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)
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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 second cassette includes the following subjects: the War Services Centre, which operated during the Second World War; special events in the city, such as the visit of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip and Brandon's centennial year; and special awards bestowed on Flora Cowan. The interviewer is Marjorie Fitton.
Notes
History/bio information from the records, and Cowan's obituary. Description by Christy Henry.
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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.
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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 second hour discusses stock growing and grain marketing, as well as hospitals and health care at Wawanesa, MB. The interviewer is John Moore.
Notes
History/bio information from the records and obituaries for both Ernie and Alyce Ellis. Description by Christy Henry.
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 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 knkowledge 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.
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Albert Leronowich was born on March 18, 1894 in Poland. He immigrated to Canada in 1912 and spent time in Calgary, AB and Oak Lake, MB before settling in Brandon, MB. Albert spent some time farming, before holding a number of positions with the Canadian Pacific Railway, including rail section man, fireman, and brakeman; he retired as a CPR boilermaker in 1959. Following retirement, Albert spent a few years as gardener of the Brandon City Hall grounds. He was a member of the Brandon Horticultural Society and was avidly interested in growing flowers, winning many tropies and prizes for his efforts. Albert married Stella Polnick (1903-1975) and together they had six children: Mark, Charles, Edward, Donald, Anne and Gladys. Albert Leronowich died on March 20, 1988 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 Albert Leronowich about his life, gardening and horticulture. The interviewer is Hazel Rose.
Notes
History/bio information taken from the records and Leronowich's obituary. Description by Christy Henry.
Language Note
English
Conservation
Preservation copy made 2021 (R. Hess)
Audio Tracks
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John Gordon (Jack) Beddome was born on August 29, 1910 in the Odanah Municipality of Manitoba. He attended Hazelwood School. Jack farmed SW 32-14-17 and SW 16-14-17, and served on the Hazelwood School Board for ten years. Jack married Agnes May Harland (1909-1995) on October 29, 1940. Together they had three children: Marilyn, Marjorie and Gordon. Jack Beddome died in 1990. He is buried at Minnedosa 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 John Beddome about pioneer settlement, specifically seven generations of Beddomes in the Hazelwood District. Interviewer is Mae Johnson.
Notes
History/bio information from the records and local history "Minnedosa Valey Views." Description by Christy Henry.
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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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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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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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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 final hour includes rural roads, recreation, World War II years on the farm, and life in Wawanesa since the war. The interviewer is John Moore.
Notes
History/bio information from the records and obituaries for both Ernie and Alyce Ellis. Description by Christy Henry.
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 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 knkowledge of the history of Brandon and surrounding area. Harold Watson died on November 30, 1994 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 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.
Audio Tracks
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A.E. McKenzie was born in Wilcox Lake, York County, Ontario in 1870 to F.B. and Maria (Carley) McKenzie. His family came to Manitoba in 1883. He was educated in Brandon, Manitoba and graduated from the Collegiate Institute at age 21. In 1897 he founded the Brandon Seed House. McKenzie was present at the cornerstone-laying ceremony of Brandon College on Juy 13, 1900. From that moment on, he was very involved in the College, first as an interested businessman, and later as a member of its Board of Directors. In 1902, McKenzie married Laura Bell in Port Arthur. They had two daughters, Marjorie Bell and Kathleen. In 1906 the Brandon Seed House was incorporated and from then on was known as the "A.E. McKenzie Co. Ltd.."
McKenzie became a member of the Brandon College Endowment Committee in 1918. The following year he was on the Finance Committee. By 1925, McKenzie was a member of the Board of Directors. In 1928, he was part of a syndicate that advised the Baptist Union that they were developing an endowment plan to provide continuing financial support to the College and talked the Union into providing $10 000 towards the accumulated deficit.
In 1931, McKenzie organized the Brandon Board of Trade to help save Brandon College when the Baptists said they could no longer afford to keep the College. After the By-law failed, he helped to organize the Brandon Citizen’s Campaign to raise enough money so that the College could open the following year.
When the Baptists withdrew support in 1938, McKenzie was one of the central figures on the Brandon Board of Trade that decided to save the College from closure. A representative delegation from Southwestern Manitoba of over 60 men descended upon Premier Bracken’s office to try and convince him to help the College. On June 12, 1938 McKenzie said he would set up a $100 000 endowment to Brandon College. He subsequently raised this amount to $300 000. On August 1, 1938 the Board of Trade launched a campaign to raise $15 000 to match what the government was prepared to offer the College. McKenzie was asked to provide Brandon College with $3000 personally. In September of 1938, McKenzie upped his endowment once more to $500 000. The fund raising worked however, and the chater establishing Brandon College Incorporated was assented to on April 17, 1939. On June 6, 1939 a by-law was again presented to the citizens of Brandon, and fortunately it passed.
In 1941, McKenzie received an honorary L.L.D. from the University of Manitoba. The A.E. McKenzie Foundation was created in 1945 by the provincial government, who had assumed 90% of the A.E. McKenzie Co. Ltd. stock.
On September 25, 1964 McKenzie died at the age of 94. He never retired, but worked full time until two weeks before his death. The funeral was held in the J.R.C. Evans Lecture Theatre. The Arts and Library Building at Brandon College was completed in 1960, and is known as the A.E. McKenzie building, in honour of the man who contributed so much time, effort and financial help to the College during a crucial period in its history.
Custodial History
Records were accessioned by the McKee Archives in 1998. Prior custodial history is unknown.
Scope and Content
A.E. McKenizie’s records in the Brandon College fonds are very useful from an administrative point of view. Because McKenzie was so involved in Brandon College from the very beginning until his death in 1964, it is easy to understand how the College Administration arrived at decisions. There is correspondence between McKenzie and various regarding College and Board of Director business. There are Brandon College financial statements and letters regarding the A.E. McKenzie Foundation. The records contain newspaper clippings, pamphlets and lists of names of members of various Brandon organizations. As well, McKenzie has letters regarding Building Expansion in the 1940’s and minutes of Board of Director meetings. There are also several photographs. One photograph is the 1919 graduation picture of Zoe Hough. Another is tentatively identified as Frances Wolverton, also of the Class of 1919. There are two more photographs of unidentified young women.
