John Edgar

The late John Edgar, who for many years was connected with the fur industry in Montreal, was born in Woodstock, Ontario, March 12, 1843. During his boyhood the family removed to Hamilton, Ontario, where his school days were passed. He began his business career in the provision trade with Folingsby & Williamson in Hamilton and later came to Montreal as representative of that firm. Soon after his arrival in this city, or in 1866, he entered the firm of Greene & Sons Company, wholesale furriers, in which connection he worked his way upward, eventually becoming a partner in the business. About the year 1895, when Greene & Sons Company retired, Mr. Edgar succeeded to the business which he continued for some years under the firm name of Edgar, Swift & Company. When Mr. Swift retired Mr. Edgar formed a partnership with Mr. Charles Coristine under the firm name of Edgar, Coristine & Company, which relation was maintained for four years, after which Mr. Edgar continued the business alone until 1912, when he retired. He was one of the prominent furriers of the city, developing and building up a business of extensive proportions, and in commercial affairs his judgment was sound, his enterprise keen and his diligence unfaltering.

In Montreal Mr. Edgar was united in marriage to Miss Selina Kidner and unto them were born five children, three sons and two daughters: John Hamilton, who is connected with the Canadian Pacific Railway; Frank Clifton, connected with the Royal Bank of Canada at Montreal; William Dewar, of the custom house of Montreal; Katie Selina; and Lillian Maud. The death of the husband and father occurred September 12, 1913, and was the occasion of deep regret to many with whom he had been closely associated in business and social circles. In politics he was a conservative but without aspiration for public office. He belonged to the Royal Albert Lodge of Masons and was a faithful member of the Church of St. James the Apostle. In those connections are indicated the principles which governed his life and guided him in all of his relations.