McGill Library
McLennan Library Building3459 rue McTavish
Montreal, Quebec
H3A 0C9
Person
Dakers, James, 1811-1885
1811-1885
James Dakers, Esq. was born on August 8, 1811, in Forfar, Angus, Scotland.
Upon completing his studies at the parochial school, he served his apprenticeship in an attorney’s office in his native town. In 1840, he immigrated to Montreal, Canada and in 1847, he was hired by the new Montreal Telegraph Company, the first to establish a telegraph network to Toronto, Quebec City, and New York. Dakers quickly rose through the ranks of the company, becoming the Secretary to the Board of Directors in 1851. In 1865, Dakers was appointed Manager of the Eastern division. Owing to his faithful and energetic services, the success of the company was greatly enhanced. When the Montreal Telegraph Company leased its business to the Great North Western Company in 1881, he resigned and retired the following year.
In 1852, he married Jane Christie (1830- ). He died on April 15, 1887, in Montreal, Quebec.