Identity area
Type of entity
Person
Authorized form of name
Munro, Henry Alexander
Parallel form(s) of name
- Alex Munro
- Alec Munro
Standardized form(s) of name according to other rules
Other form(s) of name
Identifiers for corporate bodies
Description area
Dates of existence
January 20, 1871 - June 13, 1950
History
Henry Alexander was born in Quebec to Alexander and Annie (nee Hudson), both of Quebec. He was married to Christina Mcleen Dunlop.
He came to Squamish in 1912 to repair the Newport Hotel. He decided to stay so his wife and 3 sons joined him 3 months later.
Henry Alexander carried on a freighting service, had a livery stable, and a blacksmith shop. He would also make coffins and dig graves. He founded the Squamish Fire Department. Beginning with a bucket brigade and developing it to a $10,000 investment. He was the fire chief right up until he retired a few months before his death. He also advocated for parks in Squamish.
In the 1920's, he logged at Birken. Then he returned to Squamish to frieght material for the Utopia Mine at Britannia by packhorse (Dray Business). In 1934, he was in the dray business for the Asloo Mines. He later began a packhorse service into Black Tusk Meadows of Garibaldi Park.
After his wife died, one of his sons, Alexander ("Young Alex"), died when a locomotive #53 plunged into Seton Lake on january 23, 1950. After he retired as a Fire Chief he was awarded a Good Citizenship medal in March 1950.
He died on June 15, 1950 at age 81.
Places
Legal status
Functions, occupations and activities
As a life member of Board of Trade, he eased the threat of floods by developing a new Squamish River cut-off across from Buckley's Crossing.
Mandates/sources of authority
Squamish Public Library, Squamish Files: Prominent Names.