Joined: Feb 2007
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Thomas M. Percival (Postmaster, Jailer, and non-Alderman was born on July 29th 1
7/29/2010 at 8:36 AM
1851 in Bramcote, Warwickshire England, and he attended Grammar school in Wolvey.
He was an Indentured Apprentice Grocer in Birmingham, and upon graduation founded his own business at Coventry, which he operated for ten years.
In 1884 he Immigrated to Canada, and worked in the pork packing business for three years in Hamilton Ontario.
In 1887 he moved to Manitoba, and farmed outside of Brandon until 1893. He sold the farm in 1895, and started another Grocery Business.
After a fire in 1897 he worked from a temporary grocery stand while waiting the re-building of his fire-ravaged venue located on Tenth Street, and Pacific Avenue.
In England he had an interest in Public Service, and was elected President of the Conservative Association in Coventry, and a city Councillor. He continued his career in Public Service here in Brandon, and ran for Alderman of the Brandon city council.
On Election Day of 1904 Mr. Percival acquired a place over Mr. H. M. Willoughby by one Ballot, (135 – 134). Mr. Willoughby protested claiming that Mr. Percival did not possess the necessary property qualifications.
The first civic government meeting of 1905 saw the contemplation of Mr. Percival’s Aldermanic future.
This dispute was presented to His Honour Judge Cumberland who after studying City Assessment, and Title Records ruled that Mr, Percival had no right to sit as an Alderman, but neither could the defeated Mr. Willoughby occupy the disputed chair.
In 1912 Postmaster Kenneth Campbell accepted the Royal Bank Managership, and so Mr. T. M. Percival took over the Postal Office.
He had just recently been appointed Gaol Governor over ousted Mr. R. D. Hetherington. A new gaoler was appointed, but he soon moved on, and was replaced by Mr. E. V. Heathcote. He intern was supplied guests sent by Mr. W. H. Bates, who was the successor to retired Police Magistrate Mr. Henry James.
Mr. Percival was a member of the Independent Order of Foresters (I.OF.), The Sons of England (S.O.E.), The Maccabees, the Orange Society (L.O.B.A.), a charter member of the Western Agriculture & Arts Assoc. (W.A.A.A.), President of the Brandon Farmers Institute (B.F.I.), a member of the Horticultural & Forestry Association (H.F.A.), and belonged to the Church of England (C of E).
He had no time for marriage.
Source: History of Manitoba by George Bryce, 1906.
Brandon a City by G. F. Barker, 1977.
Edited by Robert Booth, 2010-07-29 08:37:53