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James McGavin is the
president of McGavin's, Limited, Bakers of Edmonton. This is one of the
largest enterprises of its character, not only ill but in all western
Canada, and its business has been built up through the enterprise,
ability and progressiveness of him who is still at its head. So
carefully has he directed his interests and so wisely has he used his
opportunities that he has steadily advanced in the business world and
the steps in his orderly progression are easily discernible, while his
record constitutes an example that others might wisely and profitably
follow.
James McGavin was born in
Ayrshire, Scotland, on the 28th of December, 1882, and there he was
reared and educated, pursuing his studies in the public schools. When a
youth of but thirteen years he made his initial step in the business
world by entering upon an apprenticeship to the baker's trade, his term
of indenture to cover five years. During the first year he received in
wages only a dollar and a half per week and at the end of the five-year
period he was being paid but three dollars per week. However, he learned
the trade most thoroughly and thus laid the foundation for his success
in later life. He continued to work as a baker in Scotland for some time
and also occupied the position of foreman with the Darvel Industrial
Cooperative Society for several years. At length the opportunities of
the new world proved to him irresistibly attractive and in 1913 he made
his way direct from Scotland to Edmonton, where he has since maintained
his home. Soon after his arrival here lie established his present
business in a small way. His trade has grown year by year until he is
now one of the notably successful bakers of the province. The business
has an output of twenty-five thousand loaves of bread daily and the
capacity of the plant is thirty-five thousand loaves. He ships bread all
over the province and also into British Columbia and Saskatchewan. The
trade has developed as the result of the excellence of his output, for
at no time has he ever sacrificed quality through volume of trade. He
has a splendidly equipped plant supplied with all the latest improved
machinery for the making and handling of bakery goods and the utmost
care is maintained as to cleanliness and sanitary conditions in the
bakery. Aside from his association with McGavin's, Limited, Bakers, he
is the president of the Alberta Building & Loan Association and the vice
president of the Edmonton Credit Company. In fact, he is one of the most
alert and progressive young business men of the city and what he has
achieved represents the fit utilization of his time, talents and powers.
In 1913 Mr. McGavin was
united in marriage to Miss Zula Duggar and they have become the parents
of four children: Allen, James M., Donna and Wilfred. Mr. and Mrs.
McGavin are consistent members of the Presbyterian church. He belongs to
the Rotary Club and is in hearty sympathy with the high ideals and
purposes of that organization. In fact, he is actuated by a most
progressive spirit in all that he undertakes, whether in relation to
public affairs or to the conduct of private business interests. He has
never had occasion to regret his leaving the land of hills and heather
in order to try his fortune in the new world, for here he found the
opportunities which he sought and in their utilization has steadily
advanced until he is today in control of a mammoth business and ranks as
a prominent representative of commercial interests in his adopted
province. |
