Robert John Coates was born on December 30, 1908 on the home farm in the Elm Valley district. He took his schooling at Elm Valley and Virden. He received Bachelor of Science of Bachelor of Education degrees at the University of Manitoba. Bob married Margaret Grace Cullen (1915-2007) in 1936 and together they had two children: Karen and John. Bob began his teaching career as principal in Pierson, MB, later moving to Ninga as principal. During the Second World War he joined the RCAF, serving as a navigation officer and teaching pilots in the Commonwealth Air Training Plan. After the war, the family moved to Brandon where Bob taught at Brandon Collegiate Institute (BCI), Earl Haig, Earl Oxford and was principal at Central School. He was the first principal at Green Acres School, teaching there until retiring in 1973. Bob was made a Brandon Diocesan Layreader of the Anglican Church and spent years taking services throughout the Diocese.
Bob served as president of the Manitoba Teachers' Society, Brandon Local, The Western Manitoba Teacher's Association, the Brandon PC Association and the UN Association. He also served as executive member of the International School Masters Club, The Manitoba Teachers' Society Pensions Committee, Men's Canadian Club and the Westman Oral History Association. He served as Chairman of the Local MTS Pension Committee and on the board of directors of Hobbs Manor. Bob was a lifetime member of the Mantioba Teachers' Society and the Brandon Teachers' Society, as well as a charter member of the Assiniboine Historical Society, the Daly House Museum, and the Commonwealth Air Training Museum. He was also a member of The Monarchist League of Canada and Royal Canadian Legion No. 3. At the time of his death Bob was an honourary Vestryman at St. Matthew's Cathedral. Robert Coates died on March 10, 1990 in Brandon, MB. He is buriedat 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 Robert Coates about the history of St. Matthew's Anglican Cathedral, Brandon. Interviewer is Irene Heeney.
Notes
History/bio information from the records and Coates' obituary. Description by Christy Henry.
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Photograph shows President Dennis Anderson and John Jardine, Head of Physical Plant, in either Clark Hall or the Brandon College Building during renovations.
Firby, who graduated from Brandon University in 1991, worked as the Acting Director for Alumni Relations from August 1993 - August 1995. She married John Brewster in Calgary, AB on August 15, 1998.
Custodial History
Photograph was tranfered to the McKee Archives from the Public Communications Office in the winter of 2007.
Scope and Content
Photograph Marla Firby and John Brewster on their wedding day.
Notes
Information about the wedding appeared in the Fall 1998 issue of Alumni News.
Dr. Evans was born in Nanaimo, B.C. on March 15, 1891. In the fall of 1907, at the age of sixteen, Dr. Evans entered the Academic Department of Brandon College. He played an integral part at the College, participating in academics, sports, and various other college functions and organizations. In his final year he was Senior Stick, the highest position in the Student Government. In 1913, Dr. Evans graduated from Brandon College. Immediately after graduation he was hired to teach Science and Academic Mathematics. In 1917, he became Principal of the Academic Department, while continuing to teach Mathematics and Science. Dr. Evans took leave in 1920 to study post graduate work at the University of Chicago. During the summers, he was the Acting Dean of the Department of Geology in Chicago. He received his Ph.D. in Geology in 1923, and returned to Brandon College. His new positions at the college were of Professor of Geology and Resident Master. He also taught some Chemistry.
On August 1, 1927, Dr. Evans married Adelene M. Bailey (Class of 1921, Music 1924) at the Joseph Bond Chapel in Chicago. He took over as College Dean in 1928 after the position became vacant. In September of 1928, Dr. Evans accepted the position of President of Brandon College, thus becoming its fifth president since the college’s inception. Dr. Evans was head of the college at a very difficult time. He guided the College through the Depression and repeated threats of closure from the Baptists. Dr. Evans resurrected the Department of Theology in the mid-1930’s. He helped with the reorganization of Brandon College as a non-denominational college in 1938, and its new affiliation with the University of Manitoba. During World War II, Dr. Evans started a War Emergency Fund, aimed at keeping the College from sinking into debt during the war years as enrollment shrank. With increased financial support from the government, Dr. Evans began expansion plans for the College. In 1958, he created the Dr. J.R.C. Evans Student Loan Fund in conjunction with the Alumni Association in order to provide worthy students with interest-free loans. It was also in 1958 that Dr. Evans was awarded the Queen Elizabeth Coronation Medal for his outstanding contribution to education in the British Commonwealth.
On July 29, 1959, Dr. Evans died suddenly at his summer home in Robson, B.C.. On his desk was the programme for the sod-turning ceremony for the new Arts and Library Building and Lecture Theatre. When it was completed, the Lecture Theatre was christened the Dr. J.R.C. Evans Lecture Theatre on behalf of the man who had made sure that it would be built. The Theatre had been his dream, a place to hold Chapel and Assemblies, as the student body grew in number.
Scope and Content
Photograph is a portrait of John Robert Charles Evans, Brandon College student, faculty member and president.
Notes
Information that accompanies the photograph reads: John Robert Charles Evans. Born 1891 in Nanaimo, BC. Died 1959 in Brandon, MB. President of Brandon College 1928-1959. Professor of Geology 1923-1959. Instructor, Academic Dept 1913-1920. Note: Evans actually died in Robson, B.C. not in Brandon, MB. History/Bio information copied from the Brandon College fonds finding aid.
Photograph is looking southeast and was taken from the roof of McMaster Hall. Photograph shows the roof and north side of the John R. Brodie Science Centre, the landscaping to the north of the building under construction and a number of residential streets in the background.
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)
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Donovan Elliott Hockley was born on July 26, 1912 in North Brandon, MB. Don married Helen Violet Wagner (1917-2005) on August 12, 1942. Together they had four children: Wesley, Garth, Glen and Dale. The couple purchased their farm in North Brandon in 1945, gradually increasing their holdings and evolving their operation. Don founded Donovan Holsteins in 1958, and remained active in farming into his 80s. His hobbies included woodworking, the restoration of antique cars and travelling. After his wife died in 2005, Don spent his winters in Chilliwack, BC with his son Dale and his family. Don Hockley died on July 19, 2011 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 Don Hockley about agriculture and rural life in Manitoba. The interviewer is Frank Anderson.
Notes
History/bio information taken from the records and Hockley's obituary. Description by Christy Henry.
Language Note
English
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Duncan E Kennedy was born on July 5, 1906 on the farm in Elton municipality. Duncan married Helen Laurie Hutcheon (1906-1985) in 1927. They raised four children: Leonard, Gordon, Cecil and Lorna. The couple spent their early married life on a farm in Springwater, SK, before moving to Hartney, Forrest and Brandon where Duncan was employed by Manitoba Pool Elevators as a grain buyer and elevator manager. Duncan enjoyed sports, including hockey, curling and fishing. He also enjoyed camping with his family and in later years travelling. Duncan Kennedy died on September 22, 1996 in Brandon, MB. He 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 Duncan Kennedy about early agriculture and his life. The interviewer is Frank Anderson.
Notes
History/bio information taken from the records and Kennedy's obituary. Description by Christy Henry.
Language Note
English
Audio Tracks
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Ruth Elizabeth Tester (nee Cater) was born on August 31, 1908 in Brandon, MB, the eldest child of Harry William Cater (1886-1945) and Eliza Jane Heal (1882-1967). Ruth worked as her father's bookkeeper from 1926 until approximately 1950. In 1940, Ruth married Alfred Aasen (1915-?). Their son, Phillip Bruce, was born in 1941; Bruce was adopted by Eliza Carter's brother Stanley and his wife Irene. By 1958, Ruth had married Albert Tester (1888-1965).
Members of the Cater family were active in church and community projects at the local and provincial level. They were involved with Explorers, CGIT, Cubs and Scouts and Girl Guides and the Children's Aid Board, as well as charter members of the Business and Professional Women's Club and the Allied Arts Centre. Ruth was also an active geneaologist; she was a charter member of the Manitoba Genealogical Society Inc and was instrumental in chartering the Brandon and District Branch in 1978. As a memorial, the South West Branch of the Manitoba Genealogical Society created The Ruth Tester Memorial Award, which is presented annually to a member of the branch who, in the opinion of their peers, exemplifies the spirit of service to genealogy and the branch. Ruth Tester died on January 21,1988 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 Ruth Tester about Harry Cater, his business and personal life. Interviewer is Marjorie Lange.
Notes
History/bio information from the records, Brandon Sun articles mentioning Ruth Tester, obituaries for Ruth and Albert Tester, and Heal genealogy information on the Geni website. Description by Christy Henry.
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