John Henry McTavish

JOHN HENRY MCTAVISH (1837-88)

Member of the Manitoba Legislative Assembly, 1870, Founding Member of the Winnipeg Board of Trade, 1873, Member of the Northwest Territorial Executive Council, 1874, Land Commissioner for the Canadian Pacific Railway, 1881-88

Birth and Early Years

John Henry McTavish was born at Grafton in Ontario, Canada, on 11 June 1837, the son of Donald McTavish Provisional Government of Assiniboia He was educated at the Jesuits' College and at the High School in Montreal, Ontarion, Canada The Manitoba Historical Society: Memorable Manitobans

Service with Hudson's Bay Company, 1856-80

John Henry McTavish was employed as an apprentice Clerk at Fort Garry, 1856-61, as an Accountant at Fort Garry, 1861-70. He was the Clerk in charge at Fort Garry, 1870-72, Factor at Fort Garry, 1872-74, and Chief Factor there, 1874-80 Hudson's Bay Company Archives: Biographical Sheets

Political Career

John Henry McTavish was elected as a conservative representing Ste. Anne to the first legislature of Manitoba. In 1874 he was chosen a member of the North-West Territorial executive council but left the political field to become land commissioner of the Canadian Pacific Railway. He was a close friend and associate of Lord Strathcona. He was one of the founders of the Winnipeg Board of Trade, in 1873 The Manitoba Historical Society: Memorable Manitobans

Winnipeg 1881

At the time of the Canadian Census of 1881 John GeorgeMcTavish and his family were living at Winnipeg in Manitoba, Canada 1881 Census of Canada

Death and Burial

John Henry McTavish died at Winnipeg on 5 March 1888 and was buried in the cemetery of St. Boniface Cathedral there The Manitoba Historical Society: Memorable Manitobans

Marriage and Children

John Henry McTavish married Maria Rowand Red River Ancestry

Children

(1) Margaret McTavish
(2) George McTavish.