Educator.
Born at Ashton, Ontario on 13 August 1875, son of John Robert McNab and Adelaide Bradley, he graduated from Manitoba College with a BA in 1895 along with a Governor General’s Silver Medal for Classics and obtained a first class teaching certificate (1896) from Winnipeg Normal School. He taught within rural Manitoba and was Principal of West Treherne School (1899-1903) and Brandon Central School (1904), resigning his position in December 1904 on account of failing health. Having recovered, he left Brandon to become Principal of Swan River School (1905-1907) in March 1905. During this period, he also served as an Examiner (1903, 1906) for collegiate grade entrance examinations and non-professional teachers certificates. He moved to British Columbia around 1907 and continued to teach there until retirement in 1930. He died at Little Fort, British Columbia on 28 August 1954 and was buried in the Hillside Cemetery at Kamloops.
1901 Canada census, Automated Genealogy.
“Results of toil,” Manitoba Morning Free Press, 7 June 1895, page 1.
“The advisory board,” Winipeg Daily Tribune, 31 December 1896, page 5.
“Examiners at work,” Manitoba Morning Free Press, 16 July 1903, page 11.
“New teachers for city schools,” Brandon Weekly Sun, 15 December 1904, page 24.
“A special meeting of the school board [...],” Brandon Weekly Sun, 29 December 1904, page 24.
“Local news,” Swan River Star, 31 March 1905, page 8.
“Appointment of sub-examiners,” Manitoba Free Press, 30 April 1906, page 11.
“Examinations for teachers,” Winipeg Tribune, 30 June 1906, page 15.
Death registration [James Willard McNab], British Columbia Vital Statistics.
“J. W. McNab rites held at Kamloops,” The Province, 10 September 1954, page 29.
We thank Darryl Toews for providing additional information used here.
This page was prepared by Nathan Kramer.
Page revised: 6 May 2024
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