James Harvey Tolton was born on February 19, 1898 on section 11-11-24W near Oak Lake, MB. Harvey farmed at Oak Lake from 1918-1948, at which point he semi-retired. Subsequently, he and his wife moved to Brandon and Harvey bought a half-section of land east of the city where he was able to dedicated himself to perfecting oat seed. Throughout his life as a pedigreed seed grower, Harvey received local, national and international acclaim; he won the World Championship for registered seed oats and the World Championship for field crops for three consecutive years at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair in Toronto, and he became a favourite of the Quaker Oats Company. He was forced to retire from seed growing due to an accident and illness.
When he was not farming, Harvey was serving his community. He was a member of the Brandon College Board of Governors, the Oak Lake and Harding agricultural socieites, the Manitoba Agricultural Society advisory board, the Manitoba Provincial Exhibition Association, the Royal Manitoba Winter Fair, the Canadian Shorthorn Cattle Association, the Manitoba Seed Growers' Association, the Manitoba Swine Breeders' Association, the Agriculture Instititue of Canada, the Kiwanis Club and Big Brothers. He also served on the council of the RM of Woodworth and on local school boards, was active in church affairs and 4-H. The Tourist Convention Association of Manitoba gave Harvey the Good Citizenship Award for making Manitoba a better place to live, and in 1976, Brandon University awarded him an honorary doctor of laws degree. In 1991, he was inducted into the Manitoba Agricultural Hall of Fame. Harvey married Jennie Eleanor Titmus (1896-1982) on December 8, 1919 and together they had five children: Roland, Roma, Phyllis, Fern and Beverley. Harvey Tolton died on July 29, 1987 in Brandon, MB. 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 Harvey Tolton about the history of the Tolton family, Harvey's life experiences and early agriculture. The interviewer is Frank Anderson.
Notes
History/bio information from the records and Tolton's obituary. Description by Christy Henry.
Language Note
English
Conservation
Preservation copy made 2021 (R. Hess)
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James Harvey Tolton was born on February 19, 1898 on section 11-11-24W near Oak Lake, MB. Harvey farmed at Oak Lake from 1918-1948, at which point he semi-retired. Subsequently, he and his wife moved to Brandon and Harvey bought a half-section of land east of the city where he was able to dedicated himself to perfecting oat seed. Throughout his life as a pedigreed seed grower, Harvey received local, national and international acclaim; he won the World Championship for registered seed oats and the World Championship for field crops for three consecutive years at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair in Toronto, and he became a favourite of the Quaker Oats Company. He was forced to retire from seed growing due to an accident and illness.
When he was not farming, Harvey was serving his community. He was a member of the Brandon College Board of Governors, the Oak Lake and Harding agricultural socieites, the Manitoba Agricultural Society advisory board, the Manitoba Provincial Exhibition Association, the Royal Manitoba Winter Fair, the Canadian Shorthorn Cattle Association, the Manitoba Seed Growers' Association, the Manitoba Swine Breeders' Association, the Agriculture Instititue of Canada, the Kiwanis Club and Big Brothers. He also served on the council of the RM of Woodworth and on local school boards, was active in church affairs and 4-H. The Tourist Convention Association of Manitoba gave Harvey the Good Citizenship Award for making Manitoba a better place to live, and in 1976, Brandon University awarded him an honorary doctor of laws degree. In 1991, he was inducted into the Manitoba Agricultural Hall of Fame. Harvey married Jennie Eleanor Titmus (1896-1982) on December 8, 1919 and together they had five children: Roland, Roma, Phyllis, Fern and Beverley. Harvey Tolton died on July 29, 1987 in Brandon, MB. 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 Harvey Tolton about 4-H Clubs and the Kiwanis Club. Interviewer is Frank Anderson.
Notes
History/bio information from the records and Tolton's obituary. Description by Christy Henry.
Language Note
English
Audio Tracks
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John Stanley Henry was born April 19, 1909 on the home farm at Oak River, MB. He attended Oak River school through Grade 11, then took agriculture at the University of Manitoba for one year before having to withdraw due to financial hardship. Stan then returned to the farm, where he remained for the rest of his life. Stan married Jean Elizabeth McCrindle (1916-1992) in 1942. Together they had three children: Cameron, Lynn and Leslie.
As a farmer, Stan was a Select Seed Grower, and with his son Cam, developed the J.S. Henry and Son Seed business. In 1981, he was elected a Roberson Associate of the Canadian Seed Growers Association. In his early years, Stan also raised purebred Shorthorn cattle. Stan enjoyed restoring and refinishing furniture, gardening and loved sports, especially baseball and curling, including coaching. In the community, Stan was an active member of the United Church and was a trustee on the local board and then the Rolling River shcool board for 23 years. Stan Henry died on October 15, 1986 in Brandon, MB. He is buried at Oak River 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 a narration by Stan Henry about the Henry pioneers in the Oak River area.
Notes
History/bio information from the records and Henry's obituary. Transcript by Marshall Northam (2023). Description by Christy Henry.
Language Note
English
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James Walter Collinson was born on March 6, 1900 in Newcastle-on-Tyne, England. He arrived in Canada in 1904, and lived in Carroll and then Souris, MB. From 1918-1938, Walter was a CPR yardmaster. He then took up farming. Walter married Muriel Ruby Lavery (1902-1981) in 1930. Together they had two children: Jim and Jeanne. The family was active in the community, particularly in music. Walter and Muriel played with Professor Racine during the Depression, as well as in orchestras and bands. During World War II, Walter delivered milk in the community. Walter also enjoyed gardening and would often deliver flowers to people in town who were unable to get out. Walter and Muriel retired to Souris in 1979. Walter Collinson died on February 13, 1981 at his home in Souris, MB. He is buried at Souris Glenwood 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 a re-recording of a narration by Walter Collinson about the early days in Souris, MB, 1904-1913. Alhtough Walter Collinson died in 1982, his family agreed to allow the Voices of Yesteryear group to include the interview in their project. The re-recording was made by F.M. Collinson in 1983.
Notes
History/bio information from the records, the Souris-Glenwood local history "The People of Souris and Glenwood," and Collinson's obituary. Description by Christy Henry.
Language Note
English
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Robert James (RJ) Campbell was born on January 16, 1905 on Section 14-11-23 in the RM of Woodworth. He attended Education Point School. RJ worked in the Rivers area on a number of farms, then in 1925 went to Regina and worked in a garage. He returned to Manitoba shortly thereafter to work on his uncle's farm and then on the home farm with his mother until 1935. RJ married Edith Marian Bell (1913-2010) on December 23, 1937, and together they had two sons: Cordell and Urschel.
The family lived on the farm in the Brierwood district south of Harding until 1946, when they moved to Halls Bridge district north of Griswold where they continued to farm until 2006. RJ built all of the buildings on the farm including "Halls Bridge Dance Garden" in 1966. He loved to sing square dance calls, and along with Marian, travelled a great deal in North America and Europe, as well as a trip to the Soviet Union. Due to ill health, RJ moved to Hillcrest Place Personal Care Home in 2006. Robert Campbell died on February 14, 2007 in Brandon, MB. He is buried at Griswold 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 Robert Campbell about farming in the 20th century. Interviewer is Phyllis M. Cairns.
Notes
History/bio information from the records and Campbell's obituary. Description by Christy Henry.
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William John Montgomery was born on March 5, 1903 in Elkhorn, MB. He was educated at McAlonen School. Bill married Elsie Sarah Elizabeth Leslie (1905-1998) in 1932, and together they had two sons, John Douglas and William Garry. The couple lived and farmed on section 24-11-28, until retiring to Elkhorn in 1974. Bill served as president of the Elkhorn fair and also as a municpal councillor. William Montgomery died in early 1989. He is buried at Elkhorn 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 William Montgomery about homsteading, pioneer life and the railroads. Interviewer is Elmer Armstrong.
Notes
History/bio information from the records and the Find A Grave website. Description by Christy Henry.
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C. J. Barnes was born in Brandon, Manitoba in February 1884. His parents were native Nova Scotians who arrived in Brandon in the early 1880s. In 1884, the family settled on a homestead near the present town of Lauder. This homestead was sold in 1899, and the family moved to farm in the district of Medora. C. J. Barnes took over the operation of this farm in the early 1900s. He farmed until 1924. Barnes was educated in schools in the Truro School District and the village of Lauder. He was active in the original Territorial Grain Growers' Association.
Custodial History
This fonds was accessioned by the McKee archives in 1997. Prior custodial history is unknown.
Scope and Content
Fonds contains a pamphlet written and published by C.J. Barnes titled Seventy Years in Southwestern Manitoba. The pamphlet contains an account of life in rural southwestern Manitoba from the 1880s through to the 1940s. The pamphlet is based on a variety of sources including diaries written by Mr. Barnes' father. Fonds also includes some hand-drawn maps not included in the published version of the pamphlet, as well as four letters c.1962, between C.J. Barnes and Rev. Robert Harvey in his capacity as a columnist for the Brandon Sun.
William Birtles was born in Alexander, Manitoba in 1930. He received his early education at Alexander School. In 1948, he completed grade 12 at St. John's College School in Winnipeg. He undertook formal training in art, beginning in 1949, at the Winnipeg School of Art. In 1952, he graduated from the Manitoba Provincial Normal School. After teaching school in Winnipeg for three years, Birtles completed a Bachelor of Fine Arts with a major in Sculpture in 1958. He obtained a Bachelor of Education from the University of Manitoba in 1970. Throughout his adult years, Birtles taught in various Manitoba communities, was active as an artist, showing his work and winning awards. He was also active in the Manitoba Society of Artists and associated provincial organizations. Birtles is retired and is a resident of Winnipeg, Manitoba.
Custodial History
All of the items in the fonds were in the possession of William Birtles until their donation to the McKee Archives in 2003.
Scope and Content
Fonds consists of photographs of Ms. Sarah Birtles, Rt. Rev W.W.H. Thomas D.D, the Thomas Smith farmhouse located northwest of Alexander, and a postcard containing a photograph of Westminster Abbey. Fonds also contains two biographical sketches written by William Birtles: one of Ms. Sarah Birtles - three pages - and one of Rt. Rev. W.W. H. Thomas D.D - six pages. Also includes the program of the Composite Lodge No. 64 G.R.M., A.F. & A.M. sixty-fifth Anniversary (Alexander, MB 1961).
Clark J. Smith Studio was located at 135 10th Street. It opened c. 1913 and was sold to Lawrence Stuckey in 1958.
Clark Jaques Smith was born in November 1879 in Consecon, Ontario to John Allen Smith, a photographer, and his wife Eliza. Clark Smith came west in 1908. With his wife Margaret had two or three daughters (Jean Day, Thelma Courice and Marie? Smith?). Smith was a former member of the Kiwanis Club, a past president of the Western Canada Photographers Association and was a life long member of that association. He died in Brandon, Manitoba on January 9, 1968.
Scope and Content
Photograph shows the interior of the reception area of Clark J. Smith photography studio.
Notes
History/Bio information taken from the 1911 Canadian census, Smith's cemetary record and his obituary (Brandon Sun January 11, 1968).
Repro Restriction
The McKee Archives is the copyright holder for the Stuckey materials.
Bylaws to keep cattle off streets were being debated by city council about this time.
Custodial History
For custodial history see the collection level description of the Lawrence Stuckey collection.
Scope and Content
J. Birtles Meat Market "Family Butcher", 608 Rosser Avenue
Notes
Mr. Birtles on right, including Mr. Hammell, Hiram Chesley, and Lew Wicket; Photo includes Red Cross Drug Store with proprietor Mr. McCullagh in front; From Brandon Sun files.
