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Hon. Andrew R. McLennan,
one of Edmonton's substantial business men, has also made his influence
felt in civic, political and governmental affairs and is now Serving as
a member of the Alberta legislature. He was born at Walkerton, Ontario,
in 1871, and his parents, Thomas and Barbara (Little) McLennan, were
both natives of Scotland. In early life they came to Canada, settling in
the province of Ontario, where the father acquired a farm and aided in
developing the agricultural resources of that section of the Dominion.
He had received an excellent education and through judicious reading was
constantly increasing his store of knowledge. He was an influential
factor in political affairs, serving as president of the Liberal
Association, and his religious views embraced the teachings of the
Presbyterian church. Mr. and Mrs. McLennan both passed away in Bruce
county, Ontario. They had a family of twelve children, tell whom
survive, the subject of this review being the eleventh in order of
birth.
Andrew Robert McLennan
attended the public schools and later completed a course in a business
college and oil out in life he took up the occupation of farming but
soon afterward embarked in the lumber business at Kenora, Ontario, where
he engaged in the manufacture of lumber from 1897 until 1905. He next
made his way to the province of Saskatchewan, locating at Abernathy,
where he remained until 1912, when he came to Alberta and opened a
lumberyard in Edmonton. He has since conducted a general retail business
as a member of the firm of Pray & McLennan, Ltd., of which he is
manager.
In June, 1903, Mr.
McLennan married Miss Annette L. Pray, a daughter of his business
associate, William H. Pray, who was born in the state of New York and
has now reached the age of eighty-two years. Mr. and Mrs. McLennan have
two daughters: Harriet Little, a high school pupil; and Mary H., who is
attending grammar school.
Mr. McLennan has always
taken a deep interest in political matters and formerly served as
president of the Liberal Association. As a candidate of that party he
was chosen to represent his district in the Alberta legislature at the
last general election and he is recognized as one of the able members of
that body. For three years he was an alderman of Edmonton, in which
capacity he rendered effective service to the city, and he has also been
honored with the presidency of the Edmonton Exhibition Association,
having filled that office for two terms, while in 1920 he was president
of the Curling Club. He is a Royal Arch Mason and a Presbyterian in
religious faith. All the days in his career have not been equally
bright, but he has never allowed obstacles and difficulties to
discourage him, realizing the fact that advancement goes hand in hand
with energy, enterprise and determination, and success has crowned his
efforts. He is imbued with the spirit of progress along all lines which
lead to municipal and provincial development and combines in his
character all of the qualities of a useful and desirable citizen. |
