Memorable Manitobans: Thomas Turnbull (1871-1958)

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Thomas Turnbull
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Businessman, farmer.

Born at Brussels, Ontario on 13 March 1871 of pioneer Scottish parents Andrew Turnbull (1936-1923) and Jane Oliver Smith (1837-1928), he came west in 1891 and settled at Manitou, operating a lumber business, buying grain, and farming. In 1909 he moved to Winnipeg. For many years on his farm at St. Norbert he assisted in the growing of certified seed grain for the Seed Branch of the Department of Agriculture. He had an active interest in politics and was a member of St. Stephens Church and Augustine United Church, the Manitoba Historical Society, and the United Grain Growers Association. In 1953, he was a part of the opening ceremonies of Turnbull Bend School, which was named in his honour.

On 8 July 1897, he married Christina Tait (1869-1959) in the Winnipeg residence of her brother, Samuel Tait. The couple had six children: Isabel Turnbull (1898-1960, wife of James Jeffrey Dingman), Jean Turnbull, Margaret Turnbull (wife of Carl Stirrat Gow), Andrew Turnbull (1904-?), and Helen Turnbull (1906-1908). His last residence was at 827 Grosvenor Avenue, Winnipeg.

He died at Winnipeg on 30 January 1958 and was buried in the Elmwood Cemetery. He is commemorated by Turnbull Drive.

His articles for the Manitoba Historical Society:

Manitou Memories
MHS Transactions, Series 3, 1956-57 Season

Sources:

Birth, marriage, and death registrations, Manitoba Vital Statistics.

1911 Canada census, Automated Genealogy.

[Photo caption, Turnbull Bend School], Winnipeg Free Press, 2 February 1953, page 3.

“Mrs. J.J. Dingman,” Winnipeg Free Press, 15 December 1954, page 16.

“Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Turnbull,” Winnipeg Free Press, 9 July 1957, page 12.

“Thomas Turnbull dies at age 86,” Winnipeg Free Press, 31 January 1958, page 36.

Obituary [Mrs. Christina Turnbull], Winnipeg Free Press, 13 January 1959, page 27.

“Mrs. T. Turnbull dies at age 91,” Winnipeg Free Press, 14 Jan 1959, page 43.

“Newswoman Mrs. Dingman, dies at 62,” Winnipeg Free Press, 19 May 1960, page 26.

Obituary [Margaret Gow], Winnipeg Free Press, 30 October 1989, page 23.

Forrest family tree, Ancestry.

This page was prepared by Gordon Goldsborough and Nathan Kramer.

Page revised: 27 September 2019

Memorable Manitobans

Memorable Manitobans

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