Article Fifty-One
From the Ottawa Citizen, Wednesday, April 21, 1926.
WAS MEMBER OF ORIGINAL STAFF C.P. TELEGRAPH
Mr. David Robertson Dies Suddenly at His Home. Latterly on Dom. Observatory Staff.
The man who sent the first message across the Canadian Pacific Telegraph Company's
line when if was finally erected from coast to coast, Mr. David Robertson, former chief operator
of the Canadian Pacific, and since 1905 a valued member of the staff of the Dominion
Observatory, Ottawa, died at his home, 670 Gilmour street early yesterday. Mr. Robertson had
been at work on Saturday, but was indisposed, and stayed at home Sunday and Monday. On
Tuesday he felt much better, and had breakfast, but immediately afterwards he felt weak and
quite suddenly passed away.
The Late David Robertson was a very well known telegraph operator for years, much of
the work done in finally constructing the huge network of wires across Canada being done under
his direction.
In 1905 when the Dominion Observatory was built and opened, he took a position there,
in charge of the telegraph exchange work for longitude exchange work.
"He was one of our most trusted and valued men,' commented Mr. R. Meldrum Stewart,
director of the Observatory to The Citizen. "He will be sorely missed and difficult to replace."
The late David Robertson was born in Spencerville, Ont., 56 years ago, son of the late
William Robertson. He came to Ottawa to work in the telegraph office of the Canadian Pacific
Telegraph Company, soon after he had finished his education in Spencerville school. His ability
in the work was early recognized and rapid promotion soon brought him to the top of the ladder.
He was chief operator when finally in 1905, he left the company to join the staff of the
Observatory.
He was a member of the original staff, and the work he accomplished while in charge of
the telegraph exchange was notable. He also looked after the system of clocks established in
government buildings throughout the city, operated by wire from the Observatory and controlled
as to time by the observers' instruments.
Later on he was identified with the Meridian Circle Division, the branch occupied with
the calculation and establishment of these important boundaries which govern time, longitude
and many other things. His latter years at the observatory were chiefly spent in computation
work done in the Meridian Circle Division.
Mr. Robertson was a member of the Knox Presbyterian church and had attended there
practically all his life, showing his active interest in the work of the various church
organizations. He was also a member of the Independent Order of Oddfellows.
After coming to Ottawa Mr. Robertson married Miss Mary Devine of this city, who
survives him. He is also survived by two sons, Harold, of Montreal, and Gordon, of Ottawa; a
daughter, Miss Kathleen, at home; a grandson, David Robertson, Jr., of Ottawa; two sisters, Miss
Julia Robertson of Spencerville and Mrs. Emma Fairbairn, widow of the late W. B. Fairbairn, of
Ottawa; four brothers, Everett, Sudbury, Ont.; Herbert, Chicago; William and Harper, of
Spencerville.
Mr Roberston has kindly shared these articles and would appreciate
any other information about his great-great-grandfather if you might know of anything.
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