Memorable Manitobans: William Rae Allan (1864-1926)

Businessman.

Born in Montreal on 9 March 1864, son of Sir Andrew and Isabella Allan, he was educated at Rugby, England. He entered the services of Allan Steam Ship Company in 1882 (Boston). He came to Winnipeg in 1883, where he engaged in various mercantile matters up to 1893. He operated the Vulcan Iron Works from 1883 to 1885. He entered the insurance business and, in 1904, took over the business of W. A. Archibald and merged it with his own, forming a joint stock company under the name of Allan, Lang and Killam, later Allan, Killam and McKay. He was a Director of the Canadian Mortgage Association, Vulcan Iron Works (1883-1885), Royal Crown Soap Company, and President of the Board of Fire Underwriters (1902 to 1903).

In 1909, he married Minnie Killam, widow of A. C. Killam. A keen sportsman, with a love of horses. President of the Winnipeg Jockey Club. He was a member of the Manitoba Club, St. Charles Country Club, St. James, and Montreal Club. Anglican. His Winnipeg home, 6 Roslyn Road, was designed by architect H. G. Holman.

He died on 18 November 1926. He is commemorated by Allan Street in Winnipeg.

Sources:

Who’s Who in Western Canada: A Biographical Dictionary of Notable Living Men and Women of Western Canada, Volume 1, edited by C. W. Parker, Vancouver: Canadian Press Association, 1911.

The Leading Financial, Business & Professional Men of Winnipeg, published by Edwin McCormick, Photographs by T. J. Leatherdale, Compiled and printed by Stone Limited, c1913. [copy available at the Archives of Manitoba]

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

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

“Free Press Necrology Files”, Winnipeg Elite Study, G. Friesen Fonds, Mss 154, Box 15, File 16, University of Manitoba Archives]

This profile was prepared by Gordon Goldsborough.

Profile revised: 18 April 2011

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