 |
William Grassie
|
Real estate and financial agent.
 |
William Grassie
|
Born at Dumfrieshire, Scotland on 27 July 1872, son of William Grassie and Agnes McKerlie, he was educated at Wallace Hall Academy (Dumfrieshire, Scotland). He farmed for some years in Scotland then came to Canada in 1894 and farmed in Ontario, then ranched in Saskatchewan and Alberta from 1895 to 1900. He came to Winnipeg in 1900 and founded a real estate business. In 1905, he organized the British American Investment Company, located at 221 McDermot Avenue, Winnipeg. He had a financial agency called William Grassie Limited with offices in the Tribune Building.
In December 1914, he joined the Canadian Expeditionary Force, 43rd Battalion, Cameron Highlanders of Canada. He was mentioned in dispatches for gallant and distinguished conduct on the field, 13 November 1916: London Gazette, 29890; awarded a Distinguished Service Order, 14 July 1917; London Gazette, 30111. Mentioned by Sir Douglas Haig, General Officer Commanding British Armies in the field. He was brought to the notice of the Secretary of State for War for valuable service rendered in connection with military operations in the field, 28 December 1917.
On 3 November 1902, he married Margaret Greig (?-1948). They had no children. He served as President of the St. Andrew’s Society (1922-1923), Past Chief of Clan Stewart, Order of Scottish Clans. He was a member of the Carleton Club, United Service Club, and Presbyterian church. He was President of the Industrial Bureau and Winnipeg Real Estate Exchange (1906). His Winnipeg residence at 53 Harvard Avenue was designed by architect J. H. G. Russell.
He retired to Vancouver, British Columbia around 1925 and he died there on 15 July 1935. He was buried in the Mountain View Cemetery. He is commemorated by Grassie Boulevard in Winnipeg.
See also:
Historic Sites of Manitoba: Grassie House (53 Harvard Avenue, Winnipeg)
Historic Sites of Manitoba: Neil Apartments (573 Warsaw Avenue, Winnipeg)
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 Story of Manitoba by F. H. Schofield, Winnipeg: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company, 1913.
“William Grassie, Limited,” Winnipeg Tribune, 25 September 1915, page 71.
Attestation papers, Canadian Expeditionary Force, Library and Archives Canada.
Pioneers and Prominent People of Manitoba, Winnipeg: Canadian Publicity Company, 1925.
“Col. Wm. Grassie, former active Winnipegger, dies,” Winnipeg Free Press, 16 July 1935.
“Mrs. William Grassie dies in England,” Winnipeg Free Press, 6 January 1948.
We thank Stuart Fisher and Glen Toews for providing additional information used here.
This page was prepared by Gordon Goldsborough.
Page revised: 4 January 2026
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 SearchBrowse 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 | ZBrowse deaths occurring in:
1975 | 1976 | 1977 | 1978 | 1979 | 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 | 2025 | 2026
Send corrections and additions to this page
to the Memorable Manitobans Administrator at biographies@mhs.mb.caCriteria for Memorable Manitobans | Suggest a Memorable Manitoban | Firsts | Acknowledgements
Help us keep
history alive!
