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
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Thomas Henry Martin was born December 23, 1904 in Brookdale, MB. From when he was born until 1965, Thomas lived in the Brookdale region and worked at farming and road building. He retired from farming in 1965, and moved to Neepawa, although he continued to help his son farm in the area. On October 25, 1933 he married Harriet North (1911-1986). Together they had two children: Mona and Vincent. Thomas Martin died on November 6, 1986 in Neepawa, MB. He is buried at Riverside 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 Thomas Martin about early road building and the 1930s. Between 1929 and 1931, Thomas and two of his neighbors were employed by the North Cypress Municipality to build roads in the district, and this is the subject of most of the interview. Thomas also discusses at length the equipment used in road building, how the equipment was used, and the work camps formed by the governments during the 1930’s to create jobs for the unemployed. Interviewer is Dorothy Martin.
Notes
History/bio information taken from the records and the Brookdale local history "Quest in Roots." Transcript by Richard Bee (2014). Description by Christy Henry.
Language Note
English
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George Thomas was born on December 24, 1888 in Birmingham, England. George married Beatrice Maud Taylor (1890-1970) on May 12, 1913 in Birmingham, England. The left for Canada a week later and settled in Neepawa where George's sister Alice already lived. In 1917, George started with the Canadian National Railway (CNR) as a Locomotive Foremans Clerk. George retired from the CNR in 1954, and promptly began a successful greenhouse. In his early days in Neepawa, George was Captain of the Neepawa Soccer Team, President of the CNR Recreation Association and also played cricket. He won numerous awards for his flowers in Neepawa, Brandon and Minnedosa, and was a life member of the Neepawa Horticultural Society, which he joined in 1916. He served on the Neepawa Parks Board for eighteen years and was made an Honorary Citizen of the Town of Neepawa in 1973. George and Beatrice had five children: Beatrice, Stanley, Jack, Mary and Roy. George Thomas died in 1985 in Neepawa, MB. He is buried at Neepawa Riverside 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 George Thomas about his life, especially his work with the railroad and in horticulture. Interviewer is Winnie Cheetham.
Notes
History/bio information from the records, the Neepawa local history "Heritage," Ancestry.ca and the Billion Graves website. Description by Christy Henry.
Language Note
English
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Thomas Henry Seens was born on September 18, 1895 in the RM of Daly. He attended Tarbolton School. Thomas married Annie Mae Wood (1897-1997) on February 26, 1916 and together they had three children: George, Leslie, and Helen. In addition to farming, Thomas served as a councillor of the Rural Municipality of Daly for sixteen years, and its Reeve from 1940-1950. He was elected as a Progressive Conservative to the Manitoba Legislature at the1949 general election but was defeated in 1953. Thomas was a member of Masonic Lodge No. 115. Thomas Seens died on November 26, 1989 in Brandon, MB. He is buried at Tarbolton 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 Thomas Seens about family history and his political career. Interviewer is K. Cochrane.
Notes
History/bio information from the records and the Manitoba Historical Society website. Description by Christy Henry.
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Thomas William Jeffrey was born on October 9, 1919 on 22-10-27 W in the RM of Wallace. He received his education at Boss Hill School. In 1938, he attended the Chicago Vocational Training Corp, graduating as a Diesel Automotive and Aero Engineer. Tom farmed until joining the Army in 1941, but returned to the farm following a medical discharge in 1942. He continued farming with with his father, then his mother, until selling and moving to Virden in 1966. Initially, Tom ran the town grader, but then purchased a gravel truck. In 1975, he purchased Virden Machine Shop, which he operated until the time of his death. He never married. Tom enjoyed going to museums, looking at old machinery and cars, and attending thresermen's reunions. He was a member of the Roman Catholic Church, the Knights of Columbus, and for many years looked after the town clock in Virden. Thomas Jeffrey died on October 23, 1996 in Winnipeg, MB. He is buried at Virden 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 Thomas W. Jeffrey about electric power in Virden, Mr. Insul, drought, flood, churches and businesses in Virden, the Grieve family, Charlie Hyde, Johnny Cairns and Ed Newby. Interviewers are Marion Martin and Gladys Bray.
Notes
History/bio information from the records, the Virden local history "Hometown Virden," the Wallace-Woodworth local history "Binding Our Districts," and Jeffrey's obituary. Description by Christy Henry.
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Thomas William Jeffrey was born on October 9, 1919 on 22-10-27 W in the RM of Wallace. He received his education at Boss Hill School. In 1938, he attended the Chicago Vocational Training Corp, graduating as a Diesel Automotive and Aero Engineer. Tom farmed until joining the Army in 1941, but returned to the farm following a medical discharge in 1942. He continued farming with with his father, then his mother, until selling and moving to Virden in 1966. Initially, Tom ran the town grader, but then purchased a gravel truck. In 1975, he purchased Virden Machine Shop, which he operated until the time of his death. He never married. Tom enjoyed going to museums, looking at old machinery and cars, and attending thresermen's reunions. He was a member of the Roman Catholic Church, the Knights of Columbus, and for many years looked after the town clock in Virden. Thomas Jeffrey died on October 23, 1996 in Winnipeg, MB. He is buried at Virden 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 Thomas W. Jeffrey about the Jeffrey family homestead, farming 1882-1966 and the building of the Canadian Pacific Railway. Interviewer is Marion Martin.
Notes
History/bio information from the records, the Virden local history "Hometown Virden," the Wallace-Woodworth local history "Binding Our Districts," and Jeffrey's obituary. Description by Christy Henry.
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Mary Evelyne Conley (nee Dixon) was born on November 30, 1919 in Carievale, SK. She lived in Carievale until 1940, at which point she moved to Brandon, MB. In Brandon she received her nurses training, graduating as an RN in 1943, and then working at Brandon General Hospital (BGH). In 1945, she moved to Toronto where she continued working as a nurse and also married Murray Ross Conley (1919-1998) on April 21, 1945. The couple had three children: Judith, Sharon and Bradley. After a year in Toronto, Evelyne returned to Brandon to raise her family and work as a private nurse at BGH. She retired from Fairview Personal Care Home in 1971, to care for her son, who developed multiple sclerosis (MS) in his 20s. This experience precipitated Evelyne's involvement with the MS Society. Evelyne Conley died on September 3, 2013 in Brandon, MB. She 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 Evelyne Conley about health services, specifically the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada. The interview includes a brief history of the MS Society, the trials and tribulations of funding, and Evelyne’s personal ties to the organization. In particular she discusses the Prairie Division and the Brandon chapter. Interviewer is Phyllis Long.
Notes
History/bio information from the records and Conley's obituary. Transcript by Kyle Head (2020). Description by Christy Henry.
Language Note
English
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Herbert "Herb" Lazenby was born in 1885 in Lincolnshire, England. He immigrated to Canada in 1903, making his way to Reston, MB. He was a farmer who married Elsie Mae Wilson (1890-1971). Together they had three children: George, Alvin and a daughter who died at birth. Herb Lazenby died in 1949 and is buried in the Reston Cemetery. The narrator, Irene Luella Smeltz Lazenby (1915-1998), was the wife of Herb and Elsie's son George. They married in 1942.
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 information about the life of Herb Lazenby and farming in the 1880s, narrated by his daughter-in-law Irene Lazenby.
Notes
History/bio information from the records and Conley's obituary. Transcript by Shayanne Bear (2020). 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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Alva Redell "Alvie" Spafford was born on March 15, 1891 at Enterprise, MB. He attended school at Victoria Lake and Henderson schools. Alvie left Enterprise in 1902, and moved to Bannerman, MB, where he farmed until 1936. He later moved to Boissevain, where he worked as a Rawleigh salesman, and then in 1942, he moved to Brandon and was employed as a conductor for the Canadian National Railway (CNR) until his retirement. Alvie married Frances Ethel Harrison (1895-1979) and they had three children: Carl, Edna and Raymond. Alvie Spafford died on August 25, 1985 in Brandon, MB. He is buried at Killarney and District 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 Alvie Spafford about his life, and early days in Manitoba. The interviewer is Effie McPhail.
Notes
History/bio information from the records and Spafford's obituary. Description by Christy Henry.
Language Note
English
Conservation
Preservation copy made 2021 (R. Hess)
Related Material
Fred McGuinness collection (1-2015)
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Arlie Emma Hogg (nee Harrison) was born August 25, 1895 on section 36-9-24, near Oak Lake, MB. She was educated at, and lived all but the last six months of her life in, Oak Lake. She married Russell Ivan Hogg (1895-1961), a longtime editor of the Oak Lake newspaper, on January 7, 1919. Together they had three daughters: Eileen, Lila and Rubie. A homemaker, Arlie was also actively involved with her husband in publishing the paper. She was also a painter, who received awards and recognition for her works, which included landscapes, flowers, plant and animal life. She was a lifetime member of St. Alban's Anglican Church, active in the ACW and a charter member of the Eastern Star. Arlie Hogg died on May 2, 1986 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 Arlie Hogg about her life, including her painting, and pioneer days and activities. The interviewer is Wilma Hatch.
Notes
History/bio information from the records, Hogg's obituary. Description by Christy Henry.
Language Note
English
Conservation
Preservation copy made 2021 (R. Hess)
Related Material
Fred McGuinness collection (1-2015)
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Mary Anne Alice "Daisy" Patmore was born on March 30, 1903 in Brandon, MB. She was the eldest of five children born to Henry Lewis Patrmore and Alice Maud Mary Ball. Patmore purchased a tree nursery in Brandon in 1888, and was a leading exponent of shelterbelts and tree planting, as well as a leading figure in beautifying the city of Brandon. Daisy attended Brandon Collegiate Institute (BCI) and the Brandon Normal School. She taught for one year and then joined the family business, Patmore Nurserview Ltd. and Patmore's Florists; Daisy owned and operated the floral part of the business and was a floral designer from 1934 until she retired in 1973. During these years, she was very active in the International School of Floral Design; she also spoke and gave demonstrations about floral arrangements for many clubs and associations. Daisy was a member of the Quota Club, the Natual History Society of Brandon and the Brandon Horitcultural Association, as well as a member of St. George's Anglican Church and the Anglican Church Women's Group. For many years she was the alternate organist for the Church and played at services at the Brandon Mental Health Centre and Fairview Personal Care Home. Daisy never married. Daisy Patmore died on August 21, 1999 in Brandon, MB. She 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 Daisy Patmore about the H.L. Patmore Nursery business in Brandon, MB, as well as the florist shop and her operation of same. The interviewer is Isabelle Heeney.
Notes
History/bio information from the records, Patmore's obituary and the Manitoba Historical Society website. Description by Christy Henry.
Language Note
English
Conservation
Preservation copy made 2021 (R. Hess)
Audio Tracks
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David Andrew Brown was born on October 30, 1894 near Dumfries, Scotland. His family arrived in Canada in 1908 and settled on a farm east of Deloraine, MB in the Hazeldean district. David attended Manitoba Agriculture College, graduating in 1920. Following graduation he was appointed assistant to the professor of horticulture and was given responsibility for directing all the experimental work with vegetables, fruits and flowers, as well as upkeep of the College campus. He briefly accepted a teaching position in botany in the Teulon, Gunton and Balmoral high schools, before becoming the assistant superintendent of the Federal Government Station in Mordon, MB in 1922. David married Edith Merle McKenzie (1900-1995) on July 22, 1922 and together they had three children: Ian, Dorothy and Shirley.
In 1928, David moved from the Morden Experimental Farm to take the position of supervisor of illustration stations at the Brandon Experimental Farm. In this role he travelled the province planting experimental cereal crops and working to reclaim soil lost to erosion during the draught of the 1930s. In 1947, he became the assistant superintendent, a position he held until his retirement in 1959. Following his retirement, David was instrumental in establisting the Agricultural Hall of Fame. He was very active in this organization until he was involved in an accident in March 1988. David was a life member of the Agricultural Institute of Canada and served terms as the president of the Manitoba Institute of Agrologists and the Manitoba Horticultural Society. He was also a well-known landscape planner for many Brandon residents and rural homesteads, a judge at local summer horticultural fairs and a member of Knox United Church, where he served as a choir member, an elder on the church board and as clerk of session. In 1977, the University of Manitoba conferred the honorary degree of L.L.D. upon him to acknowledge his oustanding contribution to agriculture in Manitoba. David Brown died on July 4, 1990 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 David A. Brown, about his life and career, as well as the early history of Manitoba agriculture. The interviewer is Frank Anderson.
Notes
History/bio information from the records and Brown's obituary. Description by Christy Henry.
Language Note
English
Conservation
Preservation copy made 2021 (R. Hess)
Audio Tracks
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Ernest Arthur "Birk" Birkinshaw was born on November 24, 1908 in Rapid City, MB. He attended United College in Winnipeg, completing a degree in mathematics, before joining the faculty at Brandon College, later Brandon University, in 1931. A member of the Department of Mathematics his entire career, Birkinshaw took postgraduate studies at the Institute of Technology, Pasadena and the University of Toronto. He retired from Brandon University in 1975, and was granted the title of Professor Emeritus. Birkinshaw married Kathleen Egilsson (1916-1966) and they had one daughter, Sigrid. Ernest Birkinshaw died suddenly in North Delta, BC on November 24, 1986 and is buried at Victory Memorial Park in Surrey, BC.
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 E.H. Birkinshaw about his career, experiences and memories at Brandon College. The interviewer is Bill Burgess.
Notes
History/bio information from the records and Birkinshaw's obituary. Although Birkinshaw's given names were Ernest Arthur, the Voices of Yesteryear project labelled all of the documention for this interview as E.H. Birkinshaw. Description by Christy Henry.
Language Note
English
Conservation
Preservation copy made 2021 (R. Hess)
Related Material
Brandon College fonds
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Edith Mary Vallender (nee Stoodley) was born on November 27, 1891 in Swansea, South Wales. She arrived in Canada on July 14, 1919, and settled in the Oak Lake, MB area where she lived until her death. Edith was a houswife, who married William George Vallender (1882-1957) on September 12, 1918 at Horsley, Gloucestershire, England. Vallender had immigrated to Canada in 1913 and worked on a farm north of Oak Lake before enlisting in the 107th Battalion. The couple were married while he was on leave. They had no children. In Oak Lake, Edith was a life member of the Ladies Auxiliary to the Royal Canadian Legion #79 and a charter member of the same. She was also a life member of the United Church Women's group and a dedicated worker for the Red Cross in World War II. For years, Edith was a prize winner at the Oak Lake Fair in baking, fancywork and other classes. Edith Vallender died on May 10, 1989 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 Edith Vallender about her life experiences, including Red Cross work, life in Oak Lake, the Spanish flu, Oak Lake exhibitions and impressions of Canada . The interviewer is Phillis Cairns.
Notes
History/bio information from the records, the RM of Sifton local history "Ox Trails to Blacktop," and Vallender's obituary. Description by Christy Henry.
Language Note
English
Conservation
Preservation copy made 2021 (R. Hess)
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Effie Irene McPhail (nee Weir) was born on October 31, 1900 is Rossland, BC. In 1903, her family moved to Manitoba and Effie spent the rest of her life in Brandon and the surrounding area. Growing up in the Hunter district northwest of Brandon, she attended school there and then in Brandon. A graduate of the Brandon Normal School, Effie began teaching at the age of 16, and taught at Roseland School and in Rapid City and Rivers. Effie married Alex McPhail (1897-1989) on March 29, 1923. The couple farmed in the Forrest district and raised four children: Ronald, Malcom, Archie and Donna. The McPhails were both very active in many community, church, sports, agricultural and political organizations. Effie was involved in the Brandon Council of Women, the United Church Women, the Liberal Party, and the Assiniboine Historical Society. She was also one of the founding members of the Daly House Mueum. Effie was the Chair of the Westman Oral History Association's "Voices of Yesteryear" project, which produced a collection of audio recordings of Westman-area residents. She herself interviewed a number of individuals and was interviewed twice, once on her family history and life experiences and the other on early church development in Brandon. Effie McPhail died on July 7, 1999 in Brandon, MB. She is buried at Humesville 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 Effie MacPhail about her family history and community activities, as well as pioneer days. The interviewer is Edith Poole.
Notes
History/bio information from the records and McPhail's obituary. Description by Christy Henry.
Language Note
English
Conservation
Preservation copy made 2021 (R. Hess)
Related Material
OH232.MacP Effie McPhail
OH206.MacP Alex McPhail
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Eileen May McFadden was born on July 6, 1930 on section 18-12-20 in the Rural Municipality of Daly. Eileen attended Rivers Consolidated School and then Wheat City Business College. In 1949, she enrolled at Brandon College, graduating with a BA in 1953. She completed her bachelor of library science degree from McGill University in 1954, and her MLS from the University of Toronto in 1978. In 1954-1956, she worked in the library at the University of Toronto and from 1956-1959, in the library at the University of Manitoba. In 1959, she was appointed Director of Library Services at Brandon College/Brandon University, a position she held until 1977. In 1978, she was appointed University Archivist, a position she held until her retirement in 1997. Active in provincial and national library organizations, Eileen was also involved in historical and women's organizations and was a long time member of the Order of the Eastern Star and the Manitoba Liberal Association. In 1990, she recieved the Women of Distinction award from YWCA. She never married. Eileen McFadden died on August 24, 2011 in Brandon, MB. She is buried at Rivers 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 Eileen McFadden about the history of Brandon College, including Prairie College, from approximately 1880-1940. The interviewer is Effie McPhail.
Notes
History/bio information from the records and McFadden's obituary. Description by Christy Henry.
Language Note
English
Conservation
Preservation copy made 2021 (R. Hess)
Related Material
Brandon College fonds
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Frederick Clayton Courtice was born on Septebmer 7, 1901 in Wawanesa, MB. Raised in Brandon, he attended Alexander, King George, and Central schools, as well as Brandon Collegiate Institute (BCI). He began his career as a bookkeeper in the Merchants Bank in 1916, later becoming an accountant in the Bank of Montreal. He then worked as the office manager for Frank Massin for twenty-one years, before resigning due to his health. Frank then formed a partnership with Clarence Baker as farm dealers for Imperial Oil. He remained with this business until 1954. He served one term (1955-1956) as an alderman on the Brandon City Council, and then became the manager of the Wheat City Arena. Starting in 1957, when the city took over operations of the public transit system, he became the first manager of the Brandon transit department. In retirement, Fred focused on woodwworking, especialy building grandfather clocks. Fred served on the Brandon housing and parking authority, as well as the Brandon University Board of Governers. He was a charter member of the Brandon Kinsmen Club, which was founded in 1925, a member of the Navy League during World War II, and a member of the Masonic Lodge for over sixty years. Fred married Thelma Irene Smith (1903-1976) in 1925 and together they had three children: James, Noel and Norma Elaine. Fred Courtice died on September 3, 1987 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 Fred Courtice about his life story and the early days of Brandon. Subjects include: early places, people and busiensses, such as Reesors, Sifton house, Senator Kirkhoffer's home, Billie Muir's store, the construction of the Prince Edward Hotel, Caledonian rink, Trotter Brothers, Massin's, various hotels; the street railway; prohibition; the Brandon Electric Light Company; and more. The interviewer is Terry Penton.
Notes
History/bio information from the records, and Courtice's obituary. Description by Christy Henry.
Language Note
English
Conservation
Preservation copy made 2021 (R. Hess)
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Guy Masson "Bay" Smith was born on June 7, 1899 in Glenboro, MB. He graduated from Glenboro High School and then relieved his father in the post office while the latter served on a Military Tribunal. Bay enlisted with the Royal Air Force in 1918. For a short time he was the manager of a cream buying station in Glenboro before moving to Corning, SK in 1924, where he was an agent for Imperial Oil. In 1929, Bay returned to Glenboro to take over the Post Office duties from his mother, Elizabeth Alice Smith. Smith was appointed postmaster in 1950, and continued in that position until he retired in 1965. Under his leadership, a new post office was built in 1954; upon his retirement he sold the Smith Block and Post Office building. Smith married Mayme McKnight (1899-1977) in December 1923 and together they raised two children: Tannys and Robert.
Bay was active in community life. He was a charter member of the local Kiwanis Club and a member of the Masonic Lodge. He served long tenures on the Rink Committee, the Glenboro branch of the Red Cross and the Glenboro Board of Trade. He was a past president of the Junior and Senior Bands, was Secretary of the South Cypress Centennial Committee, and treasurer of the annual Fun Fair. He was a founding member of and helped design the local course at the Glenboro Golf Club. Bay Smith died on September 16, 1997 in Glenboro, MB.
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 Bay Smith about his family history, his life and career and his community involvement in the town of Glenboro. The interviewer is Irene Brown.
Notes
History/bio information from the records, the Glenboro local history "Beneath the long grass" and Smith's obituary. Description by Christy Henry.
Language Note
English
Conservation
Preservation copy made 2021 (R. Hess)
Audio Tracks
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Howard Russell Bedford was born on September 27, 1889 in Blythe, ON. His family lived in Huron County, Ontario until coming to Killarney, MB in 1900. Howard spent the rest of his life in the Killarney area, except for military absences. In 1919, Howard took over the family farm when he returned from World War I. That same year, Howard married Elinborg Einarson (1895-1978), and together they had four children: Russell, Edmund, Ellen and Mervin. In 1940, Howard enlisted again, this time with the Veterans Guard of Canada; he was gone for just over five years. The family left the farm when Howard re-enlisted, so upon his return to civilian life, he worked as a carpenter until 1952. Howard Bedford died on June 24, 1995 in Killarney, MB. He is buried at Killarney and District 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 Howard Bedford about his life experiences in the Killarney, MB area, including his war experiences. The interviewer is Tom Wilkins.
Notes
History/bio information from the records, the Killarney local history book "Reflections," and Bedford's obituary. Description by Christy Henry.
Language Note
English
Conservation
Preservation copy made 2021 (R. Hess)
Audio Tracks
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