Scotland has contributed
many worthy citizens to Canada and not the least of these is David
Ormond, who is registrar of vital statistics in Calgary. He was born in
Forfar, Scotland, in May, 1878, a son of David and Margaret (Roberts)
Ormond, likewise natives of that country. In early life the father
apprenticed himself to the baker's trade and he engaged in that line of
work for many years. He is now living retired in Glasgow. Mrs. Ormond
died on the 25th of December, 1920.
In the acquirement of his
education David Ormond attended the North End public schools and the
Forfar Academy, at Forfar, Scotland. After putting his textbooks aside
he engaged in building construction and he was active in that connection
in his native country until 1905, when he sailed for America. For one
year he lived in New York, where he followed the building construction
trade and in the latter part of 1906 he came to Calgary and was foreman
of several important jobs here. In 1911 he engaged in contracting on his
own account and successfully continued that business until 1921, when he
was appointed registrar of vital statistics, which position he holds at
the present time. The business affairs of Mr. Ormond have always been
capably conducted. Tireless energy, keen perception, honesty of purpose,
joined to everyday common sense, guided by resistless will power, are
the chief characteristics of the man and he well merits the position he
occupies among the influential and leading citizens of Calgary. Mr.
Ormond was one of the organizers of what was known as the Crescent
Heights Village and he was a member of the school board of that
community until it was annexed to the city of Calgary. For two terms he
was a member of the board of the Calgary Hospital. He is
public-spirited, giving his cooperation to every movement which tends to
promote the moral, intellectual and material welfare of the community.
In August, 1908, was
celebrated the marriage of Mr. Ormond and Miss Robina Shepherd, a
daughter of Robert and Ann (Wishart) Shepherd, natives of Arbroath,
Scotland. The father still resides in Scotland and is a retired
blacksmith, but Mrs. Shepherd died in August, 1893. To Mr. and Mrs.
Ormond two children have been born: Margaret R., whose birth occurred in
August, 1910; and Ralph W., who was born in March, 1913.
Fraternally Mr. Ormond is
identified with the Masons and he is an exemplary member of the craft.
Socially he is identified with the Regal Golf Club. His religious faith
is that of the Presbyterian church. From 1898 to 1905 Mr. Ormond was a
member of the Tay Division, Royal Engineers, Volunteer Submarine Miners.
He retired with the rank of sergeant. |