John Howatt Bell

John Howatt Bell
14th Premier of Prince Edward Island
In office
September 9, 1919 – September 5, 1923
Monarch George V
Lieutenant Governor Murdoch McKinnon
Preceded by Aubin-Edmond Arsenault
Succeeded by James D. Stewart
Leader of the Prince Edward Island Liberal Party
In office
1915–1923
Preceded by John Richards
Succeeded by Albert Charles Saunders
Personal details
Born December 13, 1846
Cape Traverse, Prince Edward Island
Died January 29, 1929 (aged 82)
Los Angeles, California
Nationality Canadian
Political party Prince Edward Island Liberal Party
Other political
affiliations		 Liberal
Spouse(s) Helen Howatt (m. 1882)
Residence Summerside, Prince Edward Island
Alma mater Prince of Wales College
Albert College
Occupation teacher and lawyer
Profession Politician
Religion Methodist

John Howatt Bell (December 13, 1846 – January 29, 1929) was a lawyer and politician who served as the 14th Premier of Prince Edward Island.

Bell was born in Cape Traverse, the son of Walter Bell and Elizabeth Howatt. He was educated at Prince of Wales College and at Albert College in Belleville. After studying law, he was called to the Ontario bar in 1874 and set up practice in Ottawa. He moved to Manitoba, was called to the bar there and set up practice in Emerson. In 1882, he married his first cousin, Helen, the daughter of Cornelius Howatt. He returned to Prince Edward Island, was called to the bar, and set up practice in Summerside.

Bell entered politics in 1886 when he was elected to the province's legislative assembly as a Liberal. In 1898 he won a seat in the Canadian House of Commons as a supporter of the federal Liberals under Sir Wilfrid Laurier. He lost his seat in 1900 but returned to the provincial assembly in 1915 when he was chosen to lead the Liberal Party and became leader of the opposition. After Bell led the Liberals to power in 1919, he became Premier. His government extended the province's road system and adopted a highway improvement policy funded by a tax that contributed to the government's unpopularity. His administration also extended the voting franchise to women in 1922.

Bell's government was ridden with disputes within his cabinet, which harmed the party's unity and popularity and led to his government's electoral defeat in 1923 after a single term in office. Bell retired from politics and died six years later in a car accident in Los Angeles, California.

External links

Parliament of Canada
Preceded by
John Yeo		 Member of Parliament from East Prince
1898–1900 		Succeeded by
Alfred Alexander Lefurgey