Memorable Manitobans: John Donald “Jack” Houston (1856-1921)

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John Donald “Jack” Houston
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Editor, labour leader.

Born at Lanark, Ontario in 1856, he came to Winnipeg in 1905, having previously worked as a miner and in railway construction. He was a Socialist candidate in the 1908 federal general election but came in a distant third place. During the First World War, he made munitions at Montreal. In August 1919, he was the founding editor of the OBU Bulletin (One Big Union Bulletin), which he remained until forced to step down in poor health. He was succeeded by Frank Woodward. He died at St. Boniface on 11 March 1921 and was buried in the Elmwood Cemetery.

See also:

MHS Resources: Jack Houston’s Editorials in the OBU Bulletin, 1919-1921

Jack Houston’s Editorials in the OBU Bulletin, 1919-1921 by Peter Campbell with editorials compiled by C. Stuart Houston
Manitoba History, Number 72, Spring-Summer 2013

Sources:

“Socialists name candidate,” Winnipeg Tribune, 2 April 1908, page 5.

“Former labor editor dies of pneumonia,” newspaper clipping. [Manitoba Legislative Library, Biographical Scrapbook B7]

Death registration, Manitoba Vital Statistics.

We thank C. Stuart Houston for providing additional information used here.

This page was prepared by Gordon Goldsborough.

Page revised: 9 February 2023

Memorable Manitobans

Memorable Manitobans

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