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The horizon of every man's
achievements is fixed by his own powers and capabilities. This statement
is verified in the career of the Hon. Richard G. Reid, who began life in
a humble capacity and is now serving as minister of health and of
municipal affairs for Alberta, his industry, determination and ability,
enabling him to outdistance many who started out under more favorable
auspices. He was born near Glasgow, Scotland, in 1879, and is of Scotch
ancestry in both the paternal and maternal lines. His father, George
Reid, was a native of Aberdeenshire, Scotland, and was there married to
Margaret Ogstone, who survives him and is now living in Alberta.
Richard Gavin Reid
acquired his education in the public schools of Scotland, where he
continued to reside, excepting for a period of war service in South
Africa, until he reached the age of twenty-four years, when he started
for Canada, arriving at Killarney, Manitoba, in 1903. Six months later
he went to the lumber camps of New Ontario, where he was employed for a
similar period, and in May, 1904, he came to Edmonton. Later he
homesteaded in Saskatchewan but soon afterward the boundary line was
changed and his claim was then included within the confines of this
province, where he has since resided. His fellow citizens, recognizing
his worth and ability, called him to public office, and for four years
he was a member of the council of Buffalo Coulee, Alberta, acting as
reeve of the municipality during two years of that period. On the
organization of the Mannville Municipal Hospital district in 1918, Mr.
Reid was made a member of its board, on which he continued to serve
until his appointment to his present office, this being the first
Municipal Hospital district organized in the province. On the 13th of
August, 1921, Mr. Reid was made provincial minister of health and
minister of municipal affairs. He brought to his important duties
valuable practical experience, a clear understanding of the work
entrusted to his care, and a willingness to serve the public, and is
proving well worthy of the trust reposed in his ability.
Mr. Reid is a veteran of
the South African war and in recognition of his service to his country
he was awarded two medals. He enlisted at Glasgow, Scotland, in July,
1900, and in August of that year left for Africa. He was made lance
sergeant of the Royal Army Medical Corps, being the youngest man in his
mess to hold that rank, and was offered a commission, which he refused
to accept. He served in South Africa for twenty-two months and was under
fire during the Brak River engagement. He left that country, in
February, 1902, and was then sent to Scotland, where he spent nine
months, being connected with the hospital service during the greater
part of that period.
Mr. Reid was married at
Mannville, Alberta, to Miss Marian Stuart, a daughter of Kenneth Stuart.
Mr. and Mrs. Reid have two children: George Stuart, who was born July 1,
1920; and Flora Marian. Mr. Reid is a member of the Edmonton Golf &
Country Club and politically he is allied with the United Farmers of
Alberta, while in religious faith he is a Presbyterian. His
identification with public affairs forms one of the vital interests of
his life and lie has always done efficient and conscientious work, being
actuated at all time by high ideals and altruistic motives. |
