Memorable Manitobans: John Whyte (1850-1927)

Educator.

Born at Belfast, Ireland on 8 August 1850, he came to Canada as an infant in 1851 and grew up at Greenoch, Ontario. He became a teacher and taught in the province for 22 years before moving to Manitoba. He settled at Rapid City by 1889, earned a second class teaching certificate (1891) and taught for an additional 22 years, including in the RM of Saskatchewan (c1893) and as Principal of Rapid City School (1897-1899). He retired from the classroom around 1911 and became Postmaster of Rapid City on 13 November 1911, a position he held until his death. For his contributions to education, he was given honourary life membership in the Manitoba Education Association. In 1916, he was a founding officer of the Rapid City Returned Soldiers Association [Royal Canadian Legion Branch No. 49]. He was a member of the Presbyterian Church and a Mason.

On 2 January 1877, he married Lucy Ann Stevens and they had five daughters: Lotty Whyte (1877-?, wife of David Lawrence McLean), Ethel Whyte (1879-1953, wife of Mr. J. R. Lowery), Mary Alice Mrytle Whyte, Mabel Whyte (1885-?), and Aleta Jean Whyte (1893-1982, wife of George Ernest Butchart). Myrtle and Aleta followed his footsteps into education, both teaching in the Winnipeg School Division.

He died at Rapid City on 5 March 1927. All school-age children grades three and up lined the road by his residence as the funeral procession headed to the local cemetery.

Sources:

1891 Canada census, Library and Archives Canada.

1901 Canada census, Automated Genealogy.

Marriage and death registrations, Manitoba Vital Statistics.

Death registrations, British Columbia Vital Statistics.

“Certificates granted,” Winnipeg Daily Tribune, 2 December 1891, page 5.

“Indian famine fund has reached the $10,000 mark [Rapid School children per John Whyte, Principal],” Winnipeg Tribune, 24 February 1897, page 5.

“John Whyte, Rapid City pioneer, dies,” Manitoba Free Press, 10 March 1927, page 5.

“Butchart - Whyte,” Winnipeg Free Press, 6 January 1948, page 9.

“Mrs. Ethel Lowery dies in Vancouver,” Winnipeg Free Press, 10 February 1953, page 7.

Post Offices and Postmasters, Library and Archives Canada.

Rapid City and District - Our Past for the Future, Rapid City Historical Book Society, 1978.

This page was prepared by Nathan Kramer.

Page revised: 22 February 2016

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. Search the collection by word or phrase, name, place, occupation or other text: Custom Search Browse surnames beginning with: A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | Y | Z Browse deaths occurring in: 1980 | 1981 | 1982 | 1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989 | 1990 | 1991 | 1992 | 1993 | 1994 | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 Send corrections and additions to this page to the Memorable Manitobans Administrator at biographies@mhs.mb.ca Criteria for Memorable Manitobans | Suggest a Memorable Manitoban | Firsts | Acknowledgements Help us keep history alive!