Donald Alexander Stewart
| Donald Alexander Stewart | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1851-11-02 West Bay, Nova Scotia |
| Died | 1897-10-20 Halifax, Nova Scotia |
| Occupation | Civil engineer, surveyor |
| Father | |
| Mother | |
Donald Alexander Stewart (2 November 1851 – 20 October 1897 (aged 45)) was a Canadian civil engineer and surveyor who played a key role in the construction of the Canadian Pacific Railway through the Lake Superior north shore, including the section near Port Arthur.[1]
Early life and education
Stewart was born on 2 November 1851 at West Bay, Nova Scotia, the son of the Reverend Murdoch Stewart, a Presbyterian minister, and Catherine McGregor.[1] He studied at McGill College's department of practical science and graduated in 1873 with a bachelor's degree in applied science.[1]
Career
After graduating, Stewart found work as a surveyor's assistant on CPR surveys north of Lake Superior.[1] By August 1877 he had advanced to section engineer, posted to Nordland station near Port Arthur.[1]
In the early part of his career he also surveyed the International Railway between Quebec and Maine before returning to CPR work.[1] From late 1882 through Christmas 1884, Stewart directed construction of the CPR's main line from Nipigon to Jackfish Bay along the rugged Lake Superior north shore — some of the most challenging terrain on the entire transcontinental route.[1]
During the later 1880s his work diversified considerably. He supervised construction on the Manitoba South-Western Colonization Railway, worked for the Great Northern Railroad in the United States in 1887, and conducted reconnaissance surveys in British Columbia and the Crowsnest Pass between 1888 and 1890.[1] In the summer of 1890 he surveyed the Qu'Appelle, Long Lake and Saskatchewan Railroad.[1]
Stewart joined the Canadian Society of Civil Engineers in November 1889 and contributed two articles to their Transactions dealing with railway construction methods and the historical development of railways.[1] In September 1890, while residing in Winnipeg, he was promoted to the rank of engineer. He was appointed senior engineer for the CPR's western division in January 1893, at a salary of $200 per month.[1]
Death
Stewart's health declined in the mid-1890s owing to cancer. He retired from the CPR in July 1897 and travelled to Halifax to be cared for by his brother, Dr. John Stewart. He died there on 20 October 1897 and was buried at Pictou, Nova Scotia.[1] He died unmarried and without children.[1]
References
- ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 1.12 David Neufeld."David Neufeld, "STEWART, DONALD ALEXANDER," Dictionary of Canadian Biography, vol. 12."[website].Dictionary of Canadian Biography, vol. 12 (University of Toronto/Université Laval).1990.University of Toronto/Université Laval.Link.(Rights: copyrighted | Access: open)
External links
- ↑ "Salaried staff register, 1890."[record].Canadian Pacific Archive, Montreal.(Rights: unknown | Access: open)
- ↑ "RG 12, A1, 2000, file 3562-11, pt. ii."[record].National Archives of Canada.(Rights: unknown | Access: open)
- ↑ "MG 13, E1, ff.409/1, 8286/1."[record].Provincial Archives of Manitoba.(Rights: unknown | Access: open)
- ↑ "MG 14, C69."[record].Provincial Archives of Manitoba.(Rights: unknown | Access: open)
- ↑ "Transactions, vol. 3 (1889)."[book].Transactions of the Canadian Society of Civil Engineers.1889.(Rights: unknown | Access: open)
- ↑ "Transactions, vol. 11."[book].Transactions of the Canadian Society of Civil Engineers.(Rights: unknown | Access: open)
- ↑ "Obituary notice."[newspaper].Evening Mail (Halifax).1897-10-21.(Rights: unknown | Access: open)
- ↑ "Notices."[newspaper].Leader (Regina).1890.8 April, 18 June, 10 September 1890.(Rights: unknown | Access: open)
- ↑ "Obituary notice."[newspaper].Manitoba Morning Free Press.1897-10-21.(Rights: unknown | Access: open)
- ↑ "Obituary notice."[newspaper].Morning Chronicle (Halifax).1897-10-22.(Rights: unknown | Access: open)
- ↑ "Obituary notice."[newspaper].Pictou Advocate.1897-10-22.(Rights: unknown | Access: open)
- ↑ "Manitoba and North-West Territories directory."[directory].1892–1898.(Rights: unknown | Access: open)
- ↑ "Winnipeg directory."[directory].1882–85, 1889, 1896.(Rights: unknown | Access: open)