John Stewart

Who was John Stewart?

John Stewart was a Canadian financier and railway builder.

He was born in Nedd, Assynt, Sutherland, Scotland on 4 Dec 1860; died 24 Sep 1938 Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

He started building and contracting with the Canadian Pacific Railway mainline, and went on to build branch lines for them in the Kootenays and Alberta. His Company Foley, Welch and Stewart constructed the PGE, Grand Trunk Pacific, and Canadian Pacific railways in BC.

Unfortunately, Stewart became embroiled in the PGE debacle, and was taken to court over alleged overbilling during the construction contract. Stewart wrapped up the one company and formed another, Northern Construction with his son. He also became a large operator in the forest industry with the Bloedel, Stewart and Welch concern.

Stewart served with the Royal Engineers Railway Operating Division in the First World War, achieving the rank of Major General.

He owned a mansion, "Ardvar", in Angus Drive, Shaughnessy Heights, Vancouver, and at one time owned all the land in his home parish of Assynt, Sutherland, Scotland.