Memorable Manitobans: Thomas Paterson “Tommy” Hillhouse (1896-1991)

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Thomas Paterson Hillhouse
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Lawyer, MLA (1950-1953), MLA (1954-1957), MLA (1958-1959), MLA (1959-1962), MLA (1963-1966), MLA (1966-1969).

Born at Glasgow, Scotland on 25 June 1896, son of James W. Hillhouse (1869-1928) and Mary Brown (1868-1963), he came to Winnipeg in 1900 and was educated at local schools and the University of Manitoba. While in college he was a well-known athlete, being president of the track team, coxswain of the Manitoba eight-oar crew; and one of the University’s best runners. He articled in law with the firm of Murray, Robertson Thomas and was called to the Manitoba Bar in 1923. He practised law at Selkirk for many years and was made a King’s Counsel in 1948.

In 1915, during the First World War, he enlisted in the Canadian Expeditionary Force as a member of the Fort Garry Horse. He transferred to the Cyclists Corps in France in March 1917 and saw service at Vimy Ridge, Arleux, Fresnoy, Hill 70, Passchendaele, Arras, Amiens, Cambria, Canal du Nord, Valenciennes, and Mons. He went into Germany with the Canadian troops.

On 16 September 1927, he married Irene McGregor (?-1973). They had no children. He was elected to the Manitoba Legislature at a by-election in October 1950, representing the St. Andrews constituency. He was re-elected at the general elections in 1953, 1958, 1959, 1962, and 1966.

He died at Selkirk on 27 October 1991 and was buried in the St. John’s Cathedral Cemetery. He is commemorated by Hillhouse Road in Winnipeg.

Sources:

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

Marriage registration, Manitoba Vital Statistics.

“Five King’s Counsel on New Year’s list,” Winnipeg Free Press, 1 January 1948, page 1.

Members of the Legislative Assembly (deceased), Legislative Assembly of Manitoba.

Obituary, Winnipeg Free Press, 2 November 1991, page 51.

Obituaries and burial transcriptions, Manitoba Genealogical Society.

This page was prepared by Gordon Goldsborough.

Page revised: 18 November 2023

Memorable Manitobans

Memorable Manitobans

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