Mather, J.B.

Year Inducted / Année Intronisé:

1974

Province / Province:

Manitoba

Category / Catégorie:

Builder

Biography / Biographie:

Emigration to Manitoba had doubled the number of curlers and clubs there, and at a convention held in Winnipeg in 1888 it was agreed to form a Branch of the Royal Caledonia Curling Club and the adjoining territories. The Branch had 14 active clubs and 737 members with Mr. J.B. Mather as its first president.

Born at Islington, Canada West (now Ontario), he was engaged in the grocery trade in Toronto for several years, and came to Winnipeg in 1881, acting as agent for various eastern companies. He was keenly interested in athletics and was President of the Granite Curling Club in 1887. He was instrumental in organizing the Manitoba branch of the Royal Caledonian Curling Club in 1889 and was active in the Winnipeg Rowing Club and the Winnipeg Cricket Club.

In 1890 he was elected to the Winnipeg City Council. He was also a member of the Exhibition Board.

He died at Winnipeg on 31 January 1892 and was interred at Toronto, Ontario.

J.B. Mather was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1974.