JAMES ALLOYSIUS McILWEE
Honorary Treasurer
James "Jim" Alloysius McIlwee was born January 27, 1864, in Glasgow, Scotland. He died June 26, 1940, in Salt Lake City, Utah, USA. His father was James John McIlwee (1832–1890), and his mother was Catherine McIlwee (née McLaughlin, 1824–1890.
At the age of 17, McIlwee emigrated to the United States, where he began his career in tunnel construction in Leadville, Colorado. He later created J. A. McIlwee & Sons Tunnel Construction, which went on to be one of the foremost tunnel constructors in the U.S. Among the company's most notable achievements was the construction of the five-mile-long Connaught Tunnel (then commonly known as the Rogers Pass Tunnel) in British Columbia. Upon its completion, the tunnel was the longest in North America and the eighth longest in the world. McIlwee’s company also carried out extensive shaft-sinking operations in the Park
City area of Utah and constructed the Snake Creek Tunnel in Heber, Utah, as well as drainage tunnels in Cripple Creek, Colorado.
In 1888, McIlwee married Ellen Hoy (1869–1940). Together, they had six children: James John (1888–1918), Catherine Alloysius (1890–1951), Raymond Charles (1892–1958), Marguerite (1895–1948), Lawrence Anthony (1898–1946), and William Joseph (1898–1961).
Later in life, McIlwee made his home in Salt Lake City, where he lived for 18 years in semi-retirement at the Hotel Utah (now known as the Joseph Smith Memorial Building). He was active in the local Scottish-American community and was enthusiastic about the formation of the Utah Pipe Band in 1937, of which he was named Honorary Treasurer.
As a young teenager, McIlwee worked in the Scottish coal mines with famous comedian and singer Sir Harry Lauder. The two were reunited in Denver, Colorado, as Harry was on a tour of the U.S., and the two reignited their friendship. McIlwee recalled, "Sir Harry showed his gifts back in the days when we worked in the coal mine. We had a stage at the mine and indulged in amateur theatricals during the noon hour every day. Harry was the star performer, then singing Irish instead of Scotch songs."
McIlwee died in 1941 in Salt Lake City at the age of 77.
James A. McIlwee and Harry Lauder in Chicago, 1912.