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HISTORY OF NOVA SCOTIA
Vol III, 1916
A.W. Bowen & Co. Halifax
|
Biographical Sketches
of Representative Citizens
and Genealogical Records of the Old Families |
George T. Douglas
As chairman of the Nova Scotia branch of the Canadian Manufacturers' Association, George T. DOUGLAS, of Amherst, has shown that he is the possessor of those traits that win in the battle of life. He has been actively identified with the industrial world here for many years. His well directed efforts in the practical affairs of life, his capable management of his own business interests have brought him prosperity, and his life demonstrates what may be accomplished by the man of energy who is not afraid to continue his labors, even in the face of seemingly discouraging obstacles.
Mr. DOUGLAS was born in Amherst, Cumberland County, Nova Scotia, and is the son of David DOUGLAS, a prominent merchant at Amherst for many years. In later life he went West, where he died.
George T. DOUGLAS grew up in his native town and received his education in the public schools, and when still a mere boy began his business career. He is the manager at Amherst of the Canada Car & Foundry Company, Limited, a position of great trust and responsibility. He has a large number of men under his control. His rise to this important position was not by any means meteoric but by slowly mounting the ladder of success. As a boy he started business life as a messenger in the Western Union Telegraph office. At the age of fourteen he entered the employ of Rhodes, Curry & Company. This was just about the time the firm began car building, and he gradually climbed from one position to another, until finally with the amalgamation of the three Canadian Car Companies and Senator Curry's removal to Montreal he was appointed to the position of manager at Amherst.
Mr. DOUGLAS was appointed chairman of the Nova Scotia branch of the Canadian Manufacturers' Association at the annual meeting of the same which was held in Halifax, and he has discharged his duties in this connection in a manner that has won the hearty commendation of all concerned. He is a prodigious worker and a great enthusiast. He is a firm believer in the future of Amherst as a city of industries, and he loses no opportunity to push toward that end. Besides being manager of the Car Works, he is secretary-treasurer of the Brooklyn Lumber Company, and is vice-president of Amherst Pianos, Limited, and a director of the Nova Scotia Carriage & Motor Car Company; also a director of the Nova Scotia Trust Company of Halifax, the Colonial Brick & Stone Company at Wallace, director of Sterling Securities of Halifax, director Eastern Linen Mills of Dorchester, New Brunswick, and a director of Atlantic Underwear Company, Limited, of Moncton, New Brunswick. A few years ago when a pessimistic feeling was extant in Amherst it was Mr. DOUGLAS who created an organization known as "The Pilgrims," who by various means turned the tide and established a general feeling of optimism and public spirit by binding the citizens together in a successful effort of promoting and encouraging their local interests and incidentally the gathering up of a $25,000 endowment fund for the hospital and other funds for Amherst institutions.
Mr. DOUGLAS married Edwarda BRADLEY, a daughter of Doctor BRADLEY, of Newton, Massachusetts, and to this union one child has been born -- Jean DOUGLAS.