|
Measuring up to the highest
standards in the conduct of his business affairs, Robert W. Greig has
made steady advancement and is today one of the substantial merchants of
Lethbridge, being manager of the Western Grocers, Limited. He was born
in Stratford, Ontario, in 1877, and is of Scotch descent. His
grandfather, James Greig, a native of Scotland, was the founder of the
family in the new world, arriving in Ontario in pioneer times. There he
followed farming and the butchering business, spending his remaining
days in that locality. His son, Robert Greig, was born in Scotland and
when young came to the new world, making his home in Ontario throughout
his remaining days. He learned the machinist's trade, which he continued
to follow as a means of livelihood until his life's labors were ended in
death. In young manhood he wedded Agnes Walkinshaw, who was born in
Brantford, Ontario, a daughter of William Walkinshaw, who was a tailor
of Mitchell, Ontario, for a number of years. Mr. and Mrs. Robert Greig
became the parents of five children: Harry, who is a machinist, now
located at Cleveland, Ohio; James, a fruit farmer and accountant, living
at Toronto; Robert \V.; Jessie, the wife of F. C. Porter, a wholesale
crockery and glassware dealer of Winnipeg; and Alexander, also of
Cleveland, Ohio, where he filled a position as commercial traveler. The
parents are members of the Presbyterian church and Mr. Greig has always
voted with the Liberal party.
Robert W. Greig obtained
his education in the schools of Stratford, Ontario, and iii his youth
learned the butcher's trade, at which he worked for three years. He
afterward secured a clerkship in a grocery store and was thus employed
for three years, at the end of which time lie made his way westward to
Winnipeg, where he took up his abode in 1899. There he also clerked in a
grocery store, remaining four years, after which he joined the Hudson's
Bay Company and went to Fort Q'Appelle for six months. Later he was
transferred to Fort Williams in the same district and served with the
Hudson's Bay Company for a period of four years. His next business
association was with the Riley Ramsey Company, a wholesale concern, and
he has been with the house for sixteen years. He was assistant manager
in Edmonton for two years and came to Lethbridge in February, 1919,
taking charge of the business here. Through the intervening period he
has continued as manager and under his control the trade of the house
has steadily grown and developed, the business being now one of
substantial and gratifying proportions. A large stock is here carried
and the progressive methods employed by Mr. Greig in the conduct of the
house have brought about a liberal increase in the patronage.
In 1908 was celebrated
the marriage of Robert W. Greig to Miss Irene Sibbald, who was born in
Duluth, Minnesota, and was there educated in the high school. She is a
daughter of James Sibbald, who was in charge of the Canadian Pacific
elevators at Fort Williams. Mr. and Mrs. Greig have had three children,
but only one is living—Jean, now in school. A daughter, Elizabeth, died
at the age of ten years, and Robert passed away when less than a year
old.
Mr. Greig maintains loyal
adherence to the Liberal party but has never been a Politician in the
sense of office seeking. lie is a member of the Board of Trade and of
the Rotary Club and through these connections and in other ways
manifests his interest in the welfare and upbuilding of city and
province. Fraternally he is a Mason and his religious faith is that of
the Presbyterian church, to which his wife also belongs. As a business
mar' he has made a creditable name and place for himself. He devotes his
entire time to the management of the business of the Western Grocers,
Limited, a branch of the Western Grocers, Limited, of Winnipeg. He was
thrown upon his own resources when a young man and has since been
dependent upon his individual labors for advancement and success. He
early recognized the eternal principle that industry wins and industry
became the beacon light of his life. Close application, thoroughness and
reliability have carried him steadily forward, until he now occupies an
enviable place in commercial circles. |
