|
A well known merchant of
Lacombe is David Calder, who is conducting a general store under the
firm name of A. Urquhart & Company, Limited. He was born in Whitburn,
Scotland, a town located between the cities of Edinburgh and Glasgow, in
1872, a son of James and Agnes (Bisset) Calder, both natives of that
country. The father is still living, enjoying the best of health at the
age of eighty-three years. lie engaged in building contracting for many
years and achieved substantial success, but is now retired from active
life. lie has always been interested in political affairs, being a
stanch supporter of the Liberal party, and he was treasurer of the local
organization for some years. To the union of Mr. and Mrs. Calder five
children were born, two of whom are living, David, whose name introduces
this review, being the fourth in order of birth. The family was reared
in the faith of the Presbyterian church.
In the acquirement of his
education David Calder attended the public schools of his native country
and after putting his textbooks aside accepted a position in a jewelry
store, there to learn the trade, and he followed that trade for
twenty-five years, for some eighteen years being engaged in the jewelry
business in Hamilton, Scotland. He came to Canada because of his health
and in 1913 located in Lacombe. He immediately became identified with
business circles here, buying an interest in a general store, in
association with A. Urquhart. In 1917 he purchased his partner's
interest and since that time has operated the business under the firm
name of A. Urquhart & Company, Limited. The company owns the two-story
brick business building and enjoys an extensive patronage. The members
of the firm employ the best principles of honesty and integrity in the
conduct of the business and they stand high among the foremost business
men in this community.
In 1899 Mr. Calder was
married to Miss Margaret Shanks, who was born in Scotland. To their
union three children have been born: Nancy, who is now the wife of Dr.
F. D. Locke of Lacombe, received her education in the local schools and
was for a time a student in the Hamilton Academy in Scotland; James is a
student in the University of Alberta, where he is taking a course in
mining engineering; and Margaret is attending high school.
In his political views
Mr. Calder is a Liberal. lie was president of the Unionist Association
in 1917, and for three or four years he was a member of the city
council. He is public-spirited and has been a dominant factor in the
promotion of many movements for the benefit of the community at large.
For recreation he turns to the great outdoors and he takes an active
interest in all forms of athletics. He is president of the Curling Club
and is an enthusiastic follower of that sport. |
