Hon. James Duncan Hyndman
is judge of the supreme court of Alberta and a resident of Edmonton. Mr.
Justice Hyndrnan is a native of Prince Edward Island, his birth having
occurred at Charlottetown, July 29, 1874, his parents being Charles
Augustus and Catherine (Macdonald) Hyndman. His education was acquired
in Prince of Wales College, Charlottetown, and in early manhood he
turned his attention to the study of law, reading under the direction of
A. A. McLean, K. C. and M. P. of Queens. He was called to the bar in
1899 and soon afterward made his way westward to Winnipeg and to Portage
la Prairie, There he entered into partnership with his uncle, now the
Hon. Mr. Justice Macdonald, judge of the king's bench at Winnipeg. This
association was maintained from 1899 until 1903 and in the latter year
Mr. Justice Hyndrnan came to Edmonton, where he has since made his home
and through the intervening period has given his attention to
professional interests and duties. The fairness of his rulings, based
upon a comprehensive knowledge of the principles of jurisprudence and
his wise interpretation of the law, has gained him distinction as a
representative of the legal profession in Alberta and has eventually
brought him to high judicial preferment.
Five years after taking
up his abode in Edmonton, Mr. Justice Hyndman was the unsuccessful
candidate of the Conservative party for the house of commons from the
Edmonton district. This was in 1908 and in 1913 he was an unsuccessful
candidate for the Alberta legislature for Sturgeon. In 1910 he was
chosen alderman of Edmonton, filling the position for two years, and in
1910 he was also made a member of the hospital board. The year 1914
brought him appointment to the position of justice of the Alberta
supreme court and through the intervening period he has served on the
bench.
In 1902 Mr. Justice
Hyndman married Miss Ethel Davies, a daughter of Sir Louis Davies,
minister of marine and fisheries in the first Laurier government and now
chief justice of the supreme court of Canada. The children of this
marriage are four sons and one daughter. The family residence is on
Seventh street, Edmonton. Mr. Justice Hyndman is a member of the
Anglican Church and fraternally is connected with the Masons. He also
belongs to the Edmonton and Ranchmen's Clubs and his personal qualities
make for popularity wherever he is known. |