JAMES ALLISON GLEN
James Allison Glen was born at Renton, Dumbartonshire,
Scotland, on December 18th, 1877, son of Mr. and Mrs. David Glen. His father was a
boot and shoe merchant at Renton. Mr. Glen was a graduate of the University of Glasgow in
Law and came to Canada in 1911, first coming to Birtle, Manitoba, to open a law practice
in that year and coming to Russell in 1914, where he has since resided. He has lived in
Marquette constituency since first coming to Canada.
In 1920 he was elected president of the Manitoba School Trustees
Association and held this position for a period of four years. In 1924 he was named
president of the Manitoba Economic Conference and retained this position until 1926.
Mr. Glen was first elected to the House of Commons in 1926 as the Liberal
Progressive member for Marquette. He became leader of the Progressive group in the House
and was named a member of the important Special Committee on Immigration in 1928, later
becoming chairman of the committee which presented the report on that subject to the House
of Commons. In 1928 and 1930 he was a member of the Special Committee on the Revision of
the Grain Act, and was, in 1930, appointed chairman of the Special Bills committee. From
1935 to 1940 he was chairman of the Manitoba caucus of the federal Liberal members.
Upon his re-election in the election of 1940 he was elected by the
House of Commons to the position of the highest commoner in Canada, namely Speaker of the
House of Commons. He held this position until Prime Minister King called him to the
federal cabinet as Minister of Mines and Resources. He was sworn in as such on
Wednesday, April 15th, while acting as Speaker of the House of Commons, he has been highly
regarded by all parties in the House for his nonpartisan interest in debates.
In 1943 the degree of Honorary Doctor of Laws was conferred upon Mr.
Glen by the University of Manitoba.
As member for Marquette Mr. Glen endeavored to fully represent its
constituents both in and out of the House of Commons. His particular interest in Riding
Mountain National Park was well known.
Address presented to Hon. J.A. Glen -
* Following is the text of the address presented by citizens of the district to Hon. J. A.
Glen, Speaker of the House of Commons, Monday evening. The address was the work of
Rev. H. B. Wallace, of Emerson.
Russell, Man. - Sept. 30, 1940
To The Honorable James Allison Glen, K.C., M.P.
Dear Mr. Glen:
The Government of the dominion of Canada has deemed it wise and proper
to confer upon you the honor of electing you to the high office of Speaker of the House of
Commons. A position for which you are admirably fitted both by nature and training.
Since coming to reside in our district you have given freely of your
time and talent to all that pertained to the welfare and betterment of our community life.
Your contribution to the educational, business and social life of our
people has extended far beyond the bounds of the Province of Manitoba.
Naturally, we are proud of the honor which you have brought to our
community, and we take this opportunity of publicly expressing our thanks, and at the same
time pay our humble tribute to your worth as a private citizen.
It is a great joy and satisfaction to us, as it must be to you, that your
dreams of playing a major part in the government of the Dominion of Canada have been
realized.
Coming, as it does, at one of the most critical periods in the history of our
nation, we would like you to feel that, as loyal citizens, we are with you and our
Government, until every trace of tyranny has been banished from our Commonwealth.
We believe that the same judgment, wise counsel, and ready wit that has
characterized your actions in the past, is a valuable asset to the Dominion of the Canada,
and will carry our government safely over the rough and perilous paths of parliamentary
procedure.
We are not unmindful also of the kindly and gracious understanding of your
devoted partner in life, Mrs. Glen.
Our sincere wish is that both you and Mrs. Glen will continue to enjoy many
years of happiness among us.
Well done, fellow citizen, we are proud of you!
Signed on behalf of the citizens of Russell and community.
Yours very sincerely,
Harold S. Hembroff,
Mayor of the Town of Russell.
James Rea, Reeve of the Rural Municipality of Russell
Mrs. J. A. Glen (Mary H. Law)
Mary H. Law was born in Tillicoutry, in 1872, Clackmanshire, Scotland. She
was married to Mr. J. A. Glen in December 1905, in Glasgow, Scotland.
She arrived in Canada in June of 1912 stopping at Winnipeg, where she
joined her husband prior to going to Birtle. Mrs. Glen recalls this was the year of
the big cyclone in Regina, with terrific winds and extreme heat wave. They lived in
Birtle for two years, in 1914 moved to Russell, Manitoba, where her husband joined the
partnership with Mr. W. W. W. Wilson.
Mrs. Glen was active in many organizations, attended the Women's
Institute conventions in Winnipeg as Russell delegate. An ardent worker in the Red Cross,
during 1914 World War I, being their secretary treasurer for 15 years. One of the
highlights she often speaks about was the Tonsil Clinic in 1922, which was organized by
Mrs. L. Swindell and herself. This was a Red Cross project, Dr. Walter Tisdale was
the Red Cross doctor, from Winnipeg. Dr. Bates and Dr. T. W. Shaw of Russell, were the
assisting doctors. Mr. Pratt, principal of Russell High School, set aside one school
room for the operating theatre. The Clinic was held for one day only, a large
project for a small town, and most successful.
A Life Member of the Women's Missionary Society, in the United Church
of Canada. Also a Life Member of the Women's Liberal Association. A member of
long standing in Crystal Rebekah Lodge. She has many fond memories of her life on
the prairies, and now makes her home in Toronto, Ontairo. Mrs. Glen has a son, David
Paul, who married Muriel Hughes, one grandson, Ronald
David, and two great granddaughters.
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