This biography of Vancouver Alderman Gilbert S. McConnell was originally published in the Vancouver Daily World newspaper of December 31, 1888, and transcribed by Transcribimus volunteer Leesa Poffenroth in May of 2018.
GILBERT S. M’CONNELL, who has been re-elected for Ward No. 4, is the second son of Andrew McConnell of Lachute Mills, P. Que. He was born in 1856. At the age of 18 he entered the employ of Messrs. Greene & Sons, the well known merchants, with whom he remained for five years. He then served a term in the Northwest Mounted Police, and underwent all the adventures of a frontiersman’s life. After his term of service expired he was appointed Indian Agent, in charge of the Touchwood Hill District, and succeeded in settling down to agricultural pursuits over 1,500 of the Plain Indians, principally of the Cree and Salteux tribes. When the rebellion broke out he was appointed 3rd transport officer on General Middleton’s staff, serving from the first day of the trouble to the last. He came to Vancouver in the autumn of 1886, and he erected over 30 houses of all classes. He was elected to the Council first in June of last year by a large majority. He was elected Chairman of the Police Committee, a position which he filled acceptably to his colleagues at the Council Board and the city generally.
