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One of the most efficient
and popular public officials of Lacombe is Norman E. Carruthers,
secretary and treasurer and also active in other offices. He was born in
Prince Edward Island in 1872, a son of Robert W. and Hannah (McWilliams)
Carruthers, likewise natives of that island, in which they are now
living. The paternal grandfather came from Ayrshire, Scotland, and
located in Prince Edward Island at an early day and the maternal
grandparents were natives of Scotland. For many years Robert W.
Carruthers was a farmer. He cleared his first farm land, achieved
substantial success in agricultural pursuits, and is now living retired.
Mr. and Mrs. Carruthers were married in 1865. To their union seven
children have been born, six of whom are now living, Norman E. being the
fourth in order of birth. Mr. and Mrs. Carruthers are consistent members
of the Church of Scotland and the father is a Conservative in politics.
Norman E. Carruthers
received his early education in the public schools of his birthplace and
was graduated from high school at Centerville. He took a normal course
after leaving high school, in the Prince of Wales College & Normal
School at Charlottetown. He taught in eastern schools from 1890 to 1901
and is a past president of the Educational Association of Prince Edward
Island. In the spring of 1902 he came to Lacombe and taught in the
country schools here for four months. He then took a special course in
the Regina Normal School, following which lie taught for six months at
Innisfail. At the termination of that time he returned to Lacombe and
was principal of the Lacombe schools from 1903 to July, 1917, with the
exception of four months when he taught in White Horse, Yukon. He was
secretary-treasurer of the Alberta Educational Association for several
years. In 1917 he became city secretary and treasurer and electric light
commissioner. He has since been active in those important capacities and
is now also holding the office of police magistrate, having been
appointed in the fall of 1922. He was appointed justice of the peace
under the old government in 1904 and has since held that office. He is a
man of keen executive ability and foresight and devotes his entire time
and attention to his official duties.
In 1909 was celebrated
the marriage of Mr. Carruthers to Miss Lydia J. Boyd, who was born and
educated in Quebec, and has studied to be a nurse. To Mr. and Mrs.
Carruthers four children have been born: Helen M. and Robert Boyd, who
are attending school; Norman E., Jr.; and Thomas J., three years of age.
In his political views
Mr. Carruthers has always favored the Conservative Party and he wields
much influence in party affairs. His religious faith is manifest in his
membership in the Presbyterian church and fraternally he is identified
with the Masons, having attained the thirty- second degree in the
Scottish Rite. He is Junior Grand Warden of the Grand Lodge of the
province of Alberta and has held all chairs in the blue lodge, lie has
passed through all chairs in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and is
a past patron of the Order of the Eastern Star. Mr. Carruthers is
accorded the esteem and respect of a large circle of acquaintances in
the municipality, having manifested in both his public and private life
those qualities which have won for him the regard and confidence of
those with whom he has had either social or business relations. |
