Several objects in the artifact collection belonged to J. (Jack) H. Holloway, ALS#134. Jack Holloway is a legend amongst Alberta Land Surveyors. He qualified as a Dominion Land Surveyor in 1934 and as an Alberta Land Surveyor in 1935. For two years, he was surveyor to the Land Titles Office in Edmonton and, in 1938, he was appointed Assistant Director of Surveys. In 1942, he became secretary-treasurer and registrar of the Alberta Land Surveyors’ Association. He resigned in 1948 as in 1947 he had become Director of Surveys. In 1949, he was elected president of the Alberta Land Surveyors’ Association.

In 1950, higher office came calling. He became assistant clerk to the Legislative Assembly, chair of the Civil Service Commission, Public Service Commissioner and chair of the Classification Appeal Board with the rank of deputy minister. Despite these appointments, he returned as secretary-treasurer and registrar of the Alberta Land Surveyors’ Association from 1952 to 1967. He was made an honorary life member in 1970.

In a past presidents words, J.W. Hill, wrote “Jack was a powerful, continuous operating human dynamo, an intellectual giant encased in a small though tough physical shell. His achievements were many, profound and lasting.”

J.H. (Jack) Holloway, ALS#134



Jack Holloway’s transit. Made by E.R. Watts and Son, London, 2252
Donated in 2002 by Fran Jefferson, Jack Holloway’s daughter.
ALSA 2006.16.01
Tripod ALSA 2006.16.02

Pen set, paper weight and blotter used by Jack Holloway.
Note the pen nib. It appears to be a dip pen where the nib is dipped into a bottle of ink. Fountain pens had similar nibs, but the pens contained a reservoir for the ink.
Donated by Jack Holloway’s daughter, Carolyn Holloway, in 2003.
Blotter: ALSA 2006.04.01
Pen Set: ALSA 2006.04.02
Paper Weight: ALSA 2006.04.03

When Bob Baker, ALS took over as secretary-treasurer in 1967, Jack Holloway provided written instructions on procedures regarding the office of secretary-treasurer and registrar for Bob. These have been retained and added to the Alberta Land Surveyors’ Association historical survey artifact collection. They are on display in the ALSA office.
ALSA 2007.17.01e.

During Jack Holloway’s second term as secretary-treasurer and registrar he wrote “A History of The Alberta Land Surveyors Association.” It covers the period from 1910 to 1959. That was not all. He wrote at least nine articles for The Canadian Surveyor on various topics. “The Principles of Evidence,” a paper in the 1961 publication “Legal Principles and Practice of Surveying” was – and remains – a must read for surveyors. He also carried out an in-depth study of the qualification requirements for land surveyors, suggested a means to make reciprocity a meaningful goal and proposed a basic training program for surveyors. During his time with the Alberta Land Surveyors’ Association, he was the initiator and driving force behind modernizing the Surveys Act, the Land Surveyors’ Act, the Planning Act and had considerable input into revisions to the Land Titles Act and the Expropriations Act.


1917 Supplement to the Manual of Instructions for the Survey of Dominion Lands signed “J.H. Holloway P.W.D. Edmonton.” It was donated by Nina Eisinga, daughter of M.T.( Michael) Tarczysnki ALS#243. Michael started work with the Director of Surveys Office in 1952. Presumably the Supplement was given to Michael by Jack Holloway or left in the Director of Surveys office and eventually obtained by Michael.
ALSA 2007.24.03
  
Sources of Information:

• A History of the Alberta Land Surveyors Association by J. H. Holloway, ALS.
• Alberta Land Survey History: Alberta Land Surveyors, J.H. Holloway; High Office/1.3 Secretary Treasurer.

Author: Gordon Olsson, ALS (Hon. Life) 
September 5, 2022
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