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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. |
