John J. Garland

John James Garland (September 15, 1873 of Irish descent, and Isabelle Foster, and was educated in Ottawa, Ontario. He moved to Portage le Prairie in Manitoba in 1892, where he worked as a clerk and then manager in a retail business operated by his uncle, William Garland. He later became a partner and then took over ownership of the business after his uncle's death. Garland served as mayor of Portage la Prairie for two years, and was a city alderman for a further eight. He also was president of the local Board of Trade. In 1898, Garland married Kathleen Fox. In religion, he was a member of the Church of England. The Conservatives won a majority government, and Garland served as a backbench supporter of Rodmond Roblin's administration.

In 1915, the Roblin administration was forced to resign from office amid a serious corruption scandal. A new election was called, in which the Liberals won a landslide majority. Garland lost to Mcpherson by 163 votes.