By Constance Brissenden
With additional research by Larry Loyie
The History of Metropolitan
Vancouver Hall of Fame represents nearly 500 of the thousands of
people who have contributed to the history of the lower mainland
of BC. They come from all walks of life, all cultural backgrounds
and all occupations. All of the Hall of Famers are now deceased,
and we are proud to include a brief record of their accomplishments
here. For the first time, Metropolitan Vancouver has a biographical
directory that includes many individuals from communities overlooked
in the past.
If you have suggestions for inclusion (remember
the person must be deceased), please contact us HERE.
A
B C
D E
F G
H I
J K
L M
N O
P Q
R S
T U
V W
X Y Z
For Mayors of Vancouver,
click here.
Y
Yasutaro Yamaga Laborer, Japanese farm activist
b. 1886, Toyohama-mura, Hiroshima-ken, Japan; d. Aug. 24, 1971,
Beamsville, Ont. Came to B.C. from Seattle in 1907. After working
as a CPR laborer, bought 10 acres near Haney, B.C. (1908). Spoke
English well and understood the Canadian way of life. Organized
Japanese social clubs in Haney; imported Japanese schoolbooks from
the US to replace Japanese government textbooks. Led Japanese Farmers'
Union in the Fraser Valley. After WWII internment in Tashme, B.C.,
he ran a sawmill at 70 Mile House, then moved to Beamsville. Established
Nipponia Home, the first Japanese-Canadian senior citizen's home
in Canada.
Yasushi Yamazaki Publisher b. May 11, 1871,
Toyama, Japan; d. 1947, Japan. Came to B.C. in 1893, worked as logger,
fisher, miner. Secretary, Japanese Fishermen's Union in Steveston
(1900). Active in Japanese fishermen's strike, 1900-01. Began publishing
in Seattle in 1902; in 1908, started Vancouver's Tairiku Nippo Sha
(Continental Daily News). Led a campaign against the prostitution
of Japanese women. President, Canadian-Japanese Association (1909-17).
Organized Canadian Japanese Volunteer Corp (WWI) hoping it would
lead to the vote but the corps of 200 was rejected as too small.
From 1917-33, editor of a newspaper in Japanese-held Manchuria.
"His life was a full but lonely one."
Kew Ghim Yip Physician b. Jan. 16, 1902, Vancouver;
d. Dec. 13, 1968, Vancouver. Son of Yip Sang. One of first four
Chinese-born general practitioners in Vancouver. Attended Central
Elem., King George HS, and Queen's in medicine. Interned as a doctor
in Ann Arbor, Mich., because of B.C. restrictions on Asian hospital
interns. Practised in Chinatown (1927-68). In the days before medical
coverage, he conducted a free weekly clinic at Main and Hastings
for old age pensioners and others. Doctor with Mount St. Joseph
Hospital on Campbell Ave., and helped fundraise for its Prince Edward
site. Active in the Chinese community; known for his philanthropic
work.
Frederick McBain Young Judge, Masonic leader
b. Oct. 30, 1863, English River, Que.; d. May 31, 1937, Vancouver.
Brother of Dr. Henry Esson Young. Grand Master of the Grand Lodge
of B.C. Masons (1901, 1902). Laid the cornerstone of Vancouver's
Carnegie Library, March 29, 1902, receiving an engraved trowel from
the City. Also laid cornerstone of Victoria HS. First judge of the
county court of Atlin, B.C. (1905). Served 28 years as judge in
Prince Rupert county court (from 1907). Retired and returned to
Vancouver (January 1933).
Henry Esson Young Father of the University
b. Feb. 24, 1867, English River, Que.; d. Oct. 24, 1939, Victoria.
Graduate of Queen's and McGill. Practiced medicine in the US, served
as houseman to Sir William Osler, joined the gold rush. Elected
MLA (Atlin, 1903). As minister of education/provincial secretary
in Richard McBride's cabinet (1907-16), he founded UBC. LL.D (UBC,
1925). Created Metropolitan Health Board with Rockefeller Foundation
funds. Essondale Mental Hospital in Coquitlam was named for him.
Met wife, Rosalind (b. c. 1874; d. February 1962, Victoria), a gold
medallist at McGill, in the Cariboo researching her MA thesis (married
in 1904). She was the first university graduate female high school
teacher in Victoria and introduced girl's grass hockey.
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