Clarence "Bus" Lennon was born at home on the farm on August 30, 1903. He spent his entire life farming in the Reston, MB area. He never married. Clarence Lennon died on December 6, 1991 in Reston, MB. He is buried at Reston 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 Clarence Lennon about his family history and hard times in the early days on a farm. The interviewer is Irene Lazenby.
Notes
History/bio information from the records and Lennon's obituary. Description by Christy Henry.
Language Note
English
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Clarence Benjamin Graham? Spurr, was born in on February 13, 1891 in Bancroft, Ontario. Spurr began working for the Canadian Pacific Railway in 1914 as a station agent at Rocanville, SK and spent many years as an agent in various communities in Saskatchewan and Manitoba before retiring in 1955. In 1923, he married Elizabeth Wallace Lindsay (1893-1979) and they raised three children, sons Ewart and Delbert and adopted niece Verna Spurr. Clarence and Elizabeth moved to Brandon, MB following his retirement. Spurr joined the Canadian military in 1915, and was initially sent to Camp Hughes. A signaler and runner, he spent 1916-1918 overseas. Clarence Spurr died on December 21, 1982 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 Clarence B.G. Spurr about his experiences during World War I. Spurr discusses and reminisces about details of the Great War and some of the major turning points within it from Vimy Ridge, Lamont, Mons, Neuville-Saint-Vaast and the Armistice that ended the war on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day in November from the perspective of a Canadian soldier. Interviewer is Delbert Spurr.
Notes
History/bio information from the records and Spurr's obituary. Transcript by Whitney Hodgins (2017). Description by Christy Henry.
Access Restriction
Content Warning: Some of the material discussed in the interview is sensitive in nature, dealing with the war and some of the gruesome acts that go with it. Listener discretion is advised.
Language Note
English
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History / Biographical
Clarence Frank Hopkin was born September 11, 1913 in Brandon, MB. He worked for the family bakery (Hopkin's Bakery), which was located on the southside of Rosser Avenue downtown, for the railroad in the mail cars and the Brandon Post Office. At the same time Hopkin's worked for the Post Office he and his wife operated Hopkin's Home Bakery from their house after the downtown bakery had ceased operations.
Hopkin's was a member of the First Baptist Church and a Golden K Kiwanis Club member. He took an active interest in community theatre, attending and participating in a number of plays. In 1994, Hopkin received the Mayor's Volunteer Service Award for Education in recognition of his volunteer work at Betty Gibson School where he read to and with the students there.
Hopkin married Ivy Margaret Ward on June 2, 1945 in Brandon. Ward was born in 1913 and predeceased her husband in 1986. Together they had two children: Keith and Elaine.
Clarence Frank Hopkin died in Brandon on March 17, 2009.
Custodial History
Records were collected by Hopkin's and possibly other family members at the house on 7th Street where the family lived for approximately 100 years. After Hopkin's death in March 2009, his daughter Elaine and granddaughter Holly contacted the Archives regarding donation of some of the materials to the McKee Archives. Visits were made to the Hopkin's house by Archives staff the week of April 13-17, 2009, at the end of which the records in the accession were officially donated to the Archives.
Scope and Content
Collection consists of records collected by Clarence Hopkin over the course his life, which document his personal interests and certain community events.
Included in the collection are: scrapbooks (mostly newspaper clippings); play programs from productions staged by the Brandon Little Theatre; cookbooks; four play scripts; copies of the BCI New Era yearbook (1926, 1928 (may not be complete - missing cover), 1929); 1946 Brandon Business and Professional Classified Directory; Brandon College/University programs from recitals, plays and convocations; materials related to the radio show broadcast by First Baptist Church; Harrison High Literary Society play programs; miscellaneous programs to events held in the city; Brandon City District Drama Festival and The Mantioba Drama League Provincial Festival programs; The Brandon Canadian Concert Association programs; information on the Brandon Street Railway and the Criddle family; advertisement cards from Brandon businesses; a typescript copy of "How Englishmen Get That Way;" and a radio broadcast talk by Christopher Ellis.
It also contains copies of: Northern-Lights and Shadows by J.S. Clark; A Bundle of Burnt Cork Comedy by Harry L. Newton; Picturesque Brandon; Petit Pettitt: Biography of a Brandon Oldtimer by Joan T. Thompson; and Pioneer Patches by Mildred Donley.
Collection also includes four photographs and one negative. Negative: Brandon Collegiate Form 3A, 1928-1929. Photographs: City Hall looking southeast; Grain elevator on Pacific Avenue; Brandon Central Fire Station; interior parlour photograph.
Notes
History/Bio information provided by Hopkin's daughter Elaine in April 2009.
Annie McLean (nee Hubbard) was born on January 4, 1895 in Dunville, ON. She came to the Virden, MB district with her family in 1896. Annie attended school in Virden and then worked as a telephone operator. In 1913, she married Frederick Middleton McLean (1885-1962) and the couple farmed in the Hargrave district until retiring to Elkhorn in 1957. Together they raised five boys: Lem, Ray, Bud, Dale and Glen. Annie was a member of Hargrave United Church and of Unit S of St. Paul's UCW. Her later years were spent in Virden. Annie McLean died on September 24, 1984 in Virden, MB. She is 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 Annie McLean about her life story. Interviewer is Rosalyn Sutley.
Notes
History/bio information from the records and McLean's obituary. Description by Christy Henry.
Language Note
English
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New Dining Room (?) Board of Directors Activities. l-r: Wilfred F.McGregor, Chairman, Board of Directors receiving cheque from Hon. Stewart McLean, Minister of Education.
Ethel Elizabeth Mary Allen (nee Baker) was born on June 30, 1915 on Springhill Farm in the RM of Rosedale. She attended Springhill School and Neepawa Collegiate. An accomplished pianist, she formed a band with her brothers and together they played many dances. Ethel married William Allen (1902-1964) in June 1938 and together they had one son, Larry. Following the marriage, the couple lived in the residence at Howden elevator where Bill was the elevator agent for the Ogilvie company. Ethel helped Bill with bookkeeping. When Bill died, Ethel moved to Neepawa, where she worked for the Osborone Senior Citizens Home for a number of years. A long time member of the Order of the Eastern Star, Naomi Chapter No. 11, Ethel enjoyed curling, sewing and travel. Ethel Allen died on May 14, 2001 in Neepawa, MB. She 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 Ethel Allen about the history of the Potter-Baker Centennial Farm. Interviewer is Isabelle Heeney.
Notes
History/bio information from the records and the local history "The Beautiful Plains Story, 1983-2008." Transcript by Sarah Gerdis-Filipchuk (2023). Description by Christy Henry.
Language Note
English
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Faith Ellen Flay (nee Willis) was born on September 17, 1884 in Little Burn, Devonshire, England. Faith married William Frederick Flay (1877-1965) in Tiverton, Devon on December 26, 1906 and together they had two children: Winnifred Ellen and William George. She immigrated to Canada with her children in 1916 to join her husband who had come to Canada in 1913. The family lived in many communities in southern Manitoba - Deloraine, Clearwater, Whitewater, Boissevain, Hartney and Brandon - where William farmed and worked for the railroad. Faith took her midwife training in Britain and continued to work as a midwife in Manitoba, working closely with Dr. Buchanan (Deloraine) and Dr. Corbett (Crystal City). Faith Flay died on Septebmer 22, 1985 in Brandon, MB. She 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 Faith Flay about pioneering to Canada. Interviewer is Hazel Rose.
Notes
History/bio information from the records and Flay's obituary. Description by Christy Henry.
Language Note
English
Audio Tracks
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Faith Ellen Flay (nee Willis) was born on September 17, 1884 in Little Burn, Devonshire, England. Faith married William Frederick Flay (1877-1965) in Tiverton, Devon on December 26, 1906 and together they had two children: Winnifred Ellen and William George. She immigrated to Canada with her children in 1916 to join her husband who had come to Canada in 1913. The family lived in many communities in southern Manitoba - Deloraine, Clearwater, Whitewater, Boissevain, Hartney and Brandon - where William farmed and worked for the railroad. Faith took her midwife training in Britain and continued to work as a midwife in Manitoba, working closely with Dr. Buchanan (Deloraine) and Dr. Corbett (Crystal City). Faith Flay died on Septebmer 22, 1985 in Brandon, MB. She 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 Faith Flay about child labor in England and her career as a midwife. Interviewer is Kay Briggs.
Notes
History/bio information from the records and Flay's obituary. Description by Christy Henry.
Language Note
English
Audio Tracks
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Florence Alice Hinch (nee Matthews) was born on October 21, 1898 in Charlottetown, PEI. She came to Brandon with her parents James Ewen and Deborah (Lowther) Matthews, as well as brother Ralph, in 1911. James Matthews served in the Canadian Parliament for a number of years. Florence received her education in Brandon, graduating from Brandon College. After teaching at Hunter and Hayfield schools, she married John S Hinch (1888-1954) in October 1926. Together they had two children: John and Howard. Florence and John farmed SE 2-10-20 in the RM of Whitehead. She was an avid supporter and player at the Roseland Curling Rink, and also participated in many school and church activities. Florence Hinch died on April 16, 1991 in Brandon, MB. She 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 Florence Hinch about the history of J.E. Matthews and family. Interviewer is Effie McPhail.
Notes
History/bio information from the records and Hinch's obituary. Description by Christy Henry.
Language Note
English
Audio Tracks
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