Alexander Birkett Mitchell was born on June 29, 1904 in Douglas, MB. Other than a few years spent in Spirit River, AB (1929-1933), he farmed in the Douglas district until retiring in 1959. Birkett married Edith Moss "Mossie" Noble (1910-1973) on September 30, 1938, and together they had one daughter, Gail. The couple moved to Brandon following Birkett's retirement from farming. Birkett moved to Lloydminster, AB in 1986, and it was there that he died on June 22, 1988. He is buried at Rosewood Memorial Gardens.
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 audiocassette tape containing an interview with A.B. Mitchell about his family history and early agriculture. The interviewer is Frank Anderson.
Notes
History/bio information from the records and obituaries for Birkett and Mossie Mitchell. Description by Christy Henry.
Language Note
English
Audio Tracks
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Andrew B. Pernal was born in Poland. He completed his BA at Assumption University, his MA at Windsor and his Ph.D. in Ottawa. From 1971 until 2008, he was a member of Brandon University's History Department. In 2000, he received an honourary doctorate from Zaporizhia State University in Ukraine, and following his retirement he was granted emeritus status at BU. Pernal was a member of the Parish Council of St. Hedwig's Parish, the Director of the Polish School in Brandon, and Chairman of the Polish Refugees Committee in Brandon. He and his wife Nan (nee Robertson) had a number of children, including Andrew, Stephen, Julia and Caroline. Following Pernal's retirement, the couple moved to Calgary, AB.
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 audiocassette tape containing an interview with A.B. Pernal about the history of St. Hedwig's Parish and Polish immigration. The interviewer is Betty Gibson.
Notes
History/bio information from the records and the Brandon University website. Description by Christy Henry.
Language Note
English
Audio Tracks
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Ada Hope Wells (nee Whitmore) was born on September 10, 1900 in Leiscester, England. She came to Edrans, MB with her family in 1905. As a young girl she worked as a hired girl and nursemaid for a number of families in the Wellwood district. On June 15, 1918, Ada married John James Wells (1885-1968), a farmer. Together the couple had ten children: Winona, Dawn, Andrew, James, John, Charles, Beth, Alex, Fancis and Joan. Ada and John farmed at Wellwood until 1956, when they retired to the village and their son Alex took over the farm. Ada moved to Neepawa in 1982. Ada was a very talented seamstress and baker, and active in the church, Zion Presbyterian in Wellwood and Knox in Neepawa. She was also involved in the community as a member of the WMS and as a girls' group leader. She was often called upon to assist with sick children and helped deliver a number of babies in the district. During World War II she spent hours preparing and wrapping parcels for soldiers overseas. Ada Wells died on May 9, 1997 in Neepawa, MB. She is buried at Wellwood 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 audiocassette tape containing an interview with Ada Wells about pioneer days and early homemaking. Interviewer is Isla Kennedy.
Notes
History/bio information from the records and Wells' obituary. Description by Christy Henry.
Language Note
English
Audio Tracks
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Adelene Monica Bailey was the wife of J.R.C. Evans, president of Brandon College (1928-1959).
Custodial History
Records were donated by Keith Evans, Adelene Bailey's son.
Scope and Content
Fonds consists of Bailey's diploma awarded by Victoria Avenue Methodist Sunday School (1911), and her diploma certifying her completion of the post-graduate course of study prescribed in the Pianoforte department of Brandon College (1924)
Notes
The Brandon College diploma is signed by Franklin Sweet. Description by Christy Henry.
Storage Range
Reading room oversized drawer with Brandon University Photograph collection series 11: Documents, diplomas and certificates.
Albert Earl Henderson was born on September 29, 1898 in Boissevain, MB. He attended Caranton school, Boissevain high school and the University of Manitoba, where he studied agriculture. Earl married Alberta Mary Roe (1902-1977) on October 17, 1924, and the couple had three children: Douglas, Lois and Amy . He farmed in the Cranton district northwest of Boissevain until 1971, when he and his wife retired to town. Earl and Alberta were very active in lapidary. Their interest was sparked in 1954, after stopping at a rock shop in Montana on the way home from a holiday. The couple began turning stones into jewlery while Earl was still farming, first in their basement and then in a shop in the yard. They moved into making items out of plastics in the 1970s. Their rock shop was the first of its kind in Manitoba. Earl took an active part in church and community affairs. He served on the Caranton school board for many years, as Noble Grand of the IOOF, as a councillor for the RM of Morton from 1962-1971, and was a member of the original hospital board for 20 years. Earl was a member of the Beckoning Hills Activity Club, St. Paul's United Church, and enjoyed activities and friends at the Drop-In Centre. Earl Henderson died on February 17, 1986 in Folsom, California. Earl had been a winter resident of the Lost Dutchman Trailer Resort at Apache Junction, Arizona, and was visiting his niece in Folsom when the death occurred. He is buried at Boissevain and Morton 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 audiocassette tape containing an interview with Earl Henderson about agriculture and some of his mechanical, lapidary and plastic work. The interviewer is Phyllis Hallett.
Notes
History/bio information from the records and Henderson's obituary. Description by Christy Henry. An article on the Hendersons' lapidary hobby appeared in the September 14, 1976 issue of The Brandon Sun.
Language Note
English
Audio Tracks
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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.
This sub-series is artificially created and contains records that did not fit into any of the preceding series or sub-series.
Custodial History
See fonds level description of custodial history of A.E. McKenzie Seed Co. Ltd.
Scope and Content
The records in this sub-series concern A.E. McKenzie's personal life. It contains a number of documents created by his father, F. B. McKenzie, including land deeds, financial records, and a grant of probate. The sub-series also includes documents concerning the Ontario Mutual Life Assurance Co., the dissolution of partnership between A.E. McKenzie and George. E. McKenzie, the release of F.B. McKenzie's estate to his son and a copy of A.E. McKenzie's mother's last will and testament.
Also included within the sub-series is a file or correspondence between McKenzie and R.B. Dessert, a former employee of McKenzie Seeds who established his own seed company in California after leaving Brandon. The correspondence is almost entirely personal in nature.
Thank you letters regarding Brandon College and scholarships, as well as minutes from meetings of the Education Advisory Board can also be found within the sub-series.
In 1945 the A. E. McKenzie Trust of 1939, which led to the formation of Brandon College Incorporated, was cancelled. As a result A.E., who was still trying to solve the College's financial problems, set about attaining a special act of legislature that would enable him to transfer 90% of his company's stockholdings to the control of the Province of Manitoba to benefit the College.
See fonds level administrative history description.
Custodial History
See fonds level description of custodial history of A.E. McKenzie Seed Co. Ltd.
Scope and Content
This sub-series includes correspondence regarding the McKenzie Foundation between Brandon College Inc., McKenzie Seeds, William Johnson and the Government of Manitoba. It also contains records dealing with Educational Advisory Board. A substantial amount of this correspondence is in regards to the payment of Brandon College Inc. from the McKenzie Foundation. In addition, there is also correspondence generated by the Comptroller-General and Wm. Johnson regarding Foundation Account, as well as some other financial information.
Various documents are also present within the sub-series, including Bill 87, amendments, an authorization provision for variation in agreement and an agreement between McKenzie, Brandon College Inc. and the National Trust. A collection of prepared statements or briefs, many written by A.E. McKenzie regarding the purpose and future of the Foundation are also included.
Information regarding the A.E. McKenzie Foundation can be found in Series 2 (Office of the President/GM), sub-series 2 (J. Lasby Lowes), Historical Topics file 1 (Tape 9).
Series 5 (Photographs), oversized drawer #4 contains newspaper clippings dealing with the establishment of the McKenzie Foundation.
This sub-series consists of publications that did not fit into any of the preceding series or sub-series.
Custodial History
See fonds level description of custodial history of A. E. McKenzie Seed Co. Ltd.
Scope and Content
This sub-series includes one copy each of Manitoba Business Top 100 (June 1985), Trade and Commerce Supplement, Brandon (c. 1963) and Manitoba Business (November 1985).
It also includes a Christmas Song book, the book "By Gossip and Myth" by Prof. George MacDowell and a document entitled "Background Information re A.E. McKenzie Seed Co. Ltd."
The following newspaper clippings have been located in the map case drawer #4 located in the archives reading room:
1. $175,000 Gift Set for College from City Man
2. McKenzie Will Leaves House to Arts Centre
3. The Old Alma Mater is Down on Her Knees
4. How to Help the Alma Mater
5. Good Things are "growing" on at McKenzie Seeds (ad)
6. Fire fails to halt work at McKenzie Seeds
7. McKenzie Seeds: new facilities are first in North America
8. A full-page advertisment for McKenzie Seeds from "The Brandon Sun" (September 24, 1971)
Storage Location
RG 3 A.E. McKenzie Company fonds
McS 6 Miscellaneous
The scrapbooks in this sub-series are fragile, particularly the product book. They must be handled with great care.
Custodial History
See fonds level description of custodial history of A. E. McKenzie Seed Co. Ltd.
Scope and Content
This sub-series consists of three scrapbooks. Two of the three contain copies of advertisements for a number of businesses, including McKenzie Seeds, Steele Briggs, Patmore's, Rennie's, and McFayden Seeds. Clippings dealing with a variety of other companies in the seed industry are also included. The third scrapbook contains pictures of various flowers, vegetable, herbs and other seed products in alphabetical order. An inventory is available for the third scrapbook.
Notes
Date(s) of creation, including distribution, publication, etc.:
a) [No title] ad book - 1906-1911
b) "Scrap Book" ad book - 1917-1926
c) [No title] product book - c.1903 - c.1940
Storage Location
RG 3 A.E. McKenzie Company fonds
McS 6 Miscellaneous
Agnes McQuarrie (nee Scott) was born on November 17,1889 at Maple Hill Farm at Oak Lake, MB. She grew up on the farm, receiving her early education at Sandhurt School, later attending Portage Collegiate for one year of Arts, before attending Portage Normal School (1908-1911). Agnes taught at Pleasant Plain School, Routledge and at Oakwood School. In 1917, she married John Beaton "Jack" McQuarrie (1888-1967). After their marriage, Agnes stayed home and took care of the couple's six children: Neil, Murray, Danny, Gwen, Margaret and Jean. Agnes McQuarrie died on May 30, 1990 in Virden, MB. She is buried at Oak Lake 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 audiocassette tape containing an interview with Agnes McQuarrie about her life as a pioneer in the Oak Lake district of Manitoba. Interviewer is Wilma Hatch.
Notes
History/bio information from the records, the Find A Grave website and McQuarrie's obituary. Description by Christy Henry.
Language Note
English
Audio Tracks
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Albert Leronowich was born on March 18, 1894 in Poland. He immigrated to Canada in 1912 and spent time in Calgary, AB and Oak Lake, MB before settling in Brandon, MB. Albert spent some time farming, before holding a number of positions with the Canadian Pacific Railway, including rail section man, fireman, and brakeman; he retired as a CPR boilermaker in 1959. Following retirement, Albert spent a few years as gardener of the Brandon City Hall grounds. He was a member of the Brandon Horticultural Society and was avidly interested in growing flowers, winning many tropies and prizes for his efforts. Albert married Stella Polnick (1903-1975) and together they had six children: Mark, Charles, Edward, Donald, Anne and Gladys. Albert Leronowich died on March 20, 1988 in Brandon, 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 audiocassette tape containing an interview with Albert Leronowich about his life, gardening and horticulture. The interviewer is Hazel Rose.
Notes
History/bio information taken from the records and Leronowich's obituary. Description by Christy Henry.
Language Note
English
Conservation
Preservation copy made 2021 (R. Hess)
Audio Tracks
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Some of the titles are fragile and/or stained/torn.
Scope and Content
Sub-series consists of the following titles:
"Tales and Trails of Western Canada" by Nell Macvicar and Irene Craig
"Manitoba Public School Arithmetic: Book II" by J.A. Smith and R.H. Roberts (1922)
"Handbook of Nature-Study for Teachers and Parents" by Anna Botsford Comstock (1911)
"Forests and Trees" by B.J. Hales (1925)
"Fodder and Pasture Plants" George H. Clark and M. Oscar Malte with water colour illustrations by Norman Criddle (1913)
"Wild Flowers of Western Canada" by William Copeland McCalla (1920)
"The Dragon and the Raven" by G.A. Henty
"Manitoba High School Civics" by A.L. Burt (1945)
"The Manitoba Arithmetic for Elementary Grades: Grade IV" by the Department of Education, Province of Manitoba
"The Treasury Sight-Reader: Book II - Junior" by Maurice Jacobson
"The Treasury Sight-Reader: Book III - Intermediate" by Maurice Jacobson
"The Manitoba Readers - Third Reader"
"Young Blood" by E.W. Hornung (1901)
"The Moonstone: A Romance" by Wilkie Collins
"Mental Arithmetic: Part I" by Charles G. Fraser
"The Canada Book of Prose and Verse: Book One" by Lorne Pierce (1948)
"How to be Healthy" by J. Halpenny and Lilian B. Ireland (1911)
"The A B C of Musical Theory" by Ralph Dunstan
"Canadian Civics" by R.S. Jenkins (1909) - Manitoba edition
"Canada: A History for High Schools" by G.J. Reeve (1926)
"History of England for Public Schools" authorized by the Departments of Education for Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia (1922).
