Memorable Manitobans: George Ashdown (1851-1939)

George Ashdown Click to enlarge

Hardware merchant, municipal official, MLA (1903-1907).

Born in Etobicoke, Ontario on 8 April 1851, he came to Winnipeg in 1872 and worked in the hardware store of his brother, James H. Ashdown. He moved to Morden in 1891 to open his own hardware business, which he operated for the next 20 years. During this time he was elected to the Manitoba Legislature and, for two years, served as Mayor of Morden.

He was married to Annie Maria Richardson (1852-1936). They had four daughters: Etta Ashdown (b 1876), Alice Ashdown (b 1877), Louise Ashdown (b 1880), and Georgie Ethel Ashdown (b 1883). He lived at 120 Juno Street in Winnipeg before moving to Morden.

He retired from business in 1911 and, for a short time, engaged in real estate at Winnipeg before working for six years as the manager of the J. H. Ashdown retail store, stepping down in 1920. He was a Mason and an adherent of the Anglican church. He died at Winnipeg on 14 April 1939 and was buried in Elmwood Cemetery.

Sources:

Western Municipal News, May 1939, page 125.

1901 Canada census, Automated Genealogy.

“G. Ashdown, 85, pioneer, dies,” Winnipeg Tribune, 15 April 1939. [Manitoba Legislative Library, Biographical Scrapbook B9]

This page was prepared by Gordon Goldsborough.

Page revised: 4 May 2016

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