Memorable Manitobans: George Hammill McKeag (1891-1964)

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George Hammill McKeag
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Business manager.

Born at Fergus, Ontario on 14 September 1891, son of Robert Gordon McKeag (1863-1944) and Martha Elizabeth McKeag (c1868-1919), he came to Manitoba in 1900. After leaving school he organized the Union Storage and Transfer Limited, in 1911. He became Vice-President and managing director of the Security Storage Company in October 1925 after amalgamation with his previous company. He continued to expand the company and was one of the founders of Allied Van Lines in western Canada. He was President of McKeag Investments Limited and was associated with McKeag Harris Realty and Development Company. He also served as President of the Hilton Brothers Limited and a Director of Union Storage and Transfer Limited, Neal Brothers Limited, and Canadian Airways Limited.

On 16 July 1913, he married Elizabeth “Elbe” Biggar (1891-1983) of Winnipeg. They had one adopted son, William John “Jack” McKeag. The family resided at 103 Queenston Avenue. He was a member of the AF & AM (Prince Rupert Lodge), Kiwanis Club (President, 1930), Carleton Club, Manitoba Club, St. Charles Country Club, Elmhurst Golf and Country Club, Granite Curling Club, and St. Andrew’s River Heights United Church. He received a City of Winnipeg Community Service Award (1963).

He died at Winnipeg on 26 December 1964 and was buried in the Chapel Lawn Memorial Gardens.

See also:

Historic Sites of Manitoba: Security Storage Building / Kromar Printing Building (725 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg)

Sources:

Marriage and death registrations, Manitoba Vital Statistics.

“Men of Winnipeg in Diamond Jubilee Sketches,” Winnipeg Free Press, December 1934. [Winnipeg Elite Study, G. Friesen Fonds, Mss 154, Box 15, File 8, University of Manitoba Archives & Special Collections]

“Security Storage Company Limited,” Winnipeg Tribune, 21 December 1946, page 4.

Obituary, Winnipeg Free Press, 28 December 1964, page 28.

Obituary [Elizabeth McKeag], Winnipeg Free Press, 21 July 1983, page 44.

We thank Velma Joen Hadfield and Jordan Makichuk for providing additional information used here.

This page was prepared by Gordon Goldsborough.

Page revised: 9 August 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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