One of the pioneer residents of Biggar is Howard McLaren was in the real estate, insurance and loan business here and conducted an undertaking establishment. He was born in the township of Kittley, Leeds county, Ontario, on October1, 1882 , a son of William and Mary (Montgomery) McLaren, likewise natives of Ontario. The father was a successful agriculturist and operated the farm on which he was born.

The public schools of Leeds county afforded Howard McLaren his education and he remained under the parental roof until he was sixteen years of age, when he went on the road for the Percival Plow & Stove Company, in whose employ he remained one year and then went west with the Pembrooke Scale Company. In 1902 he located in Wales, North Dakota, and there engaged in the butcher and horse business for six years, at the end of that time returning to Canada and locating in Cobalt, Ontario, where he continued dealing in horses for one and one-half years. In 1908, in connection with the emigration department, he came to Biggar, Saskatchewan and remained in the employ of the government two years as the Immigration Agent. When Mr. McLaren came to Biggar there were five inhabitants in the town and he witnessed and contributed in a great degree to its present growth and prosperity. He started the first butcher shop in Biggar and later sold it to Louis O’dette and was also an agent for Massey-Harris implements. Subsequently, after resigning his position with the government, he entered the real estate, insurance and loans business and likewise resumed his activities as a horse dealer. Later, he opened an undertaking establishment and he continued all of those enterprises. Associated with him in the real estate business was Charles Davis and the firm was known as McLaren & Davis. Mr. McLaren had extensive farming interests here. He acquired a homestead near Biggar when he first came here and for some time he made a specialty of raising pure-blooded short- horn cattle, geese and bronze turkeys. He also bred race horses and was the owner of a number of fine pacers. Mr. McLaren travelled extensively throughout Canada, the United States and Cuba but to his mind there is no place like Biggar for a home. In July, 1932, Howard McLaren takes over Wright’s Funeral Home from W. Harry Wright, 118 - 2nd Ave. East.

On the 1st of August, 1921, Mr. McLaren was married to Miss Maude Langstaff. They were members of the Anglican church and generous contributors to the various charities. Mr. McLaren followed an independent course in politics, giving his support to the man best fitted for the office without regard to party principles. He was elected Mayor of Biggar in 1919, 1920, 1923, 1924 and 1925. For a time he was also a member of the town council. Mr. McLaren died in March 30, 1947 and was buried on April 2, 1947 in Biggar Cemetery.

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