Charles R. Wasson

Charles Robert Wasson was born on December 26, 1885, in Saint John, New Brunswick, to parents John Hollie Wasson and Annie B. Smith.^[1] During his childhood, Wasson sold newspapers for various provincial papers.^[2] He received education in Saint John, and began working as a pharmaceutical businessman based out of a King Street store. He passed pharmaceutical exams at the age of 17, and was running the store by the age of 21.^[3] In 1927, he was elected president of the New Brunswick branch of the Retail Merchants' Association.^[4]

Wasson entered politics by running for mayor of Saint John for the October 21, 1940 civic election.^[5] Wasson, representing the Civic Improvement League along with his councilor candidates, swept the civic polls and were elected.^[6] He was sworn in as mayor on November 4, 1940.^[7] He made a bid for re-election in 1942,^[8] and returned to office as the only mayoral candidate.^[9] In 1944, he was elected president of the New Brunswick Union of Municipalities.^[10] Wasson sought candidacy in the 1944 civic election, this time as a member of the Saint John Common Council with James D. McKenna as the mayoral candidate.^[11] Wasson and every other candidates were elected by acclamation, with Wasson himself being succeeded by McKenna.^[12]

Wasson died at the Saint John General Hospital following an illness, at the age of 81. He was interred at Fernhill Cemetery.^[3]