Here’s an interesting fact about myself and a little back story about a pivotal playing in Lloydminster.
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Spring is on the way in the Ontario winter of 2015 and a young gas station attendant has a decision to make heading into college.
Law school or journalism school. I think, for most it would be the former but that young gas station attendant, me, chose journalism school.
I often wonder what would have happened if I chose the other branching path. The one thing I do know is I’d likely be a very different person than I am now.
The reason for my preamble is because of today’s subject, Vernon Ulysses Miner. Often remembered as a long time municipal politician in Lloyd, he was also a lawyer. This fact got me thinking about my interesting fork in the road.
Miner was born in Renfrew, Ont., on May 18, 1892. I didn’t find much for background on his early life, but I do know he came to Saskatoon with his family in 1912. He entered law school at the University of Saskatchewan in 1916. Notably, he graduated with John G. Diefenbaker.
Lloydminster came calling to Miner, and in 1922, he arrived on a “certain” case. I’m not sure what the case was, as no details were given. J.T. Hill persuaded Miner to look into leaving Saskatoon and establishing his practice in the Border City.
As I’m writing this, it also occurred to me, I’m not sure which side of the border he came to. In 1922, Lloydminster would’ve still been a town and village, not yet amalgamated.
Ultimately, the persuasion seemed to work. He established his practice on Nov. 25, 1922. He quickly became active in the board of trade locally, as well as municipal politics. The fire of 1930 destroyed plenty of records in Lloydminster, leaving us with no definitive knowledge of what he did prior to the fire. What we do know is, he worked alongside some other prominent names to see the towns of Lloyd unite.
He worked alongside Harold Huxely, Eddie Howell, Gordon Cooke and Dr. G.L. Cooke to unify Lloydminster. Miner also served as a member of the amalgamated council.
It was in this era that we have records of his service. He served as a member of council from 1930-31, 1932, 1933-35 and 1940-41. He served as mayor from 1936-39 and 1951-62. Miner took over in 1932 as member of council following Harold Huxley’s untimely death.
Miner was plenty busy while he served in council chambers. As mayor in his first term, he worked on the storm sewer as a relief project and the initial water works plan and system.
In his second mayoral stint, he worked on files like the paving of streets, sidewalk program, the modernization of the city, the pipeline from Sandy Beach, the celebration of the golden jubilee and the eventual attainment of city status in 1958.
It seemed like he couldn’t keep himself busy enough, as he remained involved in the board of trade. He was also an active Rotarian, even becoming district governor in 1955. In 1935, he was appointed to Kings’ council.
There was even talk of him being the next lieutenant-governor of Saskatchewan.
Miner died on May 25, 1963, of a brain tumor and was buried in Saskatoon. His partner, Benjamin Gulak, continued his law practice.
In my research, I discovered that Miner married Edna Violet Caswell in 1922. I couldn’t find any record of him having children, and Caswell died in 1949. I also found First World War documents listing Miner as medically discharged due to myocarditis, described at the time as “heart disease.” The documents state the condition was caused by pneumonia.
Miner lived a long life, which he filled to the brim with work. He dedicated himself to the Border City and was instrumental in its development and long-term success.
I often wonder how my life would have looked had I chosen to pursue law; I doubt I’d have a story as exciting as his. I wanted to be a trial lawyer and often enjoyed arguing my case, as I still do today, just much less professionally.
I believe we both chose the right paths in life. This story, and many others, would never have been told had I pursued a different career.
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