Maureen Johnson (nee Sills) was born in Brandon, MB in 1936 and grew up in western Manitoba. She spent three years in Ethiopia (1958-1961) and two years in Houston, Texas before taking up permanent residence in Winnipeg, MB. She attended Brandon College in 1953-1954, living in the Tower Room of Clark Hall.
From 1960-1979, Johnson raised her family, volunteered in the St. Vital community and was Secretary to the Manitoba Schools Science Symposium (1973-1977). She worked in the Office of the President at the University of Manitoba from 1980 to 1996.
Johnson is a visual artist and photographer, and is a member of the Winnipeg Sketch Club, Manitoba Society of Artists and Winnipeg South Photo Club. Her work is on permanent display at Medea Gallery (www.medeagallery.ca) where she has been a member since 1985. She also has work in the Rental Program at the Winnipeg Art Gallery.
For biographical information on Sarah Persis Darrach see RG 1 Brandon College fonds, Series 9: Clark Hall women's residence.
Custodial History
The original photographs in accession 10-2009 are in the custody of Maureen Johnson in Winnipeg, MB. Copies were digitally scanned by Johnson and sent to the Archives in March 2009. The 1921 photographs of Brandon College students were given to Johnson by Eileen McKenzie, her aunt, who attended Brandon College at that time. The photos of Sarah Persis Darrach (Johnson's great-aunt and maternal grandmother's sister) are from her family albums.
All of the records in accession 14-2009, except for the 1920 Quill and the Clark Hall Rules 1912, were collected by Johnson during her time at Brandon College. The Quill issue belonged to Johnson's aunt Eileen McKenzie, a student at Brandon College in the early 1920s. The records were in Johnson's possession at her home until their donation to the McKee Archives in May 2009.
Scope and Content
Accession 10-2009 consists of seventeen digital photographs. Seven photographs are of Sarah Persis Darrach (nee Johnson), taken primarily during her time as a nursing sister during World War I. Two photographs are of Eileen McKenzie. The remaining photographs depict students and student activities at Brandon College in the early 1920s.
Accession 14-2009 consists of a copy of the sound recording and program for Mr. College Spirit, a musical comedy presented by the Brandon College Literary Board and written by James Struthers and Kenneth Gunning. Accession also includes fifteen photographs from 1953-1954, when Johnson attended Brandon College. Subjects include: Freshie King and Queen; Graduation Banquets (1955, 1956); senior and lady sticks; Jim Casey Trophy; Grand March 1954; Capettes basketball team 1954; Glee Club 1953; Variety Night - Men's Chorus; Caps Football Team; Caps Hockey Team 1954; Cheerleaders 1954; Caps Basketball 1954; and Touques.
Textual records include graduation banquet and commencement programs, news clippings, programs for Variety Night and Be Your Age, a list of football cheers and a copy of the Fall Number of the 1920 Quill. Textual records also include two color photocopies: Clark Hall Rules 1912 and Johnson's Arts and Science Departments, Brandon College Registration card.
Notes
History/Bio information and Custodial History provided by Maureen Johnson (April 2009). A review of the play, written by Kay Rowe, appeared in the March 6, 1953 issue of the Quill.
Myrtle Bell Johnston (nee Smeltz) was born January 23, 1906 on the home farm near Cromer, MB. She attended Elm Valley school and then Virden Collegiate. From 1921-1923, she helped her father on the farm before attending Brandon Normal School. Following graduation, she taught in at Rugby, near Forrest, Ravine, near Lenore, Johnstone near Oak Lake and at Oak Lake for 13.5 years. In 1938, Myrtle married Henry Alexander Johnston (1906?-1986) and together they had one son, Wayne. The couple farmed in the St. David's district. Myrtle returned to teaching in 1959, at Sioux Valley and then Oak Lake. She retired in 1971. The Johnston's retired to Virden in 1972.
Myrtle received the Province of Manitoba Good Citizen Award for "exemplifying a way of life that helps make Manitoba a better place in which to live." She had many hobbies, including gardening, travel, lawn bowling, piano, bridge, curling, and enteratining. She was also active in church and community choirs. Myrtle Johnston died on January 7, 2001 in Virden, MB. She is buried at the Johnston family 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 Myrtle Johnson about education in the Virden area. Interviewer is Ola Duncan.
Notes
History/bio information from the records, the Virden local history "Hometown Virden" and Johnston's obituary. Description by Christy Henry.
Audio Tracks
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Reginald Lamont Johnson was born on April 13, 1902 at Beresford, MB. He attended Glenvale and Beresford schools, although the First World War interrupted his schooling. Reg took over the family farm and ran it until selling and retiring to the Souris district in 1966. Reg married Mary C Campbell (1901-1993) on October 31, 1928, and together they had two sons: Douglas and Wayne. Reg was secretary of the Beresford Pool Elevator for 25 years and had a keen interest in flowers. Reg Johnson died on March 8, 1983 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 an interview with Reg L. Johnson about his life story and farming in Manitoba. Interviewer is John E. Forsyth.
Notes
History/bio information from the records and Johnson's obituary. Description by Christy Henry.
Audio Tracks
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For custodial history see the collection level description of the Lawrence Stuckey collection.
Scope and Content
W. Dowling, President of Provincial Exhibition 1919
Notes
Mr. Stuckey originally placed 32 negatives in one envelope labeled “M – Presidents of Fair Boards 1882 – 1972”; We have separated and renumbered these negatives as M30(1) to M30(32) inclusively; Records of the Provincial Exhibition Association are held in the S.J. McKee Archives (RG2) including photos of board members.
For custodial history see the collection level description of the Lawrence Stuckey collection.
Scope and Content
W. Davidson, President of Provincial Exhibition 1943 - 1946.
Notes
Mr. Stuckey originally placed 32 negatives in one envelope labeled “M – Presidents of Fair Boards 1882 – 1972”; We have separated and renumbered these negatives as M30(1) to M30(32) inclusively; Records of the Provincial Exhibition Association are held in the S.J. McKee Archives (RG2) including photos of board members.
Fleming served as mayor in 1905, 1906-1911, 1912 and 1913
Custodial History
For custodial history see the collection level description of the Lawrence Stuckey collection.
Scope and Content
Item is a portrait of Brandon mayor John Fleming.
Notes
[Mr. Stuckey incorrectly noted the dates of Mayor Fleming's terms. John W. Fleming served as mayor of Brandon 1905-1906 and 1911-1913 (Barker, G.F. Brandon: a City 1881-1961. Altona: D.W. Friesen & Sons Ltd., 1977.).]
Dr. Sweet was born in Dayton, Ohio. He graduated from Denison University, Granville, Ohio in 1889. In 1892 he graduated from the Rochester Theological Seminary in Rochester, NY. His first pastorate was in Adrian, Michigan, where he was ordained. Dr. Sweet served ten years at the Calvary Church in Minneapolis. In 1920, Dr. Sweet was appointed to a committee by the Northern Convention to inquire into the loyalty of schools to the historic faith of the Baptists. Sweet received his Doctor of Divinity from Denison University in 1921. He worked for the Y.M.C.A. during World War I in the United States and Overseas. After Dr. Whidden retired in 1923, Dr. Sweet was offered the position of President of Brandon College. He accepted the offer and arrived in Brandon with his wife and six children on September 10, 1923. Mrs. Sweet was a graduate of Mt. Holyoke College, and she had been a faculty member at Denison University. Dr. Sweet felt that Brandon was a call of God. He was inaugurated on October 11, 1923, and was readily accepted by students and faculty members alike.
His enthusiasm for fund raising was apparent, and he often took long trips in search of yet another subscription. He won the approval of the faculty, the students, the community and the Baptists. It was thought that Brandon College would prosper under the capable leadership of Dr. Sweet. Unfortunately, he died very suddenly at his home in Brandon on December 30, 1924. He was 55 years old. A funeral was held on January 3, 1925, and a memorial on January 7, 1925.
Scope and Content
Because of his short term of office, there are few papers left from Dr. Sweet. The collection includes invoices from Brandon College accounts, correspondence to and from the Bursar and Registrar, and Board of Director Meeting minutes. There is considerable correspondence from Dr. Sweet to various people regarding sermon topics, foreign missionary work, and his own faith. As well, Dr. Sweet was very conscious of the need for funds to run the College. He was very involved in the fundraising efforts of the College and the Baptists on behalf of Brandon College. There is also correspondence dealing with the MacNeill controversy in the early 1920’s.