Sub-series consists of accession records listing the accession number, author, title, publisher, cost and “source” for each book accessioned into the Brandon College Library. It includes a total of 10 accession catalogues covering the period December 1899 - June 1965: 2 accession catalogues (12x18x5) and 8 accession catalogues (9x12x .75 cm)
Storage Location
RG 1 Brandon College fonds
Series 15: Brandon College Library
Samuel James McKee was born near Wellesley, Ontario on July 17, 1849. By 1872, he had graduated from Toronto University. That same year he accepted a position at the Canadian Literary Institute in Woodstock, Ontario. Although he accepted this post with reservation, McKee soon found himself converted to the Baptist faith and was a true believer. In 1881, his doctor advised him to move West because of his poor health. He and his wife Laura moved to Rapid City, Manitoba and established a farm there. His brother-in-law, Rev. Davis was busy establishing the Rapid City Academy during this time, and when Davis had the chance to move to Moose Jaw, he prevailed upon McKee to take over the Academy. Under McKee's guidance the Academy flourished. By 1890, he decided that he could reach more people if he relocated the school Brandon, Manitoba, which was located on the C.P.R. line. The S.J. McKee Academy did quite well in Brandon, although it had trouble finding a permanent home. By 1899, the school was located in the Stewart Block on Ninth Street and Rosser Avenue. McKee's wife taught music, and there were always potential ministry students in his classes.
In 1899, the Baptists finally decided that they wanted a College in Manitoba that would help preapre students for potential ministry service. It was decided to locate the school in Brandon, as McKee, a staunch Baptist, already had a flourishing Academy there. The Baptists and McKee amalgamated and Brandon College was created. When the school opened in October 1899, McKee was on the Board of Directors as well as teaching Classics, Mental Science and French. He also acted as the unofficial Vice-principal of the school. McKee taught several different subjects during the next few years, and in 1910 accepted the newly created post of Registrar. He retained this position for the next decade. As well, McKee acted as the Bursar in 1911-1913, 1914-1915, and 1919-1920. He retired in 1920 and moved to Vancouver. McKee was given the title Professor Emeritus in Philosophy. He was made an honorary member of the Board of Directors in 1925.
McKee and his wife had five daughters and three sons. Three daughters that died soon after the move from Rapid City due to a typhoid epidemic. His son, George Eugene, graduated from Brandon College in 1902. A son, John Harris McKee, became the Bursar of Brandon College in 1915 after obtaining his B.A. in 1914. Another son, William Carey McKee, graduated from Brandon College in 1914, and received his M.A. in 1915. He was studying Law in Calgary when he enlisted with the Army. Carey McKee was killed in action on August 26, 1918. A fourth son, Robert Allan also attended Brandon College. He enlisted when Carey did, but he was declared medically unfit for service in Winnipeg in 1917. He eventually returned to Brandon, but was sick for a very long time. He died on Febrary 13, 1919, from a growth on his brain that had weakened him greatly. McKee's daughter Mildred also attended Brandon College. After her husband was killed in action in November of 1918, she returned home to her parents. Eventually she obtained a degree in Household Science. There is another daughter mentioned, Lydia. McKee also states in a tax return form that he has a permanently epileptic child in a home. It is not known if this child was Lydia or not. S.J. McKee died in September 1937 at the age of 88.
Custodial History
To commemorate the move of the McKee Acadamy to Brandon, Manitoba in 1890, Brandon University renamed the Brandon University Archives the S.J. McKee Archives in the fall of 1990. At that time, the McKee family was represented by S.J. McKee's grandson William, who donated the S.J. McKee papers to the Archives. Up until 1990, the records had been in his custody, having passed from S.J. at the time of his death to William's father.
Scope and Content
S.J. McKee's files are very unique. He has records detailing many aspects from Rapid City Academy and the desire for educating the West. He has a lengthy document entitled "The Beginning of our Educational Work in the West" in his records. It details the creation of Prairie College, its demise, and the building of the Rapid City Academy. There is a lot of correspondence, not just to and from S.J. McKee, but to and from his children as well. There are Land Titles papers, Mortgages, Last Will and Testaments, and various other legal documents dealing with the McKee family. There is a ninety page paper that his son, Carey, wrote in 1915 entitled "Immigrants and Their Assimilation." There are several files dealing with Carey McKee, and also with the death of Midred's husband, Robert Alexander Cunningham. The Minute Book of the Brandon College Literary Society from 1903-1905 is located in the McKee files. McKee also kept various newsclippings and certain issues of "The Western Baptist," "The Northwest Baptist" and "The Sunday School Times." As well, there are some used account and receipt books.
His records are extremely interesting in that McKee was really one of the founding fathers of Brandon College. The documentation that still exists with regard to Rapid City Academy is quite astounding, down to the legal agreement he and G.B. Davis made with Duncan L. McLaren regarding using some of his land to build the school on. His recollections on the beginnings of education in the west are clear and concise. As well, the sense of family and devotion to God are evident in almost all of the letters between family members.
Biographical information for Franklin W. Sweet can be found under RG 1 Brandon College fonds, BC 2 Office of the President.
Custodial History
It is suspected that Sweet's papers were left at Brandon College at the time of his death. They were transfered to the Archives with the Brandon College records in 1980, at the time of the creation of the Archives.
Scope and Content
The personal records of Dr. Sweet include sermon notes, newspaper clippings, and church bulletins. The collection, although small, is remarkable. Researchers wanting to study religion during the early Twentieth century will have no trouble finding out what the Baptist doctrine of the day was. The beliefs that Dr. Sweet held are evident in his sermons, as well as in the clippings that he kept. There are approximately fifty sermons that Dr. Sweet wrote, including the dates and places that he delivered them. These records are an excellent source of information regarding religion, faith, devotion and mankind in the 1920’s.
Thomas Russell Wilkins was born in Toronto in 1891. He received his B.A. from McMaster University in 1912, and became the Science Master at Woodstock College the following year. In 1916, he and his wife Olive moved to Chicago, where Wilkins was an instructor of Physics at the University of Chicago. The next year he served as a master signal electrician in the U.S. Signal Corps. During World War I, Wilkins completed pioneer research for the United States Navy, which led to the development of pulse sonar devices in the 1920s. He had also been researching the possibilities of a wireless telephone.
Wilkins and his wife moved to Brandon in 1918, where he took up the position of Professor of Physics. During his time at Brandon College, Wilkins introduced the latest technology to classrooms, designed the original Science Building, and along with the Brandon Citizen's Committee, seucured building funds for the Citizen's Science Building.
Receiving his Ph.D. from the University of Chicago in 1921, Wilkins resigned from Brandon College in 1925 to pursue postgraduate study at Cambridge University. In 1926, he began research at the University of Rochester, where he also took up the position of Professor of Physics. From 1930 to 1938, he acted as the Director of the Institute of Optics.
Widely known for his work in the fields of cosmic rays and atomic disintegration, in April 1939, Wilkins announced the perfection of a camera that was able to record the "footprints" of invisible atoms after they collide. In October 1939, he received a medal from the Royal Photographic Society of Great Britain recognizing his work regarding the use of photographic emulsions in the study of radium. The following year, Wilkins perfected a camera that could determine the energy levels inside the nuclei of stable chemical elements. He received a grant from Sigma Xi, the National Society for the Promotion of Scientific Research, in November of 1940.
Wilkins married twice. The first marriage, to Olive Anges Cross took place on June 17, 1913. Olive Wilkins died suddenly on May 13, 1937, at the age of 45. Wilkins married Susan Gwendolyn Whidden, the daughter of former Brandon College president Dr. H.P. Whidden, in 1938.
Thomas Russell Wilkins died suddenly of a heart attack on December 10, 1940, on his way back to his laboratory after a faculty meeting. He was 49 years old.
Custodial History
Records were accessioned by the McKee Archives in 1998. Prior custodial history is unknown.
Scope and Content
T. Russell Wilkins’ reocrds contain correspondence between himself and Mrs. Wilkins and Dr. Whidden concerning their employment with Brandon College. There are letters between the two men regarding the building of the Science Building in 1920. There is also a copy of the Canadian Baptist. Besides programmes and a picture, there is also correspondence between various people. Dr. Wilkins kept the papers he had written for various classes at McMaster University in the years 1911 and 1912. There is a "toast to the ladies" that he delivered at a banquet of some sort, that gives an interesting view on how Wilkins, and possibly other men of his time, viewed women. There are numerous newspapers clippings, and several pages taken from journals such as Popular Mechanics, Popular Electricity and others. Dr. Wilkins was at the top of his field of study. He was an extremely bright man who managed to create some very useful tools of science. His papers are interesting and informative to read.
Notes
History/Bio information taken from Campus News May 1990
Esther Moore was born in Norfolk, Nebraska and moved to Canada at age 3. There is a vague reference to her being related to the composer Dvorak in The Quill of 1913. She registered as a music student at Brandon College in 1909. In 1910, Miss Moore received a medal for sight-reading and accompanying in Edmonton. She took her examinations of the Toronto Conservatory of Music in 1910, and her Senior examinations in 1911. She completed her theory work in 1913, as well as finishing the academic requirements. In 1913, Esther Moore became the first graduate of the Music department at Brandon College. After graduation, Miss Moore taught music in Unity, as well as being the choirleader and organist. She returned to her home in Olds, Alberta for a rest from teaching. However, she was not idle for long. She took up teaching again, and she was the organist and choirleader at church. She also began a Glee Club. Between these responsibilities Miss Moore finished a course in the Household Science Department at the Olds Agricultural College. She returned to Brandon College to take postgraduate work, becoming the first Brandon College student to receive her L.T.C.M. in 1916. In 1922 Miss Moore began to teach piano at Brandon College. She received her Bachelor of Music in 1925, and her Master of Music in 1926.
Custodial History
Records were accessioned by the McKee Archives in 1998. Prior custodial history is unknown.
Scope and Content
Esther Moore’s records consist of newspaper clippings, recital programmes, concert programmes, and commencement programmes. As well, there are dance cards, invitations, tickets, and the programme for the annual Graduation Banquet for several years. There are Track and Field programmes and a ribbon. There are also Alumni Luncheon programmes for a few years. There is an issue of The Western Baptist from 1926, and the programmes for the installation of Dr. Robbins as President and the opening of the Arts and Library building and the J.R.C. Evans Lecture Theatre in 1960. There is also a letter from William L. Wright, director of the music department at Brandon College.
Thomas Hector MacDonald McLeod (Tommy) was born in Weyburn, Saskatchewan in August 1918. During his youth in Weyburn, McLeod was a member of Tommy Douglas' Baptist congretation; it was Douglas who encouraged McLeod to attend Brandon College. McLeod attended Brandon College from 1937 to 1940. While there, he received scholarships in Bible, Economics, and General Efficiency, as well as receiving the Medal in Sociology during his final year. Following graduation in 1940, McLeod studied economics at the University of Indiana, receiving his M.A. in 1941. Later that year he returned to Brandon College to teach economics and sociology. From 1941 until 1944, he also acted as the Resident Master. He remained at Brandon College for three years. McLeod married Beryl (Pentland) Thompson c. 1943 and together they had five children: Beth, Ellen, Ian, Brian and Morna.
Following the election of Tommy Douglas as Premier of Saskatchewan, McLeod was employed in a variety of senior positions in the Saskatchewan civil service. In 1952, McLeod was named the Dean of Commerce at the University of Saskatchewan, Regina Campus.
In 1961, he served as the Chief Consultant (Ford Foundation) to the Turkish Government. In 1962, McLeod was the supervisor of an eight man team advising the Iranian government on Economic Planning Activities. He has also served as a Special Advisor in Public Administration and Higher Education for the Canadian Development Agency.
In 1963, he became the chairman of the Saskatchewan Royal Commission on Taxation. McLeod accepted the position of Dean of the College of Arts and Science, Regina Campus at the University of Saskatchewan on May 15, 1964. In May 1965, he became Vice-Principal of the University of Saskatchewan, Regina Campus.
McLeod had a Ph.D. in Government and Economics from Harvard. As well, he was a past recipient of the Vanier Medal (1971) for outstanding contribution to public administration in Canada. In 1987, McLeod wrote a book entitled "Tommy Douglas: the Road to Jerusalem." Also in 1987, McLeod was awarded an honorary degree from Brandon University. In 2003, McLeod was awarded the Order of Canada.
Thomas Hector MacDonald McLeod died on January 1, 2008 in Victoria, BC.
Custodial History
McLeod donated a copy of the paper, subsequently published in Manitoba History, to the McKee Archives c. 1995.
Scope and Content
Thomas McLeod’s records consist of a paper written in 1995, entitled "S.J. McKee of Brandon College: A Biographical Note on a Man and an Institution." This paper is a brief history of Brandon College and S.J. McKee’s role in the formation of it. Beginning with the foundation of the short-lived Canada Baptist College, as well as the foundation of the Canadian Literary Institute, McLeod traces the history of Baptists and higher education. The paper is a fairly good guide to researchers wanting to know a bit of the background behind Brandon College. The bibliography in the back also gives researchers several ideas on where to look for additional information.
Notes
Obituary is in the January 5, 2008 Globe and Mail. H. Clare Pentland and Tommy McLeod studied economics together at Brandon College under W.T. Easterbrook, who later taught at the University of Toronto.
MG 1 Brandon College Teaching and Administration
1.6 Thomas Hector McLeod
Related Material
W. T. Easterbrook, “Clare Pentland-Brandon College, 1937-1940,” Canadian Journal of Political and Social Theory, vol. 3, no. 2 (Spring-Summer 1979), p. 101.
Kathleen Emily Kenner was born in Pierson, Manitoba on December 6, 1903. Her father, W.S. Kenner, was a General Merchant there. Kathleen had one brother, Ewing. She took her early education in Pierson, then moved to Brandon to take her Grade XI course in 1919. The following year, Kathleen moved to the Clark Hall Annex on Louise and 11th, in order to attend Brandon College (B.C.) as a student in the Music Department. In the fall of 1921, she entered the Arts Department of Brandon College. During her time at the college, Kathleen was very involved with student life. She was elected Lady Stick for the school year 1924-1925, the highest position in student government that a woman could attain. In the spring of 1925, she graduated with her B.A., then begain studies in the Faculty of Education at the University of Toronto.
Kathleen taught school in Melfort, Saskatchewan from approximately 1930-1949, and for several years after that was an instructor at the Saskatchewan Government Correspondence School. Sometime during this period, Kathleen left to serve in the Air Force during the Second World War.
Kathleen Kenner married William A. Kennedy in 1950, and through marriage she gained one son, John Kennedy, and two daughters, Mrs. Claire H. A. Still and Mrs. Janet Sheridan. Around the same time, Kathleen and William moved to Winnipeg, Manitoba where Kathleen was very active in the church and the community. Kathleen Kenner Kennedy died suddenly on November 28, 1967 at the age of 61.
Custodial History
This fonds was accessioned by the McKee archives in 1997. Prior custodial history is unknown.
Scope and Content
The Kathleen Kenner Fonds are organized in three series:
Series 1 – scrapbook (6.5 cm.)
Series 2 - file of correspondence (8 mm.)
Series 3 - newspaper clippings (1 mm.)
The scrapbook contains pictures of Kathleen’s life and times at Brandon College and the University in Toronto. There are pictures of students and friends, Brandon College, the University of Toronto, Victoria College, Toronto City Hall, Grandpa Ewing’s Farm in Ontario, grad pictures, a train station, and much more. The pictures show dress, women’s activities, the ladies’ Basketball team, and what Brandon itself looked like in the 1920’s. She also included personal notes, cards, invitations to dinners, dances, and luncheons, poems, dance cards, hockey tickets, and various other university mementos.
There are numerous newspaper clippings. One file contains poetry, mainly from her friend Mary McLaughin MacDonald, letters from her father and mother, a list of College yells, and a copy of "Hail Our College". Kenner has various excerpts from The Quill, letters from former students, and a grapho-analyst report (1933) that she received. An interesting possession in this collection are two speeches that Kenner delivered and kept originals of. The first is her reply to being nominated for Lady Stick in 1924. The second is a speech that she made when she invested her duties of Lady Stick to the new Lady Stick, Rose Vasey in 1925.
Notes
A portion of the description was written by Kathleen Scammell (2000).
Fonds consists of one book: Saul L. Cohen, "Being a Scientist Can Be Fun: The Memoirs of Saul L. Cohen" (1995) 363 pages. Dr. Cohen was a resident of Brandon and a student at Brandon College in the late 1920s and early 1930s. He recalls these days as part of a broader recollection of his principle life experiences.
See fonds level description of custodial history of A. E. McKenzie Seed Co. Ltd.
Scope and Content
This sub-series is comprised of various documents, agreements and contracts generated by A. E. McKenzie Seed Co. Ltd. Among the documents are by-laws, letters of patents, land deeds, leases, transfers of property, grants of probate, trademark documents, certificates of title, incorporation documents, bills of sale, assets and liabilities, licenses to do business, loan documents, tax statements/certificates, insurance documents, memorandums, declarations, estate documents, releases, settlements, mortgages, and bill 87.
Storage Location
RG 3 A.E. McKenzie Company fonds
McS 1 Board of Directors
See fonds level description of custodial history of A. E. McKenzie Seed Co. Ltd.
Scope and Content
This sub-series includes minutes of the Board of Directors of McKenzie Seeds, extracts from minutes of the Board of Directors, information on shareholders of the company, notices of Board meetings, suggested meeting agendas, the President's annual report for 1967, and memos regarding Board meetings/business.
Storage Location
RG 3 A.E. McKenzie Company fonds
McS 1 Board of Directors
Related Material
Additional minutes for the meetings of the Board of Directors of McKenzie
Seeds, dating from the mid 1930's, are held in the Provincial Archives of Manitoba.
Minute excerpts for the Board of Directors are located in the Document sub-series in the file titled By-Laws for 1940-1985.
See fonds level description of custodial history of A. E. McKenzie Seed Co. Ltd.
Scope and Content
This sub-series includes reports from three management consultants: Harbridge House, Urwick, Currie & Partners Ltd., and Thorne Stevenson & Kellogg. As well, the sub-series contains correspondence between the President and Comptroller of A.E. McKenzie Seed Co. Ltd. and Harbridge House regarding the implementation of a management training program and plans to combat the weak field seed market. The Urwick, Currie reports deal with improvement in company operations and improvements in packet seed processing. The Thorne Stevenson & Kellogg report is entitled 'Implementing a Strategic Planning Process.' Each of the reports completed for the company deal with improving the business operations of McKenzie Seeds.
Harbridge House – this record is a management-training program designed to address a weak field seed market.
Storage Location
RG 3 A.E. McKenzie Company fonds
McS 1 Board of Directors
See fonds level description of custodial history of A. E. McKenzie Seed Co. Ltd.
Scope and Content
This sub-series consists of one folder containing thank you letters to Prof. George F. MacDowell, Professor of Economics at Brandon University, and a long-time member of the McKenzie Seeds Board for his service to the company.
Storage Location
RG 3 A.E. McKenzie Company fonds
McS 1 Board of Directors
Related Material
RG 6 (Brandon University fonds), MG 3 (Brandon University Teaching and Administration), MG 3 1.12 (George MacDowell fonds).
See fonds level description of custodial history of A. E. McKenzie Seed Co. Ltd.
Scope and Content
This sub-series includes financial statements of various kinds for McKenzie Seeds and combined financial statements for McKenzie Seeds and its subsidiaries, particularly McFayden Seeds. Chartered Accountants used for this purpose include: Marwick, Mitchell & Co., Webb, Read, Hegan, Callingham & Co./Webb, Read & Co., George A. Touche & Co., Oscar Hudson & Co., Morden, Sprague & Co./Laird, Sprague & Co., Edwards, Morgan, Halliday & Co., Welch, Hinton and Welch, McDonald, Currie & Co./Cooper Brothers & Co., Meyers Dickens Norris Penny & Co./Meyers, Norris, Penny & Co. and the Comptroller-General for the Province of Manitoba.
This sub-series also includes a number of purchase offers made to A.E. McKenzie Seed Co. Ltd as well as proposed plans to sell the company. Offers were received from United Grain Growers, Maple Leaf Mills, McKenzie Seeds Staff, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta Wheat Pools, and the Ferry Morse Seed Co.
Twelve ledgers, including branch order, mail order and cash registers, general ledgers, current ledgers, payroll sheets and branch daily cash reports, are also part of the sub-series. Other miscellaneous financial records and statements include information on McKenzie Seeds' proposal to the Manitoba Government for re-financing in the early to mid 1980's.
Notes
Additional dates for the records in the financial sub-series are as follows:
1. Prepared Financial Statements: 1907-1918, 1920-1923, 1926-1938, and 1942-1979.
2. Purchase Offers: U.G.G. (1959, 1966), Wheat Pools (1961), McKenzie Staff (1963),
Maple Leaf Mills (c. 1965), Ferry Morse Seed Co. (c. 1969-1970).
The extent of the ledgers in sub-series McS 1 1.5 (Financial Records) separate from the other
financial records in the sub-series is 95.9 cm. The financial records without the ledgers measure 60 cm.
Storage Location
RG 3 A.E. McKenzie Company fonds
McS 1 Board of Directors
Related Material
Financial statements and records for the individual companies acquired by
McKenzie Seeds are located in Series III.
Information regarding the sale of McKenzie Seeds is located in Series II (Office of the President/GM), sub-series I (A.E. McKenzie), in the file entitled A.E. correspondence with W.A. Johnson. Some of these records are connected to the purchase offers received by McKenzie Seeds.
Albert Edward McKenzie was born in Wilcox Lake, York County, Ontario in 1870 to Francis Bethel McKenzie and Maria (Carley) McKenzie. In 1882 he moved to Brandon, Manitoba with his family, where his father established a Flour, Seed and Grain business. At the age of twenty-six, following his father’s death, A. E. took over the family business and transformed it into a seed institute. As the President of The Brandon Seed House, and, later, A. E. McKenzie Seed Co. Ltd., Mr. McKenzie played a central role in the daily operations of his company up until three weeks prior to his death on September 25, 1964.
In 1901, Mr. McKenzie married Laura Bell of Carmen, Manitoba, with whom he had two daughters, Marjorie and Kathleen. Kathleen married Walter C. Roberts and became a member of the Board of Directors of her father's company. Marjorie graduated from Brandon College, and received additional degrees from the Columbia College of Expression, and from Northwestern University. From 1927-1930 she taught at Brandon College, then resigned to do post-graduate work. She returned to Brandon College in 1935 as Instructor of Public Speaking and Dean of Women in Clark Hall. Marjorie resigned as Dean of Women after one year, and eventually relocated to British Columbia. Both Kathleen and Marjorie survived their father. Laura had passed away in 1943. At the time of his death. A.E. McKenzie was also survived by had one grandson: David McKenzie Roberts.
In addition to building his company into one of Canada's foremost seed institutes, McKenzie was also involved with many community projects. He was affiliated with the YMCA, YWCA, Salvation Army, and Community Chest. He was a charter member of the Kiwanis Club, and a long-term officer of the Brandon Chamber of Commerce. However, McKenzie's major interest was Brandon College, for which he served as a governor and as chairman of the board of governors for the College.
A central figure in the fight to save Brandon College, McKenzie was instrumental in the formation of Brandon College Inc., and, in 1945, he established the A. E. McKenzie Foundation, for which the Government of Manitoba was the sole trustee. His gift to the
Foundation was securities valued at $1 million, which ensured the survival and re-establishment of Brandon College and later Brandon University.
In 1941, McKenzie received the degree of Doctor of Laws honoris causa from the University of Manitoba. In 1962, he was honored with a certificate of merit for exemplary citizenship in commerce and in every aspect of community life from the City of Brandon.
Custodial History
See fonds level description of custodial history of A. E. McKenzie Seed Co. Ltd.
Scope and Content
This sub-series consists of correspondence created and received by A.E. McKenzie during his years as President/General Manager dealing with the operation of his company. This includes construction estimates, and correspondence with the company's lawyer, Wm. Johnson. A letter from Gairdner & Company Limited regarding McKenzie's attempt to reacquire ownership of A. E. McKenzie Ltd. from the Province of Manitoba.
The sub-series also contains material relating to legal matters: one file concerns a successful legal action against the A.E. McKenzie Seed Company by the Canadian Alfalfa Association. The action arose following the sale of seed to a seed company located in Berlin, Germany in 1938. A second file deals with the prosecution of the company in Bismarck, North Dakota for mail fraud. The company lost both cases. Patents secured by the company are also included within the sub-series.
Also contained within the legal sub-series are records dealing with A.E. McKenzie's passing. These include correspondence with the National Trust Company and Miss Jean MacKay, and a summary of A.E. McKenzie's will. There are also some documents dealing with McKenzie's stocks and shares in the Company.
Documentation relating to the 1918 By-Law Campaign, in which McKenzie tried to secure tax relief for his company in relation to the construction of its new plant, is also included within the sub-series.
The sub-series is divided into six sub sub series, including: (1) Secretary; (2) Legal Matters; (3) Correspondence; (4) Patents; (5) By-Law Campaign 1918; and (6) Miscellaneous.
Notes
* "Tapes" in the Related Material field refers to hard copy written summaries originally provided on tape for typing. Organization by tape number was found to be more efficient than listing these items by title.
Language Note
Within McS 2 1.3, the correspondence sub sub series, there are some documents written in Gregg shorthand. No translation is available.
Storage Location
RG 3 A.E. McKenzie Company fonds
McS 2 Office of the President/General Manager
Related Material
Regarding sub sub series McS 2 2.2 (Legal Matters): The court pocket for the alfalfa case involving McKenzie Seeds at the Court of Queen's Bench in Regina, Saskatchewan may be available through the Saskatchewan Archives Board. John Diefenbaker acted for the Alfalfa Association in this case.
Historical Topics under A.E. McKenzie Seed Co. Ltd. fonds, Series 2 (Office of the President/GM), sub-series 2 (J. Lasby Lowes) contains some information regarding McKenzie's patents (file 16, Tapes 29 and 30), and a legal case in Bismarck, North Dakota in 1957 regarding the violation of mail fraud statutes involving the sale of seed wheat (file 11, Tape 26)*. Information regarding the sale of Alfalfa seed to a German seed company is available in file 2. There are also a number of files containing information about A. E. McKenzie.
James Lasby Lowes was born in Brandon on March 12, 1903, and passed away at Brandon General Hospital on August 9, 1986, after a lengthy illness. His wife Jean, his son Lasby Jr., daughter-in-law Carole, and grandsons Kirk and Rick survived him. Lowes also had one sister, Kathleen Conder, of Gross Pointe Mich.
Lowes was a dedicated employee of A. E. McKenzie Seed Co. Ltd. for 47 years, beginning February 13, 1924. Throughout his career with the Company, Lowes worked in various departments: he served as manager of the wholesale department, assistant manager in charge of Field Seed purchases, manager of sales for both domestic and export trade, and Field Seed division manager. In 1964, following A. E. McKenzie's death, Lowes became the President and General Manager of A. E. McKenzie Seed Co. Ltd.
Although he retired as President and General Manager in 1968, at the request of the Company, Mr. Lowes became Saskatchewan Sales Supervisor. In 1972, he accepted a new role in Public Relations. Here his primary task was to write a corporate history of A. E. McKenzie Seed Co. Ltd. and its subsidiary companies.
Lasby Lowes attended Brandon College and was drafted by the Detroit Red Wings. He chose to make his career as a seedsman rather than a hockey player. He served on the Board of Brandon College/University, Brandon General Hospital, the Brandon Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Lowes was a member of the Kinsman Club of Brandon and an elder in First Church United for many years. He enjoyed gardening. When he was not on the road traveling for the Company, visiting the many distributors of McKenzie seeds in Manitoba and Saskatchewan, he spent a great deal of time at the family cottage at Clear Lake.
Custodial History
In the course of preparing notes for a history of the McKenzie Seed Co., Mr. Lowes extracted documentary records from the Company files. Records taken from the Company files by Mr. Lowes remain in the historical accounts he created.
See fonds level description of custodial history of A. E. McKenzie Seed Co. Ltd.
Scope and Content
This sub-series contains documents, primarily correspondence dealing with Lowes' years as President/General Manager. The correspondence involves Premier Duff Roblin, the Company lawyer, Wm. Johnson, the Bank of Montreal, and Charles Sharpe & Co. Ltd. Further correspondence relates to trademarks, the sale of the Company, the hiring of Ted Chiswell as Comptroller of McKenzie Seeds, and the change of the Company's name to McKenzie Seeds Ltd.
Subsequent to his retirement from the President/General Manager's office, Lowes undertook the task of writing a history of the McKenzie Co. His Historical Topics cover a wide-range of subjects including the history of the Company, Canadian agriculture and the seed industry, the life and times of A. E. McKenzie, and notes on various employees of McKenzie Seeds and McFayden Seeds. The Topics also include information related to various properties and acquisitions of the Company. There is also information pertaining to the McKenzie catalogues.
The original order in which these records were acquired has not been disturbed. However, the original order appears to be quite haphazard.
To facilitate access for researchers, a summary of the arrangement of Lasby Lowes' Historical Topics and related records has been created.
The sub-series is divided into three sub sub series, including: (1) Correspondence; (2) Historical Topics; and (3) Miscellaneous.
Notes
Lasby Lowes:
President/General Manager: c. 1960-1968, 11.5 cm
Historical Topics: 1900-1983; 44.7 cm
For the most part both the handwritten and typed version of each Historical Topic can be found within sub sub series McS 2 2.2.
Finding Aid
A file level inventory of McS 2 2.2 (Historical Topics) is available.
Storage Location
RG 3 A.E. McKenzie Company fonds
McS 2 Office of the President/General Manager
Related Material
Additional records related to the Brandon Council of Women are located in the Brandon Council of Women Fonds (34-1998) in the S. J. McKee Archives.
Prior to 1964, the Manitoba Government representative on the Board of Directors, as well as other members of the Board of McKenzie Seeds, urged A.E. McKenzie to hire a comptroller. Although he said he would take their recommendation under advisement, an appointment was not made until J. Lasby Lowes became President/General Manager in the fall of 1964.
While in Vancouver on business, Lowes and Mr. Wm. Johnston, the Company's lawyer interviewed W. E. (Ted) Chiswell. After conferring with Chris. Flintoft of McDonald, Currie & Co. and George Ilifee, Comptroller General for the Province of Manitoba, Chiswell was hired as the first comptroller at McKenzie Seeds and began his employment with the Company on January 1, 1965. Chiswell later resigned his position and relocated to Winnipeg.
Jim McLaren, one Peckover, Richard Olson and Don Haddock all held the position of comptroller at McKenzie Seeds following Chiswell's resignation. It is not known who held the position after Don Haddock left the company in the mid-1970s.
Custodial History
See fonds level description of custodial history of A. E. McKenzie Seed Co. Ltd.
Scope and Content
Sub-series includes correspondence between W.E. Chiswell, McKenzie Comptroller, and a number of individuals, including Robert A. Steen and Wm. Johnston of Johnston, Garson & Co. (the Company's lawyers), G.T. Smith & Sons Ltd., General Contractors, and Nick Slowchek of Speers Seed Store. The sub-series also contains letters between Chiswell and Lasby Lowes and memos to McKenzie Staff written by Chiswell. Some of the records in the sub-series deal with McKenzie Seeds' name change to McKenzie Seeds Inc.
Storage Location
RG 3 A.E. McKenzie Company fonds
McS 2 Office of the President/General Manager
Related Material
Further information regarding the comptroller can be found in Series 2 (Office of the President/General Manager), sub-series 2 (J. Lasby Lowes) Historical Topics, file 13 of the A.E. McKenzie Seed Co. Ltd. Fonds.
Other correspondence involving the comptroller can be found within the correspondence files of J. Lasby Lowes (Series 2, sub-series 2) of the A.E. McKenzie Seed Co. Ltd. Fonds.
The office of the President/General Manager, through various transactions and business dealings, generated the records in this sub-series.
Custodial History
See fonds level description of custodial history of A. E. McKenzie Seed Co. Ltd.
Scope and Content
This sub-series contains records dealing with properties held by the McKenzie Seed Co. in Toronto, Calgary, and Brandon. The sub-series also contains records pertaining to miscellaneous properties and appraisals undertaken for the Company. There is also one file with general comments on all properties owned by McKenzie Seeds in 1949.
Records relating to properties held in Toronto consist primarily of correspondence under A.E. McKenzie, Lasby Lowes, and subsequent Presidents into the 1970's, regarding various properties owned by A.E. McKenzie Seed Co. Ltd. These include 95 Berkeley St. (Timothy Plant), 314 Front St. West (Cleaning Plant), 52 Perth Ave., the Labonte Property, the Medicine Hat Potteries Property and 21 Princess St. (Cleaning Plant). Mr. Robert Bruce, the McKenzie Toronto Branch Manager, and a number of companies that did business with A.E. McKenzie Seed Co. Ltd. also generated correspondence. For the most part these were barristers and solicitors, such as Stapells and Sewell, and Slater, Reilly, Jamieson & Apple; engineers such as Kilborn Engineering; and real estate agents like W.H. Bosley and Co. The sub-series also includes a few purchase offers regarding the Toronto properties, an inventory, some bills and estimates, and a feasibility study.
Records relating to properties held in Calgary include an invitation/program for the 1950 opening of the McKenzie Calgary Seed Plant, correspondence regarding the leasing of the premises from the Canadian Pacific Railway, and an inventory from 1956.
The Brandon sub-series contains a program for the 1919 opening of the McKenzie Building, proposed changes for the Brandon office, correspondence regarding a surveyors certificate for Brandon property, and an inventory.
The sub-series dealing with miscellaneous properties held by the Company includes a very small amount of information on the Regina, Winnipeg and Gilbert Plains properties, as well as a more substantial file on a proposed Parking Garage for the Brandon office and plant.
The sub-series also contains appraisals of physical properties, leases and land holdings for the Brandon, Calgary and Toronto locations. Companies employed for this purpose by A.E. McKenzie Seed Co. Ltd. include Fegles Construction Company, Ltd., Green Blankstein Russell & Associates, Sutherland Agencies Ltd., Rule Wynn & Rule and W. H. Bosley & Co. There is also one file containing miscellaneous appraisals although for the most the part these appraisals pertain to a combination of the above locations.
Two newspaper clippings, located in oversized drawer #4, are also included in the sub-series. One of the clippings deals with the fire at McKenzie Seeds, December/1972. The other details McKenzie's new facilities (1971).
The sub-series is divided into six sub sub series, including: (1) Toronto; (2) Calgary; (3) Brandon; (4) Miscellaneous; (5) Parkade; and (6) Appraisals.
Storage Location
RG 3 A.E. McKenzie Company fonds
McS 2 Office of the President/General Manager
Related Material
Additional documents related to the various properties above are located in the A.E. McKenzie Seed Co. Ltd. fonds, Series 1 (Board of Directors), sub-series 1 (Documents).
Series 2 (Office of the President/GM), sub-series 2 (J. Lasby Lowes) of the A.E. McKenzie Seed Co. Ltd. fonds contains some information about the above properties under Historical Topics, particularly files 14 and 22.
Photographs dealing with the above properties, particularly the McKenzie Building in Brandon, Manitoba are located in Series 5 (Photographs) of the A.E. McKenzie Seed Co. Ltd. fonds.
Arrangement
The sub sub series are arranged as follows:
Toronto (1945-1975; 11 cm)
Calgary (1948-1967; 2 cm)
Brandon (1919-1964; 1 cm)
Miscellaneous Properties (1956-1975; 1 cm)
Appraisals (1925-1967; 13.2 cm)
A.E. McKenzie Seed Co. Ltd. printed its first seed catalogue in 1896. This catalogue contained listings of Field grains - Peas, Beans, Flax and Corn, Field grasses, clovers and alfalfa, Field root seed, Lawn grass mixtures and miscellaneous items such as household flour, grain and cereal products for stock, hay, and sack and bags of all kinds. In 1900, with their 4th annual catalogue, McKenzie Seeds added Garden Seeds (both Vegetable and Flowers) for the first time. Up until the late 1960's, at which time the Company began withdrawing from the Field seed market, McKenzie Seeds continued to print an annual catalogue with similar listings to that described above.
In the mid 1960's, McKenzie Seeds discontinued its catalogue in order to nurture the growth of the catalogue printed by its subsidiary McFayden Seeds. When McKenzie Seeds first acquired McFayden Seeds in 1941 the two companies continued to exist independently, printing their own catalogues. However as the home gardening industry grew, the decision was made to focus on McFayden due to its established and growing reputation of as a leader in the mail order industry. In 2001 McKenzie Seeds continued to print both the McFayden catalogue as well as the catalogue of one of its other subsidiaries, McConnell Seeds. These catalogues are distributed to over one million Canadian homes every year.
Custodial History
See fonds level description of custodial history of A. E. McKenzie Seed Co. Ltd.
Scope and Content
This sub-series contains a variety of records related to marketing, including catalogues for McKenzie Seeds, and a number of other seed businesses, seed packets, sales literature and miscellaneous marketing papers.
Catalogues within the sub-series include those for the A.E. McKenzie Seed Co., McFayden Seed Co., as well as a number of catalogues published by McKenzie Co. suppliers and competitors. These included Lindburg Seeds, Vesey's, Stokes, Gill Bros. Seed Company, Robertson Seeds, Burpee, Ferry Morse, Keith's Seeds, Harris Seeds, and the Dominion Seed House. Fonds also includes a number of catalogues from companies that became part of McKenzie Seeds, such as McConnell, Brett-Young Seeds and Pike & Co. The McKenzie catalogues from approximately 1901 to 1915 are particularly high in production values.
Within the sub-series a variety of seed packets, divided into vegetables, flowers and herbs, sold by McKenzie Seeds/McKenzie Steele Briggs Seeds are included. In addition, there are also seed packets sold by Steele Briggs, Pike & Co., Card Seed Co. (Fredonia, N.Y), McFayden Seeds, and Wm. Reenie Seeds.
This sub-series also includes sales literature used by McKenzie Seeds, McKenzie Steele-Briggs Seeds, and McFayden Seeds. Some of the McKenzie literature is in French. In addition, there is some sales literature from America and Europe, particularly Holland and Denmark.
As well, the sub-series contains three miscellaneous papers, dealing with marketing. The Salesman's Booster, and The Salesman's Manual, were both edited and/or written by A.E. McKenzie. The third paper is a survey by D.N. Whittam entitled An Independent Survey and Analysis of the U.K. Seed Market with recommendations for launching a new brand for McKenzie Steele Briggs Seeds, Brandon, Manitoba'.
This sub-series also includes one file containing contracts between McKenzie Seeds and the Mortimer Co. Ltd. pertaining to the printing of the McKenzie Catalogue from 1926-1933.
The sub-series is divided into four sub sub series, including: (1) Catalogues; (2) Seed Packets; (3) Miscellaneous Sales Literature Documents; and (4) Miscellaneous Marketing Papers/Reports.
Notes
Specific dates for some of the catalogues in this series can be found below.
McKenzie Catalogues -- 1897-1898, 1900, 1904-1906, 1908-1912, 1914-1933, 1961, 1964-1966
McFayden Catalogues -- 1933-1935, 1954-1959, 1961-1966, 1968-1974, 1978-1995
Pike & Co. -- 1957-1970, 1972-1984
McConnell -- 1990-1995
Brett-Young Seeds -- 1974
Storage Location
RG 3 A.E. McKenzie Company fonds
McS 2 Office of the President/General Manager
Related Material
Information on both McKenzie Seeds catalogues and The Salesman's Booster are located in the A.E. McKenzie Seed Co. Ltd. fonds in Series 2 (Office of the President/GM), sub-series 2 (J. Lasby Lowes). File 2 contains materials relating to The Salesman's Booster while files 8 (Tape 22), 9, 10 (Tape 23) and 34 include information relating to McKenzie seed catalogues.
Additional information about the printing of the McKenzie catalogue and seed packets can be found in the A.E. McKenzie Seed Co. Ltd. fonds in Series 2 (Office of the President/GM), sub-series 1 (A.E. McKenzie) in the file of correspondence between McKenzie and The Mortimer Co.
Originals and reproductions of various catalogues and sales literature are located in Series 6 (Miscellaneous), sub-series 1 (Centennial Exhibit) of the A.E. McKenzie Seed Co. Ltd. fonds.
Arrangement
The sub-series is arranged as follows:
Catalogues (1897-1995; 51 cm)
Seed Packets (c. 1939-c.1990's; 64 cm)
Miscellaneous Sales Literature (no dates; 24 cm)
Miscellaneous Papers (1928, 1942, 1981; 2.3 cm)
See series level description of the administrative history of the Office of the President/General Manager
Custodial History
See fonds level description of custodial history of A. E. McKenzie Seed Co. Ltd.
Scope and Content
This sub-series includes publications covering a variety of topics related to the seed industry and/or McKenzie Seeds. Publications include:
1. Building Bigger Business/by Charles Austen Bates. Winnipeg, 1925, 4 pp.
2. Business Correspondence/ by C.A. Burt. Chicago, 1905, 221 pp.
3. The Production of Timothy Seed in Alberta/ by H. A. Craig. Edmonton, [no date], 8 pp.
4. Sweet Peas for All Purposes/by A. J. Macself. London, [no date], vi, 84 pp.
5. Growing Quality Beans in Manitoba/by the Manitoba Department of Agriculture, 1976, 12 pp.
6. 1979 Field Crop Recommendations for Manitoba/by the Manitoba Department of Agriculture. Winnipeg, 1979, 69 pp.
7. The Canada Year Book 1915/by the Minister of Trade and Commerce. Ottawa, 1916, xvi, 707 pp.
8. 1974 Vegetable Production Recommendations/by New York State College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, 36 pp.
9. Lawn Care: A Bulletin Service for Turf Enthusiasts/by O. M. Scott & Sons Co. Marysville, Ohio, August 1928 - 1943(?), plus index
10. 1965 Guide to Chemical Weed Control/by the Ontario Department of Agriculture. Toronto, 1965, 67 pp.
11. 1968 Ontario Vegetable Production Recommendations/ by the Ontario Department of Agriculture and Food. Toronto, 1968, 47 pp.
12. 1978 Vegetable Production Recommendations/by the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food. 72 pp.
13. The Canadian Newspaper Directory, seventh edition. Montreal, 1911, xx, 138 pp.
14. The Shareholders' and Directors' Manual/by J. D. Warde. Seventh edition. Toronto, 1907, 617 pp.
THE BUSINESS MAN'S LIBRARY:
15. The Business Man's Library, volume II - Business Correspondence/ by Glenn S. Noble, et al. Chicago, 1907, 221 pp.
16. The Business Man's Library, volume III - Cost of Production/ by Alexander H. Revell, et al. Chicago, 1907, viii, 196 pp.
17. The Business Man's Library, volume V - Book on Buying/ by H.T. Kett, et al. Chicago, 1907, 216 pp.
18. The Business Man's Library, volume VI - Organizing a Factory/ by Clinton E. Woods. Chicago, 1907, 190 pp.
19. The Business Man's Library, volume VII - Book on Advertising/ by Truman A. DeWeese. Chicago, 1907, v, 165 pp.
20. The Business Man's Library, volume X - Accounting and Office Methods/ by W. Vernon Booth, et al. Chicago, 1907, v, 136pp, plus 45 p. index.
Storage Location
RG 3 A.E. McKenzie Company fonds
McS 2 Office of the President/General Manager
