John Tully McKenzie was born on August 17, 1903 in the Tremaine district near Rapid City, MB. He attended Tremaine School, Rapid City School and then completed a diploma in Agriculture at the University of Manitoba in 1923. Tully married Ethel Marion Bridge (1906-1977) in 1930 and together they had four children: Lois, Marjorie, Ken and Beth. The McKenzie's farmed for the next 30 years. During this time Tully was active in the community, serving as a secretary treasurer and chairman of the school board, elder and trustee of Hunterville United Church, secretary of the Mantioba Pool Elevator Board, the Manitoba Federation of Agriculture, Rapid City Agricultural Socieity, was founder of the local 4-H Club, formed the Rapid City Film Council, and was a charter member of the Minnedosa Credit Union. In 1960, Tully and Ethel moved to Brandon, where Tully was employed with various agricultural service organizations.
In 1970, Tully served as the chairman of the Centennial Pioneer Committee, that was formed to honour pioneers of the Westman Region. He also was a charter member of the Assiniboine Historical Society and contributed significantly to the establishment of the Daly House Museum. He and Ethel also researched, wrote and published a book entitled "It's Time to Remember, 1874-1974," a history of the Tremaine community. Tully was also a founder of the Mantioba Agriculture Hall of Fame, calling the intial meetings and serving as the first chairman of its Provisional Board. In 1990, he was inducted into the Hall for his contribution to agriculture and the preservation of Manitoba heritage. Tully McKenzie died on March 28, 1992 in Winnpeg, MB. He is buried at Brandon Municipal Cemetery.
Custodial History
As part of the Westman Oral History Collection, this collection was accessioned by the McKee Archives in 1998. The original tapes from the Westman Oral History project were deposited in the Brandon Public Library. Copies of these originals were made by Margaret Pollex of the Brandon University Language Lab at the request of Eileen McFadden, University Archivist in the early 1990s. These copies compose the collection held in the McKee Archives.
Scope and Content
Item is an interview with Tully McKenzie about family history and community life. Interviewer is Effie McPhail.
Notes
History/bio information from the records, the Manitoba Agricultre Hall of Fame website and McKenzie's obituary. Description by Christy Henry.
Audio Tracks
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Photograph shows construction on the basement of the Brandon College Building and Clark Hall, including support beams, concrete walls, mounds of dirt and a number of workers.
