT S. M’CONNELL, who has been re-elected for Ward No. 4, is the second son of Andrew McConnell of Lachute Mills, P. Que. He was born in 1856. At the age of 18 he entered the employ of Messrs. Greene & Sons, the well known merchants, with whom he remained for five years. He then served a term in the Northwest Mounted Police, and underwent all the adventures of a frontiersman’s life. After his term of service expired he was appointed Indian Agent, in charge of the Touchwood Hill District, and succeeded in settling down to agricultural pursuits over 1,500 of the Plain Indians, principally of the Cree and Salteux tribes. When the rebellion broke out he was appointed 3rd transport officer on General Middleton’s staff, serving from the first day of the trouble to the last. He came to Vancouver in the autumn of 1886, and he erected over 30 houses of all classes. He was elected to the Council first in June of last year by a large majority. He was elected Chairman of the Police Committee, a position which he filled acceptably to his colleagues at the Council Board and the city generally.
This biography of Vancouver Alderman Sam Brighouse was originally published in the Vancouver Daily World newspaper of December 31, 1888, and transcribed by volunteer Judy Lam Maxwell, owner of Historical Chinatown Tours, in May of 2018. SAMUEL BRIGHOUSE was born in Yorkshire, England and re- mained there assisting his father as a farmer and overseer of the parish until being per- suaded that the chances of success were greater in the New World than at home, he resolved to go there, and sailed in the Great Eastern from Milford Haven in May, '62 On arrival at New York he started out directly for Cariboo, but the miner's life not suiting him he left there in the fall of the same year, located his Vancouver property and commenced farming and stoc raising in New Westminster. After five years he extended his operations to Lulu Island, on the North Arm of the Fraser River, and now holds a farm there which compares favorably with the others in that vicinity. He sat in the Richmond Council for part of a season, having been elected to that position by the Councillors. With the new year he commences his sec- ond season as one of the Aldermen for Ward 1 of the city. Samuel Brighouse is one of the pioneers of the Province, and has done much to forward the progress of Vancouver since its incorporation. He, in conjunction with Mr. Hailstone, is one of the largest individual property owners in the city, and has done efficient work not only as a member of the Board of Works, but also in connection with other committees. He has stood out strongly in all matters re- quiring reform and is known to be an hon- est conscientious worker both in the inter- ests of his ward and the city generally. His past record in the Council places him on a very firm footing with all his colleagues in the new Council. There can be no doubt that those who re-elected him will have no reason to regret the step they have taken.
This biography of Vancouver Alderman Robert Clark was originally published in the Vancouver Daily World newspaper of December 31, 1888, and transcribed by volunteer Leesa Poffenroth in May of 2018. ROBERT CLARK is a Scotchman. He was born in the bright and prosperous County of Lanarkshire, and is proud of the fact, too. He left auld Scotia, for Canada, in 1871, and remained four years in Manitoba. Thence, in 1875, he came to this Province, which has since been his home. For some time he was engaged in business in Nanaimo and also for six years in Yale. The whole large block, at the corner of Carrall and Oppenheimer Streets, in which the clothing establishment of Gilmore & Clark is located, belongs to them jointly and is a fine property. [caption id="attachment_2835" align="alignnone" width="540"] Robert Clark Clothiers. Courtesy City of Vancouver Archives[/caption] The firm is an old and reputed one. Just before the great fire, in 1886, which occurred in Vancouver and swept it for the time being into oblivion, the firm opened a branch business here, of which Mr. Clark had charge. They were “burnt out,” as everybody else was. Still they rose, Phoenix-like, from the flames mightier and stronger than ever. Robert Clark has represented Ward 3 during the years 1887 and 1888, and has now been re-elected for the year 1889, which fact is a sufficient guarantee that his worth is appreciated by the electors of that ward. He is also President of the St. Andrew’s and Caledonian Society; is an able speaker and keen debater; a good all-round business man, and owns property all over the city.
This biography of Vancouver Alderman Isaac Oppenheimer was originally published in the Vancouver Daily World newspaper of December 31, 1888, and transcribed by volunteer Chris Mizzoni in May of 2018. Chris also transcribed the original 1886 nomination, signed by Isaac Oppenheimer, below. ISAAC OPPENHEIMER Has represented Ward 5 ever since the city was incorporated, and has been elected at the head of the poll on each occasison. He was born in the city of Bleskaskel, Bavaria, in the year 1835. He remained there until 1848, in which year he left for the United States, residing in the city of New Orleans, La, until the year 1852. Leaving New Orleans he left for California, remaining there one year, after which he took up his residence, for a period of six years, in the State of Oregon, and also California, eventually leaving for British Columbia in beginning of the year 1859, and has resided in this Province ever since. In the December of 1871 he made a tour of the east and remained absent for about 7 months, after a prolonged stay of 11 years in the vicinity of Lytton, Cariboo, and Big Bend country. During his stay in the mountains he always identified himself with the miners as one of their number and used his utmost endeavors to forward their interests and any rising industries and new developments. He was at that time in partnership with his brother, and the name of Oppenheimer Bros. was known at all points in the Province. Ald. Isaac Oppenheimer may be said, in conjunction with David Oppenheimer, to have established the business of the firm in Lytton, Cariboo, Yale, Dog Creek, Barkerville, Richfield and also Victoria. During his stay in the Cariboo district he was recognized as a friend to the miners, and took a lead in carrying out all work, such as drainage of the mines. Ald. Oppenheimer has been familiar with this townsite both before and since the city was incorporated, has large interests in the Vancouver Improvement Co’s property, also in every ward excepting ward 2, and cannot fail to be recognized as an active workman not only in measures undertaken by the Councils of 1887, 1888 but may be expected to exhibit his energy, and careful and good judgement in all matters which may come up for consideration at the meeting of the new Council. City Clerk’s Office Vancouver, B.C. 1886 I Robert Couth a resident voter of Fifth Ward hereby propose nominate Mr. Isaac Oppenheimer as a fit and proper person to represent Ward No. 5 in the Municipal Council of the City of Vancouver for the year 1887. I (Manley Sparks) hereby second the Nomination of Mr. Isaac Oppenheimer as representative of Ward No.5 for the Municipal Council of The City of Vancouver for the year 1887. I Isaac Oppenheimer hereby agree to accept the Nomination as Alderman for the Fifth Ward of the City of Vancouver for the year 1887. Isaac Oppenheimer
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This biography of Vancouver Alderman W. F. Salsbury was originally published in the Vancouver Daily World of December 31, 1888, and transcribed by volunteer Lesley H. in May of 2018. As a representative for Ward I, came out at the recent election in that ward at the head of the poll, which fact of itself speaks clearly of the very high opinion the electors have of him and the great hopes with which they look forward to his actions and good judgment in the Council. Mr. Salsbury was born at the pretty suburb of Kew, in the County of Surrey, England, within a few minutes ride by train of the “little village,” the metropolis of the world, in the year 1847. In his whole career he has shown a remarkable adaptability for figures, which faculty evinced itself at the early age of 4, his memory in that respect being perfectly wonderful, a qualification which we think should certainly cause his being appointed Chairman of the Finance Committee of the new Council. He entered railway life at the early age of 12, and was for some time in the service of the London, Brighton and South Coast Railroad. In the year 1870 he emigrated to Canada and entered the Treasurer's Department of the Grand Trunk Railway under Mr. Hickson. Later, in 1881, he passed into the service of the Canadian Pacific Railway Company. He landed in this Province in July, 1886, on the first through overland train. Mr. Salsbury has worked hard all his life, and his training is sure to be of the greatest service to him in dealing with any intricate points which may require his attention in the new Council. He has invested considerably in the city, and may be considered one of Vancouver's solid, broad-minded, go-ahead citizens.