Gerry Beaubier was born in Wainwright, Alberta to Beatty and Babe Beaubier. He completed his high school in Saskatoon, before receiving a BSc in Geography from Brandon University.
Before attending university Gerry served in the army as a special reserve, while working as a night clerk at the Bessbourough Hotel in Saskatoon. His post-graduate career consisted primarily of work for Canada Agriculture, under the PFRA Branch (Prairie Farm Rehabilitation Administration). Later he would work as an Executive Manager, helping develop forage and range management programs for several post secondary schools, including, Assiniboine Community College, as well as schools in Red Deer, Lethbridge, and Saskatoon.
Gerry Beaubier married Joyce Abercrombie, of Saskatoon. Together they had two sons: Neil and Dean. Neil, an Account Advisor for the Royal Bank, was born in Regina, and currently works in Swift Current. Dean was born in Swift Current, received his PhD in Education and currently lives in Forrest working at Elton Collegiate.
The Beaubiers, who were originally from Ireland, emigrated to the Canadian West, making Gerry part of the fourth generation of his family to call the region home. His great-grandfather, along with his grandfather and great uncle were amongst the first one hundred settlers in Brandon. Together they first built the Beaubier House, a boarding house for early settlers and travellers. After it burnt down they began construction on the Beaubier Hotel, which stood at the corner of 8th Street and Princess Avenue in Brandon until August 17th, 2008. His grandfather, David Wilson Beaubier, continued to build and operate hotels throughout the prairies, including the Empire Hotels (of Brandon and Saskatoon) and The Park (Moose Jaw).
David Wilson Beaubier served as a secretary of the Orange Lodge of Manitoba. As an Orange Lodge Colonel, he worked with other Orange Lodge members, to recruit throughout the prairies for the purpose of World War One. For his efforts , David was promoted to Leftenant Colonel, and later Captain of the 99th Manitoba Rangers. David's sons (Gerry’s father, at University of Manitoba, and uncle at McGill), were both working towards undergraduate degrees when war broke out in 1914, and each would leave school to join their father at Camp Hughes.
Custodial History
Gerry Beaubier collected these photos primarily in the years 2000-2011, largely
from family and friends who knew of his interest in the topic. They were donated to the S.J. Mckee Archives in 2011.
Scope and Content
Collection consists of digital photographs of those who trained for battle in World War I at Camp Hughes and in Brandon, Manitoba. It also includes a digital copy of the cover of the Nominal Roll of Officers, Non-Commissioned Officers and Men, who departed from Brandon in 1917.
The photos, taken primarily at Camp Hughes, are of a number of battalions, including the 34th, 100th, 108th, 181st and 214th. The photo, PT in England, is a postcard sent home from Beaty Beaubier. The Massey Harris building seen on the right side of, WW1 B parade0001, was used to house troops throughout the war. The man standing alone at the front of the parade in, 181 Parade, is David Wilson Beaubier.
Notes
Information for the biographical and custodial histories was provided by Gerry Beaubier on September 25, 2013. Description by Dustin Lane (October 2013).
Thomas Henry Martin was born December 23, 1904 in Brookdale, MB. From when he was born until 1965, Thomas lived in the Brookdale region and worked at farming and road building. He retired from farming in 1965, and moved to Neepawa, although he continued to help his son farm in the area. On October 25, 1933 he married Harriet North (1911-1986). Together they had two children: Mona and Vincent. Thomas Martin died on November 6, 1986 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 Thomas Martin about early road building and the 1930s. Between 1929 and 1931, Thomas and two of his neighbors were employed by the North Cypress Municipality to build roads in the district, and this is the subject of most of the interview. Thomas also discusses at length the equipment used in road building, how the equipment was used, and the work camps formed by the governments during the 1930’s to create jobs for the unemployed. Interviewer is Dorothy Martin.
Notes
History/bio information taken from the records and the Brookdale local history "Quest in Roots." Transcript by Richard Bee (2014). Description by Christy Henry.
Language Note
English
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Martin Kavanagh was born on December 16, 1895 in Wicklow, Ireland. He immigrated to Canada, to the Roblin area, in the summer of 1923. Having trained as a teacher in London, England, Martin's first teaching post in Manitoba was at Tummel. He next taught at Greenridge, then Treherne and finally in 1929, he joined the staff of Brandon Collegiate Institute (BCI). In 1946, Martin published the book "The Assiniboine Basin: A Study of Discovery, Exploration and Settlement." The research for that book, led him to champion the need for a public library in Brandon. In 1967, he published "La Verendrye: His Life and Times." In subsequent years, Martin developed an audio visual version of this work. Martin was awarded the Manitoba Centennial Medal by the Manitoba Historical Society, and in 1984, he was inducted into the Manitoba Order of the Buffalo Hunt. Martin married Katherine Power (1897-1953), with whom he had two children, Mary and Kevin. He married his second wife, Mary O'Malley (1898-1986), on December 31, 1958. Martin Kavanagh died on June 2, 1987 in Brandon, MB. He is buried at Assumption Roman Catholic 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 Martin Kavanagh about his life and writings, as well as the beginnings of the Brandon Public Library. The interviewer is Betty Gibson.
Notes
History/bio information from the records, Kavanagh's obituary and the Manitoba Historical Society website. Description by Christy Henry.
Language Note
English
Conservation
Preservation copy made 2021 (R. Hess)
Related Material
Martin Kavanagh fonds (10-2004)
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John (Jack) Hunter was born on April 6, 1910 on the farm at Moline, MB to John Hunter and Florence Currie. A life-long farmer, Jack never married. He and his sister Dorothy remained on the farm, and looked after their parents and their aunt Molly. The siblings retired to Rapid City, MB in 1975. Jack Hunter died on June 3, 1991 in Minnedosa, MB. He is buried at Rapid City Cemetery.
Custodial History
As part of the Westman Oral History Collection, this collection was accessioned by the McKee Archives in 1998. The original tapes from the Westman Oral History project were deposited in the Brandon Public Library. Copies of these originals were made by Margaret Pollex of the Brandon University Language Lab at the request of Eileen McFadden, University Archivist in the early 1990s. These copies compose the collection held in the McKee Archives.
Scope and Content
Item is an audiocassette tape containing an interview with Jack Hunter about the history of the Hunter and Currie families. Interviewer is Gordon Shanks.
Notes
History/bio information from the records, the local history "Rapid City and District" and Hunter's obituary. Description by Christy Henry.
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John Hepworth was born on April 5, 1911 at Shoal Lake, MB. He attended Agricultural College at the University of Manitoba and farmed the Hepworth family farm near Menzie. John married Helen Douglas Morton (1915-2008) in 1935, and together they had two daughters, Heather and Jill. The family moved to Shoal Lake in 1945, and John continued farming from town until retiring in 1974. John was actve in the Shoal Lake community, participating in curling and golf, and referring minor hockey. He was a long-time member of the Boards of Directors of Shoal Lake Hospital and of Morley House; he was actively involved in the establishment of the latter, and the Lions Wing addition. Within St. Paul's Anglican Church, John served on the vestry and for a term as People's Warden. John Hepworth died on September 2, 1995 at Shoal Lake, MB. He is buried at Shoal Lake Cemetery.
Custodial History
As part of the Westman Oral History Collection, this collection was accessioned by the McKee Archives in 1998. The original tapes from the Westman Oral History project were deposited in the Brandon Public Library. Copies of these originals were made by Margaret Pollex of the Brandon University Language Lab at the request of Eileen McFadden, University Archivist in the early 1990s. These copies compose the collection held in the McKee Archives.
Scope and Content
Item is an audiocassette tape containing an interview with John Hepworth about Shoal Lake Health Services. Interviewer is Cliff Findlay.
Notes
History/bio information from the records, Shoal Lake local history "Ripples on the Lake" and Hepworth's obituary. Description by Christy Henry.
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John Oldcorn was born on December 29, 1910 in Victoria, BC. His family moved to Manitoba the following year and homesteaded at Cordova until 1918. John then lived in Neepawa (1918-1926) and Franklin (1926-1943), farming with his father before settling at Forrest in 1943.
Marjorie Jean Robertson was born on January 7, 1923 in Minnedosa, MB. She attended school in Cordova and Mentmore before taking Grade 11 in Franklin. Following her education, Marj took a secretarial jb at the Manitoba Legislature. She met John Oldcorn at Franklin and they were married on November 23, 1943. Together they had two sons, Robert and Claude. During these years, Marj was active in the Forrest United Church and 4-H. She was also an avid curler and was a member of the Brandon Curling Club for many years.
John Oldcorn died on October 24, 1986 at his home, RR5 Brandon, MB. Following his death Marj enjoyed relationships with Sanford Cochrane, and after his death, with Cliff Thompson. Marj left the farm in 2004, and moved to Parkview in Brandon, and then Fairview Personal Care Home. Marjorie Oldcorn died on September 4, 2010. John and Marjorie Oldcorn are buried at Rosewood Memorial Gardens.
Custodial History
As part of the Westman Oral History Collection, this collection was accessioned by the McKee Archives in 1998. The original tapes from the Westman Oral History project were deposited in the Brandon Public Library. Copies of these originals were made by Margaret Pollex of the Brandon University Language Lab at the request of Eileen McFadden, University Archivist in the early 1990s. These copies compose the collection held in the McKee Archives.
Scope and Content
Item is an audiocassette tape containing an interview with John and Marjorie Oldcorn about farming in Manitoba, 1899-1981. Interviewer is Frank Anderson.
Notes
History/bio information from the records and the obituaries of John and Marjorie Oldcorn. Description by Christy Henry.
John Peters was born on November 7, 1918 in Hague, SK. He moved to the Broodkale area in 1941, and then the Minnedosa area. Hazel Sayward was born on January 5, 1929 in Brandon, MB. Her family lived on a farm northeast of Moore Park. Hazel attended school in Moore Park, then in the Brookdale district but eventually quit school to help on the farm. John and Hazel married in November 1943, and together they had two children: Connie and Perry. The couple farmed in the Oberon district, then moved to Duddenhoffer farm, which later became part of the Langford Community Pasture. They managed the government pasture from 1948-1979. Hazel and John then retired on their own farm beside the community pasture. John Peters died on January 21, 2011. Hazel Peters died on January 14, 1917. The are both 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 John and Helen Peters about community pasture life in Langford and Lansdowne. Interviewer is Dorothy Martin.
Notes
History/bio information from the records, the Broodkale local history "Quest in Roots," and Hazel Peters' obituary. Description by Christy Henry.
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Allen John "Jack" Whetter was born September 6, 1908 in Dand, MB, in the Hartney district. Aside from one year in Ontario, Jack spent his entire life in the Chain Lakes area. He attended Chain Lakes and Dand schools, and the Chain Lakes Friends Church, which was later moved to Dand and became Dand United Church. A farmer, he maried Donalda Louise Gee (1919-2014) in 1940, and together they had four children: Gerald, Darlene, Rodney and Nancy. Jack and Donalda were members of the Elgin Square Dance Club and curled at Hathaway. In later years they enjoyed travelling. Jack was involved in leadership roles in Dand and Hartney, serving as a board member for Dand School, Hartney Credit Union and Manitoba Pool. A dedicated member of his church, he taught Sunday School and sang in the choir. Jack Whetter died on February 2, 2002 in Hartney, MB. He is buried at Chain Lakes 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 Jack Whetter about his family history, Dand and district, as well as the Quaker Church. Interviewer is Mary Thomas.
Notes
History/bio information from the records and Whetter's obituary. Description by Christy Henry.
Language Note
English
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John Duncan McDonald was born on April 30, 1893 in Brandon, MB. He attended Winterton and Basswood schools. John married Margaret Emily Greer (1894-1980) in the Greer home in the Moline district in 1917. Together they had four children: Sadie Julia Elva, Robert James, John Elmer and Roy Peter. From 1919-1965, he farmed at Basswood, MB on SW 36-14-20. John McDonald died on January 11, 1989. He is buried at Basswood 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 MacDonald about pioneer farming. Interviewer is Gordon Shanks.
Notes
History/bio information from the records. Transcript by Desiree Glover (2023). Description by Christy Henry.
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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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John Taylor McGregor was born on January 6, 1904 in North Brandon, in the RM of Elton. He received his education at Grand Valley School, Brandon Collegiate Institute (BCI) and Brandon College. John began farming in 1926, and continued until 1969. During his farming years he also worked as a steam engineer at Shilo. He retired to Brandon. John was a member of Toastmasters No. 293, the Assiboine Historical Society and a founding member of the Manitoba Agricultural Hall of Fame. He also contributed to Daly House Museum and wrote many pioneer stories, some of which were published by the Brandon Sun. He was a member of First Presbyterian Church in Brandon.
John married Clara Louise Barber (1901-1965) in 1936. Following her death, he married Brandon school teacher Isabelle Johnston (1907-1989). There were no children for either couple. John McGregor died on December 21, 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 John McGregor about agriculture and the McGregor family history. Interviewer is Frank Anderson.
Notes
History/bio information from the records and obituaries for Johh, Isabelle and Clara McGregor. Description by Christy Henry.
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Robert John Coates was born on December 30, 1908 on the home farm in the Elm Valley district. He took his schooling at Elm Valley and Virden. He received Bachelor of Science of Bachelor of Education degrees at the University of Manitoba. Bob married Margaret Grace Cullen (1915-2007) in 1936 and together they had two children: Karen and John. Bob began his teaching career as principal in Pierson, MB, later moving to Ninga as principal. During the Second World War he joined the RCAF, serving as a navigation officer and teaching pilots in the Commonwealth Air Training Plan. After the war, the family moved to Brandon where Bob taught at Brandon Collegiate Institute (BCI), Earl Haig, Earl Oxford and was principal at Central School. He was the first principal at Green Acres School, teaching there until retiring in 1973. Bob was made a Brandon Diocesan Layreader of the Anglican Church and spent years taking services throughout the Diocese.
Bob served as president of the Manitoba Teachers' Society, Brandon Local, The Western Manitoba Teacher's Association, the Brandon PC Association and the UN Association. He also served as executive member of the International School Masters Club, The Manitoba Teachers' Society Pensions Committee, Men's Canadian Club and the Westman Oral History Association. He served as Chairman of the Local MTS Pension Committee and on the board of directors of Hobbs Manor. Bob was a lifetime member of the Mantioba Teachers' Society and the Brandon Teachers' Society, as well as a charter member of the Assiniboine Historical Society, the Daly House Museum, and the Commonwealth Air Training Museum. He was also a member of The Monarchist League of Canada and Royal Canadian Legion No. 3. At the time of his death Bob was an honourary Vestryman at St. Matthew's Cathedral. Robert Coates died on March 10, 1990 in Brandon, MB. He is buriedat Rosewood Memorial Gardens.
Custodial History
As part of the Westman Oral History Collection, this collection was accessioned by the McKee Archives in 1998. The original tapes from the Westman Oral History project were deposited in the Brandon Public Library. Copies of these originals were made by Margaret Pollex of the Brandon University Language Lab at the request of Eileen McFadden, University Archivist in the early 1990s. These copies compose the collection held in the McKee Archives.
Scope and Content
Item is an audiocassette tape containing an interview with Robert Coates about the history of St. Matthew's Anglican Cathedral, Brandon. Interviewer is Irene Heeney.
Notes
History/bio information from the records and Coates' obituary. Description by Christy Henry.
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