Biographical Dictionary of Well-Known British Columbians (1890)

Haslam, Andrew, M.P.P. (Nanaimo), was born at Woodhill, in the north of Ireland, on the 23rd of June, 1846. His father, John Haslam, was attached to the excise department at that place. Mr. Haslam was educated at his native place, and in 1861 emigrated from Ireland with his parents and settled in Albert county, New Brunswick. In 1870, Mr. Haslam left home and went to Winnipeg, where he was engaged with McArthur & Co. in the lumber business. A year later he went to Texas where he remained for two years, being engaged during that time in erecting bridges and in saw-milling. In 1876 he came to British Columbia, and seeing the immense wealth of timber in the Province, he engaged in the lumber business. He was one of the proprietors of the Royal City Planing Mills Co., and was a director and large owner in the company till 1885, when he established the Nanaimo Saw Mill Co., which business he now conducts. Mr. Haslam is one of the men who by their enterprise and energy are doing so much to develope the resources of the country. While living in New Westminster he was thrice elected to the City Council, and in 1889 was just elected to parliament to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Hon. Robt. Dunsmuir. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and a Presbyterian.
[Dictionary, p. 179.]


Biographical Dictionary of Well-Known British Columbians. With a Historical Sketch. By J.B. Kerr (Vancouver, B.C.: Kerr & Begg, 1890).