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Among the forces which are
proving most effective in the intellectual and moral progress of
Edmonton is the Alberta College North, of which Francis Stacy McCall is
the principal. His equipment for the high service to which he has
dedicated his life is most thorough and comprehensive and since his
college clays were over he has done most effective work in behalf of the
uplift of his fellowmen through his teaching in both the schoolroom and
the pulpit, bringing to those who have come under his influence a wider
vision of effective service in the world's work. Mv. McCall was horn at
St. Williams, Ontario, May 10, 1881, and is a son of F. A. and Elizabeth
(Killmaster) McCall, both of whom were natives of Ontario and the father
is still living at St. Williams. He was a merchant and fruit man in
early life. He is descended from Scotch ancestry, while his wife was of
Pennsylvania Dutch lineage. He belongs to the United Empire Loyalist
stock and his political allegiance has always been given to the
Conservative party. He is an Orangeman and has long been a devoted
member of the Methodist church. For a time lie resided in the United.
States and during that period served as deputy cleric of Douglas county,
Oregon. His business position for a time was that of fruit inspector
while a resident of Oregon.
Francis Stacy McCall was
the seventh in order of birth in a family of eight children, four of
whom are living. He obtained his education in the public schools of St.
'Williams and also the high school at Port Rowan, while later he became
a student in the Simcoe Model School for Teachers. He then took up the
profession of teaching, which he followed for three years as principal
of his home school and for two years he was a student in the Normal
College at Ottawa. On the expiration of that period he secured the
position of principal of the Port Rowan schools, where he remained for
two years, after which he volunteered for mission work in northwestern
Canada. He was stationed in southern Alberta at Macleod for a time,
where he did real pioneer work. The country was then but sparsely
settled, railroads were comparatively few and even wagon roads had not
been developed to any great extent. He rode ten thousand miles on
horseback through the territory, in which he continued his missionary
labors and his teachings were recognized as a strongly effective force
for good in this frontier country. Later he returned east, going to
Toronto, where he pursued a theological course in Victoria University.
He then again came to the west as a teacher and was offered a position
in the college at Edmonton. For a time he taught in Alberta College,
attending college as a student in the morning sessions, while teaching
through the afternoon period. He was the first student to register in
the University of Alberta and was graduated with first class honors in
English in the first class that completed the work of that
institution—the class of 1912, receiving the summa cum laude. He also
won other honors during his university days in making a splendid record
by his high scholarship. He afterward pursued a theological course,
which he completed by graduation in 1913, winning the gold medal for his
efficiency in the school work. He was then appointed principal of
Alberta College North, in 1913, and has remained in this position
continuously, covering a full decade. The college has trebled in
registration during this period and today there are thirty-five teachers
under his leadership, while instruction is given in both public and high
school courses, also in commercial courses and in music. High standards
are being maintained in connection with the work of the school and Rev.
Mr. McCall is actuated by advanced ideals in all of his work concerning
the instruction of the young in preparation for life's practical and
responsible duties.
In 1914 Mr. McCall was
married to Miss Olive Steele Todd, who was born in Meaford, Ontario, and
there pursued her education in the public schools and in the Toronto
Conservatory, while later she attended the Currie School of Expression
at Boston, U. S. A., and became a teacher of expression in St. Hilda's
College at Calgary. She is a lady of innate refinement and culture and
has been of much assistance to her husband in his work. They have become
parents of three children: Elsie, who is in school; Hugh; and Francis.
Both parents are members
of the Methodist church, in which Mr. McCall is now an ordained minister
and throughout his educational work it has been his high purpose to
train pupils not only along the lines of intellectual development but in
those moral concepts which make for the growth of character as well.
Fraternally he is a thirty-second degree Mason and also a member of the
Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He was the first worthy patron of the
Eastern Star in Edmonton chapter and belongs to the Edmonton Kiwanis
Club, in connection with which he has served as lieutenant governor of
the Western Canada district for two years. He was also a member of the
library board for a year and president of the social service council for
two years. His interest has always centered in those channels through
which flow the greatest and most permanent good to the greatest number.
He has sought every opportunity to promote intellectual, cultural and
moral progress and he has traveled quite extensively over the province
in the interest of the college which he represents. He spent one summer
at Crowsnest and there assisted in organizing Knox Methodist church, the
first church of this name in the province of Alberta. A man of broad
vision, actuated by high purposes, his labors have indeed been an
effective force in promoting intellectual and moral progress. What he
has done represents the fit utilization of his innate powers and
talents, wisely directed by high ideals. |
