Leonard Andrew Muirhead (1918–2008) was the only child of Andrew and Isabella Muirhead. He grew up on the farm homestead in the Summerville District near Carberry, Manitoba. He graduated from Carberry Collegiate when he was sixteen. He helped out on the farm for two yeas after graduation then attended United College, Winnipeg, and then Brandon College. Muirhead then worked in the Financial Department at Canada Packers in Saint Boniface until 1942. In 1942 he returned home and helped his father with the farm operation. Leonard married Verle Sinclair, a local schoolteacher, on October 12, 1951. They had three daughters: Iris, Gwen, and Arla. In 1965, health reasons made him give up active farming and he began an income tax preparation business as well as selling investments for Trust Companies.
Leonard Muirhead attended Brandon College for the 1937-1938 school year. This was the last year that Brandon College was associated with McMaster University as it then became affiliated with the University of Manitoba.
Custodial History
The papers remained with Leonard Muirhead’s papers until his daughter, Iris Muirhead, donated the papers to the S.J. McKee Archives in 2011.
Scope and Content
Collection consists primarily of 1938 examination papers from Brandon College, when it was affiliated with McMaster University. It also contains an exam schedule and a course outline. It contains examination papers from spring 1938 for the courses of 2nd and 3rd Years Physics 2y, 3w, Bible 2k, Psychology 2a, Mathematics 2x, Mathematics 1e, a syllabus for second term English 1g2a, and an examination timetable for spring 1938 for Brandon College.
Notes
History/Bio information taken from conversation with Leonard Muirhead's daughter, Iris Muirhead in October 2012 and from obituary http://passages.winnipegfreepress.com/passage-details/id-136216/(accessed October 24, 2012). Description by Jennifer Sylvester (October 2012).
The Leonard Muirhead collection is available at the Carberry Plains Archives. Leonard Muirhead also donated records related to Montrose School and Carberry 4-H Combines to the Carberry Plains Archives.
Dr. MacNeill was the central figure in the scandal involving Brandon College in the early 1920’s. The Fundamentalist Baptists accused Brandon College, and Dr. MacNeill especially, of teaching Modernist views. He was absolved of any charges at the 1924 Baptist Convention in Chicago.
For history/bio information for H.L. MacNeill, see RG 1 Brandon College fonds, BC 6: Office of the college dean.
Scope and Content
File consists of correponsdence to Howard Whidden, President of Brandon College, and various regarding Dr. MacNeill and his teachings (October 1921 - January 1922). It also contains a copy of "An Abstract of the Report of the Brandon College Commission" prepared by Rev. H.H. Bingham regarding Dr. MacNeill and his teachings.
Georgina Jane McPherson, daughter of Hugh and Margaret (Sellers) McPherson, was born in 1875 in Nova Scotia. Georgie never married and lived at home most of her life. She was a loyal member and supporter of the Women's Missionary Society, the Busy Bees and Brandon Hills Church. Due to ill health she lived for a time in the 1940s at Ninette Sanatorium. During her last years she resided with her sister Hattie Morrison, at Rounthwaite. Georgie died in Brandon, MB in 1953.
Scope and Content
Contains the following files:
4.1 Chattel mortgage documents 1906-1939 (includes 1906 Land Title and 1919 Agreement for land sale)
4.2 Greeting postcards
4.3 Non-greeting postcards
4.4 Undated correspondence
4.5 Correspondence 1939-1946
4.6 Correspondence 1937
4.7 Correspondence 1936
4.8 Correspondence 1935
4.9 Correspondence 1934
4.10 Correspondence 1933
4.11 Correspondence 1932
4.12 Correspondence 1931
4.13 Correspondence 1918-1930
Notes
Part of the Alfred Angus Murray McPherson collection.
Hugh McPherson was born January 25, 1845 at West River, Nova Scotia. He married Margaret Esther Sellers (b. March 18, 1849 at Six Mile Brook, Nova Scotia) on February 5, 1875 at Six Mile Brook, Nova Scotia. The couple moved to Brandon Hills, MB c. 1880. Together they had four children: Georgina (Georgie) Jane; Harriet (Hattie); Johnston (Jack); and Angus.
The couple lived at Watervale, NS until they moved to Manitoba with the Brandon Hills settlers. Hugh travelled to Brandon Hills with the Roddick group in 1879, leaving his wife and three children in Nova Scotia. He selected the N.E. 1/4 of section 10, township 9, range 18 as his homestead. Margaret and the children joined Hugh in 1880.
Situated as it was just north of the river and slightly to the east of the end of the hills, the McPherson home became a sopttin house for travellers from the south making their way to and from Grand Valley and later Brandon. The family records show that literally scores of people stayed with the family during the early years. The fee charged for a meal for the driver plus feed for a team was thirty-five cents. Nellie McClung later described the farm and the stopping-house in one of her early books.
Hugh McPherson died at Brandon Hills, MB on March 7, 1916. Margaret Esther Sellers McPherson died at Brandon Hills, MB on July 13, 1935.
In the fall of 1892, Margaret's brother, Angus Sellers and his family arrived at the McPherson home. Included in this part was Margaret's two sisters Jessie Murray and Libby Sellers. The Sellers family remained with the McPherson's until mid-summer of 1893, when they moved to their new farm at Bunclody.
In 1902, after the death of his wife Blanche, Arthur Prowse accepted Margaret McPherson's offer to foster his daughters Winnie and Kitty. The girls stayed with the McPherson's until their marriages; Winnie to Alex Brown and Kitty to Frank Allbright.
Scope and Content
Contains the following files:
5.1 Margaret McPherson correspondence 1903-1926
5.2 Margaret McPherson correspondence 1927-1931
5.3 Margaret McPherson correspondence 1932-1935
5.4 Margaret McPherson correspondence (undated)
5.5 Margaret McPherson burial/marriage notices 1895-1924
5.6 Margaret McPherson greeting postcards
5.7 Mr. and Mrs. H. McPherson non-greeting postcards
5.8 Margaret McPherson non-greeting postcards
5.9 Hugh Mcpherson notebook 1871
5.10 Hugh McPherson financial records 1913-1918
5.11 Hugh McPherson postcards
5.12 Libby Sellers non-greeting postcards
5.13 Libby Sellers greeting postcards
5.14 Libby Sellers correspondence 1882-1936 (some undated)
5.15 Kitty and Winnie Prowse correspondence and postcards 1916-1923
Notes
Part of the Alfred Angus Murray McPherson collection
Angus Sellers McPherson, son of Hugh and Margaret (Sellers) McPherson, was born March 1, 1884 in Brandon Hills, MB. He died on September 5, 1953 in Brandon, MB. Angus married Ethel Pentland on July 16, 1913. Together they had three sons: Howard Johnston McPherson (m. Jessie Walsh); Alfred Angus Murray McPherson (m. Margaret Raven); and Kenneth George McPherson (m. Mary Spratt).
Ethel (Pentland) McPherson was born May 7, 1890 to Thomas (T.J.) and Annie Isabel (McVety) Pentland. Raised at Justice, MB, Ethel was agraduate of the Winnipeg Normal School; she taught for a number of years at Orange Hall and Brandon Hills. After her husband's death, Ethel remained on the family farm with her sons until she moved to Brandon in 1957. She died on September 20, 1976, in Brandon, MB.
Johnston McPherson, son of Hugh and Margaret (Sellers) McPherson, was born February 7, 1879 in Nova Scotia. He died on September 17, 1966 in Brandon, MB (Johnston McPherson was the last of the original party that settled the Brandon Hills). From 1896 until 1914, he farmed at Brandon Hills. Johnston married Ella Harvey McKay on July 26, 1918. They had no children.
Ella Harvey McKay, daughter of Simon and Sarah McKay, was born September 5, 1885 at Brandon Hills. Her family moved to Alberta and then British Columbia sometime after her birth. Ella worked in Trail, B.C. for Consolidated Mining and Smelting, before her marriage to Johnston "Jack" McPherson. She died on November 25, 1971 in Brandon, MB.
Harriet (Hattie) McPherson Morrison, daughter of Hugh and Margaret (Sellers) McPherson, was born at Watervale, NS in 1877. She attended Brandon Hills and Central School in Brandon before receiving her teacher training; she taught school at Chatfield and Dunrea. Hattie married Robert Morrison at Brandon Hills in 1920 and together they had two children: Robert Morrison Jr. (m. Lila Berdux) and Margaret Morrison (m. George Walton). The family owned a farm at Rounthwaite until 1964, at which point Hattie and Robert moved to Brandon. Hattie died in Brandon, MB in 1965.
Contains the following files:
7.7 Unsorted Christmas cards after 1930
7.8 Unsorted Christmas cards after 1930
7.9 Unsorted Christmas cards after 1930
7.10 Unsorted Christmas cards after 1930
8.1 Unsorted greeting cards up to 1930
8.2 Unsorted greeting cards up to 1930
8.3 Unsorted greeting cards up to 1930
8.4 Unsorted greeting cards up to 1930
8.5 Unsorted greeting cards up to 1930
8.6 Unsorted greeting cards up to 1930
8.7 Unsorted greeting cards up to 1930
8.8 Unsorted greeting cards up to 1930
Notes
Part of the Alfred Angus Murray McPherson collection.
Contains the following files:
8.9 Unsorted greeting cards after 1930
8.10 Unsorted greeting cards up to 1930
8.11 Unsorted greeting cards up to 1930
8.12 Unsorted greeting cards up to 1930
Notes
Part of the Alfred Angus Murray McPherson collection.
Contains the following files:
9.1 Class list and lost alumni 1941-1948
9.2 "Spectrum" April 1944
9.3 "The Sickle" 1941-1945 (missing 1944)
9.4 Graduation programmes 1927, 1940-1952 (includes photo of Arts Banquet, Brandon College 1942)
9.5 "The New Era" 1947
9.6 Murray McPherson diary 1942
9.7 The Quill and The Sickle account book [1939-1941]
9.8 Brandon College documentation 1942-1943
9.9 Calendar 1940-1941
9.10 Murray McPherson's notes 1938-1939 (Brandon Collegiate)
9.11 Brandon College notes [1941-1944] (2 files)
9.12 Commencement programme 1944
9.13 Brandon College commencement programmes 1944, 1945, 1952 (also contains 1937-1938 Brandon College calendar and a copy of "S.J. McKee of Brandon College" by Tommy McLeod)
9.14 Physics notes [1942]
9.15 Murray McPherson - math and physics notes 1943
9.16 Murray McPherson - math notes 1944
9.17 Murray McPherson account book 1938-1940 (Brandon Collegiate)
9.18 Miscellaneous pamphlets re: Brandon College and hockey 1909 - ca.1945 (including Student Handbooks 1940-1944 and the 1913 convocation programme, the 1909 Manitoba Amateur Hockey Association constitution, pamphlets from The Boys' Brigade and a pamphlet with etiquette and manner advice for teenagers)
Notes
Part of the Alfred Angus Murray McPherson collection.
For biographical information onf Angus McPherson and Mrs. (Ella) Johnston McPherson see the description for Box 6 of the Alfred Angus Murray McPherson collection. For biographical information on Thomas and Annie Pentland see the descrption for Box 10 of the Alfred Angus Murray McPherson collection.
Scope and Content
Contains the following files:
14.1 Account books [1906-1916]
14.2 Farmers pocket ledger [1935]
14.3 Mrs. Johnston McPherson - field book [1921-1944]
14.4 Account day book 1913-1915
14.5 Annie I. Pentland - miscellaneous records and accounts 1916-1934
14.6 Thomas Pentland account book 1917-1932
14.7 Thomas Pentland blacksmith account book 1882-1883
14.8 Angus McPherson account book 1916-1941
Notes
Part of the Alfred Angus Murray McPherson collection.
For biographical information on Angus McPherson and Hattie McPherson Morrison see the description for Box 6 of the Alfred Angus Murray McPherson collection.
For biographical information on Murray McPherson see the fonds level description for the Alfred Angus Murray McPherson collection.
For biographical information on Hugh McPherson see the description for Box 5 of the Alfred Angus Murray McPherson collection.
For biographical information on Georgie McPherson see the description for Box 4 of the Alfred Angus Murray McPherson collection.
There is no biographical information for George Richardson.
Scope and Content
Contains the following files:
15.1 Medical receipts 1945-1950
15.2 Miscellaneous farm receipts 1945-1950
15.3 Cattle and grain papers 1941-1953
15.4 Correspondence 1943-1951
15.5 Insurance 1909-1952
15.6 Angus McPherson wills 1937-1953
15.7 Angus McPherson - income tax forms and papers 1946-1956 (includes Farmers Income Tax Guides and Farm account book)
15.8 Murray McPherson correspondence 1934-1956
15.9 Hugh McPherson - blank form for Fenian Raid Volunteer Bount Act 1912
15.10 Miscellaneous 1929-1950
15.11 Angus McPherson income tax forms and papers 1943-1947
15.12 Income tax forms/papers 1943-1947 for George Richardson (1947), George McPherson and Hattie McPherson
15.13 Angus McPherson - income tax forms 1918
15.14 Receipts 1947
15.15 Receipts 1949
Notes
Part of the Alfred Angus Murray McPherson collection.
For biographical information on Hugh and Margaret McPherson see the description for Box 5 of the Alfred Angus Murray McPherson collection.
For biographical information on Johnston and Angus McPherson see the descrption for Box 6 of the Alfred Angus Murray McPherson collection.
For biographical information on Murray McPherson see the fonds level description for the Alfred Angus Murray McPherson collection.
Howard Johnston McPherson, the oldest son of Angus and Ethel (Pentland) McPherson, was born on July 6, 1920. He graduated from Brandon Collegiate in 1938 and joined his father on the farm. In 1941, he joined the R.C.A.F. and trained as an air engine mechanic. Returning from Europe in 1945, Howard continued to live with his parents until his marriage to Jessie Walsh (b. March 21, 1922) of Sceptre, SK on June 18, 1955. Together they had three children: Muriel Ruth (m. Cody Johnson); Nancy Carol (m. Dennis Mauthe); and Donald Howard (m. Ann). The family farmed in the Brandon Hills district. Howard died on May 2, 2005.
Scope and Content
Contains the following files:
16.1 Hugh and Margaret McPherson account book 1879
16.2 McPherson Farm cash book (Hugh, Johnston, Angus) 1906-1912
16.3 McPherson Farm account book 1890's
16.4 Cash book 1953
16.5 Cash book [1943-1949]
16.6 Angus McPherson - Canadian Wheat Board emergency cheque correspondence 1949
16.7 Angus McPherson - insurance documents 1948-1950
16.8 Murray McPherson - agreement between SC Area #1 and District Association 1951
16.9 Angus McPherson - Canadian Wheat Board permits (8) 1944-1954
16.10 Angus McPherson - cattle inventories 1951-1952
16.11 Howard and Angus McPherson miscellaneous farm correspondence 1950-1953
16.12 Documents re: Angus McPherson estate 1951-1954
16.13 Income tax forms and documents 1945-1953
Notes
Part of the Alfred Angus Murray McPherson collection.
Contains the following files:
17.1 Trail B.C. advertisement 1911
17.2 Angus McPherson beaver license 1900's
17.3 "The Angels of Mons" by Lieutenant Dougald MacEchern
17.4 Brandon General Hospital school graduation invitations 1925 and 1927
17.5 Machinery catalogues [1909-1928]
17.6 Watkins Stock Raisers manual [1920's]
17.7 List and map of Indian Reserves and Metis communties 1959
17.8 Wes Pentland Orange Lodge documents and materials 1862-1940
17.9 Brandon Collegiate reunion ribbon October 9, 1908
17.10 Victory Loan documents 1943-1945
17.11 Boys and Girls Service Clubs exhibit ribbons 1927
17.12 Prize lists for Justice Boys and Girls Clubs 1923-1926
17.13 Voluntary War Aid bulletin #12 [World War One]
17.14 "Canada's War Record" July 1942
17.15 Douglas war memorial unveiling ceremony programme November 17, 1922
17.16 Travel: Waghorns Guide 1898; Manitoba Driver's Guide 1935; southland Chicago-Florida train route and schedule 1916-1917; Manitoba road map 1941-1942; CPR western lines timetables 1918
17.17 Movie programme for "Gone with the Wind" [1939]
17.18 Magazine insert of funeral of Edward VII from Illustrated London News May 24, 1910
17.19 Manitoba Telephone Systems directory with provincial exchanges March 1930
17.20 Brandon Sun articles re: Brandon Hills picnic 1963
17.21 "The Academy Critic" December 1909
17.22 Weldon's Famous Dress catalogue [1920's]
17.23 Alex M. Brown, Pharmacist calendar 1935
17.24 Empire contest from the Winnipeg Free Press (undated)
17.25 Annnie I. Pentland speech re: Barbara Heck
17.26 Electoral division of Landsdowne Municipality map 1949
17.27 Speech on wheat sales (author unknown)
17.28 Site and situation project on Brandon history (author unknown) [1970's]
17.29 Annual report from Protestant Orphans' Home 1937
17.30 Orange Lodge memorabilia (gavel, pin) 1881-1933
Notes
Part of the Alfred Angus Murray McPherson collection.
Storage Location
Margaret McPherson family fonds
Box 14 (Files 17.1-17.29)
Box 15 (File 17.30 and Orange Lodge ribbons and certificates)
Thomas James (T.J.) Pentland, son of John Pentland and Jane Finnegan, was born January 4, 1858. He died January 8, 1919 in Justice, MB. T.J. married Annie Isabel McVety on July 22, 1885 in High Bluff, MB. Together they had six children: John Alfred (Fred); Henry Herbert McVety (Harry); Annie Ethel; Eliza Evelyn; Thomas Elton Wesley (Wesley); and Mary Agnes Grace Isabel (Gracie).
Annie Isabel McVety was born at Seaforth, ON in 1859 and came to High Bluff, MB with her family in 1882. She died in October of 1938 in Justice, MB.
John Alfred (Fred) Pentland was born on July 5, 1886 in Douglas, MB. He was mortally wounded during the Passchedale campaign - 3rd battle of Ypres. He died on September 13, 1917 at Camiers Hospital, France.
Henry Herbert McVety (Harry) Pentland was born on November 10, 1887 in Douglas, MB. He died on June 26, 1948 in Brandon, MB. Harry married Mary Emma Irene (Irene) Fleming, daughter of John Jr. and Martha McLaughlin Fleming on November 22, 1913 in Brandon. Together they had three children: Harry Clare (Clare); Olive Eunice Irene (Eunice); and Shirley Margaret Marie.
Eliza Evelyn (Evelyn) Pentland was bon February 7, 1892 in Justice, MB. She died on May 28, 1986 in Brandon, MB. Evelyn married Norman Wallace Thompson on July 22, 1914 in Justice, MB. Together they had six children: Norman Cecil; Muriel Isabel; Norma Evelyn Jean; James Alfred; Marguerite Beryl; and Helen Elaine.
No biographical information available for Robert and Harry McVety.
Scope and Content
Contains the following files:
[no file number] Mortgage papers 1890-1907
10.1 Fred Pentland insurance documents 1912-1916 (includes 1914 mortgage agreement)
10.2 Fred Pentland correspondence 1910-1916 (2 files)
10.3 Fred Pentland postcards 1916
10.4 Harry Pentland correspondence 1916-1918
10.5 Harry McVety correspondence from Wes Pentland 1912
10.6 Evelyn Pentland correspondence 1910
10.7 Robert McVity correspondence 1920 (includes 1921 will)
10.8 Annie I. Pentland correspondence 1930-1936
10.9 Thomas (T.J.) Pentland insurance documents 1917
10.10 Thomas (T.J.) Pentland income tax papers 1917
10.11 Thomas (T.J.) Pentland undated correspondence
10.12 Thomas (T.J.) Pentland corresondence 1882-1911
10.13 Annie I. Pentland insurance documents 1917-1937
10.14 Annie I. Pentland undated correspondence
10.15 Annie I. Pentland-McVety estate correspondence 1917-1945
10.16 Annie I. Pentland-McVety estate documents 1922-1931
10.17 Annie I. Pentland correspondence 1928-1938 (3 files)
10.18 Annie I. Pentland correspondence 1918-1927
10.19 Annie I. Pentland correspondence 1917 (2 files)
10.20 Annie I. Pentland correspondence 1908-1916 (2 files)
10.21 Annie I. Pentland income tax forms 1918-1921
10.22 Annie I. Pentland mathematics exam to enter Normal School August 1883
Notes
Part of the Alfred Angus Murray McPherson collection.
The Brandon College/Brandon University Women's Auxiliary was founded on February 17, 1955, with the purpose of a) foster[ing] good public relations between the university and the community, and to stress the importance of Brandon University to Western Manitoba; b) to gain a better knowledge of the functioning of Brandon University and; c) to improve the surroundings of the College/University's students and the university at large. They were to hold four regular meetings per annum, with an annual meeting in April, and one fund-raising tea a year. The organization raised money through these teas, as well as through receptions, with the intention of donating to the college/university and surrounding community, contributing to the furnishing of residences and offices at teh college/ university, as well as facilitating an annual community visitation day for the public to tour the university. The organization's name was change from the Brandon College Women's Auxiliary to the Brandon University Women's Auxiliary along with the renaming of the school itself on July 1, 1967. The organization was sometimes referred to simply as the Women's Auxiliary.
The Auxiliary was run by an elected President and Board of Executives. Its members, who were all mothers of Brandon College/Brandon University students, paid an annual membership fee. Subcommittees within the organization included those in charge of social organization, membership management, program management, phoning management, press and publicity management and project management; all of these were fronted by their own individual leaders from within the members, under the board of executives. The organization ceased meeting in 1975; the minutes from the final meeting reference difficulties filling executive offices before a motion was carried to disband.
Custodial History
Records were created and held by the Brandon College/Brandon University Women's Auxiliary until their dissolution on October 23, 1975, when a motion was passed to move the records to the McKee Archives.
Scope and Content
Fonds consists of records that relate to the organization of and activities coordinated by the Women's Auxiliary, as well as records detailing the contribution that the organization made to the university and community of and around Brandon. The records span the entire existence of the Women's Auxiliary from 1955 to 1975.
Records include meeting minutes, treasurers' statements, financial bookkeeping, correspondence, a copy of the constitution, records of members, members' addresses and phone numbers, lists of members' children attending school and their respesctive degree, lists of council members, event memorabilia, organization letter heads, donation receipts, newspaper clipplings, advertisements, publicity reports, meeting reports, visitation records, scrapbooks and scrapbook inventories.
Notes
History/Bio information taken from the records. Description by Kayliegh Penner (October 2016).
Brandon University photograph collection (Observatory Opening)
Spring 1955 Alumni News (report on the founding of the organization)
Arrangement
Records are arranged in chronological order in four (4) subseries: 1) treasurer's books; 2) minute books; 3) textual files; and 4) scrapbooks and miscellany
Ray Bailey was born in Brandon Manitoba in 1922. A Bachelor of Science degree from Brandon College in 1944 completed his education there. Following a short stint as a Chemist he entered the University of Manitoba. There, in 1946, he earned a Diploma in Education. Subsequent study brought a Master of Education degree in 1966. In 1973, he was awareded a Canada Council grant for additional studies.
He began his teaching career at Killarney, MB in March 1946, teaching science. Later he held teaching and adminitrative positions in Melita, Morris and Seven Oaks School Divisions. He retired as Principal of Arthur E. Wright Elementary School in 1986. Bailey was active in the Manitoba Teachers Society and the Manitoba Library Trustees Association. In 1973, the city of Winnipeg gave him a community service award. In 2005, he was a recipient of the Brandon University Alumni Association's Distinguished Alumni Award.
He married Joan Pettipher in 1949. They had four children, Ronald, Ann, Mary and Robert. Joan Bailey died in 1988. Raymond Bailey lived in Winnipeg with his wife Barbara until his death on July 23, 2015.
Custodial History
Book was acquired at a book launch sponsored by Pennywise Books, Brandon, Manitoba in January 2006. The Brandon College documents were probably collected by Bailey during his time as a student in the early 1940s. He donated them to the McKee Archives in November 1994. The yearbooks were delivered to the Archives by Gerald Brown for Bailey in April 2008.
Scope and Content
Fonds consists of an autographed copy of Bailey's book "tadpole to Little Frong (in a big pond)." It also includes three Brandon Collegiate Institute yearbooks the New Era for 1938-40, one file of Brandon College records, including eligibility lists for the Students' Association, a Physics IV test, a letter to Bailey excusing him from non-combat duty due to his work as an assistant in the Chemistry Department, a dance program for the Valentine Formal (1943), a freshman reception list and a program/invitation to a musical evening at the home of Martin Johns, Professor in the Physics Department.
Notes
History/Bio information taken from the author description in Bailey's book. Description by Christy Henry.
The “Act to Incorporate Brandon College” was assented to on June 1, 1900 and specified that the Board of Directors would consist of 21 members. The Board was to control all financial matters of the College, though all decisions had to meet the approval of the Baptist Convention.
The first officers of the Board were a Chairman, a Treasurer and a Secretary. The minutes also refer to a “President,” separate from the Principal, but does not define the President’s duties. The Principal was a member ex-officio of the Board. The first duty of the Board was to create an executive consisting of all Brandon members of the Board. The main function of the executive was the operation of the College and transaction of all business arising between Board meetings.
In pursuit of a separate university charter, the Board reorganized its affairs in 1910, appointing an investment committee, a Bursar and a Registrar. The Principal was renamed “President,” and was appointed Chairman of the Executive. The university charter was denied, leading the Board to seek affiliation with McMaster University. The Board of Directors during this time was forced to take a more active role in directing college affairs. In November 1910, the Board moved: ...that the officers of the Board be authorized to make such application for such amendments to the Charter as seem necessary and advisable.
This decision led the Board to draw up the Act to Amend An Act to Incorporate Brandon College which, by 1915, granted the Board authority over all College affairs, following the stated direction of the Baptist Convention.
On May 5, 1916 a nominating committee was struck to name the persons and mandate of all new committees.
During the existence of the Board prior to 1967 the following committees were created:
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
In 1918, the Board defined the functions of the Executive Committee as:
The Board of Brandon College shall at its organization meeting each year appoint from among its members an Executive of not less than seven in number. The Executive shall be responsible to the Board and shall exercise all the powers usually incidental to an Executive other than those delegated to the Finance Committee and Endowment Fund Committee, which two Committees shall also be responsible to the Board direct.
FINANCE COMMITTEE, 1918-1926
The Finance Committee was to consist of no fewer than seven members which:
...shall be responsible to the Board and shall under the Board have the general oversight and control of the financial policy of the College insofar as the raising of funds is concerned. The Finance Committee shall not have the power to make any expenditures except such as it may deem necessary to incur in connection with its efforts in raising funds. The Finance Committee shall report to the Board of the College at each meeting of the Board and for the purpose of keeping the Executive in close touch with its activities and of enabling the two committees to work in closest cooperation shall transmit to the Executive a copy of the minutes of each of its meetings to be read at the regular meetings of the Executive and shall give account of the progress made by the Finance Committee and generally of its plans for the future. Members of the Finance Committee shall not all necessarily be members of the Board.
ENDOWMENT FUND COMMITTEE, 1918-1926
The Endowment Fund Committee was created by the following resolution:
The Board of Brandon College shall at its Organization Meeting each year appoint an Endowment Fund Committee which shall under the Board manage the Endowment Fund and direct the re-investment of its principal. The Endowment Fund Committee shall consist of not less than three members who shall not all necessarily be members of the Board.
The creation of the latter two committees was significant because it was the first time that Brandon citizens, not necessarily Baptists, were brought into the administration.
HOUSE AND GROUNDS COMMITTEE, 1923-1926
NEW INSTRUCTORS COMMITTEE, 1923-1936
ADVERTISING COMMITTEE, 1923-1936
BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION AND ENDOWMENT COMMITTEE, 1926-1936
TEACHERS COMMITTEE, 1929-1936
GENERAL PUBLICITY COMMITTEE, 1930-1936
By 1936, however, all Committees were abandoned as Brandon College struggled for its financial survival. After the Baptist Convention withdrew all of its support in 1938, a Provisional Board was established through the Brandon Board of Trade to negotiate with the government for the transfer of Brandon College to the Government of Manitoba. The provisional board succeeded in gathering the needed support for government intervention, and resurrected the College under “An Act to Incorporate Brandon College Incorporated.”
The new Board of Directors was appointed October 11, 1939 during a general shareholders meeting. The officers of the Board were a Chairman, a Secretary and a Treasurer. There were also six new standing committees appointed, with mandates listed under clause 16 of by-law 1:
FINANCE COMMITTEE, 1939-1967
... whose duty it shall be to oversee the finances of the Corporation and make recommendations to the Board as to investments of Monies received for endowment or scholarship purposes, and to prepare and submit the annual budget.
PROPERTY COMMITTEE, 1939-1967
... who shall have general supervision of the real and personal property of the Corporation.
ENROLLMENT COMMITTEE, 1939-1967
... whose duty shall be to obtain a student body for the College, to co-operate with the President and Faculty for such purpose and report to the Board as may be required from time to time.
FACULTY COMMITTEE, 1939-1967
... whose duty shall be to make preliminary arrangements for the engagement of teachers and who shall make recommendations to the Board for consideration in the engagement of such teachers.
MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE, 1939-1967
... whose duty shall be to maintain the membership of the Corporation and see that proper records of the same are maintained.
ENDOWMENT COMMITTEE, 1939-1967
... whose duty shall be to obtain endowments for the future operation of the College and to obtain gifts for scholarship purposes.
In 1942 the Public Relations and Progress Committee was established and a Public Relations Officer was hired. A Consultant Committee was appointed in 1948 with the sole purpose of overseeing the transfer of McKenzie Seeds to the provincial government for financial support through the McKenzie Foundation.
Scope and Content
Series consists mainly of minutes of meetings and correspondence between various Board members and the College. It is a very detailed and descriptive compilation of the decision-making processes at a higher education institution. There are copies of minutes from the Executive Committee in amongst the general Board Minutes. Series also contains a copy of an appraisment of Brandon College Inc. by the General Appraisal Company Ltd. (Vancouver) completed in 1957.
Storage Location
RG 1 Brandon College fonds
Series 1: Board of Directors
Arrangement
Series has been divided into one sub-series: (1) Minutes of General Board Meetings.
The Office of the President of Brandon College was established in 1899 under the title of Principal. The Principal was the head of the Academic Department and the Administrative body. In 1910, the position of Principal was changed to the position of President. There is no documented reason given for this change, but it was consistent with other universities and colleges at the time. When the institution was first organized in 1899, the role of the Principal was quite varied. It was the Principal who acted as both Registrar and Bursar, in addition to his duties as head of administration. The Principal also acted as a professor. It was the Principal who kept the college in contact with the Baptist Union. The Principal also acted as the liaison between the Board of Directors and the Senate, being an ex-officio member of both. In 1910, the roles of Registrar and Bursar were no longer the responsibility of the President. In the 1920’s the President became increasingly involved with fundraising and traveled extensively in search of financial support.
In 1938, following the “Act to Incorporate Brandon College Incorporated,” the Board of Directors, under by-law #1, assigned the President with “the internal management of the business of the Corporation insofar as it relates to the students, teaching and office staff shall be under the direct supervision of the President, subject to the order of the Board.” In 1965 the President’s Office was created, consisting of the President, Executive Assistant to the President (later Deputy to the President), and Secretary to the President who was also the Public Relations Assistant. From 1899 until 1967 the Office of the President was administered by six different men.
Scope and Content
Series consists of records generated and collected by various presidents. The series has been divided into six sub-series, including: (1) Dr. Archibald P. McDiarmid; (2) Dr. Howard Primrose Whidden; (3) Dr. Franklin W. Sweet; (4) Dr. David Bovington; (5) Dr. John Robert Charles Evans; and (6) Dr. John E. Robbins.
Storage Location
RG 1 Brandon College fonds
Series 2: Office of the Principal/President
Dr. McDiarmid was born in 1852 in Yarmouth, County Elgin, Ontario to John and Christina McDiarmid. He graduated from grammar school at St. Thomas and from the Canadian Literary Institute at Woodstock. Dr. McDiarmid was the prize man every year at the University of Toronto and won the silver medal in metaphysics in 1875, his graduating year. He was a student pastor at Clarence Baptist Church his junior year at Toronto. In 1876 he received the Master of Arts degree. McDiarmid attended the Rochester Theological Seminary in Rochester, NY. The Board of Woodstock College subsequently offered him a position as Examiner of Metaphysics and Logic. McDiarmid also worked as a pastor at Strathroy and Point Hope.
In 1886 he was called to be the minister of First Church, Ottawa. His scholarly preaching and warm, personal sympathy greatly increased the church membership. McDiarmid went to Brooklyn, NY for two years. He was then appointed Secretary of the Foreign Mission Society of the Ontario and Quebec Convention. In 1899, at age 47, Dr. McDiarmid was asked by the Western Baptist Committee to assume headship of the newly formed Brandon College. McDiarmid accepted the offer and became the first Principal in 1899. In 1910 his position title was changed to President. Dr. McDiarmid retired in 1912 and moved to Robson, B.C., where he owned a farm. He died on January 24, 1946 at the age of 94 in Robson.
Scope and Content
Dr. McDiarmid’s papers contain a wide variety of items. Because the positions of Bursar and Registrar would not be created until 1910, it was McDiarmid who handled all of the finances of the college. The collection includes letters from prospective students and room requests. The tenders for the building of Brandon College are also in this collection. There is substantial correspondence on the Baptist’s fundraising efforts, and lists of pledges and subscriptions. There is also correspondence regarding the quest for a university charter, and the eventual affiliation with McMaster University.
Dr. Whidden was born in Antigonish, Nova Scotia in 1871. He graduated from the Department of Arts at Acadia. In 1894, he was part of the graduating class in Theology at McMaster University. After graduation, Whidden was a pastor in Morden, Manitoba and Galt, Ontario. From 1900-1903 he was Professor of Biblical Literature and English at Brandon College. In 1904, Whidden left Canada to become pastor at the First Baptist Church in Dayton, Ohio. After the retirement of Dr. McDiarmid in 1912, Dr. Whidden was asked to return to Canada to take over the position of President of Brandon College. Dr. Whidden, his wife, and their six children, Charles, Gwen, Evan, Reginald, Bruce and Howard returned to Brandon, where Dr. Whidden became the College’s second President. In 1917, Dr. Whidden ran as the Union Government candidate. He won the election, and in 1918 took his position in the House of Commons. Dr. Whidden remained Brandon College President until his retirement in 1923. In 1923, he assumed the position of Chancellor of McMaster University. He retired from the Chancellorship in 1941.
Scope and Content
Dr. Whidden’s papers include substantial correspondence dealing with Baptist fundraising efforts for the college. There is also a great deal of correspondence to students from the Registrar and Bursar. Board of Director Meeting minutes are also included. The collection covers the World War I situation, and how it affected Brandon College. The 1917 election is documented. There are tenders and correspondence between Dr. Whidden and the architects who designed the Science Building. There is also correspondence dealing with the MacNeill controversy in the early 1920’s.
