Memorable Manitobans: James Yuill (1836-1897)

Electrician.

Born at Glasgow, Scotland, where he served his apprenticeship as a carver and guilder, he migrated to Montreal in 1853 where in 1861 he began the study of telegraphy. In that year he assisted in building the fire alarm system of Montreal and was later employed in the Montreal fire alarm office. He came to Winnipeg in 1880, where he constructed the fire alarm system, and was superintendent of the system until it was taken over by the Bell Telephone Company. In 1882 he was given the post of City Electrician. He died on 24 February 1897, leaving his widow Martha and five children: Agnes Yuill (b 1859), Edith J. Yuill (b 1862), Carrie Maud Yuill, James Morrison Yuill (b 1864), and Alex J. Yuill (b 1870).

Sources:

“Death of Mr. James Yuill after a short illness”, Manitoba Free Press, 25 February 1897, page 1.

Death registrations, Manitoba Vital Statistics.

1901 Canada census, Automated Genealogy.

Pioneers and Early Citizens of Manitoba, Winnipeg: Manitoba Library Association, 1971.

We thank Christian Cassidy for providing additional information used here.

This profile was prepared by Gordon Goldsborough.

Profile revised: 13 January 2012

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