Memorable Manitobans: Samuel Reid Marlatt (1853-1932)

Farmer, merchant, Indian agent.

Born near Oakville, Ontario on 16 February 1853, son of Obidiah Marlatt and Sarah Kenney, he apprenticed in dry goods stores at London then, in April 1871, he came to Manitoba and, the following month, set up a trading post with William Dixon at Portage la Prairie. In November 1872, while visiting Winnipeg, he assisted W. F. Luxton and John A. Kenny in the production of the first issue of the Manitoba Free Press. He farmed and operated his trading post until 1897 when he was appointed inspector of Indian agencies for the Lake Manitoba inspectorate, holding the position until 1907 when he moved to Vancouver, British Columbia where he became involved in logging operations. He returned to Portage la Prairie in 1912. On 1 January 1875, he married Elizabeth Whimster (1854-1923) and they had six children: Egerton W. Marlatt, Roy Marlatt (?-?), Winonah Marlatt (1883-?), Charles Reid Marlatt (1884-?), Paul Marlatt (1885-?), and Mary Norah Marlatt (1890-?). He was a member of the AF & AM (Assiniboine Lodge No. 7). He served as a municipal councillor and school trustee, Mayor of Portage la Prairie (1917-1918, 1921), and a member of the Portage Hospital Board. He was President of the Oldtimers’ Association of Portage la Prairie. He died at Vancouver, British Columbia on 25 August 1932.

See also:

Historic Sites of Manitoba: Marlatt House (202 Crescent Road W, Portage la Prairie)

Historic Sites of Manitoba: East Prospect School No. 111 (RM of Portage la Prairie)

Historic Sites of Manitoba: West Prospect School No. 112 (RM of Portage la Prairie)

Prospect School, 1876-1880 by Norman J. Williamson
Manitoba Pageant, Volume 21, Number 2, Winter 1976

Sources:

Birth registrations, Manitoba Vital Statistics.

1901 Canada census, Automated Genealogy.

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

Death registration, British Columbia Vital Statistics.

“Samual Marlatt, former Mayor of Portage, is dead,” Winnipeg Free Press, 27 August 1932, page 7.

This page was prepared by Gordon Goldsborough.

Page revised: 20 April 2019

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 Search Browse 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 | Z Browse deaths occurring in: 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 Send corrections and additions to this page to the Memorable Manitobans Administrator at biographies@mhs.mb.ca Criteria for Memorable Manitobans | Suggest a Memorable Manitoban | Firsts | Acknowledgements Help us keep history alive!