Alexander, Richard Henry (1844-1915)

Richard Henry Alexander (detail) Howay and Scholefield – British Columbia from the Earliest Times to the Present – 1914 – volume 3 – page 829; https://archive.org/stream/britishcolumbiaf00schouoft#page/829/mode/1up

Richard Henry Alexander was a lumberman and the assistant general manager of British Columbia Mills, Timber and Trading Company.

He lived at 1000 Gilford Street from 1906 to 1913.

Family Background

Richard Henry Alexander was born in Edinburgh, Scotland on March 26, 1844. His parents were James Alexander and Elizabeth Scott. James Alexander was a wine merchant.

To Canada

In 1855, the family moved to Toronto, where James Alexander continued his wine business.

Elizabeth died in Toronto, and James returned to Scotland, where he died at the age of 50.

Richard: Early Life

Richard went to school at Edinburgh Academy.

After arriving in Canada, he went to Upper Canada College and the University of Toronto.

To British Columbia

In the early 1860s, there were reports of gold discoveries on the Saskatchewan River and in British Columbia.

In 1862, Richard joined a group of adventurers who went on an overland trip to the gold fields. After a long and dangerous journey, including the head waters of the Fraser River, Richard and three remaining companions reached Fort George (now Prince George). Then they went down the Fraser River to Quesnel Mouth (now Quesnel), and then overland to New Westminster.

In British Columbia, Richard took on a series of jobs related to lumbering and mining. Like most people, he was not successful in mining, but he did better in working for businesses that supplied the mines.

Marriage to Emma Tammadge

On January 30, 1867, in Victoria, British Columbia, Richard married Emma Helen Tammadge.

Emma was one of about 60 unmarried women who had arrived in Victoria on September 17, 1862, aboard the “bride-ship” S.S. Tynemouth. Emma was born in London, England on July 29, 1844. Her parents were Joseph Tammadge and Emma Osborne.

To Vancouver 

Richard arrived in Vancouver in 1870, where he started working as an accountant for the Hastings Saw Mill Company. He became the manager of the company in 1882.

Richard H. Alexander, R E Gosnell – History of British Columbia (1906), pages 490-491, https://archive.org/stream/historybritishco00gosnrich#page/n592/mode/1up.

Public Life

At the first election for the City of Vancouver, Richard was a candidate for mayor, but he was not successful. (Malcolm Alexander MacLean, a Vancouver realtor, won by 17 votes.)

In the second city election, Richard was elected as an alderman. He was also a trustee and secretary of the first school board, and the only member of the local board of health.

He was also a notary public and justice of the peace.

From 1883, he was the chairman of the pilotage board, and for two years he was president of the Board of Trade.

For some time he was also the Vancouver agent for Lloyds of London.

In 1895, he became the consul for the Peruvian government.

Later Life

Richard belonged to the Vancouver Club, the Union Club of Victoria, and the Royal Vancouver Yacht Club (he was the commodore of the yacht club in 1906 and 1907).

R H Alexander – B C Mills – Timber and Trading Co – Vancouver – British Columbians as we see ’em – 1911; by Newspaper Cartoonists Association of British Columbia in Vancouver, B.C., unpaged, https://archive.org/stream/britishcolumbian00newsrich#page/n84/mode/1up.

He died in Seattle in 1915 while visiting his son, Frederick. He was buried in Mountain View Cemetery.

Victoria Daily Times, January 30, 1915, page 16, column 3.

Emma died in Point Grey, British Columbia on June 3, 1916. She was buried in Mountain View Cemetery.

Vancouver Daily World, June 5, 1916, page 14, column 1.

Richard and Emma had the following children.

Richard Henry Hancock Alexander

Richard Henry Hancock Alexander was born in Victoria, British Columbia, on November 16, probably in 1867.

He graduated from Upper Canada College in Toronto in 1883.

He became the secretary of BC Lumber and Shingle Manufacturers, Ltd.

He was married twice. His first marriage was to Gertrude Helena McWhinney on August 14, 1889, in Vancouver. Gertrude was born in Sarnia Ontario, about 1865. Her parents were William Henry and Lucy McWhinney. (Gertrude’s sister was Eliza Mahon MacWhinney, who married Donald Brims Charleson.)

Victoria Daily Times, August 16, 1889, page 4, column 2.

Gertrude died in Vancouver on June 5, 1890. She was buried in Mountain View Cemetery.

Vancouver Daily World, June 5, 1890, page 4, column 1.

Richard’s second marriage was to Isabel Phillipa Cartwright on November 21, 1906. Isabel was the daughter of Bishop Conway Edward Cartwright (1837-1920).

Vancouver Province, November 22, 1906, page 12, column 3.

Richard died in Vancouver on July 12, 1928. He was buried in Mountain View Cemetery.

Vancouver Province, July 12, 1928, page 1, column 3.

Isabel died in Vancouver on August 30, 1947. She was buried in Mountain View Cemetery.

Vancouver Sun, September 2, 1947, page 13, column 2.

Frederick Whiting Alexander

Frederick Whiting Alexander was born on December 19, 1869, in Victoria, British Columbia.

He worked in a series of lumbering and mining jobs. Later he became a lumber merchant in Seattle, Washington, as well as the Secretary and Manager of the Pacific Lumber Inspection Bureau in Seattle.

On April 22, 1908, in Seattle, he married Martha McVay.

“Washington, County Marriages, 1855-2008,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QKNB-C2Z2 : 28 September 2017), Frederick Whiting Alexander and Martha Bidwell McVay, 22 Apr 1908, King, Washington, United States, Washington State Archives, Olympia; FamilySearch digital folder 004267941.

Vancouver Daily World, May 5, 1908, page 2, column 7.

Frederick died in Seattle in on April 19, 1941.

Vancouver Sun, April 19, 1941, page 28, column 4.

Martha died in Seattle on May 21, 1955.

Eliza Scott Alexander

Eliza Scott Alexander was born in Victoria, British Columbia on June 30, 1871.

On June 30, 1896, she married John Louis Grahame Abbott. He was born on December 26, 1870 in Brockville, Ontario. His parents were Harry Braithwaite Abbott (1829-1915) and Margret Amelia Sicotte (1838-1903).

Ottawa Journal, July 2, 1896, page 7, column 5.

John died on February 19, 1927, in Seattle, Washington.

Vancouver Province, February 21, 1927, page 3, column 4.

Eliza died in Vancouver on March 12, 1957.

Vancouver Sun, March 13, 1957, page 36, column 3.

Henry Osborne (“Harry”) Alexander

Harry was born in what was then called Hastings Sawmill (later Vancouver), on December 16, 1873.

He became a lawyer, and he was later a judge in the Court of Small Debts and the Official Guardian for British Columbia.

On April 22, 1903, he married Anna Euphrosyne Rouleau. She was born on January 16, 1879, in Alymer, Quebec. Her parents were Charles Borrome Rouleau (1840-1901) and Elvina DuMouchel (1840-1901). (Anna’s sister, Marie Berthe Rouleau, married Eustace Haveland Grubbe in Vancouver on May 3, 1905.)

Vancouver Province, April 22, 1903, page 1, columns 2-3 [first portion of article].

Harry died on Gambier Island, British Columbia, on April 18, 1930. He was buried in Mountain View Cemetery in Vancouver.

Vancouver Sun, April 19, 1930, page 2, columns 6-7.

Anna died on December 15, 1953, in Edmonton, Alberta. She was buried in Mountain View Cemetery in Vancouver.

Vancouver Sun, December 18, 1953, page 42, column 3.

Sources

Richard Henry Alexander

Richard Henry Alexander, Who’s Who in Western Canada, 1911, page 92.

Richard Henry Alexander, Dictionary of Canadian Biography, http://www.biographi.ca/en/bio/alexander_richard_henry_14E.html

The Diary and Narrative of Richard Henry Alexander In a Journey Across the Rocky Mountains, ed. Neil Brearley, (Richmond, B.C.: The Alcuin Society, 1973).

Norman Hacking, review of The Diary and Narrative of Richard Henry Alexander in a Journey Across the Rocky Mountains, Vancouver Province, March 23, 1974, unknown page.

Alan Morley, “Memories to Forget,” review of The Diary and Narrative of Richard Henry Alexander in a Journey Across the Rocky Mountains, Vancouver Sun, March 15, 1974, unknown page.

Richard H. Alexander, R.E. Gosnell, History of British Columbia (1906), pages 490-491, https://archive.org/stream/historybritishco00gosnrich#page/490/mode/1up; https://archive.org/stream/historybritishco00gosnrich#page/491/mode/1up, (includes photograph): https://archive.org/stream/historybritishco00gosnrich#page/n592/mode/1up

Richard H. Alexander, E.O.S. Scholefield and F.W. Howay, British Columbia from the Earliest Times to the Present, (Vancouver, S.J. Clarke, 1914), volume 3, pages 828-832; https://archive.org/stream/britishcolumbiaf00schouoft#page/828/mode/1up

J. B. Kerr, Biographical dictionary of well–known British Columbians, with a historical sketch (Vancouver, 1890), pages 80-83.

Richard Henry Alexander (1844-1915), http://www.abcbookworld.com/view_author.php?id=1945

Richard Henry Alexander (1844-1915), Vancouver City Archives, http://searcharchives.vancouver.ca/alexander-richard-henry-1844-1915

Richard Henry Alexander, The Greater Vancouver Book, The Greater Vancouver Book (Chuck Davis, Editor-in-Chief), Surrey, British Columbia, Linkman Press, 1997, page 810.

Richard Henry Alexander, Vancouver voters, 1886 : a biographical dictionary, edited & compiled by Peter S.N. Claydon and Valerie A. Melanson, and members of the British Columbia Genealogical Society, pages 32-35.

“Highland wanderers,” Lisa Smedman, Vancouver Courier, November 2, 2007, pages 1, 4-7.

Annals of the Royal Vancouver Yacht Club, 1903 – 1965: A history of organized racing and cruising in British Columbia Coastal Waters’ (Vancouver, 1965, Royal Vancouver Yacht Club), includes references to Richard Henry Alexander, and his sons Dick, Harry and Fred.

“Scotland, Births and Baptisms, 1564-1950,” index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/VQC6-YH5 : accessed 23 Dec 2013), Richard Henry Alexander, 26 Mar 1844; citing SAINT CUTHBERTS, EDINBURGH, MIDLOTHIAN, SCOTLAND, reference ; FHL microfilm 1066762.

British Columbia Colonial Marriage Registrations, Registration Number: A7 3, Richard W Alexander and Emma E Tamage, January 30, 1867: Place: Victoria St. Andrews Presbyterian Church, Victoria, British Columbia, B.C. Archives Microfilm Number: B09707; GSU Microfilm Number: 2073299.

“Canada Census, 1881,” index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/MV69-PYR : accessed 23 Dec 2013), Richard H. Alexander, North, New Westminster, British Columbia, Canada.

“Canada Census, 1891,” index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/MWK3-4M1 : accessed 23 Dec 2013), Rich Alexander, Vancouver City, New Westminster, British Columbia, Canada.

“Canada Census, 1901,” index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/KHVJ-8TL : accessed 23 Dec 2013), Rich’d H Alexander, 1901. (Alternative link: http://automatedgenealogy.com/census/View.jsp?id=60044&highlight=16&desc=1901+Census+of+Canada+page+containing+Rich.+M.+Alexander)

Canada Census, 1911, British Columbia, Vancouver, 2 Vancouver City, page 40, family 407, lines 23-25; http://automatedgenealogy.com/census11/View.jsp?id=63731&highlight=23&desc=1911+Census+of+Canada+page+containing+Richard+Henry+Alexander

“Washington, Death Certificates, 1907-1960,” index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/N3L2-P77 : accessed 23 Dec 2013), Richard Henry Alexander, 29 Jan 1915.

“Honored Pioneer is Laid at Rest: City and Province Largely Represented at Funeral of R.H. Alexander: Final Tributes of Respect – Last Scenes at Church and Graveside,” Vancouver Province, Febraury 2, 1915, page 10.

Emma Helen Tammadge (wife of Richard Henry Alexander)

Peter Wilton Johnson, Voyages of Hope: The Saga of the Bride-ships, TouchWood Editions, 2002.

Victorian Bride Ships, http://somethingvictorianblog.blogspot.ca/2006/08/victorian-bride-ships.html

The British Columbia Emigration Society, June 9th, 2010, http://victoriahistory.ca/blog/2010/06/the-british-columbia-emigration-society/

“Pioneer Woman’s Noble Life Ends: Mrs. R.H. Alexander Came to British Columbia 54 Years Ago: Administered to the Sick and Needy in Early Days on Burrard Inlet,” Vancovuer Pro0vince, June 5, 1916.

“Forerunner of White Women on Inlet Dies Wrapped in History: Mrs. R.H. Alexander Came Here in 1867 and Had Seen City Grow from Shacks to Present Time,” Vancouver Sun, June 5, 1916, page 12.

Emma Helen Alexander, death notice, Vancouver Sun, June 5, 1916, page 11; Vancouver Province, June 3, 1916, page 21, .Vancouver Province, June 5, 1916, page 15.

Richard Henry Hancock Alexander

“British Columbia Marriage Registrations, 1859-1932,” index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/JDZ6-7ZB : accessed 23 Dec 2013), Richard Henry Hancock Alexander and Gertrude Helena Mcwhinney, 1889.

British Columbia Marriage Registrations, Registration Number: 1889-09-043520, Richard Henry Hancock Alexander and Gertrude Helena Mcwhinney.

“British Columbia Death Registrations, 1872-1986,” index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/FL26-RJ9 : accessed 23 Dec 2013), Gertrude Helena Alexander, 1890.

“British Columbia Death Registrations, 1872-1986,” index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/FL26-RJM : accessed 23 Dec 2013), Gertrude Helena Alexander, Jun 5.

British Columbia Death Registrations, Registration Number: 1890-09-111591, Gertrude Helena Alexander.

“British Columbia Death Registrations, 1872-1986,” index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/FLKF-1NL : accessed 24 Dec 2013), Conway Edward Cartwright, 1920.

British Columbia Death Registrations, Registration Number: 1920-09-263465, Conway Edward Cartwright.

“British Columbia Marriage Registrations, 1859-1932,” index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/JD81-XHS : accessed 23 Dec 2013), Richard Henry Hancock Alesander and Isabel Philippa Cartwright, 1906.

British Columbia Marriage Registrations, Registration Number: 1906-09-052299, Richard Henry Hancock Alexander and Isabel Philippa Cartwright.

“British Columbia Death Registrations, 1872-1986,” index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/FL2F-DLT : accessed 23 Dec 2013), Richard Henry Handcock Alexander, 1928.

British Columbia Death Registrations, Registration Number: 1928-09-402317, Richard Henry Hancock Alexander.

“British Columbia Death Registrations, 1872-1986,” index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/FLRP-CHM : accessed 23 Dec 2013), Isabel Phillippa Alexander, 1947.

British Columbia Death Registrations, Registration Number: 1947-09-007598, Isabel Phillippa Alexander.

“New York, Passenger Arrival Lists (Ellis Island), 1892-1924,” index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/JJ7P-CMX : accessed 23 Dec 2013), Rich’d. H. Alexander, 29 Aug 1914; citing Olympic, United States National Archives, Washington, D.C.

Emma Helen Alexander (née Tammadge)

“British Columbia Death Registrations, 1872-1986,” index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/FLKZ-TYS : accessed 24 Dec 2013), Emma Helen Alexander, 1916.

British Columbia Death Registrations, Registration Number: 1916-09-147540, Emma Helen Alexander.

“British Columbia Death Registrations, 1872-1986,” index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/FL2F-DLT : accessed 23 Dec 2013), Richard Henry Handcock Alexander, 1928.

British Columbia Death Registrations, Registration Number: 1928-09-402317, Richard Henry Handcock Alexander.

Frederick Whiting Alexander

“Washington, County Marriages, 1855-2008,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QPML-QY9K : 28 November 2018), Frederick Whiting Alexander and Martha Bidwell McVay, 22 Apr 1908, King, Washington, United States, Washington State Archives, Olympia; FamilySearch digital folder 004197945.

“United States Census, 1910,” index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/MGV6-G7B : accessed 24 Dec 2013), Frederick W Alexander, Seattle Ward 4, King, Washington, United States; citing sheet , family 27, NARA microfilm publication T624, FHL microfilm 1375672.

“United States Census, 1920,” index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/MHFR-842 : accessed 24 Dec 2013), Fred Alexander, Seattle, King, Washington, United States; citing sheet , family 38, NARA microfilm publication T625, FHL microfilm 1821927.

“United States Census, 1930,” index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/XC3C-2RG : accessed 24 Dec 2013), Fred W Alexander, Seattle, King, Washington, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) 0089, sheet , family 117, NARA microfilm publication .

“United States Census, 1940,” index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/K93W-LL6 : accessed 24 Dec 2013), Frederick A Alexander, Tract H-2, Seattle, Seattle Election Precinct, King, Washington, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) 40-137, sheet 2B, family 42, NARA digital publication of T627, roll 4378.

“Washington, Death Certificates, 1907-1960,” index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/N3RJ-SKF : accessed 23 Dec 2013), Frederick W. Alexander, 19 Apr 1941.

Martha McVay (wife of Frederick Whiting Alexander)

“Washington Death Certificates, 1907-1960,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:NQML-5R6 : 10 March 2018), Martha Mcvay Alexander, 21 May 1955; citing Seattle, King, Washington, reference 8992, Bureau of Vital Statistics, Olympia; FHL microfilm 2,033,487.

Elizabeth Scott Alexander

“British Columbia Marriage Registrations, 1859-1932,” index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/JDZ6-V9N : accessed 23 Dec 2013), John Louis Grahame Abbott and Eliza Scott Alexander, 1896.

“British Columbia Death Registrations, 1872-1986,” index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/FL5W-NR3 : accessed 23 Dec 2013), Elizabeth Scott Abbott, 1957.

Henry Osborne Alexander

[Magistrate H.O. Alexander], Vancouver City Archives : AM54-S4-: Port P640, http://searcharchives.vancouver.ca/magistrate-h-o-alexander;rad

Henry Osborne Alexander, http://www.vancouverhistory.ca/whoswho_A.htm

“Canada Census, 1881,” index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/MV69-PBV : accessed 24 Dec 2013), Henry Alexander, North, New Westminster, British Columbia, Canada.

“British Columbia Marriage Registrations, 1859-1932,” index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/JD8B-YW5 : accessed 23 Dec 2013), Henry Osborne Alexander and Anna Euphrosyne Rouleau, 1903.

British Columbia Marriage Registrations, Registration Number: 1903-09-049063, Henry Osborne Alexander and Anna Euphrosyne Rouleau.

“British Columbia Death Registrations, 1872-1986,” index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/FLG6-LZ2 : accessed 23 Dec 2013), Richard Henry Alexander in entry for Henry Osborne Alexander, 1930.

British Columbia Death Registrations, Registration Number: 1930-09-435764, Henry Osborne Alexander.