Name: Gordon Sylvester Wismer, QC; 'The Cowboy'
Age: 80 or 83 yrs {articles conflict}
Birth: 23 Mar 1888, Sutton, Ontario {or 1886 -- articles conflict}
Death: 28 Dec 1968, Royal Jubilee Hospital, Victoria, BC; after a long illness
Residence: Gillespie Place, Victoria, BC
Previous residence: Vancouver, BC; from 1907
Education:
- Ontario
Occupation:
- came west in his youth with a Canadian Pacific Railway bridge gang, as an adventure
- employed in a law office, Edmonton, Alberta; 1 yr
- studied law with firm of Russell and DuMoulin; Vancouver, BC {or Russell and Russell -- articles conflict}
- 1913, called to the B.C. bar {or 1915 -- articles conflict}
- 1921, partnership with Senator G.G. McGeer
- one of the best trial lawyers in B.C.; defence counsel for over 40 murder cases, did not lose any
- sometimes took cases for the crown in Assize Court
- in one session as Crown prosecutor, won 13 convictions in 13 cases
- returned to law practice after 1941 election defeat
- 1944, defence counsel in the famous extradition case of Ralph Wilby, who embezzled $400,000 from a New York firm. Eventually he was expedited, but had prison time reduced by giving the location of where $300,000 was buried in a back yard in Burnaby, BC.
- 1952, returned to law practice after election defeat
Memberships, affiliations and public office:
- former Attorney-General, Province of British Columbia; 1937-1941, 1946-1952
- known for: proponent for penal reform (including reforms in handling delinquent boys); stiffer control of narcotics; opposed to racial prejudice; fought for more favourable railway freight rates to the West Coast; improved securities legislation; relaxation of drinking laws; instituted many traffic safety regulations
- during early WWII, organized emergency measures in case B.C. attacked by Japanese bombers
- involved in bringing Royal Mounted Police into B.C. as crime-fighting force
- Liberal supporter
- 1933, first elected to the legislature, member for Vancouver Centre
- 1937, re-elected, appointed attorney-general in Duff Pattullo government; defeated in general election of 1941
- 1945, re-elected in Vancouver Centre
- 1946, re-appointed attorney-general by Premier John Hart
- 1947, ran for Liberal leadership, defeated by 8 votes
- Dec 1947 - 1949, labor minister
- continued as attorney-general until defeated in the 1952 election by the Social Credit; loss was blamed on an article by Maclean's Magazine, for which he later won a libel suit and apology.
Predeceased by:
- father; school-teacher
Survived by:
- second wife, Dorothy Isabel (nee Hillhouse); at home; m. 1940; antique dealer
- son, Robert G. Wismer; Vancouver, BC; lawyer
- son, John Wismer; Vancouver, BC; lawyer
- son, Stuart Wismer; Sidney, Australia
- daughter, Mrs. A.E. (Dorothy) Brealey; Campbell River, BC
- daughter, Mrs. W.H. (Shirley) Gross; Mexico City, Mexico
- 11 grandchildren
- 1 great-grandchild
- sister, Mrs. Austin Allen; Westmount, Quebec
Private family funeral service: 30 Dec 1968, Victoria, BC
Cremation.
References:
- "Former Attorney-General, Gordon Wismer 80, Dies", The Vancouver Sun, 30 Dec 1968; page 7. Newspapers.com. Web.
- "B.C. Lawyer, Politician Wismer Dies in Victoria", The Vancouver Sun, 30 Dec 1968; page 2. Newspapers.com. Web.
- "Ex-Attorney-General Dies Here at 80, After Long Illness", Times Colonist (Victoria, BC), 30 Dec 1968; page 2. Newspapers.com. Web.
- "James K. Nesbitt", The Vancouver Sun, 30 Dec 1968; page 18. Newspapers.com. Web.
- "Gordon Wismer Dead At 80; Former Attorney-General", Nanaimo Daily News, 30 Dec 1968; page 1. Newspapers.com. Web.
- "Deaths and Funerals", Times Colonist (Victoria, BC), 30 Dec 1968; page 18. Newspapers.com. Web.
- "Wismer funeral private", The Province (Vancouver, BC), 31 Dec 1968; page 9. Newspapers.com. Web.
- "Gordon Wismer", Times Colonist (Victoria, BC), 2 Jan 1969; page 4. Newspapers.com. Web.
---
BC Death Registration: 1968-09-016837
Name: Gordon Sylvester Wismer
Age: 80 yrs
Birth: 23 Mar 1888, Sutton, Ontario
Death: 28 Dec 1968, Royal Jubilee Hospital, Victoria, BC
Status: Married
Father: Wallace Wellington Wismer; Ontario
Mother: Catherine Raymer; Ontario
Wife: Dorothy Isabel Hillhouse
Occupation: Barrister & Solicitor, Own Practice
Last worked in occupation: 1960
Years in occupation: All Adult Life
Residence: Gillespie Place, Victoria, BC
In Victoria: 22 yrs
In BC: 61 yrs; In Canada: Life
Informant: Dorothy I. Wismer, wife, Gillespie Place, Victoria, BC
Cremation: 30 Dec 1968, Royal Oak Burial Park crematorium, Saanich, BC
---
BC Marriage Registration: 1940-09-501639
Groom: Gordon Sylvester Wismer, age 52, divorced, Protestant, birthplace: Sutton, Ontario; occupation: Barrister; residence: Empress Hotel, Victoria, BC
Groom's father: Wellington Howard David Wismer; Newmarket, Ontario
Groom's mother: Catherine Raymer; Newmarket, Ontario
Bride: Dorothy Isabel Duncan, age 36, divorced, Protestant, birthplace: Shelburne, Ontario; occupation: Housewife; residence: Baker Road, Haney, BC
Bride's father: William Adams Hillhouse; Brockville, Ontario
Bride's mother: Margaret Jane Jelly; Madoc, Ontario
Married: 8 Nov 1940, Metropolitan Church, Victoria, BC; by License.
---
Age: 80 or 83 yrs {articles conflict}
Birth: 23 Mar 1888, Sutton, Ontario {or 1886 -- articles conflict}
Death: 28 Dec 1968, Royal Jubilee Hospital, Victoria, BC; after a long illness
Residence: Gillespie Place, Victoria, BC
Previous residence: Vancouver, BC; from 1907
Education:
- Ontario
Occupation:
- came west in his youth with a Canadian Pacific Railway bridge gang, as an adventure
- employed in a law office, Edmonton, Alberta; 1 yr
- studied law with firm of Russell and DuMoulin; Vancouver, BC {or Russell and Russell -- articles conflict}
- 1913, called to the B.C. bar {or 1915 -- articles conflict}
- 1921, partnership with Senator G.G. McGeer
- one of the best trial lawyers in B.C.; defence counsel for over 40 murder cases, did not lose any
- sometimes took cases for the crown in Assize Court
- in one session as Crown prosecutor, won 13 convictions in 13 cases
- returned to law practice after 1941 election defeat
- 1944, defence counsel in the famous extradition case of Ralph Wilby, who embezzled $400,000 from a New York firm. Eventually he was expedited, but had prison time reduced by giving the location of where $300,000 was buried in a back yard in Burnaby, BC.
- 1952, returned to law practice after election defeat
Memberships, affiliations and public office:
- former Attorney-General, Province of British Columbia; 1937-1941, 1946-1952
- known for: proponent for penal reform (including reforms in handling delinquent boys); stiffer control of narcotics; opposed to racial prejudice; fought for more favourable railway freight rates to the West Coast; improved securities legislation; relaxation of drinking laws; instituted many traffic safety regulations
- during early WWII, organized emergency measures in case B.C. attacked by Japanese bombers
- involved in bringing Royal Mounted Police into B.C. as crime-fighting force
- Liberal supporter
- 1933, first elected to the legislature, member for Vancouver Centre
- 1937, re-elected, appointed attorney-general in Duff Pattullo government; defeated in general election of 1941
- 1945, re-elected in Vancouver Centre
- 1946, re-appointed attorney-general by Premier John Hart
- 1947, ran for Liberal leadership, defeated by 8 votes
- Dec 1947 - 1949, labor minister
- continued as attorney-general until defeated in the 1952 election by the Social Credit; loss was blamed on an article by Maclean's Magazine, for which he later won a libel suit and apology.
Predeceased by:
- father; school-teacher
Survived by:
- second wife, Dorothy Isabel (nee Hillhouse); at home; m. 1940; antique dealer
- son, Robert G. Wismer; Vancouver, BC; lawyer
- son, John Wismer; Vancouver, BC; lawyer
- son, Stuart Wismer; Sidney, Australia
- daughter, Mrs. A.E. (Dorothy) Brealey; Campbell River, BC
- daughter, Mrs. W.H. (Shirley) Gross; Mexico City, Mexico
- 11 grandchildren
- 1 great-grandchild
- sister, Mrs. Austin Allen; Westmount, Quebec
Private family funeral service: 30 Dec 1968, Victoria, BC
Cremation.
References:
- "Former Attorney-General, Gordon Wismer 80, Dies", The Vancouver Sun, 30 Dec 1968; page 7. Newspapers.com. Web.
- "B.C. Lawyer, Politician Wismer Dies in Victoria", The Vancouver Sun, 30 Dec 1968; page 2. Newspapers.com. Web.
- "Ex-Attorney-General Dies Here at 80, After Long Illness", Times Colonist (Victoria, BC), 30 Dec 1968; page 2. Newspapers.com. Web.
- "James K. Nesbitt", The Vancouver Sun, 30 Dec 1968; page 18. Newspapers.com. Web.
- "Gordon Wismer Dead At 80; Former Attorney-General", Nanaimo Daily News, 30 Dec 1968; page 1. Newspapers.com. Web.
- "Deaths and Funerals", Times Colonist (Victoria, BC), 30 Dec 1968; page 18. Newspapers.com. Web.
- "Wismer funeral private", The Province (Vancouver, BC), 31 Dec 1968; page 9. Newspapers.com. Web.
- "Gordon Wismer", Times Colonist (Victoria, BC), 2 Jan 1969; page 4. Newspapers.com. Web.
---
BC Death Registration: 1968-09-016837
Name: Gordon Sylvester Wismer
Age: 80 yrs
Birth: 23 Mar 1888, Sutton, Ontario
Death: 28 Dec 1968, Royal Jubilee Hospital, Victoria, BC
Status: Married
Father: Wallace Wellington Wismer; Ontario
Mother: Catherine Raymer; Ontario
Wife: Dorothy Isabel Hillhouse
Occupation: Barrister & Solicitor, Own Practice
Last worked in occupation: 1960
Years in occupation: All Adult Life
Residence: Gillespie Place, Victoria, BC
In Victoria: 22 yrs
In BC: 61 yrs; In Canada: Life
Informant: Dorothy I. Wismer, wife, Gillespie Place, Victoria, BC
Cremation: 30 Dec 1968, Royal Oak Burial Park crematorium, Saanich, BC
---
BC Marriage Registration: 1940-09-501639
Groom: Gordon Sylvester Wismer, age 52, divorced, Protestant, birthplace: Sutton, Ontario; occupation: Barrister; residence: Empress Hotel, Victoria, BC
Groom's father: Wellington Howard David Wismer; Newmarket, Ontario
Groom's mother: Catherine Raymer; Newmarket, Ontario
Bride: Dorothy Isabel Duncan, age 36, divorced, Protestant, birthplace: Shelburne, Ontario; occupation: Housewife; residence: Baker Road, Haney, BC
Bride's father: William Adams Hillhouse; Brockville, Ontario
Bride's mother: Margaret Jane Jelly; Madoc, Ontario
Married: 8 Nov 1940, Metropolitan Church, Victoria, BC; by License.
---
Name: Gordon Sylvester Wismer, QC; 'The Cowboy'
Age: 80 or 83 yrs {articles conflict}
Birth: 23 Mar 1888, Sutton, Ontario {or 1886 -- articles conflict}
Death: 28 Dec 1968, Royal Jubilee Hospital, Victoria, BC; after a long illness
Residence: Gillespie Place, Victoria, BC
Previous residence: Vancouver, BC; from 1907
Education:
- Ontario
Occupation:
- came west in his youth with a Canadian Pacific Railway bridge gang, as an adventure
- employed in a law office, Edmonton, Alberta; 1 yr
- studied law with firm of Russell and DuMoulin; Vancouver, BC {or Russell and Russell -- articles conflict}
- 1913, called to the B.C. bar {or 1915 -- articles conflict}
- 1921, partnership with Senator G.G. McGeer
- one of the best trial lawyers in B.C.; defence counsel for over 40 murder cases, did not lose any
- sometimes took cases for the crown in Assize Court
- in one session as Crown prosecutor, won 13 convictions in 13 cases
- returned to law practice after 1941 election defeat
- 1944, defence counsel in the famous extradition case of Ralph Wilby, who embezzled $400,000 from a New York firm. Eventually he was expedited, but had prison time reduced by giving the location of where $300,000 was buried in a back yard in Burnaby, BC.
- 1952, returned to law practice after election defeat
Memberships, affiliations and public office:
- former Attorney-General, Province of British Columbia; 1937-1941, 1946-1952
- known for: proponent for penal reform (including reforms in handling delinquent boys); stiffer control of narcotics; opposed to racial prejudice; fought for more favourable railway freight rates to the West Coast; improved securities legislation; relaxation of drinking laws; instituted many traffic safety regulations
- during early WWII, organized emergency measures in case B.C. attacked by Japanese bombers
- involved in bringing Royal Mounted Police into B.C. as crime-fighting force
- Liberal supporter
- 1933, first elected to the legislature, member for Vancouver Centre
- 1937, re-elected, appointed attorney-general in Duff Pattullo government; defeated in general election of 1941
- 1945, re-elected in Vancouver Centre
- 1946, re-appointed attorney-general by Premier John Hart
- 1947, ran for Liberal leadership, defeated by 8 votes
- Dec 1947 - 1949, labor minister
- continued as attorney-general until defeated in the 1952 election by the Social Credit; loss was blamed on an article by Maclean's Magazine, for which he later won a libel suit and apology.
Predeceased by:
- father; school-teacher
Survived by:
- second wife, Dorothy Isabel (nee Hillhouse); at home; m. 1940; antique dealer
- son, Robert G. Wismer; Vancouver, BC; lawyer
- son, John Wismer; Vancouver, BC; lawyer
- son, Stuart Wismer; Sidney, Australia
- daughter, Mrs. A.E. (Dorothy) Brealey; Campbell River, BC
- daughter, Mrs. W.H. (Shirley) Gross; Mexico City, Mexico
- 11 grandchildren
- 1 great-grandchild
- sister, Mrs. Austin Allen; Westmount, Quebec
Private family funeral service: 30 Dec 1968, Victoria, BC
Cremation.
References:
- "Former Attorney-General, Gordon Wismer 80, Dies", The Vancouver Sun, 30 Dec 1968; page 7. Newspapers.com. Web.
- "B.C. Lawyer, Politician Wismer Dies in Victoria", The Vancouver Sun, 30 Dec 1968; page 2. Newspapers.com. Web.
- "Ex-Attorney-General Dies Here at 80, After Long Illness", Times Colonist (Victoria, BC), 30 Dec 1968; page 2. Newspapers.com. Web.
- "James K. Nesbitt", The Vancouver Sun, 30 Dec 1968; page 18. Newspapers.com. Web.
- "Gordon Wismer Dead At 80; Former Attorney-General", Nanaimo Daily News, 30 Dec 1968; page 1. Newspapers.com. Web.
- "Deaths and Funerals", Times Colonist (Victoria, BC), 30 Dec 1968; page 18. Newspapers.com. Web.
- "Wismer funeral private", The Province (Vancouver, BC), 31 Dec 1968; page 9. Newspapers.com. Web.
- "Gordon Wismer", Times Colonist (Victoria, BC), 2 Jan 1969; page 4. Newspapers.com. Web.
---
BC Death Registration: 1968-09-016837
Name: Gordon Sylvester Wismer
Age: 80 yrs
Birth: 23 Mar 1888, Sutton, Ontario
Death: 28 Dec 1968, Royal Jubilee Hospital, Victoria, BC
Status: Married
Father: Wallace Wellington Wismer; Ontario
Mother: Catherine Raymer; Ontario
Wife: Dorothy Isabel Hillhouse
Occupation: Barrister & Solicitor, Own Practice
Last worked in occupation: 1960
Years in occupation: All Adult Life
Residence: Gillespie Place, Victoria, BC
In Victoria: 22 yrs
In BC: 61 yrs; In Canada: Life
Informant: Dorothy I. Wismer, wife, Gillespie Place, Victoria, BC
Cremation: 30 Dec 1968, Royal Oak Burial Park crematorium, Saanich, BC
---
BC Marriage Registration: 1940-09-501639
Groom: Gordon Sylvester Wismer, age 52, divorced, Protestant, birthplace: Sutton, Ontario; occupation: Barrister; residence: Empress Hotel, Victoria, BC
Groom's father: Wellington Howard David Wismer; Newmarket, Ontario
Groom's mother: Catherine Raymer; Newmarket, Ontario
Bride: Dorothy Isabel Duncan, age 36, divorced, Protestant, birthplace: Shelburne, Ontario; occupation: Housewife; residence: Baker Road, Haney, BC
Bride's father: William Adams Hillhouse; Brockville, Ontario
Bride's mother: Margaret Jane Jelly; Madoc, Ontario
Married: 8 Nov 1940, Metropolitan Church, Victoria, BC; by License.
---
Age: 80 or 83 yrs {articles conflict}
Birth: 23 Mar 1888, Sutton, Ontario {or 1886 -- articles conflict}
Death: 28 Dec 1968, Royal Jubilee Hospital, Victoria, BC; after a long illness
Residence: Gillespie Place, Victoria, BC
Previous residence: Vancouver, BC; from 1907
Education:
- Ontario
Occupation:
- came west in his youth with a Canadian Pacific Railway bridge gang, as an adventure
- employed in a law office, Edmonton, Alberta; 1 yr
- studied law with firm of Russell and DuMoulin; Vancouver, BC {or Russell and Russell -- articles conflict}
- 1913, called to the B.C. bar {or 1915 -- articles conflict}
- 1921, partnership with Senator G.G. McGeer
- one of the best trial lawyers in B.C.; defence counsel for over 40 murder cases, did not lose any
- sometimes took cases for the crown in Assize Court
- in one session as Crown prosecutor, won 13 convictions in 13 cases
- returned to law practice after 1941 election defeat
- 1944, defence counsel in the famous extradition case of Ralph Wilby, who embezzled $400,000 from a New York firm. Eventually he was expedited, but had prison time reduced by giving the location of where $300,000 was buried in a back yard in Burnaby, BC.
- 1952, returned to law practice after election defeat
Memberships, affiliations and public office:
- former Attorney-General, Province of British Columbia; 1937-1941, 1946-1952
- known for: proponent for penal reform (including reforms in handling delinquent boys); stiffer control of narcotics; opposed to racial prejudice; fought for more favourable railway freight rates to the West Coast; improved securities legislation; relaxation of drinking laws; instituted many traffic safety regulations
- during early WWII, organized emergency measures in case B.C. attacked by Japanese bombers
- involved in bringing Royal Mounted Police into B.C. as crime-fighting force
- Liberal supporter
- 1933, first elected to the legislature, member for Vancouver Centre
- 1937, re-elected, appointed attorney-general in Duff Pattullo government; defeated in general election of 1941
- 1945, re-elected in Vancouver Centre
- 1946, re-appointed attorney-general by Premier John Hart
- 1947, ran for Liberal leadership, defeated by 8 votes
- Dec 1947 - 1949, labor minister
- continued as attorney-general until defeated in the 1952 election by the Social Credit; loss was blamed on an article by Maclean's Magazine, for which he later won a libel suit and apology.
Predeceased by:
- father; school-teacher
Survived by:
- second wife, Dorothy Isabel (nee Hillhouse); at home; m. 1940; antique dealer
- son, Robert G. Wismer; Vancouver, BC; lawyer
- son, John Wismer; Vancouver, BC; lawyer
- son, Stuart Wismer; Sidney, Australia
- daughter, Mrs. A.E. (Dorothy) Brealey; Campbell River, BC
- daughter, Mrs. W.H. (Shirley) Gross; Mexico City, Mexico
- 11 grandchildren
- 1 great-grandchild
- sister, Mrs. Austin Allen; Westmount, Quebec
Private family funeral service: 30 Dec 1968, Victoria, BC
Cremation.
References:
- "Former Attorney-General, Gordon Wismer 80, Dies", The Vancouver Sun, 30 Dec 1968; page 7. Newspapers.com. Web.
- "B.C. Lawyer, Politician Wismer Dies in Victoria", The Vancouver Sun, 30 Dec 1968; page 2. Newspapers.com. Web.
- "Ex-Attorney-General Dies Here at 80, After Long Illness", Times Colonist (Victoria, BC), 30 Dec 1968; page 2. Newspapers.com. Web.
- "James K. Nesbitt", The Vancouver Sun, 30 Dec 1968; page 18. Newspapers.com. Web.
- "Gordon Wismer Dead At 80; Former Attorney-General", Nanaimo Daily News, 30 Dec 1968; page 1. Newspapers.com. Web.
- "Deaths and Funerals", Times Colonist (Victoria, BC), 30 Dec 1968; page 18. Newspapers.com. Web.
- "Wismer funeral private", The Province (Vancouver, BC), 31 Dec 1968; page 9. Newspapers.com. Web.
- "Gordon Wismer", Times Colonist (Victoria, BC), 2 Jan 1969; page 4. Newspapers.com. Web.
---
BC Death Registration: 1968-09-016837
Name: Gordon Sylvester Wismer
Age: 80 yrs
Birth: 23 Mar 1888, Sutton, Ontario
Death: 28 Dec 1968, Royal Jubilee Hospital, Victoria, BC
Status: Married
Father: Wallace Wellington Wismer; Ontario
Mother: Catherine Raymer; Ontario
Wife: Dorothy Isabel Hillhouse
Occupation: Barrister & Solicitor, Own Practice
Last worked in occupation: 1960
Years in occupation: All Adult Life
Residence: Gillespie Place, Victoria, BC
In Victoria: 22 yrs
In BC: 61 yrs; In Canada: Life
Informant: Dorothy I. Wismer, wife, Gillespie Place, Victoria, BC
Cremation: 30 Dec 1968, Royal Oak Burial Park crematorium, Saanich, BC
---
BC Marriage Registration: 1940-09-501639
Groom: Gordon Sylvester Wismer, age 52, divorced, Protestant, birthplace: Sutton, Ontario; occupation: Barrister; residence: Empress Hotel, Victoria, BC
Groom's father: Wellington Howard David Wismer; Newmarket, Ontario
Groom's mother: Catherine Raymer; Newmarket, Ontario
Bride: Dorothy Isabel Duncan, age 36, divorced, Protestant, birthplace: Shelburne, Ontario; occupation: Housewife; residence: Baker Road, Haney, BC
Bride's father: William Adams Hillhouse; Brockville, Ontario
Bride's mother: Margaret Jane Jelly; Madoc, Ontario
Married: 8 Nov 1940, Metropolitan Church, Victoria, BC; by License.
---
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