Joseph Henry Hughes was born in London, Ontario on April 14, 1857, son of Joseph C. Hughes and Jane McAndless. His family farmed in Middlesex County until they retired to Brandon, MB. Huges received his education in Middlesex County then went on to attend the Toronto Normal School in 1874. He tuaght for only a short time in 1875 before going into business as a general merchant in Iderton, Ontario.
Hughes moved to Brandon, MB in 1882 and from 1882 to 1906 was engaged in the lumber business with yards in Rat Portage and Brandon and later with mils on Rainy River. His buisness partner was T.H. Patrick from 1882-1896. T.T. Atkinson was a partner in the business from 1882 until early 1888, running the company's lumber camp in the Rainy River Valley. Atkinson was replaced by a Mr. Kennedy in 1888. After disposing of the mills in 1901, Hughes & Company operated as a lumber dealer until 1908 when the lumber business was sold to Rat Portage Lumber Co., whose operations in Brandon were located on 10th Street between Rosser and Princess Avenues.
Thereafter, Hughes & Company focused on real estate, owning most of the property between 10th and 11th Streets, Rosser and Princess Avenues. The company built rental property and residences in Brandon, including the Strathcona Block on 10th Street and Hughes (Lorne) Terrace on Lorne Avenue. During this period Hughes & Company was also involved in insurance and farming, buying farmland in south eastern Saskatchewan and Manitoba for lease and sale.
Hughes was a city alderman for four years, dedicating himself mostly towards improvements to the city pertaining to electrical generation, water supply and the development of the streetcar franchise. In 1911, he resigned from City Council to stand as a successful candidate for mayor. He held this position for only one year, 1913-1914. During this period Hughes, along with other prominent citizens, set up the Patriotic Fund to help look after the dependents of those going off to fight in World War I. Hughes served as chairman of the project until his death in late 1917.
In addition to his role as a prominent city businessman, Hughes was also deeply involved in the First Methodist Church, and a member of the Independent Order of OddFellows (I.O.O.F.) and the Masonic Lodge.
Joseph Henry Hughes was survived by his wife Anna Maria Hughes, whom he married in 1993, and their daughters: Alma and May (Mrs. Wilfred C. Hughes and Mrs. Charles Leemnnis) and Ruth, and their sons Percy and Harley.
Upon J.H. Hughes' death in 1917, management of the company was taken over by Willard C. Hughes, who died in 1964. Following his death the company was administered on behalf of Alma Hughes by Barry Hughes, a Winnipeg lawyer and distant relative. The company remained active in real estate and property managment, as well as farming and oil, until the early 1990s when following the death of Alma Hughes and her daughter Anna, the company was liquidated.
Custodial History
The records in the Joseph H. Hughes fonds were held in two locations prior to their donation to the McKee Archives. Family related records, including paintings by Anna Hughes, music scores, photographs and various parchments, were stored at the family residence, Lorne Terrace (133-137 Lorne Avenue Brandon, MB). The balance of the records, being the records of Hughes & Co. as the firm came to be known, were stored on the fourth floor of the Alexander Block, also known as the Hughes Block, on the west side of 10th Street just south of Princess Avenue. In the early 1990s a decision was taken by Barry Hughes, who had succeeded Willard Hughes as the President of the company, to sell Hughes & Co. Hughes directed Joe Perry, the Brandon manager of Hughes & Co. to donate the records of the Hughes family and Hughes & Co. to Brandon Univeristy. Perry supervised the transfer of the records from Lorne Terrace and the Alexander Block to Brandon University. Initially the records were located in the Physical Plant H-Hut, they were then transfered to the Brandon University Steam Plant. The family records were transfered to the Archives in 1997, while the company records remained in the Steam Plant until January 2007 when some of the records were transfered to the Archives. The remaineder of the records were moved to a storage facility on 20th Street.
Scope and Content
The Joseph H. Hughes collection is divided into three series, including: (1) Photographs; (2) Edwardian music sheets; and (3) Hughes & Co. business records.
Notes
CAIN No. 202617. The Brandon Sun, August 6th, 1917 contains a report on the death of J.H. Hughes.
The construction of the Western Manitoba Centennial Auditorium was considered first during a meeting of the Brandon City Council in 1953. In 1962, the City of Brandon was given permission by Manitoba Premier Duff Roblin to proceed with the construction of the auditorium as a centennial project to celebrate Canada's centennial in 1967. Constructed on the Brandon University campus, the auditorium was completed in early 1969.
Custodial History
This collection was accessioned by the McKee Archives in 1998. Previous custodial history is unknown.
Scope and Content
Collection consists of one scrapbook with newspaper clippings and pamphlets about the Western Manitoba Centennial Auditorium and its construction.
Ward Watson was born in Brandon, Manitoba and attended Brandon Collegiate Institute in the late 1930's. In 1937, he was chosen out of the student body to attend the Coronation of King George VI in London, England. Watson graduated from the University of Manitoba in 1942. Until his retirement, Watson was an executive with Cargill Grain Company.
Custodial History
This collection was accessioned by the McKee Archives in 1997. Prior custodial history is unknown.
Scope and Content
Collection contains yearbooks from Brandon Collegiate Institute - "The New Era" - for the years 1935 to 1938. The yearbooks include enrollment lists, pictures of classes and sports teams, short essays, editorial gossip, and local advertisments.
Georgina Bernice Matiation (Hill) was born in Virden, Manitoba on February 19, 1936, daughter of Gordon and Florence Hill. She received her education at Brandon College (1954-1956). Originally a student in Arts, she graduated from the Teacher Training program in 1956. During her time at Brandon College, Matiation participated in the College Glee Club as well as college track and field meets. She also acted as Junior Ladies Athletic Representative in 1955. In addition, Matiation was was the President of her Normal School class.
Matiation began her teaching career in Hargrave and Melita, before taking a position at Prince Charles School in Portage la Prairie in 1960. She remained at that institution until her retirement in 1991. In addition to her teaching career, Matiation was a past president of the Portage Evening Ladies Curling Club, a past president of the La Prairie Lioness and a leader of CGIT. She was a lifelong member of the Lenore Presbyterian Church.
Georgina Hill married Zane Matiation in 1970. They had no children. Georgina Matiation died on October 28, 1995 in Portage la Prairie at the age of 59 years.
Custodial History
This collection was donated to the McKee Archives by Bessie Marie Hill of Winnipeg on May 1, 1998.
Scope and Content
The collection consists of items collected by Mrs. Matiation (Hill) during her years as a student at Brandon College. The collection contains a scrapbook of photos of students and activities at the College taken from 1954-1956. Fonds includes copies of speeches made by her at various school events, such as her validictorian speech at the Normal School Graduation in 1956. There is also an autograph book with messages to her from friends and classmates. Finally, the collection includes two photographs of students in the 1924-25 Brandon Normal School, and one photograph of the Westminister Presbyterian Church in Brandon.
MG 2 Brandon College Students
2.23 Georgina Matiation (Hill)
The collection is located with MG 2 2.2 Gerald Brown. It was placed there as a result of space issues.
The Southwest Branch of the Manitoba Genealogical Society was established in 1978. The Branch was formed following a meeting with members of the Manitoba Genealogical Association formed in 1977. The organization was created to assist individuals interested in doing genealogical research through the provision of genealogical data and archival resources. Since its creation the Southwest Branch has also issued a newletter and published a series of cenusus summaries based on the 1901 Canadian census.
Custodial History
These records were donated to the McKee archives in 1990 by J.D. Wall on behalf of the Southwest Branch of the Manitoba Genealogical Society.
Scope and Content
Fonds includes transcripts of the records transcribed from cemetery headstones located in cemeteries throughout southwestern Manitoba. Each transcript includes details about the cemetery records and all details including names, dates, and inscriptions from each headstone. The collection includes a "Cemetery Transcript List" detailing those cemeteries for which transcripts exist. Transcripts include those for the following cemeteries: Alexander, Birdtail Sioux Indian Reserve, Blenheim Church, Glencoe, Boissevain, Brandon, Brandon Hills Church Cemetery, Brookdale, Carberry District, Coultervale, Elgin, Elkhorn, Humesville, Lauder, Kerfoot (Gregg Cemetery), Icelandic Gravesite (Tilston), History of Kingsley Cemetery near Somerset, Madford Cemetery, Old Medora Cemetery, Melgund, Millford Cemetery, Noble Cemetery, Methven , Millord Cemetery, Roseville Anglican Church Cemetery, St. Savior's Anglican Church, St. George's Anglican Church, Rounthwaite, Souris (Glenwood Cemetery), Skalholt, Wellwood, Woodville (Lund, Kola, Bennett, Two Creeks), Patterson (near Nesbitt), Sparling (near Justice), Tilston (near Sinclair), Royal Canadian Air Force Memorial (20 miles north of Rivers).
Born on February 10, 1924, in Elgin, Manitoba, Audrey Ellen Silvius (nee Honeyman) was raised in Fairfax, Manitoba on the Honeyman homestead. In 1964, she received her Indian name, Blue Star. Silvius completed her high school education in Fairfax before moving to Winnipeg in 1943, to earn her Nursing degree from Grace Hospital. She later completed her post-graduate degree in Psychiatric Nursing at the Brandon Mental Health Centre. Married to Merritt W. Silvius, Audrey Silvius raised four children, David, Kay, Lorna (Downie) and Gail (Campos) while working in her chosen field. In addition to her family and her career, she was also involved with the Brandon Council of Women and the United Church in Brandon. Silvius was the first executive director of the Brandon Indian-Metis Friendship Centre, a founding member of the local branches of the Marquis Project and Amnesty International and initiated a project called Tools for Peace. She was also involved in various other peace and human rights organizations. In 1987, she received the Order of the Buffalo Hunt from the Province of Manitoba in recognition of her work relating to women’s issues. In 1992, she was awarded a Confederation medal for community service.
Custodial History
The records found within the collection were collected by Audrey Silvius from a number of people, including Jean Halliday, Grace Godmaire and Norma Walmsley, involved in various projects with her throughout the years. Prior to their donation to the McKee Archives at Brandon University in October and November 2000, the records were stored at Mrs. Silvius’ home.
Scope and Content
Collection consists of meeting minutes, agendas, speeches, correspondence, newsletters, brochures, written publications and newspaper clippings. Four photographs and one pencil drawing are also included within the collection.
The records deal with the creation, activities, and history of the Brandon Indian-Metis Friendship Centre, as well as the activities of its Board of Directors. In addition, materials located within the collection can be divided into two areas: (1) those that relate to various organizations associated with the Friendship Centre itself, such as the Council of Christians and Jews and the Brandon Council of Women; (2) materials related to projects of important individuals involved with the Friendship Centre, such as the South Western Manitoba Recreation Council and the 4F Club of Minnedosa. Other records deal with general aboriginal issues in Canada during the time frame of the Audrey Silvius collection.
Notes
CAIN No. 202607. Description by Christy Henry (2000).
The collection is divided into ten (10) series:
1. The Brandon Indian-Metis Friendship Centre
2. The Scout – Friendship Centre newsletter
3. The Brandon Council of Women
4. Council of Christians and Jews
5. Aboriginal Glee Club/Dancers
6. The South Western Manitoba Recreation Council
7. 4F Club of Minnedosa
8. Miscellaneous Publications related to Aboriginal Issues
9. Miscellaneous Newspaper Clippings related to Aboriginal Issues
10. Photographs and pencil drawing
Photograph shows exterior views of five Brandon churches: Baptist Church, Presbyterian Church, St. Matthew's Church, Catholic Church and Monastery, and Methodist Church.
Notes
Part of "Christie's Brandon Series of Six Colored Picture Postcards of Brandon, Manitoba, The Crown Series, Published by Christie's Bookstore, Brandon, Man." [note: missing sixth postcard]. Writing on the front of the photograph reads: Baptist Church, Presbyterian Church Brandon Man., St. Matthew's Church, Catholic Church and Monastery, Methodist Church.
Photograph shows two separate views. One is of the main entrance of (Old) City Hall on Princess Avenue. The other view shows the ediface of the YMCA building as well as the adjacent St. Paul's United and First United Churches on 8th Street.
Notes
Part of "Souvenir of Brandon, Manitoba, Canada [viewbook], Printed by Photogelatine Engraving Co. Limited, Ottawa." Dates obtained from the Burchill's Music Store Henderson's Brandon City Directory listings (1927-1929). Writing on the front of the photograph reads: City Hall - Brandon, Man; YMCA, St. Paul's United & First Church United, Brandon, Man.
For custodial history see the collection level description of the Lawrence Stuckey collection.
Scope and Content
The Quebec "Bulldogs" hockey team
Notes
Several Brandon players (names on); There are two copy negatives, with AH10a being the smaller neg.; Source: A. Gurba; [Mr. Stuckey put 2 negatives in the same envelope, numbering them AH10 and AH10a. We have separated them, keeping his original numbering.]
For custodial history see the collection level description of the Lawrence Stuckey collection.
Scope and Content
The Quebec "Bulldogs" hockey team
Notes
Several Brandon players (names on); There are two copy negatives, with AH10a being the smaller neg.; Source: A. Gurba; [Mr. Stuckey put 2 negatives in the same envelope, numbering them AH10 and AH10a. We have separated them, keeping his original numbering.]
For custodial history see the collection level description of the Lawrence Stuckey collection.
Scope and Content
Shea's Hockey Team 1930-1931, Brandon Big Four League
Notes
Third row: Tommy Jarvis (executive), Emile Sebastian (coach), Mack Senkbiel (trainer); Second row: ?, Russ Hawson, Andy Murray (Brewery boss), Bill Mutter, Ed Riley; First row: Cam Hawson, Elmer Cook, Cecil Gardner (Goal from Virden), Bert Collins (Scotty), Brick Metson. Mascot: ?