Robert (Bob) Pelham Hassard was born at Portage la Prairie, Manitoba in 1888 and educated at Dauphin. He came to Biggar in 1909 and ran the Deering farm machinery agency. In 1913, he sold McCormick drills, harrows, drags and packers, Kentucky press drills, Old Dominion wagons, fanning mills, plows, sulkies, and Red River Special separators. Also, he sold McLaughlin carriages and vehicles. In 1922-24, he was joined in the business by his uncle, Chauncey Playford.

In 1928, he sold, Chrysler, Durant and Studebaker cars and Rugby trucks as well as International farm machinery. That year the Chrysler with rumble seat was priced at $1,350.00. The 1932 Ford sold for $515.00.

He farmed in the Allanbank district for a few years, then started Hassard’s Garage on First Avenue West. He bought a large mixed farm in the Alert district.

Bob married Mary Stewart in 1920 and had two children, Jack and Evelyn. He was very involved in the community in social welfare, fraternal organizations and sports. He served on the Town Council, then as Mayor from 1930 to 1933. He was elected for two terms as a Liberal MLA for Biggar in the provincial legislature from 1925 to 1929 and 1934 to 1938, working to improve the farm economy. He lost the 1940 election to M.J. Coldwell of the C.C.F.

He and his wife bought the Biggar Hotel and in 1943 sold it to Mr. George H. Herity. He then bought one in Eastend. They retired in Calgary where he died in 1953.

Contributed by Alice Ellis
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