Roderick McAskill (1874-?)

Farmer, agricultural implements dealer, municipal politician, curler.

Born at Stornoway, Scotland, 1874, son of Angus McAskill and Isabelle Burns, he was educated in Scotland, and at the Winnipeg Business College. His father came to Canada in 1887, where he homesteaded and started a tailoring business at Gladstone, Manitoba. McAskill farmed with his father until 1906, and was a Road Agent for the J. I. Case Machine Company. He started an agricultural implements business in 1908, and served as Provincial Auto License Inspector from 1916 to 1919. He was a member of the Board of Trade, the School Board, and the Gladstone Town Council for many years, being elected Mayor of Gladstone in 1924. He was a member of the Riding Mountain Association that advocated for the creation of Riding Mountain National Park, in 1930.

He married Alice Mainwaring of Birtle, with whom he had two sons and two daughters. His brother, Robert McAskill, farmed over 800 acres and played third man on the famous McAskill curling rink. Another brother, Lieutenant John McAskill, served in France during World War One.

He was one of Manitoba’s best known curlers, having skipped many rinks at Winnipeg annual bonspiels. He won the Empire trophy in 1908 and the Dingwall trophy in 1925.

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Profile revised: 23 September 2009

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