Charles A. Magrath

The subject of this sketch, business man, surveyor, pioneer, Member of Parliament, war-time administrator, and a great servant of his country, died in Victoria, BC, on October 30th, 1949, after a lengthy illness and at the advanced age of 89.

He was born at North Augusta, Ontario, April 22nd, 1860, and at the age of 18 accompanied one of the earliest DLS parties to the western part of Canada. He was a man of big and strong physique and the wide open spaces of the west caught and held him for many ensuing years. It was not therefore until November 1st, 1907, that he was welcomed into our association, during which time he had secured other degrees as above noted.

His subsequent years spent in his country's service may best be focussed synoptically thus:

1885 and year succeeding- Engaged in managing irrigation works at Lethbridge.

1892-Member Legislature North-West Territories.

1898-1901-Cabinet Minister.

1901-1906-Mayor of newly created City of Lethbridge.

1906-1911-Member Parliament for Medicine Hat.

1911-Appointed a member of Canadian Section of Interna­tional Joint Waterways Commission.

1913-Appointed Chairman of Special Commission to investigate and report on a highway system for Ontario.

1914 -Appointed Chairman of the Canadian Section of the said Waterways Commission.

1914-Member War Trade Board.

1914-Member Executive of Patriotic Fund.

1917-Appointed Fuel Controller for Canada.

1922-Appointed Chairman Fuel Advisory Board for Canada.

1925-1929-Appointed Chairman Ontario Hydro-Electric Power Commission.

These are the highlights of a life that was full of service.

Source: Association of Ontario Land Surveyors Biography