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For eighteen years James F.
McCall has been superintendent and chief of the city power department of
Calgary and he forms a splendid example of the value of industry,
perseverance and determination in the attainment of success. He was born
in Dumfries, Scotland, on the 12th of October, 1868, a son of Robert and
Margaret (Ferguson) McCall, natives of Scotland. Subsequently the
Parents came to Canada and located in Toronto, where the father became
associated with the Canadian Pacific Railroad, a connection which he
maintained for twenty years and was pensioned by the company in later
life. His demise occurred in 1917. Mrs. McCall is still residing in
Toronto, and is eighty-three years of age.
James F. McCall was but
twenty months old when his parents brought him to Canada, and the public
schools of Toronto afforded him his early education. After putting his
textbooks aside he apprenticed himself to the mill building trade,
working for the John Milne Company and later he was employed in an
engine works in Toronto In 1891 he came west and located in Vernon,
British Columbia, where he accepted a position as engineer and
millwright. Seven years later he resigned that position and became
associated with the Canadian Pacific Railroad, having charge of its
water system for one year, after which he was connected with the Granby
Mining & Smelting Company at Grand Forks, British Columbia, for four
years. It was while with this company that he made his initial step in
electrical work. He put in a steam plant for them at Coleman, Alberta,
which he supervised for a year and then came to Calgary. On arriving in
this city he put in an application for his present position and out of
sixty-two applicants was the one chosen for the work. He has since been
active as superintendent of the city power department and in its
development he has met with the success usually won by the man of
persistent effort and diligent methods. Mr. McCall has been the only man
to hold this important position, for when he came here the city was just
building the power plant, and he rendered valuable assistance in
installing the machinery, his former experiences standing him in good
stead. He has charge of the main plant and five sub-stations.
On the 11th of March,
1891, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. McCall to Miss Agnes Ellis, a
daughter of Isaac and Letitia (Thompson) Ellis. Her parents, who have
passed away, were natives of Scarborough, Ontario. To Mr. and Mrs.
McCall six children have been born: Maggie Christina is the wife of
Percy Thompson, chief clerk to J. M. Cameron, superintendent of the
Canadian Pacific Railroad. She is the mother of three sons, Arthur, Fred
and Verne; Fred R. McCall is a veteran of the World war, having enlisted
as private with the One Hundred and Seventy-fifth Battalion, went
overseas and was subsequently promoted to a captaincy in the air forces.
He brought down thirty-four German airplanes, five in one day, and for
his gallantry and meritorious bravery he received the Distinguished
Service Order, the Military Cross and one bar, and the Distinguished
Flying Cross. He is now electrical mechanic with the A. B. C. Company of
Drumheller; Marjorie is sixteen years of age; Frank died at Vernon,
British Columbia, on the 22(1 of April, 1900; Evelyn was born in April,
1900, and died in 1901; and Agnes Ida died in Toronto in June, 1899.
Fraternally Mr. McCall is
identified with the Royal Arch Masons and he is also affiliated with the
Independent Order of Odd Fellows. As a public-spirited citizen he is an
active member of the Calgary Rotary Club, and has been a dominant factor
in the furtherance of many movements for the benefit of the community at
large. Along the lines of his business he is affiliated with the
Professional Engineers Association of Alberta. The religious faith of
Mr. McCall is evidenced by his membership in the Grace Presbyterian
church. The secret of the success which Mr. McCall is enjoying is found
in his willingness to work and his early recognition of the eternal
truth that industry wins. |
