William Kidston (Canadian politician) explained

William Kidston (February 11, 1816^[1]  - 1882^[2]) was a merchant and political figure in Nova Scotia, Canada. He represented Victoria County in the Nova Scotia House of Assembly from 1867 to 1871 as a Liberal member.

He was born in Halifax, the son of William Kidston, a Glasgow merchant, and Elizabeth Dawson, and was educated in Glasgow. His sister Eliza (1823–60) married the Rev James Law, and was the mother of the British prime minister Bonar Law.^{[3] [4]} In 1836, he married Margaret Ann,^[1] the widow of Lieutenant James Duffus. Kidston was a major in the local militia, treasurer for Victoria County and custos rotulorum for the county. He also served as justice of the peace.^[1] Kidston lived in Baddeck. He ran unsuccessfully for reelection to the provincial assembly in 1874.^[5]

Notes and References

1. Book: The Legislative Assembly of Nova Scotia, 1758-1983: A biographical directory . Elliott, Shirley B . Public Archives of Nova Scotia . Province of Nova Scotia . 1984 . 0-88871-050-X . registration .
2. https://books.google.com/books?id=UaZe6PpXOqkC&pg=PA70 Patterson, GG & MacDonald, WJ Patterson's History of Victoria County, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia (1978)
3. 10.1093/ref:odnb/34426 . Law, Andrew Bonar . E. H. H. . Green.
4. http://www.helensburgh-heritage.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=641:the-kidston-family&catid=39:people-&Itemid=399 Helensburgh Trust: The Kidston Family
5. Book: The Canadian Parliamentary Companion . 247 . 1871 . Gazette Steam Printing House . Morgan . Henry J. . Henry James Morgan . Sixth . Montreal.