McRae Family
William John McRae was the last of eight children of the marriage of Alex McRae and Jane Dey to migrate to British Columbia from the family farm in Glengarry County, Ontario. After a short stay with several brothers and sisters in Revelstoke, Mr. McRae went to the coast where he bought a men’s clothing business on Commercial Drive in the Grandview district of Vancouver. Approximately two years later in December, 1913, he sold this business and moved with his wife and children to Golden where he acquired the men’s clothing store of a Mr. McFarland. The sign on the store and the accompanying awning now read “McRae’s men’s Furnishings.”
Mr. McRae was born on November 15, 1877, in Dunvegan, County of Glengarry, Province of Ontario. Mrs. McRae was born on March 31, 1884 at Skye in the neighbouring County of Prescott. She was the daughter of Matthew Urquhart and Mary Catherine Douglas. The two were married by the Reverend Charles Gordon, better know as Ralph Connor, the author of many popular books of bygone years; to mention a few, The Sky Pilot, Glengarry School Days, and of special interest to Columbia Valley people, the Legend of the Windermere, and Tales of the Rockies. The marriage took place in Ralph Connor’s church in St. Elmo, Ontario on October 28, 1903.
Mr. and Mrs. McRae were the proud parents of four children: Myrtle, Ruby, Annie and Kenny. Myrtle, Ruby and Annie were all born in the east. Kenny was born in Vancouver, but could also claim the distinction of being a native of Golden inasmuch as he was a mere babe in arms when the family took up residence there.
The McRaes lived in Golden from 1913 to 1934 and shared this period which was an integral part in the business, community and social life of the town. Mr. McRae was the perennial President of the Golden Board of Trade for many years and in this capacity presided at the official opening ceremonies of the Kicking Horse Trail in July 9, 1927. He was an ardent Liberal and worked diligently for the party both provincially and federally. He was also deeply involved with the Masonic Order and much of the credit for building of a Masonic Temple in Golden can be attributed to his efforts. Other interests included the Golden Park and Hospital Boards and the promotion of sports, particularly baseball, along with his good friend, E.J. Scovil.
Mrs. McRae was much loved by all who knew her. She was an extremely kind and hospitable person and had many good friends. She was a charter member of the Golden Chapter, Order of Eastern Star and was active in church work and the social activities of the town. In 1934, feeling the full brunt of the depression and with business nearing a standstill, Mr. McRae closed the Golden store and purchased the men’s clothing business of his brother in Revelstoke. Later, after the death of his brother, he acquired his brother’s automobile dealership. Mr. McRae died in Revelstoke on January 31, 1940 – a young man of sixty-three. Mrs McRae died on January 23, 1961.
Myrtle, the eldest daughter of the family, never married. She helped in the stores in both Golden and Revelstoke. When the business in Revelstoke was sold after Mr. McRae’s death, shed worked for Boeing Aircraft in Vancouver. She died on February 1, 1957 after a lingering illness.
Ruby, the second daughter, married George Beattie who was employed as a sawyer by the Columbia River Lumber Company. On the closure of the Company’s operation in Golden, Ruby and George lived in various places in the province, namely, Giscombe, Chemainus, Merritt, Port Alberni and finally in Vancouver. George died suddenly in 1947. Following his death, Ruby worked until her retirement as a supervisor in the ladies’ wear section of a large Vancouver department store. She died in February, 1981.
Annie, the youngest daughter followed the nursing profession and nursed for a time in the Golden General Hospital. She married Stuart Murdoch, an ex-hockey star of the famed Trail Smoke Eaters, whom she met while he was employed at the Base Metal Mines near Field. During most of their married life Stuart and Annie lived in Coleman, Alberta, but moved to Hinton in 1970.
Kenny, the only son, joined the Provincial Government Service in Revelstoke and served as Government Agent, Magistrate, etc. at various places in the province until his transfer to Victoria in 1963 to fill a headquarters position in the Ministry of Finance. Kenny married Ruby Arnold, the daughter of a pioneer Salmon Arm family.
The above, in capsule, is the story of the McRae family.