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Thompson, Robert Schuyler MLA (1844)
9/16/2010 at 7:54 AM
Was born on September 16th 1844 at Lanark County, Ontario. He was the son of Thomas Thompson, farmer and stonemason who lived to the age of 90 years.
His mother was Grace Schuyler: both his parents came from Lanarkshire in Scotland in the early 1830’s.
Mr. Schuyler was educated in Lanark and Rockwood Academy in County Wellington, Ontario. He left school at 17 years and was employed by the London Publishing Company of Toronto 1863 – 75.
He quit this job because of failing health and spent the next few years at Georgian Bay and in the Nipissing district, hunting and enjoying the out doors life.
By 1879 he made a full recovery and moved to Crookstown, then to Emerson in Manitoba by way of the Red River.
He took up a Homestead at Rock Lake near Pilot Mound on the banks of the Pembina River and ferried settlers across the river by canoe, which was the only one in the district at that time. He stayed there for only five years.
He was appointed one of the first Justices of the Peace in the district, and helped organize the municipal council of Louise, and was made Reeve and Warden of the city.
In 1886 he was elected to the Legislature, and moved to Glenboro. He was engaged in the lumber, furniture, and agriculture businesses until 1897.
In 1898 he represented the Westminster Publishing Company from Manitoba to the Pacific Coast.
From 1899 – 1904 he represented the London, and Lancashire Life Insurance Company as their Inspector of Agencies in Manitoba.
In 1904 he moved to Brandon, and started a Real Estate and Finance Agency. He was one of the incorporators of Edrons Brandon Pressed Brick Company, and became President, and Managing Director. He was a member of the St. Paul’s Church congregation.
He married Ms. Isabella Butchart, the daughter of William Butchart, formally of Ontario, and an early settler of the Rock Lake District.
They had four children: Ernest W. a travelling salesman, for the Hudson's Bay Knitting Company of Winnipeg, Thomas Garnet, ran a hardware business in Hamiota, Robert Harold, was in business with father, and Helen, still in school in 1906. He retired to Victoria, BC where he died on 28 May 1930.
Source: History of Manitoba by George Bryce. 1906.