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Alberta, Past and Present, Historical and Biographical
Vol 3
James W. Spalding


James W. Spalding, inspector for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, with offices at Calgary, has been in the service of this organization for twenty-two years and through the steps of an orderly progression has risen to the office of responsibility which he now holds. He was born at Perth, Ontario, February 27, 1878, a son of Francis and Margaret (Wier) Spalding, also natives of that province, in which the father spent his life, his attention being given to agricultural pursuits. He passed away in August, 1906. The mother is now living in Winnipeg, Manitoba, having reached the venerable age of eighty-seven years. The paternal and maternal grandparents of the subject of this sketch were natives of Scotland and Mr. Spalding, the father of Francis Spalding, held a commission in the British army. He received from the government a grant of land near Perth, Ontario, as a recompense for his services.

Reared in his native province, ,James W. Spalding there attended the country schools and afterward learned the trades of a carpenter and millwright, which he followed for about two years, working in a sawmill for half of that period. In 1899, at the time of the gold excitement in the Yukon Territory, he came vest, with Peace River, Alberta, as his destination, but stopped off at Athabaska Landing and built two boats for a company of men from Chicago who were en route to the gold fields. It was there that Mr. Spalding first came into contact with the Mounted Police and soon afterward he returned to the east. In the spring of 1900 he went to Ottawa, Quebec, where he enlisted in the Mounted Police, and was sent to Regina, Saskatchewan, for training, remaining there for six weeks. Later he was transferred to Moosornin, Saskatchewan, and has since been stationed in various places. He went through the ranks of noncommissioned officers and became a corporal in 1903. In the following year he was made sergeant and in 1907 was advanced to sergeant major, acting in that capacity at Lethbridge for a time and for four years at Calgary. In the fall of 1910 lie left for Prince Albert, where he remained for a brief period, and was commissioned inspector at Battleford, Saskatchewan, in 1912. He was then sent to Regina, where he spent two and a half years, and in the fall of 1914 was ordered to l\ioose Jaw, Saskatchewan. In the fall of 1918 he came to Calgary to take command of E Division, which was later transferred to Vancouver, British Columbia, and Mr. Spalding has since been inspector for this district, with headquarters in this city. Broad experience has given him a detailed knowledge of the duties devolving upon him and he fully meets the requirements of the position, being regarded as one of the most efficient and trusted representatives of this fine organization. In 1917, when the police were being- mobilized for overseas service, he tendered his aid to the government, but owing to the effects of an operation of a serious nature, performed in 1913, was unable to pass the physical examination, much to his regret.

On the 8th of August, 1908, Mr. Spalding married Miss Maude Marie Spurr, a daughter of William and Mary Spurr, the latter a native of Ontario and of Irish descent. The father was born in the province of Nova Scotia and for many years was numbered among the prominent oil operators of I'etrolia, Ontario. His demise occurred in 1918. Mrs. Spurr still makes her home in Petrolia. Mr. and Mrs. Spalding have become the parents of a son, Frank Spurr, now twelve years of age.

Mr. Spalding is a member of the Knox Presbyterian church of Calgary and is serving on its board of managers. He is independent in his political views, supporting all measures calculated to advance the interests of good government and promote national stability. He is a member of the Canadian Order of Foresters, the Calgary Golf and Country Club and the Canadian Club and was formerly a Rotarian. He is deserving of great credit for what he has accomplished, for he has worked his way steadily upward through the medium of his own efforts, placing his dependence upon the substantial qualities of industry, perseverance and honesty. High and honorable principles have guided him in all of life's relations and the respect which is accorded him is well deserved.



 


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