A.E. "Alex" Adams (b. 1888?) came to Kenton, MB in 1910, where he worked in Mitchell's store. He married Margaret Snyder (b. 1889?), who taught school in Anworth. The couple lived above the store, and raised Dell and Harold Morton, who where Margaret's sister's children. The Adams' were active in community life. Margaret organized the first Sunday School orchestra and helped with all church groups. Alex and Margaret left Kenton to run a branch store in Lenore, MB and later in Virden, MB. Margaret Adams died on May 14, 1982 in Virden, MB. Alex Adams died in 1985 in Virden, MB. Their ashes were scattered in the Virden Assiniboine River hills in which they spent a great deal of time.
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 Alex and Margaret Adams about Kenton, MB in early days. Interviewer is Hilda Curry.
Notes
History/bio information from the records and Kenton local histories "Cradle to combine vol 2" and "Cradle to combine vol 3." Description by Christy Henry.
Audio Tracks
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Photograph shows an elderly couple posing for a formal portrait. The woman is wearing a black crepe dress. The man, who is bearded but not mustached, is wearing a black jacket.
Notes
Writing on the back of the photograph reads: Mrs. L. O'Neil?
Awards and presentations: Beta Sigma Phi Scholarship presentation. l-r: Dr. C. Belke (scholarship chairman), ?, Mrs. Lesley Moffitt, Dr. H.J. Perkins, President
Postcard is stained and ripped in the right hand corner. A label is taped to the front of the postcard. The postcard has been issued.
History / Biographical
Harry Spafford (b. 22 Oct 1888, d. 10 May 1978) was born in Holmfield, Manitoba. He married Isabella Hawking of Ninga in 1914 and the couple moved to Brandon in 1915 where they continued to reside until 1973. Harry worked as a locomotive fireman and then as an engineer with the Canadian Northern Railway (CN). While with CN, he was an active member of the Brotherhood of Local Engineers and Firemen No. 788 of Brandon. He served as an alderman in Brandon from 1928 to 1945. In 1932, Harry ran in the Manitoba by-election for Brandon as an Independent Labour candidate and lost to the Conservative member George Dinsdale. In 1952, Harry ran as a Co-Operative Commonwealth Federation (CCF) member in the provincial election and lost to Conservative party representative Reg Lissaman. Harry Spafford passed away in Burnaby, BC, and is interred in the Ocean View Cemetery. (Source: see obituary in McG 4.1 File 66)
Alva/Alvery/"Alvie" Reddell/Riddell/Ridall Spafford (b. 15 Mar 1891, d. 23 Aug 1985) was born in Enterprise, Manitoba, in the R.M. of Turtle Mountain. In 1911, he married Francis Ethel Harrison (d. 1979) in Killarney and had three children. Alvie farmed in Bannerman from 1902 to 1936, after which he moved to Boissevain to work as a Rawleigh salesman. In 1942, the family moved to Brandon where Alvie worked as a conductor with the CNR until his retirement. Alva Spafford passed away at the age of 94 at the Brandon General Hospital. His funeral was held in Killarney, Manitoba. (Source: Obituary, Brandon Sun, 23 Aug 1985)
Scope and Content
Postcard is a group photograph of some of the members of the Spafford family standing on the front steps of a residence. The four women and four men are dressed in heavy coats and jackets.
Notes
Writing on the front of the postcard reads: Harry Spafford on left, Alvie Spafford in centre, Alf Spafford on extreme right, about 1910; The back of the postcard is addressed to Mrs. Alva (Francis) Spafford of Bannerman, Manitoba. Alvie Spafford has written at brief note to his wife, Francis. The postmark reads November 23, 1912, Winnipeg, Manitoba. The names Aunt Ida, -- --, Uncle Harry, Alf, and Alva are written in pen at the top of the postcard.
Photograph was given to Fred McGuinness by Linda Bilkoski of Lac du Bonnet, MB.
Scope and Content
Photograph shows a family of six posing for a formal cabinet portrait. The father wears a three-piece suit and stands with his four children, two boys and two girls. The mother is seated in a tassled upholstered chair. The boys appear to be wearing the same suit jacket, both girls wear lace collars.
Notes
Advertisement on back photograph reads: Portraits in Oil, Water, Colors, Crayon, Pastel and India Ink. J.A. Brock & Co. Photographers, Brandon, Manitoba. Duplicates of all Photos to be had at any time. [Date range determined from photo studio period. The backdrop is consistent with another cabinet photograph in this collection, see 1-2015.56.]
Photograph shows a man, woman, and small child standing on a front porch. The man and woman are wearing heavy fur coats.
Notes
Writing on the back of the photograph reads: "Mr. and Mrs. J.B. Darroch and their son Stuart, visiting the Brandon Winter Fair from Carievale, Saskatchewan.
Photograph shows a group of 14 individuals scattered throughout a yard of a two-storey brick home with an extension. An elderly woman can be seen a wheelchair. Four women are wearing white gowns with long sleeves.
Notes
Writing on the front corner of the photograph reads: 1868
A number of the letters are samples of "cross writing"
Physical Condition
Some of the letters are fragile, but generally the fonds is in good condition.
Custodial History
Ann Murdoch donated a copy of "My Dear Will" to the McKee Archives in February 2008. The formal donation of the Baker family letters occurred on September 27, 2008 at a reception in the Gathering Space at the John E. Robbins Library.
Scope and Content
Fonds consists of a collection of about 200 letters primarily written by William Baker (although letters written by other family members are also included), who left Liverpool and settled in Oak Lake, to his son William who remained in England. The letters offer insights on a wide range of subjects including the conditions of immigrants and the Riel "situation".
The fonds also contains a supplement to "My Dear Will: Reflections of Prairie Pioneer Life." This latter publication consists of transcribed copies of the letters in the Baker family fonds. The letters were originally transcribed by Ronald James Parsons and his wife Rita Olive Parsons (nee Blake) and published, along with some letters, photographs and other documents for family c. 1997. The booklet was updated in 2007 by Ronald and Rita's daughter, Ann Murdoch. The Supplement was prepared by Ann Murdock and her sister Dawn Powell.
Notes
Description by Christy Henry.
Finding Aid
My Dear Will booklet
Storage Location
2008 accessions. Booklets and family tree stored in Rare Books: RC 3399.B73Z495 2007 v.1 and v.2.
From the back of the photograph: Members of the Wolsley expedition were quartered in the house in 1885 (Northwest Rebellion) and the Hessons moved into the house behind (roof just showing). It had 1882 carved under the front gable.
Custodial History
Donated to the Brandon College Library by Hilda Hesson in 1967.
Scope and Content
Photograph of the Hesson home and family in the 1880’s. The house was located on First Street just north of Rosser on the east side. The man in the buggy was known as Joe.
Leone Rosetta Dixon (nee Stubbs) was born on January 11, 1892 near Elkhorn, MB. Leone was educated as a teacher at Manitou and Winnipeg Normal Schools. She began teaching in Elkhorn in 1914, but returned home 2.5 years later when her brother Roy was killed during the First World War. Leone married Wildred Clive Dixon (1890-1958) on October 30, 1917 and together they had ten children: Maxine, Joyce, Irene, Mary, Donald, Frank, Kathleen, Jerry, Joan and Claire. The couple farmed north of town. In 1942, Leone returned to teaching, holding positions at Burnbank, Elkhorn and Hargrave. She retired in 1964. A member of the Anglica Church, Leone also enjoyed reading and was an accomplished piano player. By 1982, she was living in Virden, MB at the Sherwood. Leone Stubbs Dixon died in 1986. She 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 recording of an interview with Mrs. W.C. Dixon about reminiscences as a teacher. Interviewer is Ron Heritage.
Notes
History/bio information from the records, the Find A Grave website, and the Elkhorn local history "Steel and Grass Roots." Description by Christy Henry.
Audio Tracks
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