New-York tribune., 1921-12-01
Baron Stephen,
Road Builder,
Is Dead at 90
First Head of Canadian
Pacific Began Life as
Manufacturer of TweeGs
and Other Woolens
Gave Millions to Charity
When Raised TO Peerage
He Took Name From
Lofty Peak in Rockies

LONDON, Nov 30.-Baron Mount
Stephen, the pioneer railroad builder
OF Canada and frs resident of the
Canadian Pacific Railway, died last
night at his country res;derce, Brocket
Hall, Hatfield, Hertfordshire. Though
twice married, he was childless, and
his title expires with him.
George Stephen, who took his baron
ial title from peak in the Canadian
Rockies, which had, in turn, been
named for him. was born lowly COM
moner, at Dufftown, BanfT shire, Scot
land, on June 5, 1929. His father, VIII
liam Stephen. WAS peasant, and the
son was in childhood J: herd boy on the
glebe lands of Mortioch. He was en-
ployed as errand boy and clerk in an
Aberdeen dry goods shop, and in d
similar establishment in London.
On attaining his majority IN 1850
he removed TO Canada and there en-
gagged in the dry goods trade as a man
ufacturer CT tweeds AMI other wooleU
goods, and by 1852 was the head OF
one of the largest business establish.
nents in Montreal. He became sue
cessively director, vice-president and
president of the Bank OF Montreal, and
then became the foremost member oi
the group of capitalists who financed
and built the Canadian Pacific Railway
Among his associates were his cousin
Donald Smith, who became Lord Strath
builder Of the Northwestern United
States.
These men first purchased from
Dutch bondholders the bankrupt St
Paul & Pacific Railroad, changed It's
name to st. Paul, Minneapolis & Mani
toba, and extended it to Winnipeg. lr
1880 they organized the Canadian
Pacific road, financed it with govern
ment aid, and pushed it to completion
in five years. In recognition of this
achievement Mr.. Stephen. who wai
president OF the railway company, was
in 1885 made baronet- Two years
later he retired from the presidency
of the company and returned to Grea'
Britain. making his home in England
though always retaining a residence
at Grand Metis. Quebec He interested
himself, often in company with Loro
Strathcona, in educational and charita
BILE work.
The two gave million dollars each
To found the Royal Victoria Hosplta
at Montreal; and Sir George Stepher
also gave like sum. to the King Ed,
wards Hospital Fund and large sums
to the Montreal General Hospital
built hospital at his birthplace and
founded scholarships for Canadians II
the Royal College Of Music: He avoided
politics, and confined his business ac
tivities to banking, railroads and lands
For many years he was reckoned to bD'
one Of the three or four richest men II
Canada and one Of the most Publl'
spirited. ~
He was made baron in 1891. an'
chose for his title the name Of one o
the lostiest peaks in the CANADIAN
Rockies. which ten years before ha'
heen named in his honor. In 1905 h
received the decoration of Knight o
the Grand Cross of the Royal Vlctorlal
Order. He was married in 1888 to MIS-
Annie Charlotte Kane, who died il
1896; and in 1897 to Clan. daughter. G
Captain r. G. Tufnell, Of the brltlsi
navy He was strongly attached TO tn
Scottish Presbyterian Church, and Il
politics was q Conservative.