Charles Edward Dawson was an auctioneer, property appraiser and antique dealer. He lived at 1949 Barclay Street from 1917 to 1920.
Charles Edward Dawson was born in Ladysmith, Cape Colony, South Africa, on December 15, 1881 (or 1880). His father was Henry Francis Dawson, who was a school teacher. His mother was Rosie Elizabeth (or Ruth) Heyman.
After Charles finished his schooling in Cape Town, South Africa, he served with the South African military for two years and eight months during the Boer War. After the war, he joined an auctioneering and real estate firm in South Africa.
He arrived in Vancouver about 1910. By 1912, he was a managing director of Palmer, Burmester and von Graevenitz, which was a financial and estate firm. (Charles Mansel Burmester, one of the principals of the firm, had been in South Africa during the time of the Boer War. He lived at 2037 Pendrell Street in 1911.)
Charles lived at the following addresses in Vancouver:
| 1912 | number 607, 1214 Jervis Street (Holly Lodge Apartments) |
| 1913 to 1916 | 1001 Georgia Street (Glencoe Lodge ) |
| 1917 to 1920 | 1949 Barclay Street |
| 1921 | number 46, 1386 Nicola Street (Kensington Place Apartments) |
| 1922 | 1001 Georgia Street (Glencoe Lodge ) |
| 1923 to 1940 | 1555 Beach Avenue (listed as 1555 Pacific Street under names in 1923) |
| 1941 and 1943 | east side of Stevens Drive, British Properties, West Vancouver |
| 1944 | 1450 Laurier Avenue |
| 1945 | 2525 Southwest Marine Drive |
| 1946 | 1154 Gilford Street (Sylvia Hotel) |
By 1914, Charles had established his own auctioneer and appraisal business.
On April 17, 1916, in Vancouver, Charles married Lillian Ruth Duckworth. She was born on November 2, 1898, in Lachine, Quebec. Her father was Walter Ritchie Duckworth (1870-1942), who was a civil engineer. Her mother was Annie Ruth Brown (1866-1946).
Charles’s auction and appraisal business was very successful. For some time he also had a business that sold antiques and collectibles. He auctioned the contents of many large homes in Vancouver, including this small sample:
- October 1919: Charles auctioned the contents of 1933 Robson Street, which was the house of John McLellan Mackinnon (1863-1937).
- December 1942: Charles auctioned the contents of “Hycroft,” the residence of Senator Alexander Duncan McRae, after Senator McRae decided to donate the residence to the federal government as a convalescent hospital for war veterans.
From 1923 to 1940, Charles and Lillian lived at 1555 Beach Avenue.
In 1926, Charles retired from business and travelled in Europe.
In 1927, Charles and Lillian appeared in the Greater Vancouver Social and Club Register.
In 1933, Charles established a business that sold antiques and high grade furniture.
He belonged to the Western Club and the Shaughnessy Golf Club. He was a member of the Board of Trade, and the “Usadians” (now associated with the “International Executives Association”).
Charles died in Vancouver on October 10, 1946.
Lillian died in Vancouver on December 7, 1986.
It appears that Charles and Lillian did not have any children.
Sources
Charles Edward Dawson
Charles Edward Dawson, Who’s Who in British Columbia, volume 5, 1942-1943, pages 94-95.
Charles Edward Dawson, Who’s Who in British Columbia, volume 6, 1944-45-46, pages 65-66: “Dawson, Charles Edward—Born December, 1881, in Cape Colony, South Africa, son of Henry Francis Dawson, and grandson of Captain Francis Dawson of the Indian Civil Service. Educated in Cape Town. Joined one of the largest and leading auctioneering and real estate firms in South Africa after the South African War, and conducted many auction sales there. Came to Vancouver, 1910, and established in business as auctioneer, appraiser and general commission agent two years later. Conducted most of the outstanding sales of furniture and works of art in Vancouver. Has made a special study of antique furniture, china, Oriental rugs, etc. Retired from business 1926 and travelled in Europe for some time. Returned to business about 1933 and is now established as retail dealer in antiques and high grade furniture and furnishings, specializing in auction sales of the higher class and appraisals for various purposes. Served during Boer War (South African) with Western Province Mounted Rifles and later Army Service Corps—two years and eight months. Awarded Queen’s and King’s Medals. Married April 1916, Lillian Ruth, daughter of Walter R. Duckworth. Clubs: Shaughnessy Golf, Board of Trade, Usadians. Was a member of the old Western Club. Religion: Anglican. Recreations: riding, golf, and previously cricket and soccer football. Office: 1272 Granville Street, Vancouver. Residence: 2525 S.W. marine Drive, Vancouver, B.C.”
International Executives Association; http://www.ieaweb.com/. IEA History Handbook: Chapter 4: “The Executives’ Association Movement (1928–1950)”; http://www.ieaweb.com/web_documents/iea_history_handbook-01.pdf: “Out of many suggestions offered at a meeting held in Victoria, it was decided that the name proposed by Mr. E. T. Fredrich of Seattle, “The Usadians International,” would be most acceptable. The name “Usadians” was coined from the initial letters of the name “United States of America” and from. the last three syllables of the word “Canadians.”
“British Columbia Marriage Registrations, 1859-1932; 1937-1938,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:JDZ2-1YW : accessed 16 May 2016), Charles Edward Dawson and Lilian Ruth Duckworth, 17 Apr 1916; citing Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, British Columbia Archives film number B11379, Vital Statistics Agency, Victoria; FHL microfilm 1,983,707.
Merchant Prince: The Story of Alexander Duncan McRae; by Betty O’Keefe, Ian Macdonald, Surrey, British Columbia, Heritage House Publishing Co, 2001, page 200. (Auction of contents of Hycroft.)
“British Columbia Death Registrations, 1872-1986; 1992-1993”, database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FLLH-MK7 : accessed 16 May 2016), Charles Edward Dawson, 1946.
Walter Ritchie Duckworth (father of Lillian Ruth Duckworth)
“Canada Census, 1871,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M4KD-8X1 : accessed 16 May 2016), Walter Duckworth, St-Lambert, Chambly, Quebec, Canada; citing p. 7, line 15; Library and Archives Canada film number C-10060, Public Archives, Ottawa, Ontario; FHL microfilm 2,229,022.
“Canada Census, 1881,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MVJ3-LX6 : accessed 16 May 2016), Walter Duckworth in household of John Duckworth, St-Lambert, Chambly, Quebec, Canada; citing p. 4; Library and Archives Canada film number C-13205, Library and Archives Canada, Ottawa, Ontario; FHL microfilm 1,375,841.
“Canada Census, 1901,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KH5M-L5Q : accessed 16 May 2016), Walter Duckworth, D, Jacques-cartier, Quebec, Canada; citing p. 4, Library and Archives of Canada, Ottawa.
“British Columbia Death Registrations, 1872-1986; 1992-1993”, database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FLK5-97R : accessed 16 May 2016), Walter Ritchie Duckworth, 1942.
Walter Ritchie Duckworth, death notice, Vancouver Sun, January 14, 1942, page 17; https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=sTRlAAAAIBAJ&sjid=R4kNAAAAIBAJ&pg=6399%2C1508040: “Duckworth—Passed away Jan. 13, 1942, Walter Ritchie Duckworth, 3337 W. 3rd Ave. Survived by his loving wife, two sons, John M.C. of Montreal, and Herrick W. of Vancouver; three daughters, Mrs. C.E. Dawson, Mrs. A.M. Walker and Mrs. H.A. Jones, all of Vancouver, and five grandchildren. Private funeral service on Thursday, Jan. 15, in Simmons & McBride Funeral Chapel, Rev. F.W. Norwood, B.C.C., officiating. Cremation. No flowers by request.”
Annie Ruth Brown (mother of Lillian Ruth Duckworth)
“Canada Census, 1901,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KH5M-L57 : accessed 16 May 2016), Annie Duckworth in household of Walter Duckworth, D, Jacques-cartier, Quebec, Canada; citing p. 4, Library and Archives of Canada, Ottawa.
“British Columbia Death Registrations, 1872-1986; 1992-1993”, database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FLL4-MY4 : accessed 16 May 2016), Annie Duckworth, 1946.
Lillian Ruth Duckworth (wife of Charles Edward Dawson)
“Canada Census, 1901,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KH5M-L54 : accessed 16 May 2016), Lilian Duckworth in household of Walter Duckworth, D, Jacques-cartier, Quebec, Canada; citing p. 4, Library and Archives of Canada, Ottawa.
“British Columbia Death Registrations, 1872-1986; 1992-1993”, database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FLKY-GXL : accessed 16 May 2016), Lillian Ruth Dawson, 1986.
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