John B Mather was the son of Scottish immigrants and became a Canadian businessman and politician.

Mather's early introduction to business was as an employee of Frank Smith

Frank Smith (Canadian politician)

Sir Frank Smith, PC was a Canadian businessman and senator.He was born in County Armagh in Ireland and in 1832 came to Canada with his family and his father established a farm in Etobicoke. Smith went into commerce, first working as a clerk in several Toronto stores, and then opening is own...

, a leading grocer in Toronto. He moved to Winnipeg, Manitoba in 1881 and established himself as a leading Winnipeg wholesaler. It was a time where the business emphasis in the West was switching from the Hudson's Bay Company

Hudson's Bay Company

The Hudson's Bay Company , abbreviated HBC, or "The Bay" is the oldest commercial corporation in North America and one of the oldest in the world. A fur trading business for much of its existence, today Hudson's Bay Company owns and operates retail stores throughout Canada...

 and the St Paul, Minnesota merchants to products and businesses from eastern Canada. He quickly became successful in business and involved himself in the social and political life of his new home.

In 1887 he was president of the Granite Curling Club

Granite Curling Club (Winnipeg)

The Granite Curling Club, located in Winnipeg, Manitoba, is the oldest curling club in Western Canada. It has produced many national and world champions. The original Granite Curling Club dates back to 1880. Its current downtown location was built in 1912. It is often considered to be the "St...

 and in 1890 was elected as an alderman to Winnipeg City Council

Winnipeg City Council

The Winnipeg City Council is the governing body of the city of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.Members represent wards throughout the city, and are known as councillors.-2006-2010:Council elected in the 2006 election:-2010-2014:...

.