Leonard Andrew Muirhead (1918–2008) was the only child of Andrew and Isabella Muirhead. He grew up on the farm homestead in the Summerville District near Carberry, Manitoba. He graduated from Carberry Collegiate when he was sixteen. He helped out on the farm for two yeas after graduation then attended United College, Winnipeg, and then Brandon College. Muirhead then worked in the Financial Department at Canada Packers in Saint Boniface until 1942. In 1942 he returned home and helped his father with the farm operation. Leonard married Verle Sinclair, a local schoolteacher, on October 12, 1951. They had three daughters: Iris, Gwen, and Arla. In 1965, health reasons made him give up active farming and he began an income tax preparation business as well as selling investments for Trust Companies.
Leonard Muirhead attended Brandon College for the 1937-1938 school year. This was the last year that Brandon College was associated with McMaster University as it then became affiliated with the University of Manitoba.
Custodial History
The papers remained with Leonard Muirhead’s papers until his daughter, Iris Muirhead, donated the papers to the S.J. McKee Archives in 2011.
Scope and Content
Collection consists primarily of 1938 examination papers from Brandon College, when it was affiliated with McMaster University. It also contains an exam schedule and a course outline. It contains examination papers from spring 1938 for the courses of 2nd and 3rd Years Physics 2y, 3w, Bible 2k, Psychology 2a, Mathematics 2x, Mathematics 1e, a syllabus for second term English 1g2a, and an examination timetable for spring 1938 for Brandon College.
Notes
History/Bio information taken from conversation with Leonard Muirhead's daughter, Iris Muirhead in October 2012 and from obituary http://passages.winnipegfreepress.com/passage-details/id-136216/(accessed October 24, 2012). Description by Jennifer Sylvester (October 2012).
The Leonard Muirhead collection is available at the Carberry Plains Archives. Leonard Muirhead also donated records related to Montrose School and Carberry 4-H Combines to the Carberry Plains Archives.
Dr. MacNeill was the central figure in the scandal involving Brandon College in the early 1920’s. The Fundamentalist Baptists accused Brandon College, and Dr. MacNeill especially, of teaching Modernist views. He was absolved of any charges at the 1924 Baptist Convention in Chicago.
For history/bio information for H.L. MacNeill, see RG 1 Brandon College fonds, BC 6: Office of the college dean.
Scope and Content
File consists of correponsdence to Howard Whidden, President of Brandon College, and various regarding Dr. MacNeill and his teachings (October 1921 - January 1922). It also contains a copy of "An Abstract of the Report of the Brandon College Commission" prepared by Rev. H.H. Bingham regarding Dr. MacNeill and his teachings.
Sub-series consists of four scrapbooks detailing life at Clark Hall and Brandon College. They include newspaper clippings, photographs, cards, various programs and ephemera.
Storage Location
RG 1 Brandon College fonds
Series 9: Clark Hall Women's Residence
Item is a scrapbook created by Ernestine Whiteside during her years as Lady Principal of Clark Hall, the women's residence at Brandon College. Scrapbook contains photographs, cards, programs, newspaper clippings and ephemera that document the lives and activities of Brandon College students.
Storage Location
RG 1 Brandon College fonds
Series 9: Clark Hall Women's Residence
Item is a scrapbook created by Ernestine Whiteside during her years as Lady Principal of Clark Hall, the women's residence at Brandon College. Scrapbook contains photographs, cards, programs, newspaper clippings and ephemera that document the lives and activities of Brandon College students.
Storage Location
RG 1 Brandon College fonds
Series 9: Clark Hall Women's Residence
Item is a scrapbook begun by Ernestine Whiteside during her years as Lady Principal of Clark Hall, the women's residence at Brandon College, and continued by successive Deans of Women Olive Wilkins (1919-1925), Jane (Jennie) Turnbull (1926-1927) and Annie (Evans) Wright (1927-1934). Scrapbook contains photographs, cards, programs, newspaper clippings and ephemera that document the lives and activities of Brandon College students.
Storage Location
RG 1 Brandon College fonds
Series 9: Clark Hall Women's Residence
Item is a scrapbook begun by Annie (Evans) Wright during her years as Dean of Women at Brandon College (1927-1934) and continued by her successors D. Werthenbach (1934-1935), Marjorie McKenzie (1935-1936) and Sarah Persis Darrach (1937-1953). Scrapbook contains photographs, cards, programs, newspaper clippings and ephemera that document the lives and activities of Brandon College students.
Storage Location
RG 1 Brandon College fonds
Series 9: Clark Hall Women's Residence
Item is a scrapbook created by Sarah Persis Darrach during her years as Dean of Women at Brandon College. Scrapbook contains photographs, cards, programs, newspaper clippings and ephemera that document the lives and activities of Brandon College students.
Storage Location
RG 1 Brandon College fonds
Series 9: Clark Hall Women's Residence
Item is a scrapbook created by Sarah Persis Darrach during her years as Dean of Women at Brandon College. Scrapbook contains photographs, cards, programs, newspaper clippings and ephemera that document the lives and activities of Brandon College students.
Storage Location
RG 1 Brandon College fonds
Series 9: Clark Hall Women's Residence
Item is a scrapbook created by Sarah Persis Darrach during her years as Dean of Women at Brandon College. Scrapbook contains photographs, cards, programs, newspaper clippings and ephemera that document the lives and activities of Brandon College students.
Storage Location
RG 1 Brandon College fonds
Series 9: Clark Hall Women's Residence
1. Student Accounts, Tuition and Board, 1899-1900
2. Student Accounts, Tuition and Board, 1900-1902
3. Student Accounts, Tuition and Board, 1902-1905
4. Students’ Register, 1906-1910
5. List of Students by name and denomination 1907-1908, Accounts 1908-1909
6. Students’ Register, 1910-1916
7. Student Accounts, 1912-1913
8. Student Accounts, 1915-1916
9. Book Accounts, 1916-1917
10. Cash Receipts (Student Accounts), 1917-1918
11. Book Accounts, 1918-1919
12. Room Deposits, Statements of Dormitory Keys, 1921-1923
13. List of Students by Hometown, no year
Storage Location
RG 1 Brandon College fonds
Series 13: Brandon College Ledger and Minute books
The Brandon College Expansion Fund was created by the Board of Directors in the late 1950s in order to raise money for Brandon College. This money would help with the much needed expansion of Brandon College. The school’s physical facilities had become inadequate for the number of students enrolled and the variety of courses offered. The Expansion Fund, with the initial goal of raising one million dollars, would enable Brandon College to provide students with adequate space to learn. The Fund was very successful, as the 1960s were defined by the sound of construction at Brandon College. In 1960, a new Arts and Library Building and Lecture Theatre were built. A Men’s Residence and Dining Hall arrived soon after. A Gymnasium was built, as well as a Women’s Residence and Music Building. By the time that Brandon College received its university charter an Education Building was just being completed.
Scope and Content
The Expansion Fund records contain information regarding the Fund raising campaign during the late 1950s and early 1960s. There are Daily Reports, Situation Reports, and Purchase Orders. As well, there are mailing lists, canvasser lists and division lists. The records contain several Canvasser’s Kits, as well as a booklet entitled “Brandon College Looks Ahead”. There are various reports from 1958 and 1959. The files include Corporate Donor cards, Alumni Addresses, Reference cards, Eastern Canada business contacts, lists of former students, and obituaries of alumni. There are official receipts, newsletters and some correspondence. There is also correspondence dealing with the fundraising campaign for a Centennial Auditorium.
Storage Location
RG 1 Brandon College fonds
Series 14: Brandon College Expansion Fund
Related Material
RG 6 (Brandon University fonds), series 11 (Brandon University Foundation).
From the very beginning, Brandon College has maintained library services for its students. A professor was put in charge of the library, although in the beginning it was little more than an empty shelf in a cabinet. As it grew, there became more of a need for an administrative body. A Library Committee was created in order to keep the library running smoothly. With the construction of the A.E. McKenzie Building in 1960 came a permanent resting place for the Brandon College Library.
Scope and Content
The records include a 3 cm book of Library of Congress Card Orders of Recent Publications from 1957 to 1960. As well, there are applications for employment, minutes from the Library Committee and Sub Committees. There is also correspondence from the Director of Library Services and accession records.
Series has been divided into three sub-series, including: (1) Minutes; (2) Director of Library Services; and (3) Library Accession Records.
Storage Location
RG 1 Brandon College fonds
Series 15: Brandon College Library
Related Material
RG 6 (Brandon University fonds), series 8 (Brandon University Library Services).
The sub-series contains the minutes from Library Committee meetings. There are also minutes from the meetings of various sub-committees such as the Open Shelf Sub-Committee and the Sub-Committee on Apportionment of Library Funds. Includes minute books and files.
Storage Location
RG 1 Brandon College fonds
Series 14: Brandon College Library
These records were created by the Director of Library Services from the year 1957 until 1963. It is mainly business correspondence and memorandums. The files include correspondence between the Director of Library Services and various people regarding the library. There are also memorandums to the faculty.
Storage Location
RG 1 Brandon College fonds
Series 14: Brandon College Library
Related Material
RG 6 (Brandon University fonds), sub-series 8.1 (Director of Library Services).
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
Series contains private papers from various professors and administrators at Brandon College.
It has been divided into the following sub-series:
MG 1 1.1 Rev. Dr. Samuel James McKee
MG 1 1.2 Rev. Dr. Franklin W. Sweet
MG 1 1.3 Mrs. Olive Wilkins
MG 1 1.4 Thomas Russell Wilkins
MG 1 1.5 Esther Magdalene Moore
MG 1 1.6 Thomas Hector McLeod
MG 1 1.7 Albert Edward McKenzie
MG 1 1.8 Evan McDonald Whidden
MG 1 1.9 Sarah Persis Darrach
MG 1 1.10 J.R.C. Evans
MG 1 1.11 Martin Johns
MG 1 1.12 Wilfred McCutcheon
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.
