Pioneers and Prominent People of Saskatchewan

 

109

 

mores is still in the hands of members of the family. At the age of fourteen he was bound apprentice to the dry goods trade, a fashion of those thorough-going days that obtained real efficiency, and after completing his indentures went into business for himself. He prospered, and during the construction of the Welland Canal he operated four stores to serve the people engaged in this important undertaking. In 1869 he married Miss Mary Ramsey, a daughter of one of the civil engineers employed on the canal, who was afterwards the superintendent. Four children were born whilst the Whitmores remained in Ontario; three sons, Frank, Albert E. and George, and one daughter, Annie. Mr. Whitmore took a keen interest in public life, and during the campaign of 1878 Was a strong supporter of Nicholas Flood Davin, who was making his first appearance in Canadian public life. Mr. Davin was making a strong attack on the Liberal citadel of East Haldimand, which had long been held by Andrew Thompson. He was not successful, but he greatly reduced the large Liberal majority which had grown habitual in that constituency. The friendship formed at that time between Mr. Whitmore and Mr. Davin was continued until the tragic death of the latter in 1901. In 1883 Mr. Whitmore was appointed postmaster of the town of Moose Jaw, and coming west with his family opened the office there on May 23rd

of the same year. In those days Moose Jaw had the usual disadvantages of a frontier town. It was the gateway of the ranching country; the C.P.R. had established a divisional point; and it was the headquarters of a considerable band of Sioux Indians who, under the Great Medicine Chief, Sitting Bull, had taken refuge in Canada after the defeat of Custer at the Little Big Horn. Practically the only domestic help to be had in Moose Jaw in those days was obtained from the Indians, and the young Whitmores obtained a knowledge of the Sioux language which they have been able to utilize on occasion during later

 

109

 

 

Pioneers and Prominent People of Saskatchewan