The A.E. McKenzie Seed Co. Ltd. originated with the McKenzie family Flour, Grain and Seed business, started by F. B. McKenzie in the early 1880's. When F. B. McKenzie passed away in 1896, his son, Albert Edward McKenzie, assumed control of the company, and renamed it The Brandon Seed House. With its main office and plant in Brandon, Manitoba, the company specialized in the production and sale of field seeds and service exclusively to seed buyers in the prairie provinces and British Columbia. In later years, a complete line of products including garden seeds, lawn grass, and other allied lines was developed for sale across Canada.
In 1906, the company underwent a change of name when A. E. delete determined that the growth of the country demanded a larger seed institute than could be managed by one man. As a result, the company was incorporated under provincial statutes and the federal Joint Stock Companies Act as A. E. McKenzie Seed Co. Ltd., and new personnel were hired.
Under the Joint Stock Companies Act, A.E. McKenzie Seed Co. Ltd. was required to elect a Board of Directors of not less than three, and not more than nine individuals. Only shareholders of the company were eligible for election, and election was to take place yearly with each shareholder entitled to as many votes as shares owned in the company. The Act also dictated that the directors were, from time to time, to elect from among themselves, a president of the company. They were also able to appoint and remove all other officers of the company and to create company by-laws. The directors were not obliged to pay any dividend on shares if the company should became insolvent. Under the Act, the stock of the company was deemed a personal estate and was only transferable as such. In addition, the company could acquire, hold, and transfer real estate, and was required to submit annual statements.
A. E. McKenzie was elected President of the newly constituted company. For the memaninder of his natural life he remained in this position and supervised the operation of the company. S. A. Bradford, who was given responsibility for various company departments, filled the position of General Manager. H. L. Patmore became the Vice-President, overseeing the nursery business, while W. A. McCracken was put in charge of the warehouse stock, and shipping department. McCracken also supervised the mail order department.
The Company was intially comprised of three divisions: The Brandon Seed House, Brandon Nurseries, and Brandon Greenhouses. Each division was registered under Dominion Patents. Later, the company was divided into Retail Mail Order, Wholesale and Commission Packet Trade divisions. It also undertook some export business.
By registering the divisions of the company under under federal legislation affecting trademarks and industrial designs, McKenzie and the Board,were able to register both the company’s trademarks and to protect the company’s industrial techniques. Thet company could thus patent the methods and processes of its operations so that no other individual or business could duplicate them.
Located at 30 9th Street, the head office and plant of A.E. McKenzie Seed Co. Ltd. housed all the facilities and staff of the company, with the exception of the regional sales offices and warehouses. The business of the A. E. McKenzie Co. Ltd. was conducted from a frame warehouse until the current McKenzie building was constructed on the same site after a fire destroyed the original premises. Designed by architect Thomas Sinclair, and built by the Brandon Construction Company, the new building opened in 1911. In time, The A. E. McKenzie Co. Ltd. came to be known as Western Canada's Greatest Seed House.
During the 1930's, before a new building was erected in 1945, the A. E. McKenzie Co. occupied space at five different locations in Brandon, including the Massey Harris Building, the International Harvester Building and the Security Building. The last of these premises was destroyed by fire in 1972. As a result of its proximity to the Security Building, the main McKenzie Building also suffered heavy fire and water damage. A. E.
McKenzie Co. Ltd. also utilized a warehouse on the north side of Pacific Avenue alongside the Canadian Pacific Railway tracks between 5th and 6th streets. This building and its contents were destroyed by fire (1946). In May of 1949, the company purchased and erected a Quonset structure on the west side of 15th Street between Rosser and Pacific Avenues.
In 1908, the first branch of the A. E. McKenzie Seed Co. Ltd. was established at Calgary. In the following sixteen years, additional branches were established in Edmonton and Saskatoon (1923), Moose Jaw, Toronto (1934) and Winnipeg (1935). Both the Edmonton and Saskatoon branches were seasonal, operating for a four-month period, March to June inclusive. Business in the Maritime Provinces of Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick further extended the company's operations by the mid 1940's. In 1946, the company purchased property in Gilbert Plains, Manitoba, 120 miles north of Brandon. This purchase enabled the company to handle larger quantities of Sweet Clover, a popular crop that was grown in the surrounding area. Additional offices were opened in Vancouver and Quebec City in rented premises by the early 1960's.
In the years 1944-1945, the McKenzie Foundation was created. Through the Foundation, arrangements were put in place to transfer shares of the company to the Manitoba Government for the benefit of higher education, specifically Brandon College. In return for this gift, which included 90% of all capital resources of the company together with all of the income earned each year, except for the amount retained annually to ensure sufficient operating capital, the A.E. McKenzie Co. Ltd. received exemption from paying Corporate Tax.
Prior to the establishment of the McKenzie Foundation, in 1945, the National Trust for the benefit of the College held the shares of McKenzie Seeds. On April 7, 1945 the Manitoba Legislature passed legislation whereby A. E. McKenzie retained effective management control of his company, but 1031 shares out of 1145 issued shares were gifted to the Provincial Government. In return, the government agreed that all financial benefits from the shares would go to Brandon College through the A. E. McKenzie Foundation. When Mr. McKenzie passed away in 1964, the primary responsibility of appointing the Board of Directors for McKenzie Seeds passed to the Provincial government.
The remaining 114 shares of the Company were turned over to the Crown on July 16, 1975 in accordance with an agreement between Brandon University, A. E. McKenzie Co. Ltd. and the Manitoba government. The same agreement also turned the McKenzie Foundation over to Brandon University. Therefore, since 1975 the crown has held all shares of the McKenzie Co. through the Province of Manitoba.
A.E. McKenzie died on September 25, 1964 at the age of 94 and was succeeded as President of the company by J. Lasby Lowes. When Mr. Lowes retired in 1968, A. R. Swanson was appointed by the government to fill the position and was responsible for all operations of the company under a Board of Directors comprised mainly of appointees of the government. It has proven impossible to establish a complete list of those individuals who held the positions of President/General Manager of McKenzie Seeds after 1964. A partial account is as follows: Anthony J. Maruca became President of A. E. McKenzie Co. Ltd. in 1972. In 1975, the Board of Directors appointed William Moore General Manager, creating a new position to relieve the President of the company from management of plant operations. At the same time, Pat Kelleher was named new interim President. Following the resignation of Kelleher, William Moore assumed the role of President as well. Moore left the company in the early 1980s. He was later convicted of criminal misconduct as President of the company. Keith Guelpa became President/General Manager in the mid 1980's; Raymond West was his successor.
Beginning in 1969, the A. E. McKenzie Seed Co. Ltd. began phasing out the Field Seed division of their company, including business related to forage crops and cereals. Seed cleaning equipment located in Brandon and and the company’s Calgary and Toronto cleaning plants was sold. The Company concentration its resources on the production and sale of vegetable and flower seeds, and lawn and turf grasses. It acted as a wholesaler and conducted business through chain stores, grocery, hardware and general stores.
Late in 1971, A. E. McKenzie Co. Ltd. purchased its largest competition in packaged seeds - Steele Briggs Seed Co. from Maple Leaf Mills Inc. for two million dollars. At the time of the acquisition the company changed its name to A. E. McKenzie Co. - Steele Briggs Seeds, in order to benefit from the favorable reputation held by Steele Briggs Seeds across Canada. In the early 1970s, the acquisition of Brett-Young Seeds Ltd., a Winnipeg company that dealt exclusively in the production and sale of field seed, brought the A. E. McKenzie Co. back into the field seed market.
In 1994 the Manitoba Government sold the A.E. McKenzie Seed Co. Ltd. to Regal Greetings and Gifts, Canada's largest non-retail mail-order catalogue company, which is owned by MDC Corporation of Toronto.
In 2001, McKenzie Seeds is Canada's leading supplier of packaged seeds and related gardening products. It is divided into a Retail Consumer Products division which features well known seed brands including McKenzie Seeds, Pike Seeds and Thompson & Morgan Seeds from England. As well, this division also carries a complete range of lawn seeds and perishables. It also continues to ship the seed racks invented by A.E. McKenzie to numerous retail stores. The second division, Direct Mail, consists of the McFayden and McConnell catalogues which reach over 500,000 Canadian homes each year.
Custodial History
Following the sale of the A.E. McKenzie Seed Co. Ltd. to Regal Greetings and Gifts, the records of McKenzie Seeds and its subsidiaries were retained in the McKenzie Plant on 9th Street. In April of 1997, the records were transferred to the McKee Archives at Brandon University. Because the company was a crown corporation, the records of McKenzie Seeds belonged to the Province of Manitoba and might have been placed in the Provincial Archives. However, Provincial Archivist Gordon Dodds permitted the retention of the records in Brandon at the S. J. McKee Archives. The minutes of the Board of Directors, previously transferred to the Provincial Archives, remain in Winnipeg. Until 1960 these minutes, by-laws of the Company, and the letters patent of incorporation (April 7, 1906) were in the possession of the Company's lawyers, Johnson, Garson, Forrester, Davidson, & Steen.
Scope and Content
The fonds consists of textual records, photographs and artifacts from A.E. McKenzie Seed Co. Ltd. The textual records include minutes, documents, financial records, administrative records, by-laws, legal records, catalogues, sales literature, seed packets, newspaper clippings, appraisals, publications, scrapbooks and miscellaneous sections.
In addition, some of the records within the fonds relate to the operations of McKenzie subsidiaries -- Brett-Young Seeds, Steele-Briggs Seeds, Pike & Co. and McFayden Seeds -- and various properties owned by McKenzie Seeds.
Fonds contains approximately 500 photographs. These depict the operations and employees of McKenzie Seeds and the seed industry in general. Artifacts contained in the fonds include blueprints, newspaper clippings, copper printing plates, seed bags and plaques.
Fonds also includes an artificially created series of records dealing with Brandon College Inc., the A.E. McKenzie Foundation, the Brandon Allied Arts Council and the Brandon Board of Trade. These records stand outside the provenance of the McKenzie Seed Co.
Of particular interest within the textual records are the transcripts of various features of the company's history as dictated, researched and recalled by its second President/General Manager, J. Lasby Lowes. The fonds also contains a collection of company catalogue which is almost complete. Outside of the seed industry, the records dealing with both Brandon College Inc. and the McKenzie Foundation are significant records relating to the history of Brandon College/University and the City of Brandon.
Because the A.E. McKenzie Seed Co. Ltd. was a crown corporation, the records in the fonds are subject to the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA).
Storage Location
RG 3 A.E. McKenzie Company fonds
Related Material
Additional records regarding A.E. McKenzie Seed Co. Ltd. are housed at the Provincial Archives of Manitoba. In order to gain access to these records it is necessary to contact the Archives of Manitoba.
Arrangement
RG 3 A.E. McKenzie Seed Co. Ltd. Fonds
McS 1 Board of Directors
1.1 Documents
1.2 Minutes/Meetings
1.3 Management Consultant Reports
1.4 Miscellaneous
1.5 Financial Records
McS 2 Office of the President/General Manager
2.1 A.E. McKenzie
2.2 J. Lasby Lowes
2.3 Comptroller
2.4 Properties
2.5 Marketing
2.6 Reference Library
2.7 Miscellaneous Publications/Correspondence
McS 3 Acquisitions
3.1 Brett-Young Seeds/Sabetha
3.2 Steele-Briggs Seed Co.
3.3 Pike & Co.
3.4 McFayden Seeds
McS 4 Seed Marketing Co.
McS 5 Photographs
5.1 McKenzie Seed Co. Ltd. Executives
5.2 Construction at McKenzie Seed Co. Brandon (two files)
5.3 Exterior Photographs of the A. E. McKenzie Co. Building
5.4 McKenzie Seed Co. Plant Operations and Workers (2 files)
5.5 McKenzie Seed Co. Equipment and Plant - Head Office 1983
5.6 McKenzie Seed Co. Field Operations and Workers
5.7 McKenzie Seed Co. Strike 1944
5.8 Fires at McKenzie Seed Co. 1910, 1945, 1972
5.9 McKenzie Seed Co. Centennial Exhibition 1996
5.10 Miscellaneous McKenzie Seed Co. Photographs
5.11 People Connected to McKenzie Seed Co.
5.12 Princess Anne's Visit to McKenzie Seed Co. 1982
5.13 Onion Set Production Book
5.14 Irene Cullen Photographs - McKenzie Seeds Employee Photos
5.15 Josiph Airey Photographs - McKenzie Product Photos
5.16 Alan R. Mundie Seed Production Photographs
5.17 Steele Robertson/Steele Briggs Seeds Photographs
5.18 Seed Packet Display Units Photographs
5.19 Product Photographs
5.20 Parade Photographs
5.21 Oversized Photographs
5.21.1 Drawer #1: Executive Photographs
5.21.2 Drawer #2: Office and Equipment/Plant Photographs
5.21.3 Drawer #3: Miscellaneous Oversized Photographs
5.21.4 Drawer #4: Artifacts
McS 6 Miscellaneous
6.1 Centennial Exhibition
6.2 Miscellaneous Publications
6.3 Scrapbooks
MG 1 A.E. McKenzie Fonds
1.1 Brandon College Inc.
1.2 McKenzie Foundation
1.3 Brandon Allied Arts Council
1.4 Brandon Board of Trade
1.5 Miscellaneous
The Crown Protestant School District was founded in 1883, in the municipality of Whitewater, Manitoba. It became the Crown School District following school reform in Manitoba in 1890. The School District provided schooling for children in the Elgin, Fairfax, Heaslip and Minto communities. In 1930, the district was replaced with the creation of separate school districts for Elgin, Fairfax, and Lily.
Custodial History
This fonds was accessioned by the McKee Archives in 1997. Prior custodial history is unknown.
Scope and Content
Fonds contains minute books (1883-1930), financial records (1884-1917), attendance registers (1892 -1906), tax records for the District (1918-1930), and documents concerning the disestablishment of the Crown School Division.
John Tully McKenzie was born on August 17, 1903 in the Tremaine district near Rapid City, MB. He attended Tremaine School, Rapid City School and then completed a diploma in Agriculture at the University of Manitoba in 1923. Tully married Ethel Marion Bridge (1906-1977) in 1930 and together they had four children: Lois, Marjorie, Ken and Beth. The McKenzie's farmed for the next 30 years. During this time Tully was active in the community, serving as a secretary treasurer and chairman of the school board, elder and trustee of Hunterville United Church, secretary of the Mantioba Pool Elevator Board, the Manitoba Federation of Agriculture, Rapid City Agricultural Socieity, was founder of the local 4-H Club, formed the Rapid City Film Council, and was a charter member of the Minnedosa Credit Union. In 1960, Tully and Ethel moved to Brandon, where Tully was employed with various agricultural service organizations.
In 1970, Tully served as the chairman of the Centennial Pioneer Committee, that was formed to honour pioneers of the Westman Region. He also was a charter member of the Assiniboine Historical Society and contributed significantly to the establishment of the Daly House Museum. He and Ethel also researched, wrote and published a book entitled "It's Time to Remember, 1874-1974," a history of the Tremaine community. Tully was also a founder of the Mantioba Agriculture Hall of Fame, calling the intial meetings and serving as the first chairman of its Provisional Board. In 1990, he was inducted into the Hall for his contribution to agriculture and the preservation of Manitoba heritage. Tully McKenzie died on March 28, 1992 in Winnpeg, 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 interview with Tully McKenzie about family history and community life. Interviewer is Effie McPhail.
Notes
History/bio information from the records, the Manitoba Agricultre Hall of Fame website and McKenzie's obituary. Description by Christy Henry.
Audio Tracks
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Gabriel Richard Rowe was born in Coleman, P.E.I. in 1897. In 1918, he enlisted in the Canadian Army. After the Great War, he moved to Viscount, Saskatchewan were he was principal of a high school. In 1924, Rowe moved to Brandon where he served as principal for various schools until his retirement in 1964. G.R. Rowe attended the University of Manitoba graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in 1935, a Bachelor of Education 1952, and a Master of Education degree in 1957. Rowe also studied at the University of Minnesota, Harvard, and the University of British Columbia. Rowe served as President of the Manitoba Teachers' Scoiety from 1948 to 1949. He served as a member of the International School Master Association, the Brandon's Citizens' Committee of the Arts, and the Brandon General Hospital Board. He died in Brandon on January 6th, 1968.
Custodial History
This fonds was accessioned in 1997 by the McKee Archives. Prior custodial history is unknown.
Scope and Content
Fonds includes photographs, certificates and diplomas, career resumes, testimonials, draft obituaries, and correspondence, relating to G.R. Rowe's professional teaching career, and in small part to his personal life.
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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When the Department of Music was founded in 1906, it offered only conservatory-type instruction under the direction of Abbie Helmer Vining (1906-07). W.L. Wright, after four years' study in Berlin with Leopold Godowsky, took over in 1907 and remained director until 1947. During the 1920s and 1930s, the department attracted students from across Canada to work with Wright, Esther Magdalene Moore, Kathleen Moffat Fairbairn (piano), and Ruth Morgan (voice) towards graduate and post-graduate diplomas. During the Depression and the Second World War, music education at Brandon College declined as a result of financial woes facing the College and the departure of students to the war.
Under directors Peggy A. Sharpe (acting director 1947-48), and Lorne Watson (1948-1981), most instruction was given to elementary and high school students from Brandon. Through the encouragement and support of successive university presidents, the music faculty and university music credit courses were expanded to make possible a music minor within a B.A. or B.Sc. degree. By 1963, the college offered the first B.Mus. program (music education and applied) in Manitoba. In the same year, the Department of Music became the School of Music with two areas of activity: one continuing the conservatory tradition, the other leading to university degrees. Watson continued as director while Sharpe assumed the new position of supervisor of the conservatory. She was succeeded by Watson in 1981.
When Brandon attained university status, the School of Music became a member of the Western Board of Music (WBM), now Conservatory Canada. Later a B.Mus. (general) was added and, in 1980, the M.Mus. (music education and applied). In 1981, Watson was succeeded as director by Gordon Macpherson (1981-87), during whose tenure the position was re-named dean. In 1987 Lawrence Jones became dean. Jones was followed by Patrick Carrabre and Glen Carruthers.
Originally housed in Clark Hall, in 1963 the School of Music moved into a new building, officially opened by Sir Ernest MacMillan, on 28 October 1963. It housed a music library, electronic music studio, classrooms, rehearsal hall and studios. Increased enrolment in the 1970s necessitated the acquisition of three adjacent houses. On 5 October 1984, Queen Elizabeth II opened the present music building, which is named after her.
The school's reputation as a centre of string pedagogy dates from Albert Pratz' appointment to the faculty in 1964 and the engagement of the Halifax Trio (Brandon University Trio) as artists-in-residence in 1966. The Wawanesa Insurance Co. in 1964 established a string scholarship program, which has since been carried on through the Carl and Lyle Sanders Grant and the R.D. Bell String Scholarships. A Suzuki string program was set up in 1977, directed by Alison Ryles (B.Mus. Brandon, 1978) who was followed in 1981 by Gerhard Ginader.
Besides the Brandon University Trio, school ensembles have included the Brandon University Orchestra, Concert Band, Chorale, Jazz Bands and Guitar Ensemble. The Collegium Musicum, formed in 1973 by James Mendenhall, has a collection of replicas of early instruments. The school frequently produces an opera (or musical theatre work) directed by Sylvia Richardson.
Student pursuing a major in music education have founded an active organization known as the Brandon University Student Music Educators' Association (BUSMEA), which is, in effect, a student branch of Manitoba Music Educators Association (MMEA). Annual summer schools enhance the program. In the 1960s, under the direction of Peggy A. Sharpe, recitals and workshops were given by visiting artists. In the 1980s, the emphasis was on graduate courses, including the offering of a Kodaly specialist diploma.
In the conservatory, music for children classes, the Suzuki string program, and classes in the Alexander technique are offered. The conservatory offers courses for gifted students. It also sponsored annual workshops for teachers. Clinicians have included Lawrence Jones, Lorne Watson, Gordon Macpherson, Sydney Young McInnis, Shirley Yip, Elizabeth Grant and Irma Toews.
The School of Music acts as a musical focus for southwestern Manitoba. Beginning in the 1960s, it co-sponsored (with the MMEA) an annual choral/orchestral workshop in January attracting up to 300 music educators and students from Manitoba and beyond. Rehearsals of the Brandon Community Chorus and Community Orchestra take place at the school, as do most events of the Brandon Festival of the Arts. It is also the home of the annual S.C. Eckhardt-Gramatte competition for the Performance of Canadian Music and the annual Brandon Jazz Festival. One reason for such constant activitiy is the excellence of the Queen Elizabeth II Music Building, which includes an advanced electronic studio, rehearsal halls for orchestras, bands and choirs and a 200-seat hall with recording facilities and ideal acoustics. On the occasion of Lorne Watson's 40th anniversary at Brandon that hall was named the Lorne Watson Recital Hall in his honour.
The music school's first graduate (1966) was Jack Spalding. Honourary doctorates in music have been awarded to W.L. Wright (1969), S.C. Eckhardt-Gramatte (1970), Murray Adaskin (1972), Jon Vickers (1976), Kenneth Winters (1989), the Guess Who and Tom Cochrane.
Scope and Content
Series has been divided into three sub-series, including: (1) Dean of Music; (2) Music Faculty Council; and (3) School of Music publications.
Notes
The history/bio note was taken from the Encyclopedia of Music in Canada at http://www.collectionscanada.ca/emc/m17-119.01-e.php?uid=415&uidc=ID (January 2006). The entry was written by Lorne Watson. Peggy A. Sharpe died in 2005.
RG 6 Brandon University fonds
Series 7: Faculties and Schools
Related Material
A file of miscellaneous newspaper clippings etc. assembled by Eileen McFadden for the period 1979-1985, is located in the Institutional Files in the Reading Room.
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.
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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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Carole Paintin-Dence was raised in Souris, Manitoba and attended Brandon College in the early 1960s. While at Brandon College she was active in the Glee Club, I.R.C. and French Clubs. She was also Quill reporter for the Music Department.
Scope and Content
Collection consists of a small collection of Brandon College memorabilia and slides. The memorabilia includes programs from various Brandon College Student Association events, Alumni News, and a copy of "The New Brandon College School of Music" by Peggy Sharpe. The slide images include: the opening of the Music Building 1963 (3) - Sir Ernest MacMillan, Lady MacMillan and Lorne Watson; raising the class flag 1964 (2); the JRC Evans Lecture Theatre 1964 (1); Brandon College Original Building 1964 (1); Freshie Parade 1962 (1) - glee club float and 1963 (3) - "wedding of Jack & Jill"; French Immersion class Summer 1964 (4) - Mme Ragot, Neil Forsyth, Henri Francq; party for John 1963 (2) - Ken May, Morlene Sparrow, John Sushelnitsky, Norma Walmsley, Poppy Cumming, Chris Cassels, Pat Brake, Eleanor Riesberry; W.U.S. parties (4) - Joan Garnett, Norma Walmsley, Claude Paintin, Brian Foster, Rae Westcott, Clark Brownlee, Nina Kosakawiecz, Berth Paintin
Collection also includes school texts and pedagogical guides - forty-seven in total - dealing with reading, spelling, social studies and particularly music.
Some accretion in lower right part of image. Two tears in upper part of painting (TL c.. 6cm; TR c.. 3 cm). One tear in area left on center. Two poke holes in area down from center. Two gobs of gum-like substance in BR area, as well as paint abrasio
Reverend Edward A. Lykens was Pastor at the Church of Nazarene in Brandon, MB in the early 1980s.
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 Rev. Edward Lykens about the history of the Church of the Nazarene in Brandon, MB. Interviewer is Effie McPhail.
Notes
History/bio information taken from the records. Description by Christy Henry.
Language Note
English
Audio Tracks
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Edward Robert McGill was born on September 21, 1912 in Vancouver, BC. The family returned to Manitoba in 1919, and settled in Brandon, MB. Ed received his schooling in Brandon, including one year at Brandon College before he enrolled at Queen's University. Graduating in 1934, with a Bachelor of Commerce, Ed was employed by Inco at Sudbury before enlisting in the RCAF in 1940. He was posted to No. 4 Service Flying School in Saskatoon and subsequently became a flying instructor. While in Saskatoon Ed married Marguarite Eve Shaw (1918-1992) on May 30, 1942. Together they had four children: Mickey, Douglas, Patricia and Frances. From Saskatoon, Ed was posted to No. 19 EFTS in Virden where he became C.S.D. In 1943, Ed was sent overseas with the City of Edmonton 418 Night Intruder Squadron. In 1944, he was appointed CO of "B" flight and promoted to squadron leader.
Ed returned to Brandon in 1946, where he was appointed secretary manager of the Brandon Flying Club. While in this position, Ed also served as chief flying instructor, airport manager, co-founder and president of Maple Leaf Aviation and helped to organize the Flying Farmers in Manitoba. Upon his retirement in 1971, the Brandon Airport was renamed McGill Field to honor his contribution to aviation in western Manitoba. In 1969, Ed was elected to the Manitoba Legislature as the member for Brandon West. He was re-elected in 1973 and 1977, then retired from active politics in 1981.
Ed was committed to community service, and was a past president of the Brandon Kinsmen Club, the Brandon Gegneral Hospital (BGH) board of directors, the Brandon Golf and Country Club and the Wasagaming Golf Club. He served as a member of the Brandon Police Commission and was appointed to the federal Civil Aviation Tribunal. Ed was a member of Tweed Lodge #113 AF & AM, a member of the Brandon Scottish Rite and past master of the Brandon Chapter of Rose Croix. Edward McGill died on December 3, 1996 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 the Honorable Edward McGill about his life history. Interviewer is Marjorie Lange.
Notes
History/bio information taken from the records and McGill's obituary. Description by Christy Henry.
Language Note
English
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Edward Ingo Dow was born on September 13, 1904 in Pilot Mound, MB. He lived at Pilot Mound until 1911, then spent a year in Neepawa, before his family moved to Victoria, BC. The family returned to Manitoba in 1915, and settled in Boissevain where he completed his public schooling. Ed's university education was cut short when his father became ill and he returned home to operate the family mill. Ed married Dorothy Grace Taylor (1903-1994) on July 14, 1927. They had one son, George. Ed operated a Cockshutt implement business and a coal business in Boissevain for many years. After closing these businesses he was employed with Toman Engineering and Reid, Crowthers and Partners. From 1959-1969, Ed served in the Manitoba Legislature as a Liberal Member representing the Turtle Mountain constituency.
Ed was very involved in town council and other community affairs. He served on the Boissevain Town Council from 1934-1946, and was mayor of Boissevain from 1946-1968. During his tenure he helped oversee the development of adequate street, sewer and water systems for the town. He, along with the council, worked on many joint projects with the RM of Morton, including the Boissevain and Morton Library, Memorial Hospital, Westview Lodge, The Beckoning Hills Museum and the Community Swimming Pool. Additionally, Ed served as president and executive member of the Manitoba Urban Association, member of the International Peace Garden Board of Directors, member of the Sanitarium Board of Manitoba and member of the Westerman Centennial Auditorium Board. For his many community activities, Ed received the Good Citizenship Award from the Tourism Industry Association of Manitoba in 1981. Ed was a member of the United Church and the Masonic Lodge, as well as an ardent sportsman. He was a life member of the Manitoba Curling Association. Edward Dow died on December 23, 1992 in Killarney, MB. He is buried at Boissevain and Morton 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 Edward Dow about the town of Boissevain and its growth. Interviewer is Bernice Pettypiece.
Notes
History/bio information taken from the records and Dow's obituary. Description by Christy Henry.
Language Note
English
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Edward Peter "EP" Boyle was born on January 7, 1887 in Watertown, Minnesota. After training as a creamery operator with Hutchinson Produce Company for five years, EP bought the Shellmouth Creamery near Russell, MB in 1913. He married Rose Mary McHale (1887?-1973) in 1915. The couple had six children: Jack, Irene, Winnifred, Robert, Kenneth and Forrest. In 1916, EP his second creamery, the Laurentian Milk Company in Neepawa, MB, which became known as the Neepawa Creamery & Produce Company. In 1933, EP bought another non-functioning plant, Central Creameries of Brandon, which was renovated and successfully managed by his brother Neil Boyle. EP retired in the late 1960s after incorporating his business in 1958. EP was active in the Roman Catholic church in Neepawa, served as president of the local Board of Trade and the Manitoba Diary Association. He was a charter member of both the Neepawa BPOE and the Neepawa Golf Club. Edward Boyle died on February 4, 1990 in Neepawa, MB. He 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 Edward Boyle about buttermaking in Neepawa, MB. Interviewer is Winnie Cheetham.
Notes
History/bio information taken from the records and Boyle's obituary. Transcript by Simon Richard (2023). Description by Christy Henry.
Language Note
English
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Edward Turner was born 1913 in England. Sponsored by the Hudson's Bay Company, he immigrated to Canada in 1931. That fall he was sent by the unemployment agency to Riding Mountain National Park to clear scrub. For a number of years Ed worked on farms during harvest, did chores for the Ramgren family in winter, and cut ice at Otter Lake. He also learned how to shoot and snare rabbits, which he sold to fox farm owners. In 1937, Ed purchased 120 acres adjoining the Scandinavia Church, cutting and selling wood to pay for the land. Ed married Lorna Mary Tiller (1921-2003) on January 30, 1942, and together they had two children: James and Dianne. In October 1942, Ed joined the Canadian Army, serving for two years before receiving a medical discharge. Following the Second World War, Ed and Lorna sold the farm, purchasing and operating a general store in the Onanole district until 1956. For the next sixteen years they owned and operated the Outdoor Roller Rink at Clear Lake. In 1962, Ed became the manager of the Erickson Credit Union, and the couple built a home in Erickson. Ed was elected mayor of Erickson in 1968, a position he held for eight years. When they sold the roller rink in 1972, the Turners bought the Clearl Lake bowling alley, which they operated until 1979. The couple retired to Onanole, where they were members of the United Church and Ed continued to do some work in real estate. Edward Turner died in 1994. He is buried at Scandinavian Cemetery.
Arthur Koping was born December 7, 1905 on section 15-17-17 in the RM of Clanwilliam. After his father died, Arthur, his brother John and his mother returned to Finland. When Arthur returned to Clanwilliam in 1926, he could not speak English. After a year with his Koping grandparents, Art went to New York where he did construction work and learned carpentry skills. Art returned to Manitoba in 1930, working at whatever jobs were availavle, carpentry, painting, paper hanging etc. At Riding Mountain National Park, he did road work, as well as carpentry, including helping build relief camps, the Superintendants house and the golf course clubhouse. In 1934, he built a house and married Lillie Marie Sundmark (1902-1970). The couple's only child died shortly after he was born. Art was asked to buy the family homstead in 1943, although the Kopings continued to live there. During World War II, Art began working for Harper Construction Company building homes for grain buyers in Manitoba and Saskatchewan. As his job required him being away for long periods, Art built a house for Lillie in Erickson in 1948. Following Lillie's death, Art married Mary Booth (1910-2006) in 1973. Arthur Koping died in 1988. He is buried in Finland.
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 Edward Turner and Arthur Koping about their early years in Canada and life as a Canadian-born immigrant. Interviewer is Mary Booth-Koping.
Notes
History/bio information taken from the records and the Clanwilliam-Erickson local history "Forest to Field." Description by Christy Henry.
Language Note
English
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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.
14 b&w photographs
Textual descriptions for each photograph
Physical Condition
Very good
History / Biographical
Several years ago the Alumni Relations began a program of class reunions and reconvocation in conjunction with annual spring convocations. This program continues to the present (March 2006) and this document was produced in 2003 for the Class of 1943 reunion.
Custodial History
Images remain in the possession of Betty Knowlton (nee Burgoyne). She provided copies of the images to the Alumni Office for the Class of 1943 reunion. Those images were transferred to the McKee Archives by Alumni Relations.
Scope and Content
File consists of copies of photographs of the Class of 1943 provided by Betty Knowlton (nee Burgoyne) for the Class of 1943 reunion. The photographs and descriptions are mounted on Brandon University cardstock. File also contains the program for the President's Reception and Dinner.
Mary Elizabeth Edwards (nee Tweed) was born on April 19, 1897 at Riceville, ON. Within a year of her birth, she and her mother came to Manitoba, to join her father who had already moved west. Mary attended Burns School and then Winnipeg Normal School, graduating in 1917. Over the course of her career she taught at a number of schools, including Otter, Medora, Purple Hill , Thirlstone, Broomhill, Lake Max and Whitewater schools. On January 7, 1920, Mary married Kestle Henry Edwards (1894-1974) in Medora, MB and together the couple had four children: Harvey, Frank, Ralph and Ruth. The family lived on section 35-3-25. Mary was secretary-treasurer of both the Medora Methodist Sunday School and the Royal Templars, taught sunday school and sang in the choir before her marriage. In 1920, she joined the Home Economics Society (later the Women's Institute). She was also a member of the WA. Following her husband's death, Mary left the farm and moved into Medora. Mary Edwards died in 1994. She is buried at Roselawn 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 Mary Edwards about her life and pioneer settlement around Medora, MB. The interviewer is Mayme Warren.
Notes
History/bio information from the records, the Medora local history "Glimpse through the years" and Edwards' obituary. Description by Christy Henry.
Language Note
English
Conservation
Preservation copy made 2021 (R. Hess)
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