Memorable Manitobans: William Gray McLaren (1858-1943)

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William Gray McLaren
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Merchant.

Born at Dundas, Ontario on 17 November 1858, son of Thomas McLaren and Margaret Gray, he came to Manitoba in 1888 and settled at Boissevain where for four years he engaged in the general merchantile business. He moved to Souris in 1892 and opened a general store.

In 1880, he married Charlotte Elizabeth “Lottie” Williams (1863-1943) of Mitchell, Ontario and they had five children: Laura McLaren, William Glenroy McLaren, Eva Elizabeth McLaren, Lawrence Hodge McLaren, and Lottie Gray McLaren. He served as President of the Souris Board of Trade, Souris Cottage Hospital, and Glenwood Agricultural Society. In 1906 he was a Souris town councillor.

He died at Victoria, British Columbia on 7 July 1943 and was buried in the Ross Bay Cemetery.

Sources:

A History of Manitoba: Its Resources and People by Prof. George Bryce, Toronto: The Canadian History Company, 1906.

Death registration [William Gray McLaren], British Columbia Vital Statistics.

“Wm. G. McLaren, 85, prairie pioneer, dies,” Victoria Daily Times, 8 July 1943, page 11.

“Mrs. C. E. McLaren dead,” Victoria Daily Times, 18 December 1943, page 10.

We thank Darryl Toews for providing additional information used here.

This page was prepared by Gordon Goldsborough.

Page revised: 6 May 2024

Memorable Manitobans

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.

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