Waterloo Region Generations
A record of the people of Waterloo Region, Ontario.
James J. "Mac" "Jack" MacCallum

James J. "Mac" "Jack" MacCallum

Male 1865 - 1939  (~ 73 years)

Personal Information    |    Media    |    Notes    |    Sources    |    Event Map    |    All    |    PDF

  • Name James J. "Mac" "Jack" MacCallum 
    Born Dec 1865  , Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [1, 2
    Gender Male 
    Business 1907  Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location 
    sporting goods, post cards, tobacco, newspapers 
    Kitchener-JamesJ.MacCallum-0001-1907Advert.JPG
    Kitchener-JamesJ.MacCallum-0001-1907Advert.JPG
    Twin-City Directory and Official Guide of the Towns of Berlin and Waterloo 1907
    Name J. J. MacCallum 
    Name Mac MacCallum 
    Occupation 1911  Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [1
    Merchant, Tobacco Store 
    Kitchener-JJMacCallum-0001-TobaccoTin.jpg
    Kitchener-JJMacCallum-0001-TobaccoTin.jpg
    Residence 1911  Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [1
    Roman Catholic 
    Eby ID Number Waterloo-186188 
    Died 21 Oct 1939  Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Buried Woodland Cem., Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Person ID I186188  Generations
    Last Modified 26 Feb 2024 

    Family Emma Louise Power,   b. May 1872, , Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 1949  (Age ~ 76 years) 
    Married 20 Oct 1894  Toronto, York Co., Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Children 
     1. Rita Jean Judy MacCallum,   b. 24 Jul 1895, Belleville, Hastings Co., Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 1980  (Age 84 years)
     2. William D. MacCallum,   b. Jul 1899, Belleville, Hastings Co., Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 1963  (Age ~ 63 years)
     3. John MacCallum,   b. 21 Apr 1906, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Yes, date unknown
     4. Bernice Margaret MacCallum,   b. 14 Jul 1908, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Yes, date unknown
    Last Modified 2 Mar 2024 
    Family ID F184582  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  • Photos
    James J. MacCallum
    James J. MacCallum
    From Berlin, Canada A Self-portait of Kitchener, Ontario before World War One

  • Notes 
    • Last Rites For J. J. MacCallum - Kitchener - Funeral services were held Wednesday morning from St. Mary's Church to Woodland Cemetery for James J. MacCallum, well known tobacco wholesale merchant, who died here, Saturday night, after a lingering illness. Prior to 1901 when he entered the tobacco business, Mr. MacCallum learned the printing trade. Joining the Waterloo Chronicle about 50 years ago, he later worked with The Hamilton Times, a Toronto paper, and finally as foreman in the office of the Belleville Intelligence.

      The Waterloo Chronicle Oct 27 1939 pg 3


      ____________________________

      Ever since its inception, THE CANADIAN CIGAR AND TOBACCO JOURNAL has preached the gospel of "modern merchandising as being the only route to a real and lasting success for a retail tobacconist." In the early days of the JOURNAL'Scareer, it was necessary, in writing on this subject, to deal in generalities - thirteen years ago there were so few examples of the modern cigar store in Canada. But of late there has been remarkable progress in this respect, until to-day there are few towns of any importance in the Dominion that do not boast at least one tobacconist's shop having all the requisite features of a really modern retail establishment and conducted by a man of broad knowledge and up-to-date ideas.

      Such a man is Mr. James J. MacCallum, whose portrait is published herewith, and such a store is his in Berlin, Ontario. The career as a tobacconist of this well-known retailer is one of the best instances that could be given of the kind of success above referred to. In 1899 Mr. MacCallum opened his first store in Belleville. After two years in that place, he found a suitable opening in Berlin, where he has been located for the past six years and where he has built up a business to be proud of. While "Mack" is one of those broad-gauge business men who, it would seem, could scarcely have failed to make a satisfactory showing in any line he might have taken to, he seems particularly suited to his chosen trade. Genial, good-hearted, well-liked by all classes, his success is in no small measure due to his personality and be it remembered, there is no businessfield in which the personal element plays a more important part than in that of the retail tobacconist.
      Another important factor in this retailer's success and it is one which always counts for a good deal in the career of the man who "makes good"' his careful attention to business. Mr. MacCallum does his own buying; and in so far as is humanly possible, his own selling. That is to say, he seems to be "always on the job," and, although he has an exceptionally efficient staff of clerks, he never allows that fact to become an excuse for neglecting business.

      If you were to ask "Mac" himself to what he attributes his success as a cigarist, he would probably tell you that he has won his way by "always trying to give the customer the best possible value." Those who are acquainted with Mr. MacCallum know that there would be good reason for such an assertion. But there are other attributes to be considered in the game of tobacco selling, which this merchant plays so well. Among these might be mentioned (for the especial benefit of those who still cling to the old idea that progress can be made without real effort) the fact that Mr. MacCallum has a remarkable capacity for hard work, while his attention to, and mastery of, all the little details that a lesser man would consider too trivial to bother with, are a source of continual wonder to those with whom he comes in contact.

      Ever since the opening of the store, the watchword has been "Progress." There could be no better illustration of the up-to-date manner in which this flourishing business is conducted than the Pipe Repair Depatrment which, with an expert in charge, has made a distinct hit with Mr. MacCallum's customers. A handsome billiard hall above the store is another feature of the establishment which must not be overlooked,

      Mr. MacCallum is a believer in "special brands," and has built up quite a nice demand for those he has introduced. A firm believer also in the value of printer's ink, he uses liberal space in the local newspapers. Mindful of the old proverb which points out the inevitable dullness of the boy who devotes all his time to work and has none left for play, Mr. Mac-Callum is an enthusiastic member of the Berlin Lawn Bowling Club. He is also a member of the Board of Trustees of the Berlin and Waterloo Hospital Trust, and takes a lively interest in the public affairs of his town, thus furnishing another instance of the truth that it is generally the busy man who is willing to do work for the community.

      Situated in a community which is going ahead by leaps and bounds, Mr. MacCallum seems.to find no difficulty in keeping pace with Berlin's growth ; he has just opened up at Woodstock and will in time have a chain of stores. His business stands out as a splendid example of how a cigar emporium should be conducted.

      Berlin, Canada A Self-portait of Kitchener, Ontario before World War One

      _________________________


      George O. Philip and J. J. A. MacCallum opened tobacco stores in the first years of the nineties. Mr. Philip was for a time lessee of the Walper House, but returned to the tobacco business. This year he sold his stand to Norm Davison. Mr. MacCallum has continued until the present day. He was one of the first merchants to found a tobacco chainstore, with three stores here and others in Preston and Woodstock. He also founded the Imperial Wholesale Co.

      A History of Kitchener, W. V. (Ben) Uttley, Kitchener, Ontario 1937, pg 322

  • Sources 
    1. [S340] Census - ON, Waterloo, Berlin - 1911, Div 35 Page 16.

    2. [S2264] Census - ON, Waterloo, Kitchener - 1921, Sub District 28 Page 16.

  • Event Map
    Link to Google MapsBorn - Dec 1865 - , Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsMarried - 20 Oct 1894 - Toronto, York Co., Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsBusiness - sporting goods, post cards, tobacco, newspapers - 1907 - Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsOccupation - Merchant, Tobacco Store - 1911 - Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsResidence - Roman Catholic - 1911 - Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsDied - 21 Oct 1939 - Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsBuried - - Woodland Cem., Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
     = Link to Google Earth