Memorable Manitobans: Edward McGrath (1876-1963)

Edward McGrath Click to enlarge

School director.

Born at Bristol, England on 14 April 1876, he trained as a machinist before coming to Manitoba in 1904 where he found digging sewers for 15 cents an hour, later working as a machinist for the Canadian Pacific Railway. He joined the employment of the Manitoba government in June 1914, as a factory inspector. In April 1915, he was appointed Secretary of the Bureau of Labour. By the time of his retirement in May 1941, he was Deputy Minister of Labour.

McGrath also served as Fire Commissioner. He was first elected to the Winnipeg School Board in 1923 and served continuously until 1928. He was re-elected again in 1930 and served until 1939, being Chairman of the Board from 1934 to 1935, and again from 1941 to 1942. He served as Secretary, Vice-President, and President of the Trades and Labour Council.

He died at Winnipeg on 21 May 1963 and was buried in the Elmwood Cemetery.

Sources:

“Birthdays,” Winnipeg Free Press, 14 April 1939, page 15.

“Labor department honors Edward McGrath and T. Horn,” Winnipeg Free Press, 28 June 1941, page 5.

Obituary, Winnipeg Free Press, 22 May 1963, page 27.

“Edward McGrath,” Winnipeg Free Press, 24 May 1963, page 33.

This page was prepared by Gordon Goldsborough.

Page revised: 20 February 2016

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!