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Alberta, Past and Present, Historical and Biographical
Vol 3
Robert W. Greig


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.



 


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