1929-1930

George Edmund Reid was born in Ontario on September 29, 1866 to William Reid and Ester (nee Tippen). His first wife, Sarah Jane Tansley, with whom he had two children, Hazel and Cecil, died in 1898. He later married Sarah Jane Kerr (also written as Carr) daughter of Thomas Andrew Kerr and Sarah Jane Mcdonald of Orangeville, county seat for Dufferin in south central Ontario. Sarah was born in Orangeville on October 11, 1875.

George and Sarah Jane had three children while still in Ontario; Earl Edmund (born August 19, 1901), Julia Irene (born March 27, 1905) and Kenneth Kerr (born June 24, 1907).

The 1911 Canada Census shows that the family was still living in Orangeville, Ontario however by 1912 they had come out west to Vancouver Island. Another daughter, Beatrice Carmen was born on September 5, 1912 in Nanaimo but died when she was only a little over 4 months old on January 25, 1913.

George Reid operated a butcher shop in Ladysmith. According to the Chronicle, he opened his shop on Fourth Avenue in the spring of 1922.

George served as an Alderman for successive terms. The Chronicle indicates that he was returned as an Alderman in the 1925 election. He took over the Mayor’s seat in 1929 losing it to Joseph Mason in the January, 1931 election by 147 to 141 votes.

Daughter, Julia married Thomas Robertson in Ladysmith on June 3, 1925. The oldest son, Earl married Ruby Elizabeth Carson in Port Alberni on January 10, 1928 and second son Kenneth married Mary Jeanne Orr in Oak Bay on December 29, 1928.

George Edmond Reid passed away in Ladysmith on September 24, 1936 at 69 years of age. Wife, Sarah Jane continued living in Ladysmith, passing away on June 4, 1959 at age 83.

Compiled by Rick Morgan with additional information from Kurtis Reid McClellan.