Memorable Manitobans: Alexander Jamieson (1868-1959)

Alexander Jamieson Click to enlarge

Building contractor.

Born at Ayrshire, Scotland in January 1868, he moved with his family to South Africa in 1901 and worked in the building trade for several years before coming to Canada in 1905, then to Winnipeg in 1908. He continued working in construction, with Geoffrey Hitzler Walton and on his own account, being responsible for residences, theatres, and apartment blocks around the city.

On 31 December 1890, he married Elizabeth ? (1870-1952) and they subsequently had three children: Elizabeth Sanderon “Cissy” Jamieson (1892-1983, wife of Walter Hamilton Fogg), Alexander “Alex” Jamieson (1895-?), and John Jamieson (1900-1975). He lived at 450 Agnes Street (circa 1912) and 2156 Gallagher Avenue (circa 1956).

He was one of the founders and a President of the Winnipeg Burns Club, and he served as a trustee on the Burns Monument Fund for many years. He was an organizer of the Ayrshire Association, a President of the Brittania Soccer Club, and a member of the Thistle Curling Club and Masons (Prince Rupert Lodge).

He died at Winnipeg on 9 November 1959 and was buried in the Elmwood Cemetery.

Some of his construction works in Manitoba included:

Building	Location	Year	Status
Strathmore Apartments	326 Broadway, Winnipeg	1908
Mansfield Court	626 Ellice Avenue, Winnipeg	1908-1909
Rookery Block	281-285 Smith Street, Winnipeg	1909	Demolished (2020)
Rozel Apartments	105 Clarke Street, Winnipeg	1912
New Westminster Apartments	705 Westminster Avenue, Winnipeg	1912

See also:

Historic Sites of Manitoba: Robert Burns Statue (Kennedy Street, Winnipeg)

Sources:

1911 Canada census, Automated Genealogy.

Marriage registration [Lizzie Sanderson Jamieson], Manitoba Vital Statistics.

“Their majesties congratulate couple,” Winnipeg Tribune, 9 January 1950, page 9.

“Retired builder marks 80th year,” Winnipeg Tribune, 12 November 1956, page 2.

“Active worker in Scottish groups dies,” Winnipeg Free Press, 10 November 1959, page 4.

Obituary, Winnipeg Tribune, 11 November 1959, page 38.

Obituary [John Jamieson], Winnipeg Free Press, 9 January 1975, page 31.

Apartment House Architecture in Winnipeg to 1915 by David Spector, December 1980.

Obituary [Elizabeth S. Fogg], Winnipeg Free Press, 2 July 1983, page 56.

We thank Jordan Makichuk for providing additional information used here.

This page was prepared by Gordon Goldsborough.

Page revised: 5 March 2024

Memorable Manitobans This is a collection of noteworthy Manitobans from the past, compiled by the Manitoba Historical Society. We acknowledge that the collection contains both reputable and disreputable people. All are worth remembering as a lesson to future generations. Search the collection by word or phrase, name, place, occupation or other text: Custom Search Browse surnames beginning with: A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | Y | Z Browse deaths occurring in: 1976 | 1977 | 1978 | 1979 | 1980 | 1981 | 1982 | 1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989 | 1990 | 1991 | 1992 | 1993 | 1994 | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 Send corrections and additions to this page to the Memorable Manitobans Administrator at biographies@mhs.mb.ca Criteria for Memorable Manitobans | Suggest a Memorable Manitoban | Firsts | Acknowledgements Help us keep history alive!