William Joseph English was born on April 9, 1891 in Arthur, ON. He came to Manitoba with his family in 1898 and lived at McConnell for one year. He then moved to Moline where he received his schooling and began farming in 1914. Joe married Julia Isabella "May" Greer (1892-1974) on October 21, 1914. Together they had four biological children: Allen, Elvin, Richard and Ivan. Their adopted daughter Verna Margaret died as an infant. Joe and May moved to Moline in 1947, and then after retiring from farming in 1965, they moved to Rapid City. Joe continued to live in Rapid City until moving to the Minnedosa Personal Care Home in February 1984.
Joe was an avid sportsman, excelling in baseball, track and field. He also enjoyed curling and was a step dancer. He spent 18 years as a councillor for the Saskatchewan Municipality, was a life member of the Rapid City Agricultural Society, served on the Moline Co-op Board, and was Pas Master of Corinthian Masonic Lodge No. 15. He was later affiliated with Prince of Wales Masonic Lodge No. 14 of Minnedosa, receiving his 70-year Bar membership from the Masons in 1984.
Joseph English died on November 29, 1984 in Brandon, 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 W. Joseph English about his memories, including sports, particularly his years in baseball. Interviewers are Gordon Shanks and Elvin English.
Notes
History/bio information from the records and English's obituary. Description by Christy Henry.
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Jean Louise Mains (nee Cameron) was born on September 16, 1907 in Boissevain, MB. She attended school in Boissevain, one year at Brandon College and received her teaching certificate from the Brandon Normal School in 1926. She taught at Dunallen, Royal and Fairburn schools until her marriage to Clifford Mains (1890-1948) in 1937. The couple had three daughters: Barbara, Elizabeth and Susan. Clifford and Jean farmed until 1944, and then moved to Boissevain. Jean did hospital books until 1950, then moved with the children to Brandon for a year so she could take a secretarial course. Returning to Boissevain, she worked at the agricultural office for nine years then returned to school again, this time taking a business course at Red River College. For the next thirteen years Jean taught business at the Boissevain High School. A member of the Eastern Star, IODE, the UCW Group of St. Paul's United Church and the Beckonging Hills Activity Club, Jean enjoyed travelling and playing bridge. Jean Mains died on February 15, 2003 in Boissevain, MB. She is buried at Boissevain and Morton Cemetery.
Myrna Dring (nee Hicks) was born on May 18, 1944 in Ninga, MB. A part-time speech aide at Boissevain School in the early 1980s, she took her psychiatric nursing training in Brandon, Winnipeg and Ninette from 1962-1965. On July 31, 1965, Myrna married Ray Clinton Dring (1942-2005), and the couple adopted a daughter, Nancy. After the marriage, the family lived in Boissevain, where Ray was involved with the family business Dring Laminated Structures Ltd. In 1985, the Drings moved to Winnipeg. Myrna Dring continues to live in Winnipeg, 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 Jean Cameron Mains and Myrna Hicks Dring about social life in the town of Boissevain from approximately 1900-1980. The interviewer is Bernice Pettypiece.
Notes
History/bio information from the records and Mains' obituary. Description by Christy Henry.
Language Note
English
Conservation
Preservation copy made 2021 (R. Hess)
Audio Tracks
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