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John M. Campbell is manager
at Calgary of the Royal Bank of Canada— Third Street, West, branch—one
of the substantial moneyed institutions of the city, and he is well
qualified for this responsible office, for his attention has been
concentrated upon financial matters from the age of sixteen years. He
was born in Manitou, Manitoba, October 11, 1883, and is a son of Donald
D. and Christina (McGregor) Campbell, natives of the province of
Ontario. Coming to the west, the father entered a homestead in Manitoba
and proved up on his land, which he converted into a productive farm.
For a number of years he continued to cultivate his property and then
removed to Manitou, accepting a position with the firm of Gordon & Iron-
side, dealers in live stock and grain. Subsequently he took over the
business, which he operated under his own name for a number of years. He
is now acting as claim agent for the Winnipeg Grain Exchange, to which
position he was first appointed by the government, but of late years has
operated independently. Although seventy-three years of age, lie is
still all factor in the world's work, and Mrs. Campbell has reached the
age of severity-one.
Their son, John M,
Campbell, acquired his education in the rural schools near his father's
farm in Manitoba and the public schools of Manitou, and in August, 1899,
he made his entry into the financial world, becoming junior clerk in the
Bank of Hamilton in that city. He readily mastered the duties assigned
him, winning promotion to the position of accountant, and later was
transferred to the Grain Exchange branch at Winnipeg, where he acted in
that capacity from 1903 until 1906. In the latter year he was assigned
the task of opening a branch at Francis, Saskatchewan, this being one of
the earliest banks established in that part of the country, and for six
months he was its manager. He then severed his connection with that
financial institution and joined the Northern Crown Bank at Winnipeg.
Soon afterward he was made manager of its interests at Long- ham,
Saskatchewan, and a few months later was placed in charge of its bank at
Balcarres, in the same province, where he remained for a year. In
December, 1908, he was transferred to High River, Alberta, and was there
stationed for three years, on the expiration of which period he was sent
to Red Deer, acting as manager of that branch from 1911 until eb- ruary,
1920. In 1918 the holdings of the Northern Crown Bank were acquired by
the Royal Bank of Canada, with which he has since been identified, and
in 1920 Mr. Campbell was appointed manager of its Calgary Third Street,
West, branch, in which capacity he is now serving. Broad practical
experience has given him a detailed knowledge of the complex problems of
modern finance and in controlling the institution he manifests keen
sagacity and marked executive force. It has greatly prospered under his
able administration and his employers have the utmost confidence in his
judgment, foresight and honesty.
On October 15, 19077 Mr.
Campbell was united in marriage to Miss Isabelle V. Dynes, a daughter of
William and Sarah M. (Wilson) Dynes, natives of Ontario. For many years
the father operated a farm near Orangeville, in that province, and in
1906 he came to the west, settling in Saskatchewan, where he and his
wife now reside and where he is following agricultural pursuits. He has
one of the best improved and most productive farms in his district. Mr.
and Mrs. Campbell have three children: Donald Dynes, who was born
February 11, 1909; Wilson McGregor, whose birth occurred on the 31st of
January, 1911; and Jean Margaret, born November 22, 1913.
Mr. Campbell is a member
of the Presbyterian church and in his political views he is an
independent Liberal. He has never been neglectful of the duties of
citizenship and while residing at Red Deer, Alberta, he served for three
terms on the town council. He is identified with the Masonic order,
belonging to Kenilworth Lodge, No. 29, A. F. & A. M., at Red Deer, of
which he is a past master, and also to Keystone Chapter, No. 12, R. A.
M., at that place. He is fond of hunting and takes a deep interest in
all kinds of athletic sports, maintaining an even balance between work
and play. He is president of the St. Andrew's Golf Club and a member of
the Calgary Curling Club and probably no man in the province is better
known in connection with the latter sport. He has found that the field
of opportunity is open to all who have the courage to persevere therein
and industry and ability have brought him to the front in his chosen
line of activity. His opinions carry weight in financial circles of the
city and he is recognized as a man of integrity, whose word is always to
be relied upon. |
