Dr. McDiarmid was born in 1852 in Yarmouth, County Elgin, Ontario to John and Christina McDiarmid. He graduated from grammar school at St. Thomas and from the Canadian Literary Institute at Woodstock. Dr. McDiarmid was the prize man every year at the University of Toronto and won the silver medal in metaphysics in 1875, his graduating year. He was a student pastor at Clarence Baptist Church his junior year at Toronto. In 1876 he received the Master of Arts degree. McDiarmid attended the Rochester Theological Seminary in Rochester, NY. The Board of Woodstock College subsequently offered him a position as Examiner of Metaphysics and Logic. McDiarmid also worked as a pastor at Strathroy and Point Hope.
In 1886 he was called to be the minister of First Church, Ottawa. His scholarly preaching and warm, personal sympathy greatly increased the church membership. McDiarmid went to Brooklyn, NY for two years. He was then appointed Secretary of the Foreign Mission Society of the Ontario and Quebec Convention. In 1899, at age 47, Dr. McDiarmid was asked by the Western Baptist Committee to assume headship of the newly formed Brandon College. McDiarmid accepted the offer and became the first Principal in 1899. In 1910 his position title was changed to President. Dr. McDiarmid retired in 1912 and moved to Robson, B.C., where he owned a farm. He died on January 24, 1946 at the age of 94 in Robson.
Scope and Content
Dr. McDiarmid’s papers contain a wide variety of items. Because the positions of Bursar and Registrar would not be created until 1910, it was McDiarmid who handled all of the finances of the college. The collection includes letters from prospective students and room requests. The tenders for the building of Brandon College are also in this collection. There is substantial correspondence on the Baptist’s fundraising efforts, and lists of pledges and subscriptions. There is also correspondence regarding the quest for a university charter, and the eventual affiliation with McMaster University.
Photograph is looking northeast and shows Brandon Realty, ARM Industries Inc. (silk screen printers), Col. Ray Robinson's Auction Services, and the MTS building.
Repro Restriction
The McKee Archives is the copyright holder for the Stuckey materials.
Photograph is looking south and shows the paving of 9th Street between Pacific and Rosser Avenues. Visible are: work crews, spectators and a police officer on duty, King George Cafe, McKenzie Block, and Clement Block. The Prince Edward Hotel is under construction in the background. Also visible are signs for: Cat Cafe and Roseland.
Repro Restriction
The McKee Archives is the copyright holder for the Stuckey materials.
Postcard shows an aerial view of 9th Street facing south in Brandon, Manitoba. Visible businesses and landmarks include: Beaubier Hotel, YMCA/police station, the original CKX Radio station towers on 8th Street (est. 1928 - moved 1940), the old City Hall, Prince Edward Hotel, and the original Manitoba Power commission smokestack on 10th Street.
Notes
Writing on the front of the photograph reads: Brandon, Man., Jerrett Photo. This photograph shows a rare view of the 800-block between Rosser and Princess Avenues.
Lesly N Grundy was born in approximately 1891 in Birmingham, England. He came to Manitoba when he was around 12 years old and worked for a farmer. He did not attend school in Canada. During World War I he served with the Ninty-Sixth Battalion Infanty. Following Armistice he spent a year in Germany, then on February 16, 1920, he married Violet Lillian Mountain (1893-1956) in Worcheshire, England. They did not have any children. Upon their return to Canada, Lesly worked for many years as a choreman and gardner at Riding Mountain National Park. The couple retired to Onanole, and at some point following Violet's death, Lesly moved to Sandy Lake nursing home. Lesly Grundy died in 1982. He is buried at Danvers 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 Lesly Grundy about his story. Interviewer is Mary Booth-Koping.
Notes
History/bio information from the records, the Find A Grave website and Violet Grundy's obituary. Description by Christy Henry. Grundy signed the paperwork in the collection "Lesly," however all other records of him spell his first name "Leslie." His spelling has been used.
Audio Tracks
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Photograph shows the Red Indian (Gasoline) Station on the north side Princess Avenue between 9th and 10th Streets, Brandon. Attached to the west side of the gas station is another shop which contains Hutchings' Drug Store. The Alexandra Block on 10th Street is visible in the background.
Photograph shows a baby being pushed in a stroller. A Livery Feed and Stable can be seen in the background.
Notes
Writing on the back of the photograph reads: taken Aug 14-21 at Virden, Man. 6 1/2 mo old. weight (still gaining). Mrs. Bridgett giving him an early morning stroll thinking he would go to sleep?
Photograph shows the McGuinness family in laying in the grass. Baby Fred McGuinness lays before his mother, Isabella Louisa McGuinness, and his three older sisters Mary, Dorreene, and Ruth.
Photograph shows a young Fred McGuinness wearing a three-piece suit and gadsby cap as he stands in front of the lilac bushes in front of his family home.