Fonds med-140 - Hawthorne family fonds

Donald Smith Hawthorne was born on May 15, 1903, in Medicine Hat. His parents, Archibald Courtice (1869-1935) and Charlotte (nee Edwards) Hawthorne (1877-1972), were born in Ontario, and traveled west from Peterborough as pioneers in 1889. In 1896, "Archie" opened A.C. Hawthorne Outfitters which sold both men's clothing and furniture. The furniture department was later sold to Mr. Lockhart and then in 1904, to Mr. J.C. Beveridge. Beveridge's Furniture store operated for many more years in the city. Mr. Hawthorne continued in the men's wear business for a few more years selling out in 1909 to A.S. Noble, who then sold to Barker, Patton and Potter, about one year later. The Hawthorne store was located at 650 - 3rd Street, and for a number of years Medicine Hat's first opera house was located on the second floor. Several performances were held there between 1900 and 1912, prior to the store being destroyed by fire. A.C. Hawthrone spent serveral years in real estate and then decided to re-enter the retail trade. He opened A.C. Hawthorne and Son with his son Don, in 1917. Archie Hawthorne was very civic minded. He served on the first Town Council of Medicine Hat in 1899, and as Mayor in 1903. Don Hawthorne received his education in Medicine Hat, attending high school at St. Theresa's Academy. He married Milta (nee Helmer), also of Medicine Hat, on March 9, 1931. Don Hawthorne worked at A.C. Hawthorne and Son as a clerk from 1917 to 1931, when he became a shareholder of the company. From 1935 to 1962, when he retired, he was President of Hawthorne's Mens Wear Ltd. which operated at 640 3rd Street. The store was then sold to J.C. "Jim" Miller in 1961. Like his father before him, Mr. Don Hawthorne was very active in civic affairs, serving as Alderman from 1943 to 1949. For 20 years he acted as Finance Chairman of the Medicine Hat Exhibition and Stampede, and was Chairman of the Centennial Committee from 1963 to 1967. In addition, he helped found the Cancer Society and Kiwanis Club in Medicine Hat. He was a Mason, a Shriner and served as Past President of the Medicine Hat Branch of the Alberta Motor Association, the Medicine Hat Safety Council and the Cypress Club. He also compiled a history book of the Cypress Club in 1983. Also active in the church, he served as a member of the Session and on the Board of Management for 20 years at St. John's Presbyterian. He also spent 20 years with the reserve unit of the South Alberta Regiment, holding the rank of Major for five years. Mr. Hawthorne had provincial as well as local interests. He owned a cottage at Banff and was involved in working out the agreement between cottage owners and the Federal Government to keep taxes at a reasonable level. He was also a member of the Save the Cave and Basin Committee which worked to maintain the hot springs and cold water pool in Banff. Don Hawthorne passed away April 27, 1991, in his 88th year.