Reminiscences of a Raconteur, Between the '40s and the '20sHam, George H. (George Henry)
History
Reminiscences of a Raconteur, Between the '40s and the '20s
Ham, George H. (George Henry)
Canada; Ham, George H. (George Henry), 1847-1926; Journalists -- Canada -- Biography
It can be readily understood that it is utterly impossible to mention a
tithe of the names of the thousands of C.P.R. men whose long service
entitles them to recognition, but instances of many will demonstrate
that C.P.R. men remained with the company for long periods, irrespective
entirely of their walk in life. Many joined when the company was formed;
others came in as the lines on which they worked were absorbed, and
there are over 1,000 employees on the pension roll, and some of the
veterans of the early ’80’s are still at their accustomed posts. I am
sorry I can’t recall them all.
On the Retired List.
Amongst those who have retired from the service but who are still in the
land of the living, are many grand old veterans: Mr. H. J. Cambie, who
did most valuable work in British Columbia from the earliest days of the
company, and while not now on active service acts in an advisory
capacity. W. R. Baker, C.V.O., was with the Canada Central at Ottawa in
1873, and afterwards with the C.P.R., and then general manager of the
Manitoba & Northwestern for several years until it became part of the
C.P.R. system when he was appointed executive agent at Winnipeg and, in
1905 he became secretary of the company and resigned in 1917, being
succeeded by everybody’s friend, Ernest Alexander, who had graduated
from the president’s office, and still efficiently fills the position of
official scribe of the company. Arthur Piers, who in 1870 was with the
Great Western of Canada, in ’82 came to the C.P.R. as assistant to the
general manager when the main offices of the company were on Place
d’Armes Square, and his office staff consisted of himself and the office
boy. In 1891 he was appointed superintendent of the company’s
trans-pacific steamships, and afterwards general manager of all their
steamship interests until his retirement in 1913, on account of ill
health. He is now residing on England, and is just as much a C.P.R. man
as ever. His son, Arthur, keeps up the family traditions of loyalty and
efficiency at his office at Windsor Street Station. My old friend, Mel
Duff, started in 1891 as the office boy above referred to, and is now
the very capable manager of the Great Lakes steamers. W. R. Callaway,
still as young as he used to be, is now with the Soo line. William
Downie lives at one of my several birthplaces, Whitby, Ont. General
Superintendent J. T. Arundel has taken to farming at Oakville, Ont.
Harry Charlton is now the efficient publicity manager of the Grand Trunk
at Montreal. Hayter Reed and his charming wife, who are living at St.
Andrews, left their indelible impress on the entire C.P.R. hotels
system. Frank Brady is now one of the bosses on the Canadian National
system. James Fullerton, the capable ship’s husband at Vancouver, and
Sam Buchanan who filled a similar position for the Great Lakes Steamship
service in 1891, are enjoying the luxury of a rest, and Reggie Graves,
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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