Memorable Manitobans: Donald Andrew Ross (1856-1938)

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Donald Andrew Ross
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Realtor, MLA (1908-1910), MLA (1911-1914), MLA (1914-1915), MLA (1916-1920), MLA (1923-1927).

Born at Nairn, Middlesex County, Ontario on 10 April 1856, son of Donald and Margaret Ross, he was educated at Nairn public schools. He came to Manitoba in 1874 and worked on the first telegraph line. Three years later, he founded the real estate business of D. A. Ross and Company. He also farmed near Springfield.

On 11 March 1880, he married Margaret Stewart McIvor (1858-?) of Kildonan and they had four children: Donald McIvor Ross, Margaret Marian Ross (1887-?), Maryann Ross (1888-?), and Violet Agnes Ross (1892-?). In 1911, he lived at 372 Gertrude Avenue, Winnipeg. He served on the Winnipeg city council for eight years, the Winnipeg School Board for twenty-three years, and the Winnipeg Public Parks Board for eleven years. He first ran as an Independent Liberal in the 1903 and 1907 general elections and was elected as a straight Liberal in subsequent elections, in 1910, 1914, 1915, and 1922, but was defeated in 1920 and 1927. He stood as an Independent Liberal in the 1930 federal election but was defeated.

He died at Winnipeg on 23 January 1938 and was buried in the Old Kildonan Cemetery.

See also:

Historic Sites of Manitoba: Ross House (1940 Henderson Highway, Winnipeg)

Sources:

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.

Birth and death registrations, Manitoba Vital Statistics.

“Ex M.L.A. is honored on wedding anniversary,” Winnipeg Tribune, 13 March 1922, page 9.

“D. A. Ross, pioneer, is dead,” Winnipeg Free Press, 24 January 1938. [Manitoba Legislative Library, Biographical Scrapbook B9]

The Story of Manitoba by F. H. Schofield, Winnipeg: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company, 1913.

We thank Oliver Bernuetz (Legislative Library of Manitoba) for providing additional information used here.

This page was prepared by Gordon Goldsborough.

Page revised: 11 March 2022

Memorable Manitobans

Memorable Manitobans

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