Clarence Westover McLean was born in 1907 at Shoal Lake, MB. After attending school in Shoal Lake, Clarence entered his father's implement and dealership business. He continued in the business after his father's death until his own retirement in 1979. Clarence married Moira Best (1916?-2006) in 1942. They had no children. Clarence was a sports enthusiast, particularly hockey, curling and golf. He was a long time member of Wasagaming Golf Club and Lakeside Golf Club, serving over ten years as president of the latter. Clarence also served on the Village Council, belonged to the Chamber of Commerce, was active in the planning of and fundraising for the local arena, and worked on the committee that organized Shoal Lake water works. A member of the Masonic Lodge for over 40 years, Clarence was also a charter member of Royal York Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star. Clarence McLean died on December 28, 1981 in Shoal Lake, MB. He is buried at Shoal 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 Clarence McLean about his father's life and his life as an auto, implement and livestock dealer. The interviewer is Cliff Findlay.
Notes
History/bio information from the records and McLean's obituary. Description by Christy Henry.
Language Note
English
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Clarence Benjamin Graham? Spurr, was born in on February 13, 1891 in Bancroft, Ontario. Spurr began working for the Canadian Pacific Railway in 1914 as a station agent at Rocanville, SK and spent many years as an agent in various communities in Saskatchewan and Manitoba before retiring in 1955. In 1923, he married Elizabeth Wallace Lindsay (1893-1979) and they raised three children, sons Ewart and Delbert and adopted niece Verna Spurr. Clarence and Elizabeth moved to Brandon, MB following his retirement. Spurr joined the Canadian military in 1915, and was initially sent to Camp Hughes. A signaler and runner, he spent 1916-1918 overseas. Clarence Spurr died on December 21, 1982 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 Clarence B.G. Spurr about his experiences during World War I. Spurr discusses and reminisces about details of the Great War and some of the major turning points within it from Vimy Ridge, Lamont, Mons, Neuville-Saint-Vaast and the Armistice that ended the war on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day in November from the perspective of a Canadian soldier. Interviewer is Delbert Spurr.
Notes
History/bio information from the records and Spurr's obituary. Transcript by Whitney Hodgins (2017). Description by Christy Henry.
Access Restriction
Content Warning: Some of the material discussed in the interview is sensitive in nature, dealing with the war and some of the gruesome acts that go with it. Listener discretion is advised.
Language Note
English
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History / Biographical
Clarence Frank Hopkin was born September 11, 1913 in Brandon, MB. He worked for the family bakery (Hopkin's Bakery), which was located on the southside of Rosser Avenue downtown, for the railroad in the mail cars and the Brandon Post Office. At the same time Hopkin's worked for the Post Office he and his wife operated Hopkin's Home Bakery from their house after the downtown bakery had ceased operations.
Hopkin's was a member of the First Baptist Church and a Golden K Kiwanis Club member. He took an active interest in community theatre, attending and participating in a number of plays. In 1994, Hopkin received the Mayor's Volunteer Service Award for Education in recognition of his volunteer work at Betty Gibson School where he read to and with the students there.
Hopkin married Ivy Margaret Ward on June 2, 1945 in Brandon. Ward was born in 1913 and predeceased her husband in 1986. Together they had two children: Keith and Elaine.
Clarence Frank Hopkin died in Brandon on March 17, 2009.
Custodial History
Records were collected by Hopkin's and possibly other family members at the house on 7th Street where the family lived for approximately 100 years. After Hopkin's death in March 2009, his daughter Elaine and granddaughter Holly contacted the Archives regarding donation of some of the materials to the McKee Archives. Visits were made to the Hopkin's house by Archives staff the week of April 13-17, 2009, at the end of which the records in the accession were officially donated to the Archives.
Scope and Content
Collection consists of records collected by Clarence Hopkin over the course his life, which document his personal interests and certain community events.
Included in the collection are: scrapbooks (mostly newspaper clippings); play programs from productions staged by the Brandon Little Theatre; cookbooks; four play scripts; copies of the BCI New Era yearbook (1926, 1928 (may not be complete - missing cover), 1929); 1946 Brandon Business and Professional Classified Directory; Brandon College/University programs from recitals, plays and convocations; materials related to the radio show broadcast by First Baptist Church; Harrison High Literary Society play programs; miscellaneous programs to events held in the city; Brandon City District Drama Festival and The Mantioba Drama League Provincial Festival programs; The Brandon Canadian Concert Association programs; information on the Brandon Street Railway and the Criddle family; advertisement cards from Brandon businesses; a typescript copy of "How Englishmen Get That Way;" and a radio broadcast talk by Christopher Ellis.
It also contains copies of: Northern-Lights and Shadows by J.S. Clark; A Bundle of Burnt Cork Comedy by Harry L. Newton; Picturesque Brandon; Petit Pettitt: Biography of a Brandon Oldtimer by Joan T. Thompson; and Pioneer Patches by Mildred Donley.
Collection also includes four photographs and one negative. Negative: Brandon Collegiate Form 3A, 1928-1929. Photographs: City Hall looking southeast; Grain elevator on Pacific Avenue; Brandon Central Fire Station; interior parlour photograph.
Notes
History/Bio information provided by Hopkin's daughter Elaine in April 2009.
Lynn Shier was born November 28, 1942 in London, Ontario to Anglo-Saxon Protestant parents. Her father and mother were of German and English-Dutch descent, respectfully. On her father’s side, Lynn’s ancestors emigrated from Germany to the United States in 1749. Both of her parents were born and raised in Iowa, where they also married in 1929. Following her parent’s marriage, the couple moved to London, Ontario in 1928 where her father was employed as a professor at the University of Western Ontario. Lynn resided in London, Ontario with her parents for sixteen years before relocating to Santa Barbara, California. After residing in California for three years, Lynn came back to London, Ontario in order to attend the University of Western Ontario. During her time at the University, Lynn met her future-husband Allan Shier. Allan Shier was born to parents of German and Scotch descent. His father’s ancestors immigrated to North America during the late 1740s or early 1750s from roughly the same region of Germany as Lynn’s ancestors.
Lynn and Allan were married in 1963. Following the wedding, the couple remained in Ontario for two years, one year of which was spent in Toronto. The couple later moved to Winnipeg, Manitoba where they lived for two years before travelling to Souris, Manitoba. While in Souris, Manitoba Allan worked as a district city planner. Lynn and Allan remained in Souris, Manitoba for four years after which they relocated to Brandon, Manitoba in 1970, where Allan continued to work as a district city planner for the city and Southwestern Manitoba. During their married life, Lynn worked as a household interviewer, and as a secretary for the Daly House Museum and the Assiniboine Historical Society while raising the couple’s children, two girls and a boy. Lynn was also very active in the Brandon community.
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 the interview "Fur Trading in Brandon Area." The interviewee is Lynn Shier, the interviewer is Effie McPhail and the interview was conducted as part of the Voices of Yesteryear project. The tape contains details about the arrival of the first Europeans to Canada during the late sixteen-and early seventeenth-centuries, as well as more precise information concerning the history of the French and English fur trade within the Brandon, MB area.
Notes
Description by Jennifer Maxwell (2011) and Christy Henry.
Language Note
English
Conservation
Preservation copy created 2021 (R. Hess)
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Gladys Elizabeth Ward (nee Cartwright) was born August 16, 1909 in Dauphin, MB. In 1911 her family relocated to Winnipegosis, MB. Gladys worked as a school teacher in Winnipegosis from 1929-1931.
In 1931 Gladys married William Edward Ward (1910-1964), a fisherman and mechanic in Winnipegosis, MB. After her marriage, Gladys left her job as a fulltime school teacher to work part time as a substitute teacher, a cook in a girls camp and a full time housewife until 1933. In 1934, Gladys’ only child, Mervyn Ward was born. She would not find out until many years later that her only child was born at the height of her tuberculosis infection. Gladys returned to teaching full time in 1938, until she was forced to resign due to illness in 1939.
Due to her tuberculosis illness Gladys was forced to relocate from Winnipegosis to Ninette, MB in 1941, where she lived in the Sanatorium as a patient until 1947. In 1945, Gladys was well enough to work part time as a cook in the Sanatorium kitchen. After her release from the Sanatorium in 1947, Gladys continued to live in Ninette with her husband and son, continuing to work at the Sanatorium as an assistant purchasing agent under the direction of Bill Stewart. After Stewart’s retirement in 1963, Gladys took over as the purchasing agent for the Sanatorium until her own retirement in 1974.
After her retirement from the Sanatorium, Gladys cared for her elderly father, mother, and her older brother who was an epileptic, all of whom resided with her in her home in Ninette. Gladys Elizabeth Ward died in Killarney, MB on January 5, 1990. She is buried at Ninette 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 Gladys Ward about her experience as a tuberculosis patient and staff member at the Ninette Sanatorium. Interviewer is Dr. DB Stewart. The item covers biographical information and personal data, including how she contracted tuberculosis. The recording documents Gladys’ recollection of her initial arrival at the Sanatorium and her first year of “chasing the cure.” Gladys explores the hardships of being a patient at the Sanatorium. Moreover, the interview documents detailed medical terminology associated with tuberculosis and treatments used by doctors at the Sanatorium during the 1940s. In addition, the interview outlines names of Sanatorium employees as well as outlines the permanence and impermanence of friendships among patients. It also documents Gladys’ recovery and movement from patient to staff member at the sanatorium. Lastly, the recording covers the conversion of the institution to the Pelican Lake Training Centre.
Notes
History/Biographical information taken from the records and the Find A Grave website. Description by Morganna Malyon (December 2011) and Christy Henry.
Hans Andersen was born at Moline, Manitoba, on February 28, 1922, the third child of Andrew and Hansine Andersen. Andersen grew up on his family’s farm, attending Moline public school. He served in the Canadian Armed Forces from 1943 to 1946, as part of the 23rd Field Artillery of the 4th Division, serving in England, Belgium, Holland, and Germany. After military service in World War II, Andersen returned home and started a farming career in the Moore Park district, located in the Rural Municipality of Odanah. In 1946, Andersen also married Marthe Renauld (1922-1977). The couple had 3 children: Karen, James and Mary Lou.
For 40 years, Andersen farmed in the Moore Park area, where he was also heavily involved in the local community. He was a trustee for Moore Park consolidated school district and a member of the Elton municipal school board. He was also a member of the Moore Park pool elevator board, and the Royal Canadian Legion. In 1970, Andersen was elected to the position of Reeve of the RM of Odanah. He remained the Reeve of Odanah until 1978.
In 1978, Andersen married Thelma Terry, and moved to Rapid City. In Rapid City, Andersen continued farming, gradually reducing his time in farming until he sold the last of his land to his family in 1990. In Rapid City, Andersen was involved in the building of a brand new seniors centre, and occupied himself in retirement with not only golfing but lots of traveling, going to places like the United States and Europe.
After 2000, Andersen’s health began to deteriorate due to the onset of Alzheimer’s disease. Hans Andersen died on January 12, 2008. 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 Hans Andersen. Interviewer is Mae Johnson. Andersen discusses topics such as the history of the rural municipality, the administration of the RM, some of the issues dealt with by the leadership of the RM through its history, and some of the bylaws that were enacted since the establishment of the RM of Odanah in 1883.
Notes
History/Biographical information provided by Brandon Sun obituary entry, January 19, 2008, electronic correspondence with James Andersen, December 7-9, 2011, and the Manitoba Historical Society website. Description by Tyler Warren (2011) and Christy Henry.
Language Note
English
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Alice Eva Simmons was born on July 23, 1909 in Wingham, ON. Her mother's side of the family came to Ontario from England through the Immigrant Department of Canada, with the help of the Salvation Army. After Eva's father died, her mother remarried a farmer from the Bunclody, MB area; Eva and her three siblings grew up in this area, with Eva attending high school in Brandon. Eva married Carman Duncan in 1932, and the couple farmed in the Moline area until Carman's death in 1957. It was here that their daughters Corinne and Peggy were born. Eva and Corrine lived in Brandon and Calgary before Eva moved back to Brandon, where she resided for the rest of her life. Eva was actively involved in the Salvation Army in Brandon, serving as the secretary of the Brandon Salvation Army court. She was also very active in the Daily House Museum auxiliary. Eva Duncan died on August 15, 2001 in Brandon, MB. She is buried at Rapid City 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 Eva Duncan about her personal experiences with the Salvation Army. The interview includes the historical origins of the Salvation Army, a chronological development of the Salvation Army in Canada and Brandon, as well as the major functions of the Salvation Army. Interviewer is Effie McPhail.
Notes
History/Bio information taken from The Brandon Sun. Description by Lei Peilong (2011) and Christy Henry.
Language Note
English
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Elmer A. Travis was born February 7, 1900 in the Rolla District of North Dakota. His family farmed sixteen miles east of Rolla, North Dakota. In May 1905, his family, which included his parents and seven children, and some friends, decided to move up to Canada as there was no wood source within 25 miles of their homestead. They also desired more range for their cattle. The group settled eighteen miles north of Roblin in the San Clara District, with a single quarter section of land, eventually expanding to five quarter sections of land. Due to their location the family often did their shopping in Togo, Saskatchewan, and shipped their grain from Mycroft, Manitoba. During his youth, he met a local girl named Mary Louise Lafournaise (1900-1993)
Travis married Mary Louise Lafournaise on May 3, 1921 in the San Clara District. After their marriage they settled on their own farm in the district. Elmer served as a blacksmith for the local area while farming, working as a mechanic, selling Rawleigh’s goods, and hauling cream (1939-1940). In 1957, due to Mary’s poor health, they moved to British Columbia for a year, before moving back to Elphinstone, Manitoba. They then moved to Souris in 1963, where they continued to live, except for another year in Creston, British Columbia from 1967-68. Elmer Travis died in 1995 and is buried in Souris-Glenwood.
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 Elmer Travis about homesteading and rural community life. Contents include settlement at Roblin, Manitoba, schooling, farming practices, housing, social life in the area, Mr. Travis’ musical talents, and his marriage to Mary Louise Lafournaise. In addition, there is content on the community working together on building, how to make lime from burning limestone, moving to BC and return to Manitoba, descriptions of the various jobs held by Mr. Travis, the installations of home telephones and hydro in his home district, Roblin hospital in the 1930’s, and his hobbies at the time of the interview in 1981. Interviewer is John E. Forsyth.
Notes
Included on the cassette are several musical recordings done by Mr. Travis. Transcript by Jaclyn Matchullis (2014). Description by Joel Springer (2011) and Christy Henry.
Language Note
English
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J. Hilton Ashton was born on March 19, 1919 in Mulvihill, Manitoba. He lived in Mulvihill until 1925, before moving to Fleming, SK and Butler, MB, before settling in Virden, MB in 1930. Ashton was a journeyman electrician by trade. During World War II he served in the Air Force, serving a year in Canada and four years in England as a fighter pilot, seeing approximately 2 ½ years of active duty. Ashton married June MacMillan of Winnpeg, and together they had five children: Richard, Bruce, Janet, Judith and Glen. Hilton Ashton died in 1996 and is buried in Virden, 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 Hilton Ashton about his experiences in the Airforce in the Second World War, as well as early air shows. Interviewer is Elmer Armstrong.
Notes
Description by Evan Stitt (2011) and Christy Henry.
Language Note
English
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Dorothy Gladys "Bobbie" Saunders was born in England in 1925. Donald James Scott (1922-1988), visited Bobbie's aunt while serving in England with the Winnipeg Rifles in 1941, and the couple married on July 24, 1943. Their first child, Robert, was born in England. Don was discharged in August 1945 and returned to the farm at Eden, MB and awaited the arrival of his family. Bobbie and Robert arrived in February 1946. The couple had three more children together: Betty Anne, Peter and David. They also raised a foster daughter, Violet Long.
Don worked the family farm and for Hare's Cartage, while Bobbie worked with Dr. Del Dawson. In 1958, they started the Neepawa Canvas Works. Although they later sold the business, Bobbbie continued to manage it. In October 1971, Bobbie became the Administrator of Touchwood Park Association. She held this position until taking early retirement in 1982. Bobbie and Don enjoyed travelling and spending time with family. Following her husband's death, Bobbie remained on the farm until 1998, when she moved into Neepawa.
Dorothy Scott died on December 22, 2010. She 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 Dorothy Scott about the formation, history and details of Touchwood Park Association, an organization that supports individuals with developmental disabilities. Then known as the "Touchwood Park Association for the Mentally Retarded," the organization was founded in 1963 and located in Neepawa, MB. Scott discusses the philosophy of the association as well as its specific functions. She also describes the contributions made by the Canadian government, the town of Neepawa, local businesses, charity organizations, and a supportive surrounding community. In several instances Mrs. Scott reflects on the necessity of this type of association. Anecdotes are given on Mrs. Scott's experience working for the Association. Interviewer is Winnie Cheetam.
Notes
History/Bio information taken from the records, the Eden local history "East of the Mountains: Eden-Birnie Story," "The Beautiful Plains Story" local history book, the Find a Grave website and Scott's obituary . Description by Natalie Majcher (2011) and Christy Henry.
Language Note
English
Audio Tracks
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Dorothy Irene Broomhall was born on March 28, 1920 in Brandon, MB. She attended Business College and then worked for the Federal Government from 1942-1976, mostly with the Vetran's Land Act. Dorothy never married. Involved with the Girl Guide organization for over 80 years, she also volunteered at Fairview Personal Care Home for more than 30 years, and was very active in her church (St. Mary's Anglican Church and then St. Matthew's Cathedral). In addition to travelling, her hobbies included knitting for family, friends and Christmas Cheer. Dorothy Broomhall died on November 14, 2020 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 Dorothy Broomhall primarily about the history of St. Mary's Anglican Church in Brandon, MB, although some autobiographical topics are covered at the beginning of the interview. Interviewer is Isabelle Heeney.
Notes
History/Bio information taken from Broomhall's obituary. Transcript by John Ball (2014). Description by Christy Henry.
Language Note
English
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