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Alberta, Past and Present, Historical and Biographical
Vol 2
Rev. David G. McQueen, D. D., LL. D.


Rev. David G. McQueen, pastor of the First Presbyterian church of Edmonton, has held this charge for thirty-six years and his religious instruction has proven a potent force for good in the city in which he has so long resided. He was born at Kirkwell, in Wentworth county, Ontario, on Christmas day, 1854, of the marriage of James and Catherine Goldie (Hewitson) McQueen, both natives of Scotland. They resided in that country until 1833. when they emigrated to Canada, settling in Ontario at an early period in the history of the province, and the father hewed a farm out of the wilderness. He was well educated and was accounted the best informed man in his district. Appreciative of the best in literature, he became the possessor of a valuable library and on starting for Canada he brought with him all of his books, regarding them as his greatest treasures. He was an earnest and conscientious member of the Presbyterian church and a Liberal in his political views. His fellow townsmen, recognizing his worth and ability, called him to public office and for a number of years he served as justice of the peace. Both Mr. and Mrs. McQueen passed away on their farm in Ontario and the property is now owned by one of their grandchildren. The paternal grandfather, Robert McQueen, was a native of Scotland and his entire life was passed in the land of hills and heather. He pursued a course in theology but never entered the ministry. The maternal grandfather, Thomas Hewitson, was also one of Scotland's sons and his occupation was that of a shepherd. To James McQueen and wife were born ten children, six Sons and four daughters, and six of the family have passed away.

David G. McQueen, the youngest of the family, attended the public school of Kirkwell, Ontario, and the high school at Watertown and after receiving a teacher's certificate he devoted a year to educational work. He then matriculated in the University of Toronto and was graduated in 1884, winning honors in mathematics. He then took up the study of theology in Knox College, completing his course in 1887, and in June of that year he took charge of the First Presbyterian church of Edmonton, of which he has since been pastor. In 1905 he received from Knox College the degree of Doctor of Divinity and Alberta University has be- stowed upon him the Doctor of Laws degree. His church is the largest in the city, having a membership of a thousand, and his labors have been effective and resultant factors in promoting the spiritual welfare of those who have come under his guidance. He gives his whole heart to his chosen life work and his sincere devotion to the cause of Christianity has won for him the affection of the members of his congregation and the high regard of those of other religious creeds. He stands high in the councils of the church and served as moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian church in Canada in 1912.

On September 23, 1890, Dr. McQueen married Miss Catherine Robertson, a native of Strabane, Ontario, and a daughter of Alexander S. Robertson, an agriculturist of that province. His brother, William A. Robertson, served throughout the period of the Civil war in the United States and is now living in Victoria, British Columbia. Dr. and Mrs. McQueen have become the parents of seven children, of whom James is the eldest. He is an engineer for the local government at Hanna, in the Edmonton district; Alexander enlisted in the Princess Patricia Canadian Artillery for service in the World war, and was killed fn action on the 4th of June, 1916, during the third battle of Ypres, having been wounded three times on the day preceding his death; Marjorie Gordon, the next of the family, is teaching in the schools of this province; Robert received from Alberta University the degrees of Bachelor and Master of Arts, having taken a postgraduate course in King's College, London, England. He is now engaged as lecturer on economics in the University of Saskatchewan. During the progress of the war with Germany he was in training in the Flying Corps but was not sent overseas; Christina Catherine and Jean are both graduates of Alberta University and follow the profession of teaching; Helen Agnes, the youngest of the children, has completed her freshman year at the University of Alberta.

Dr. McQueen takes the interest of a. progressive citizen in public affairs and soon after coming to this city he was made school inspector for the Edmonton district, capably discharging the duties of that position for four years. A man of scholarly attainments, he gives to his church the full service of a finely tempered mind and by example as well as precept has pointed out to others the higher course in life.


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