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No representative of
Alberta's provincial government is better known nor more highly
respected than John T. Stirling, who has been a resident of Edmonton for
fourteen years, and since 1910 he has served as chief inspector of mines
for Alberta, his long continuance in the office being proof of his
fitness therefor. He was born at Newbottle, Scotland, November 25, 1875,
a son of Peter and Annie Cushnie (Thomson) Stirling, also natives of the
land of hills and heather. The father was born in 1850 and his demise
occurred in Scotland in 1908, when he was fifty-nine years of age. The
mother is still a resident of that country.
John Thomson Stirling
obtained his education in his native land and after completing a public
school course became a student at the Heriot Walsh College in Edinburgh,
Scotland. In 1898, when a young man of twenty-three years, he was made
manager of the mines operated by the Lothian Coal Company at Rosewell,
Scotland, and capably filled that position until 1908, when he came to
Canada, making his way to this province. He located in Edmonton and for
a year was manager of the Rosedale Coal Company of Edmonton, at the end
of which time he was called to public office, being appointed district
inspector of mines in Alberta in 1909. His excellent service in that
connection led to his promotion to the position of chief inspector of
mines for the province in 1911 and he has since acted in this capacity.
He brings to his responsible duties a thorough knowledge of the subject,
gained through many years of practical experience in coal mining
activities, and his humanitarian spirit prompts him to put forth earnest
and effective effort to safeguard the lives of those employed in this
most hazardous occupation. In 1918 he was appointed chairman of the
workmen's compensation board and is now acceptably filling that office.
He has made an exhaustive study of the coal mining industry and is
regarded as an authority on matters pertaining thereto. During the World
war he was appointed fuel controller for the province of Alberta and
from 1915 until 1919 efficiently discharged the duties of that office of
trust and responsibility.
At Newbottle, Scotland, on June 18, 1904, Mr. Stirling was united in
marriage to Miss Jessie Stirling Henderson and they have gained many
friends in Edmonton during the period of their residence in the city.
Mr. Stirling is a member of' the First Presbyterian church. He
exemplifies in his life the admirable qualities of the Scotch race and
has evinced that hearty cooperation in progressive movements and that
eagerness to promote the general welfare which are embodied in the
truest ideals of public service. |
