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Memorable Manitobans: John Tully “Jock” Speirs (1860-1925)

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John Tully Speirs
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Baker.

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John Tully Speirs
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Born in Glasgow, Scotland on 10 March 1860, son of John Speirs and Elisabeth Tully, he came to Winnipeg in 1881. Started in wines; burned out twice; in the early years operated one wagon which he drove himself; one oven, small output; lived to see it expand to one of the largest bread-manufacturing plants in the West. In 1910, he was in partnership with Edward Parnell. The daily output of the bakery was 100,000 loaves.

On 31 October 1882, he married Susan Marnie (1863-?) at Winnipeg. They had four children: James M. Speirs (b 1888), Ellen S. Speirs (b 1890), Mabel Speirs (b 1892), and Catherine Speirs (b 1898). He was a member of the Masons, IOOF, COF, St. Andrew’s Society, and Manitoba Lawn Bowling Association. He served a single term on the Winnipeg city council, in 1899. He was a Past Chief of the Clan Stewart and an avid curler.

Uncle of James W. Speirs.

He died at his Winnipeg residence, 6 Middlegate, on 13 March 1925 and was buried in Brookside Cemetery.

Sources:

Birth and marriage registrations, Manitoba Vital Statistics.

1901 Canada census, Automated Genealogy.

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

Pioneers and Prominent People of Manitoba, Winnipeg: Canadian Publicity Company, 1925.

“Winnipeg pays final tribute to J. T. Speirs,” undated newspaper clipping. [Manitoba Legislative Library, Biographical Scrapbook B8]

This page was prepared by Gordon Goldsborough.

Page revised: 1 September 2015

Memorable Manitobans

Memorable Manitobans

This is a collection of noteworthy Manitobans from the past, compiled by the Manitoba Historical Society.

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