Memorable Manitobans: William Grundy (1850-1925)

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William Grundy
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Music dealer.

Born in Ontario on 10 February 1850, son of John and Mary Grundy, his first work was as a blacksmith, like his father. The Grundys were a musical family. His brother James Anson Grundy and his son John Russell Grundy were piano tuners. His daughter Stella (Mrs. J. Freeman) was a popular contralto soloist. His son Fred was a leading choir master whose wife, Dolly Coultry Grundy, was a member of a family of well-known singers. Grundy opened a music business in Winnipeg, in partnership with his brothers J. F. Grundy and J. A. Grundy, the Grundy Music Company, which according to one advertisement specialized in “musical instruments of all description.”

Married to Amelia Charlotte Lintott (?-?), he had six children: Charles Frederick Grundy (b Ontario, 1874), John Rousse Grundy (b Ontario, 1877), Stella Gertrude Grundy (b Ontario, 1878), Gordon M. Grundy (b Manitoba, 1886), Amelia M. Grundy (b Manitoba, 1890), and Adelia Mable Grundy (b Manitoba, 1890).

He served as a Winnipeg City Alderman for Ward 5 from 1887 to 1889.

His success in business prompted him to expand his interests. In addition to buildings on Main Street, he built the Ideal Block at 333 Portage Avenue at the corner of Portage Avenue and Hargrave Street. The seven-storey department store was designed to house a new family business, the Ideal Home Furnishing Company. Opened in early 1905, the company was under-capitalized. By December of its first year in business, director Archibald Wright and the other directors decided to buy the Grundys’ interest.

Soon after, Grundy disposed of his assets in Winnipeg and moved his family to Long Beach, California where he died on 7 September 1925.

Sources:

We thank Marilyn Boyle for providing information used here.

This page was prepared by Gordon Goldsborough.

Page revised: 26 December 2020

Memorable Manitobans

Memorable Manitobans

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