Memorable Manitobans: Edward James (1866-1940)

Grain merchant.

Born in Wales in December 1866, he trained as an architect before emigrating to Canada in 1888 where he went into the milling, lumber and grain business at Moosomin, Saskatchewan. In 1907 he came to Winnipeg and was appointed assistant manager of the Imperial Elevator and Lumber Company. It operated 80 grain elevators and 100 lumber yards. He was later appointed general manager of the company for western Canada. In 1918 he organized the Inter-Ocean Grain Company. He retired in 1927 and spent considerable time in England but maintained a residence in Winnipeg.

An avid sportsman, he was responsible for the organization and promotion of outdoor sports clubs at Moosomin and later in Winnipeg. He was a member of the Manitoba Club, St. Charles Country Club, and the Lakewood Club. He was also interested in lawn bowling and at one time was the amateur champion trap shooter for Winnipeg. He was a member of the St. David’s Society and was active in several Welsh welfare organizations.

He died unmarried at Winnipeg on 3 November 1940 and was buried in St. John’s Cemetery.

Sources:

1911 Canada census, Automated Genealogy.

“Edward James dies Sunday, at age of 74”, Winnipeg Free Press, 4 November 1940.

Profile revised: 12 May 2009

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