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Robert J. Frizzle is one of
the citizens of Calgary who stands for progress along all lines of
activity. He is a self-made man in the truest sense of the word and
today occupies a prominent position in business circles as proprietor of
the Frico Stores, maintaining general offices in the Judge Travis
building. Mr. Frizzle was born in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, in August,
1877, a son of James and Jane (McDonald) Frizzle, natives of Nova
Scotia. His father, who passed away in March, 1916, engaged in the
general mercantile business there until 1909, when he retired. Mrs.
Frizzle makes her home in Calgary.
In the pursuit of his
education Robert J. Frizzle attended the public schools of Cape Breton
and after putting his textbooks aside went to Fitchburg, Massachusetts,
where he accepted a position in a hardware store at four dollars a week.
At the termination of six months he went to work in a fish market at
eight dollars a week, and subsequently he became associated with a
leading grocery concern in Fitchburg, residing in that locality for a
period of ten years. In 1906 he came to Calgary, where he has continued
to reside. He had but twenty-three dollars when he arrived in this city
and as he could not get a job he started a business on his own account.
He first conducted a bakery, with a small line of groceries on the side,
and was surprisingly successful from the start. The growth of the
business has been remarkable and on the 16th of March, 1918, he opened
his second store. He has continued to branch out and today operates nine
stores of the self-service variety, in addition to which he has
established and sold five others. Mr. Frizzle has proven himself a man
of practical methods, good judgment and general business sagacity. In
early life he learned that it was close application to the thing at hand
that counted and that has been a dominant factor in achieving his
present-day success. He is a self-made man in every sense of the word
and as such he is accorded the confidence and esteem of all who know
him. Aside from the Frico Stores, Mr. Frizzle is a stockholder and
director in the Radiator Manufacturing Company, Limited, which concern
manufactures non-bursting radiators. This concern is located in Calgary.
Mr. Frizzle likewise has extensive farming interests at Stettler, this
province.
In February, 1896, was
celebrated the marriage of Mr. Frizzle and Miss Eva Ross, a daughter of
William and Ellen (McDonald) Ross, natives of Nova Scotia. Her father
was a successful agriculturist, whose demise occurred in Nova Scotia in
1890. Mrs. Ross is making her home with Mr. and Mrs. Frizzle. To Mr. and
Mrs. Frizzle four children have been born: Helen R. was born in August,
1897, and is in charge of her father's office; Irene is living at home;
James Ross and Robert McDonald are students in the local schools.
In his political views
Mr. Frizzle is independent, preferring to give his support to the man
best fitted for the office without regard for party principles. His
religious faith is that of the Baptist church and he is a generous
contributor to its support. Fraternally he is identified with the Masons
and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. As a public-spirited citizen
and representative business man he is an active member of the Board of
Trade. Socially he is identified with the Calgary Automobile Club. |
