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.
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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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