Reverend Edward A. Lykens was Pastor at the Church of Nazarene in Brandon, MB in the early 1980s.
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 Rev. Edward Lykens about the history of the Church of the Nazarene in Brandon, MB. Interviewer is Effie McPhail.
Notes
History/bio information taken from the records. Description by Christy Henry.
Language Note
English
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Edward Robert McGill was born on September 21, 1912 in Vancouver, BC. The family returned to Manitoba in 1919, and settled in Brandon, MB. Ed received his schooling in Brandon, including one year at Brandon College before he enrolled at Queen's University. Graduating in 1934, with a Bachelor of Commerce, Ed was employed by Inco at Sudbury before enlisting in the RCAF in 1940. He was posted to No. 4 Service Flying School in Saskatoon and subsequently became a flying instructor. While in Saskatoon Ed married Marguarite Eve Shaw (1918-1992) on May 30, 1942. Together they had four children: Mickey, Douglas, Patricia and Frances. From Saskatoon, Ed was posted to No. 19 EFTS in Virden where he became C.S.D. In 1943, Ed was sent overseas with the City of Edmonton 418 Night Intruder Squadron. In 1944, he was appointed CO of "B" flight and promoted to squadron leader.
Ed returned to Brandon in 1946, where he was appointed secretary manager of the Brandon Flying Club. While in this position, Ed also served as chief flying instructor, airport manager, co-founder and president of Maple Leaf Aviation and helped to organize the Flying Farmers in Manitoba. Upon his retirement in 1971, the Brandon Airport was renamed McGill Field to honor his contribution to aviation in western Manitoba. In 1969, Ed was elected to the Manitoba Legislature as the member for Brandon West. He was re-elected in 1973 and 1977, then retired from active politics in 1981.
Ed was committed to community service, and was a past president of the Brandon Kinsmen Club, the Brandon Gegneral Hospital (BGH) board of directors, the Brandon Golf and Country Club and the Wasagaming Golf Club. He served as a member of the Brandon Police Commission and was appointed to the federal Civil Aviation Tribunal. Ed was a member of Tweed Lodge #113 AF & AM, a member of the Brandon Scottish Rite and past master of the Brandon Chapter of Rose Croix. Edward McGill died on December 3, 1996 in Brandon, 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 the Honorable Edward McGill about his life history. Interviewer is Marjorie Lange.
Notes
History/bio information taken from the records and McGill's obituary. Description by Christy Henry.
Language Note
English
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Edward Peter "EP" Boyle was born on January 7, 1887 in Watertown, Minnesota. After training as a creamery operator with Hutchinson Produce Company for five years, EP bought the Shellmouth Creamery near Russell, MB in 1913. He married Rose Mary McHale (1887?-1973) in 1915. The couple had six children: Jack, Irene, Winnifred, Robert, Kenneth and Forrest. In 1916, EP his second creamery, the Laurentian Milk Company in Neepawa, MB, which became known as the Neepawa Creamery & Produce Company. In 1933, EP bought another non-functioning plant, Central Creameries of Brandon, which was renovated and successfully managed by his brother Neil Boyle. EP retired in the late 1960s after incorporating his business in 1958. EP was active in the Roman Catholic church in Neepawa, served as president of the local Board of Trade and the Manitoba Diary Association. He was a charter member of both the Neepawa BPOE and the Neepawa Golf Club. Edward Boyle died on February 4, 1990 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 Edward Boyle about buttermaking in Neepawa, MB. Interviewer is Winnie Cheetham.
Notes
History/bio information taken from the records and Boyle's obituary. Transcript by Simon Richard (2023). Description by Christy Henry.
Language Note
English
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Flora C. Cowan (nee Cruickshanks) was born on July 15, 1902 in Edinburgh, Scotland. She immigrated to Canada with her family in 1913. Flora married Edgar Clarence Cowan (1894-1951) on August 15, 1922. The couple had two children: Franklin and Ruth. Edgar, who served in the First World War with the Royal Canadian Engineers, was employed as municipal engineer at Springfield, MB. In 1927, Edgar was appointed district engineer with the highways branch in Boissevain; a year later he was transferred to Brandon and the family moved to the city.
For much of her life, Flora was a leader in the Brandon community. During the Second World War, she mobilized Brandon's volunteer efforts and in 1953, she was appointed Dean of Women at Brandon College. In 1954, Flora became only the second woman ever elected to the Brandon City Council. She served on the council for 16 years and stepped down as Dean of Women in 1969. A champion for Fairview Personal Care Home, she chaired its board for more than 20 years. Flora Cowan Hall on the Brandon University campus is named in her honour. Flora Cowan died on September 25, 1986 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 Flora Cowan about her involvement in community and civic affairs in Brandon, 1927-1981. This first hour includes the following subjects: church involvement, including the union of the Methodist and Knox churches, the Women's Auxiliary and volunteer work; the Imperial Order Daughters of the Empire (IODE); her recollections during her tenure as Dean of Women at Brandon College, including the death of JRC Evans, the official opening of the McKenzie Building, the expansion of campus, the layout of Clark Hall, social functions, the granting of the University charter, the retirement of John E. Robbins, the BJ Hales Natural History Museum and her retirement; her work as an alderman on Brandon City Council; and the history of Fairview Personal Care Home. The interviewer is Marjorie Fitton.
Notes
History/bio information from the records, the article reporting Edgar Cowan's death by drowning and Flora Cowan'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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Kathleen Joan "Kaye" Rowe (nee Moreland) was born on June 10, 1910 in Winnipeg, MB. Kaye attended St. John's Technical High School. She moved to Brandon following her marriage to Gabriel Richard "G.R." Rowe (1898-1968) on July 12, 1932. Kaye had widespread interests in fashion, politics, the arts and journalism. Her journalism career began in 1935, when she began writing book reviews for CKX Radio. Four years later she became a society columnist for the Winnipeg Free Press and from 1945 to the 1980s she was a freelance columnist for the Brandon Sun, writing pieces on people, fasion and the arts. In 1958 and 1960, Kaye won awards for the best fashion stories of the year in Canada, and in 1970, she received a Margaret McWilliams Award from the Manitoba Historical Society for the best newspaper story on Manitoba history in the province's centennial year. The Rowes had no children. Kaye Rowe died on December 16, 1995 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 Kaye Rowe about her knowledge and memories of Brandon entertainment, 1900-1983. The interviewer is Betty Gibson.
Notes
History/bio information from the records 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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Edward Turner was born 1913 in England. Sponsored by the Hudson's Bay Company, he immigrated to Canada in 1931. That fall he was sent by the unemployment agency to Riding Mountain National Park to clear scrub. For a number of years Ed worked on farms during harvest, did chores for the Ramgren family in winter, and cut ice at Otter Lake. He also learned how to shoot and snare rabbits, which he sold to fox farm owners. In 1937, Ed purchased 120 acres adjoining the Scandinavia Church, cutting and selling wood to pay for the land. Ed married Lorna Mary Tiller (1921-2003) on January 30, 1942, and together they had two children: James and Dianne. In October 1942, Ed joined the Canadian Army, serving for two years before receiving a medical discharge. Following the Second World War, Ed and Lorna sold the farm, purchasing and operating a general store in the Onanole district until 1956. For the next sixteen years they owned and operated the Outdoor Roller Rink at Clear Lake. In 1962, Ed became the manager of the Erickson Credit Union, and the couple built a home in Erickson. Ed was elected mayor of Erickson in 1968, a position he held for eight years. When they sold the roller rink in 1972, the Turners bought the Clearl Lake bowling alley, which they operated until 1979. The couple retired to Onanole, where they were members of the United Church and Ed continued to do some work in real estate. Edward Turner died in 1994. He is buried at Scandinavian Cemetery.
Arthur Koping was born December 7, 1905 on section 15-17-17 in the RM of Clanwilliam. After his father died, Arthur, his brother John and his mother returned to Finland. When Arthur returned to Clanwilliam in 1926, he could not speak English. After a year with his Koping grandparents, Art went to New York where he did construction work and learned carpentry skills. Art returned to Manitoba in 1930, working at whatever jobs were availavle, carpentry, painting, paper hanging etc. At Riding Mountain National Park, he did road work, as well as carpentry, including helping build relief camps, the Superintendants house and the golf course clubhouse. In 1934, he built a house and married Lillie Marie Sundmark (1902-1970). The couple's only child died shortly after he was born. Art was asked to buy the family homstead in 1943, although the Kopings continued to live there. During World War II, Art began working for Harper Construction Company building homes for grain buyers in Manitoba and Saskatchewan. As his job required him being away for long periods, Art built a house for Lillie in Erickson in 1948. Following Lillie's death, Art married Mary Booth (1910-2006) in 1973. Arthur Koping died in 1988. He is buried in Finland.
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 Edward Turner and Arthur Koping about their early years in Canada and life as a Canadian-born immigrant. Interviewer is Mary Booth-Koping.
Notes
History/bio information taken from the records and the Clanwilliam-Erickson local history "Forest to Field." Description by Christy Henry.
Language Note
English
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Frank Ernest "Ernie" Ellis was born on April 3, 1915. He lived and farmed all his life just north of Wawanesa, MB, and established a seed cleaning and fertilizer business entitled Ellis Farm Supplies on the south side of Wawanesa. Ernie married Margaret Alyce Viola Medd (1922-2022) in in 1946 and together they had five children: Margaret, Brenda, Kathryn, Jennifer and Warren. In 1985, Ernie and Alyce moved to Winnipeg and their son Warren took over the farm.
Ernie was active in his community, local politics and the agriculture and health care sectors. His commitment to land conservation and a love of nature, led him to serve on the boards of many farming organizations, including the Wawanesa Crop Improvement Club, the Wawanesa Cooperative Elevator Association, and the Wawanesa Consumers Co-op Association. He was also one of the founders ot the Manitoba Stock Growers' Association, which became the Manitoba Beef Growers' Association. Additionally, Ernie served on the board of the Royal Manitoba Winter Fair, was a member of the Canadian Seed Growers' Association, served terms as president for both the Brandon-Souris Liberal Association and the Souris-Killarney Association, ran as the MLA Liberal candidate for the Souris-Lansdowne constituency and served on the Oakland Council for 11 years. He was also elected chairman of the first Board of Directors for the Wawanesa & District Recreation Centre, was a trustee of the governing board of the Wawanesa & District Hospital, including 12 years as chairman. He was elected to the Board of Directors of the Manitoba Health Organization, where he advocated for health care in Wawanesa and rural areas. Ernie wrote two newspaper columns, "The Rural Scene" for the Wawanesa Optimist, and "On the Manitoba Range" for The Canadian Cattleman, and along with his wife Alyce, did much of the research and writing for the Wawanesa centennial local history book. Aside from writing, Ernie was also passionate about music, and played the trombone in the Wawanesa Band.
When he became ill in 2010 the Ellis' left Winnipeg; Ernie moved to the Personal Care Home in Wawanesa and Alyce moved to the Wawanesa Valley Lodge. Ernie Ellis died on February 16, 2011 in Wawanesa, 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 Ernie Ellis. This first hour of the interview covers the history of the Ellis and Criddle familes. The interviewer is John Moore.
Notes
History/bio information from the records and obituaries for both Ernie and Alyce Ellis. Description by Christy Henry.
Language Note
English
Conservation
Preservation copy made 2021 (R. Hess)
Audio Tracks
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George Albert Hodson was born in 1910 on his father's farm, just south of Elkhorn, MB. He attended Buckingham School and worked on the farm with his father until his father's retirement, at which point Albert took over the farm. Albert married Evelyne Bolam on December 17, 1939 and they had four children: Leland, Valerie, Sherryl and Tannis. The couple moved into Elkhorn in 1967, and Albert retired from farming in 1978. Active in his community, Albert served as a trustee for the Buckingham School District, on the United Church Board, and was a member of the Agricultural Society and the Curling Club. He also served 34 years on the local Manitoba Pool Elevator board, eleven of which he was chairman of Sub-District No. 502. In 1996, Albert was recognized as an outstanding volunteer by the Manitoba Association of Agricultural Societies. Albert Hodson died on September 18, 2009 in Elkhorn, MB. 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 Albert Hodson about pioneering, grain, grain elevators and Elkhorn history, including the Elkhorn Auto Museum. The interviewer is Elmer Armstrong.
Notes
History/bio information from the records, the Elkhorn local history "Steel and Grass Roots" and Hodson's obituary. Description by Christy Henry.
Language Note
English
Conservation
Preservation copy made 2021 (R. Hess)
Audio Tracks
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Harold Ernest Watson was born on April 14, 1905 on section 4-11-24 in the RM of Woodworth. The family moved to Brandon, MB in 1911. As a young man, Harold worked for many years as a carpenter with his father. He was then employed for a few years with the Canadian National Railway (CNR) before becoming a carpenter and carman with the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) for thirty-five years. Harold married Winifred Elizabeth Schiedel (1916-1982) in 1939 and together they had six children: Eldine, Marjorie, David, Dale, Mildred and Ralph. A keen conservationist, Harold was a member of the Manitoba Naturalist Society. He also enjoyed gardening, bird watching, fishing, hunting, woodworking, reading, typing and cribbage, and possessed an excellent knowledge of the history of Brandon and surrounding area. Harold Watson died on November 30, 1994 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 Harold Watson about the history of the East End of Brandon, including its early residents, buildings and activites. The interviewer is Lillian Mummery.
Notes
History/bio information from the records and Watson's obituary. Description by Christy Henry. Fred McGuinness wrote about Harold Watson in his November 4, 2004 "The Notebook" column in The Brandon Sun.
Language Note
English
Conservation
Preservation copy made 2021 (R. Hess)
Audio Tracks
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Mary Elizabeth Edwards (nee Tweed) was born on April 19, 1897 at Riceville, ON. Within a year of her birth, she and her mother came to Manitoba, to join her father who had already moved west. Mary attended Burns School and then Winnipeg Normal School, graduating in 1917. Over the course of her career she taught at a number of schools, including Otter, Medora, Purple Hill , Thirlstone, Broomhill, Lake Max and Whitewater schools. On January 7, 1920, Mary married Kestle Henry Edwards (1894-1974) in Medora, MB and together the couple had four children: Harvey, Frank, Ralph and Ruth. The family lived on section 35-3-25. Mary was secretary-treasurer of both the Medora Methodist Sunday School and the Royal Templars, taught sunday school and sang in the choir before her marriage. In 1920, she joined the Home Economics Society (later the Women's Institute). She was also a member of the WA. Following her husband's death, Mary left the farm and moved into Medora. Mary Edwards died in 1994. She is buried at Roselawn 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 Mary Edwards about her life and pioneer settlement around Medora, MB. The interviewer is Mayme Warren.
Notes
History/bio information from the records, the Medora local history "Glimpse through the years" and Edwards' obituary. Description by Christy Henry.
Language Note
English
Conservation
Preservation copy made 2021 (R. Hess)
Audio Tracks
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Catherine "Kate" Harden (nee Chalmers) (b. 24 May 1890, Brandon; d. 22 Sep 1975, Kenora) was the daughter of Ed and Agnes Chalmers, early residents of Brandon, Manitoba (c. 1882). Kate worked as a cashier at Nation & Shewin's from 1913-1914 before marrying Edward Harden (b. 26 Jan 1886, Hawkhurst, Kent, England; d. 10 April 1962, Brandon) on 03 December 1914. At the time, Harden worked as a driver with the Brandon Fire Department. The couple had two daughters, Edith and Agnes. (sources: Manitoba Vital Statistics database and Henderson's Brandon City Directories)
Custodial History
Photograph was given to Fred McGuinness by Linda Bilkoski of Lac du Bonnet, MB.
Scope and Content
Photograph shows two men and two women standing outdoors on a carpet. Kate Harden (nee Chalmers) stands on the right, her husband Edward "Ted" Harden stands second from the left.
Notes
Writing on back photograph reads: ?, Ted Harden, ?, Kate Harden. Photograph is stamped Crawford's Drug Store, Brandon, Man. [Date range determined from drug store period.]
Photograph shows the entrance of the Prince Edward Hotel decorated to welcome the Kiwanis Club. The main entrance is surrounded by wheat sheaves. The City of Brandon's coat of arms, Kiwanis International logos, and a sign reading Welcome Kiwanis hang above the door. A Dominion of Canada red ensign and Union Jack flag are mounted on either side of the doors.
Photograph shows the Prince Edward Hotel and Canadian National Railways Station along Princess Avenue facing southwest.
Notes
Writing on the back of the postcard reads: Novelty Manufacturing & Art Co. Ltd., Montreal. A cancelled George VI brown Canada 2 cent stamp has been postmarked: Regina, Sask, Terminal A., Jul 22 12:30 PM 1940, Save Time, Use Air Mail.
Photograph shows a southwest view of the Prince Edward Hotel and train station.
Notes
Part of "Souvenir of Brandon, Manitoba, Canada [viewbook], Printed by Photogelatine Engraving Co. Limited, Ottawa." Dates obtained from the Burchill's Music Store Henderson's Brandon City Directory listings (1927-1929). Writing on the front of the photograph reads: Prince Edward Hotel, Brandon, Man.
Photograph shows a view from the rooftop of the Prince Edward Hotel. The south side of the Brandon Hotel (most recently the Brandon Inn) and a service station along Prince Avenue can be seen.
Notes
Writing on the back of photograph reads: across the street from roof of P.E. Hotel 1927
Photograph shows a banquet room in the Prince Edward Hotel. Rectangular tables are organized in an U-shape layout. The tables are covered in white linen table cloths and have place settings.
