Grassick, James (1868-1956)

James Grassick.

Saskatchewan Archives Board R-A3591

James Grassick was born at Fergus, Ontario, on March 2, 1868. At the age of 14, he arrived with his father in what was about to become Regina. In 1885 he was the youngest of 100 teamsters hauling supplies to Prince Albert during the North-West Resistance. He would later be active in its veterans' association. Grassick was active in many lines of business, from hauling milk and running a livery to founding the Capital Ice Company. In 1897 he married Jessie Ann Beattie, from Ontario. They had three children. Grassick held nearly every civic office in Regina, from the Exhibition, school, and hospital boards to two terms as mayor (1920-22, 1940-41). He was a founding member and long-time office holder of Knox Presbyterian Church. In 1929 Grassick was elected as a Conservative to the Saskatchewan Legislature. Conservative Party leader Dr. J.T.M. Anderson formed a “Co-operative government” with the support of Progressive and Independent MLAs. A partisan Tory, Grassick opposed the creation of an independent Civil Service commission and at times voted against his own government's legislation. In 1934, like every other member of the Co-operative government, Grassick was defeated. He died in a traffic accident on August 4, 1956.

Peter A. Russell