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Among the energetic and
progressive business men of Edmonton is numbered Walter Ramsay, a well
known florist here. His trade has assumed extensive proportions under
his capable guidance and management and the business is today a very
substantial one. Mr. Ramsay came to Alberta from the province of
Ontario, his birth having occurred near Hamilton, in 1870. His parents
were John and Helen (Mackay) Ramsay, the former a native of Scotland,
while the latter was born in the state of New York, where their marriage
was celebrated. Mr. Ramsay, who has passed away, was a farmer by
occupation and he was also active in public affairs, serving for several
years as a member of the town council. His political endorsement was
given to the Conservative party and his religious faith was that of the
Presbyterian church. The mother is still living in Ontario, at the
advanced age of eighty-five years. Their family numbered eight children,
six of whom are living.
Walter Ramsay, who was
the sixth in order of birth, obtained a high' school education in St.
Mary's, Ontario, and afterward took up the profession of teaching, which
he followed successfully for thirteen years, proving most capable in
imparting to others the knowledge he had acquired. In 1898 he came to
Alberta and taught for seven years in the west after having had six
year's previous experience in Ontario. In 1906, however, he entered
commercial circles by turning his attention to the florist business,
opening a small establishment. As his trade has increased he has
developed his business plant until he now utilizes an entire acre of
ground, with a store in the down-town district, while his shipments are
sent throughout central Alberta. He devotes practically his entire time
to his business and produces large quantities of rare and beautiful
flowers. His business methods have at all times been progressive and
thoroughly reliable and these qualities have brought him substantial
success.
In 1901 Mr. Ramsay was
united in marriage to Miss Lucy McRae, who was born in Belleville,
Ontario, a daughter of Walter McRae, a merchant. Mr. and Mrs. Ramsay
have become parents of two children: Donald, a student in the Alberta
University; and Helen, attending the public school. Mr. Ramsay has
always been a stalwart champion of the cause of education and served as
a member of the school board for a number of years. He is also a member
of the Board of Trade and manifests a keen and helpful interest in many
progressive public measures. In politics he is a Conservative. He
belongs to the Rotary Club and his interest in civic affairs has been
manifest in many tangible ways. He finds his recreation largely in
curling and motoring, but allows -no out- side interests to interfere
with business or his duties along other lines. Fraternally he is a
Mason, and the religious faith of Mr. and Mrs. Ramsay is that of the
Presbyterian church, in the work of which they take active and helpful
interest, Mr. Ramsay now serving as clerk of the session. His sterling
worth commands for him the respect and high esteem of all with whom he
has been brought into contact. |
