Archibald E. Wilson was the son of Reverend E.F. Wilson and the husband of St. Clair Vidal Wilson. Rev. E.F. Wilson was at one time in charge of the Shingwauk and Wawanosh Homes at Sault Ste. Marie. Rev. E.F. Wilson moved to Elkhorn, Manitoba in 1888, to establish an educational home for Indian children. He was joined by his son, Archibald E. Wilson who was, in 1890, appointed assistant to the superintendent. A.E. Wilson became Principal of the Indian Industrial School in 1892. His wife served as Matron of the girls departments. Togerher they had three daughters: E.F. Metita, Winifred St. Clair and Murial Grace, as well as two sons: Edward Vidal, and St. Clair Vidal Wilson.
Archibald Wilson and his family lived in Elkhorn, Manitoba during the years 1892 to 1918 while he was principal. At the beginning of his term as Principal there were 12 students enrolled; enrollment reached as high as 95 students, representing eight different nations. In February of 1918, the government withdrew funding and the school closed. In September of 1918, Wilson left Elkhorn to take up his new position as a clerk at an Indian Reserve near Gleichen, Alberta.
During its years of operation, the Elkhorn Industrial School included an Athletic department, a curling team and a boys' football team. Students studied carpentry, shoemaking, harness making, tailoring, knitting and sewing. In 1893, the school was presented with a large Canadian flag for being the best Industrial School in Manitoba and the Territories. In November of 1893, a brass band was established, which provided music for the local Anglican Chruch. After a fire demolished most of the school in 1895, Wilson convinced the Federal Department of Indian Affairs to rebuild the school. In 1899, the Elkhorn Industrial School was reopened.
Custodial History
Most of this fonds was at one time in the possession of Principal A.E. Wilson. After Wilson passed away the pieces of the fonds were kept by one of his daughters, Winifred St. Clair Wilson, now deceased. Winifred married Mr. Frank Clark, M.D. and kept the fonds when she moved to Vancouver B.C. and then to Calgary, Alberta. Winifred Clark eventually donated the fonds to the McKee Archives.
Scope and Content
Fonds includes four journals, one testimonial and one newspaper article. The journals include: the ‘7th Annual Report of the Washakada Indian Homet 1895-1896,' written by Principal A.E. Wilson; ‘The Greater Britain Messenger’ September and October 1899, which includes the article ‘The Elkhorn Home, Manitoba;’ ‘The National Monthly of Canada’ September 1902, which includes the article ‘Indian Children at Home;’ and the Centeneray Number (March-April 1932) issue of ‘The Algoma Missionary News,’ which includes an article giving information about Rev. E.F. Wilson and his missionary work.
Fonds also includes an article from the November 19, 1971 edition of The Vancouver Sun, entitled "Leisure's Book Reviews," which discusses Indigenous publications in Canada. The testimonial that is included in the fonds, was given to Archibald Wilson upon his departure from Elkhorn. There are 28 subscribers to the testimonial and it is dated September 19, 1918.
Notes
The Wilsons are discussed in J.R. Miller's "Skyscrapers Hide the Heavens: A History of Indian-White Relations in Canada," Miller's "Shingwauk's vision :a history of native residential schools" and John S. Milloy's "A National Crime: The Canadian Government and the Residential School System 1879-1986." Description by Christy Henry.
See collection level description for history/biography information on Frederick George McGuinness.
Frederick George McGuinness’ maternal grandparents were John POPE (b. 28 January 1852 – d. 24 January 1923) and Mary DARROCH (b. 24 May 1861 – d. 18 September 1942). Canadian Census records for 1906 show John was born in England and immigrated to Canada in 1870. Mary was born in Wellington, Ontario.
John and Mary married in Brandon on 11 July 1888. The POPE family was considered one of Brandon’s pioneer families and all nine children were born in Brandon: Fred McGUINNESS’ mother Isabella Louisa POPE, John “Jack” Stuart/Stewart POPE, Annie Ruby POPE, Alice Jane POPE, George Campbell POPE, Henry Victor James POPE, Roy Clendon POPE, Hugh Edward POPE (b. 23 February 1901 – d. 9 November 1904), and Albert William POPE (b. 1 April 1903 – d. 17 November 1904).
According to the Brandon City Henderson Directories, maternal patriarch John POPE worked as a bartender in the Brunswick Hotel (in 1906), the King Edward Hotel (from 1907-1911), and the Royal George Hotel (by 1913-14). He later became an employee at the Empire Brewing Company (1921). The 1901 Canadian Census records both his brother George (b. 23 October 1843), working as a contractor, and his sister-in-law Ella DARROCH (b. 16 August 1872) as living with the POPE family. It appears George stayed with the family for a decade.
Isabella Louisa POPE (b. 09 July 1889 – 16 December 1966) worked as clerk and stenographer with the Dominion Express Company between 1907 and 1909. It was there that she likely met her future husband, William Frederick McGUINNESS, whom she married in Brandon on 2 November 1910. The 1911 Canadian Census shows William, Louisa and their one-month old daughter Mary Charlotte living with Louisa’s parents on 629 9th Street in Brandon. William was working as cashier with Dominion Express Company at the time. [See William Frederick McGuinness below for more information about Louisa and William.]
By 1916, the POPE family was living at 708 10th Street, while Louisa and William McGUINNESS were living at their home at 337 17th Street. All of the Pope brothers listed the Tenth Street address as their home and their military accomplishments are mentioned in Fred McGuinness’ popular short story “The Button Bag” that was read on CBC’s Morningside radio program and later published in his book Letters from Section 17 (1999).
John “Jack” Stuart/Stewart POPE (b. 18 March 1891 – 5 March 1971) managed the Empire Hotel’s News Stand in 1909. From 1913 to 1914, he was a clerk with the Grand View Hotel. Jack married Helen Frances FINNEGAN on 1 May 1914. On 7 November 1916, Jack enlisted with the Canadian Field Artillery’s 76th Depot Battery in Winnipeg (regimental # 12501611). His attestation papers list his occupation as a packer, likely with the Empire Brewing Company, a company to which he would return after the war. The 1921 Canadian Census lists Jack as single and living at his parent’s Tenth Street home. By 1931, Jack was working as a foreman with the Empire Beverage Company. Jack’s listings in Henderson’s Brandon City Directories are sporadic throughout the 1930s and 1940s but it appears he was an employee with the Empire Beverage Company until 1941. Jack was listed as an engineer working at the Brandon Sanatorium from 1947 to 1949. Jack died on 5 March 1971 and was interred in the Veterans’ Section of the Brandon Municipal Cemetery (Section 27, Block C, Plot 124); his grave marker affiliates him with the 181st Battalion.
Anna “Annie” Ruby POPE (3 August 1892 – 26 December 1971) was listed as a dressmaker in Henderson’s Brandon City Directory for 1919. Shortly thereafter, she would become a long-term employee with Yaegers Furs (from 1921 onwards) working as an operator and fur finisher. After her father’s death in 1923, Annie moved with her mother and brothers to 228 15th Street. She lived at that address until her death on 26 December 1971. She passed away in Yorkton, Saskatchewan (where her surviving sister Mrs. Alice Jane Murray lived), and was interred in the Brandon Municipal Cemetery (Section 6, Block B, Plot 11). The furrier Yaegers Furs Ltd. closed its shop early in her honour.
Alice Jane POPE (MURRAY) (b. 8 May 1894 – d. 11 May 1983) was a binder, folder, and stenographer with Cox Printing Copy from 1914 to 1919. She married Alexander Leo Murray on 8 October 1919 and moved with her husband, a butcher and grocery merchant, to Kenora, Ontario. Alice died in 1983 in Yorkton, Saskatchewan.
George Campbell POPE (b. 13 December 1896 – d. 3 September 1918) was listed as an employee of the Empire Brewing Company from 1913 to 1914 in the Brandon City Henderson Directories. His attestation papers identify him as a chemist’s assistant. George had been with 99th Manitoba Rangers for six years prior to enlisting with the 181st Battalion on 12 February 1916 (regimental # 855132). Once overseas, George was transferred to the 44th Battalion. He was killed in action six weeks before the war’s end on 3 September 1918. His Commonwealth War Grave is in the Chapel Corner Cemetery (Pas de Calais, France).
Henry ”Harry” Victor James POPE (b. 15 February 1897 – d. 18 September 1952) was another Pope brother to work with the Empire Brewing/Beverage Company. Harry became a long-term employee of the brewer, working with the company from 1917 to 1951. During that time, the Brandon City Henderson’s Directories list Harry as a bottler (1925-31) and Vice President (1933, 1941-45). He briefly left the company in 1945 to work as a foreman with the Bell Bottling Company, and again in 1952. Harry never married. He lived with his sister in their family home until his death in 1952. He is interred in the Brandon Municipal Cemetery (Section 6, Block B, Plot 63).
Roy Clendon POPE (b. 4 April 1899 – d. 03 March 1966) enlisted with the City of Brandon’s 181st Battalion on 3 April 1916 (regimental # 865466). He listed his occupation as bridge builder on his attestation papers. Once overseas, Roy was transferred to the 44th Battalion. He would survive the war and was awarded a Military Medal on 3 July 1919. After the war he became an employee with the Canadian Northern Railway (CNR) (1921-23). Roy became a carpenter by trade (1925-1945). He served as the secretary to the Kinsmen Club from 1931-33 and worked briefly with the RCAF as a laborer in 1943. By 1949 he had a wife, Anne, and moved from his family home to live at 623 23rd Street. He worked as a clerk and caretaker of the Land Titles Office from 1951-54. Roy is buried in the Brandon Municipal Cemetery (Section 6, Block B, Plot 65).
Fred McGuinness’ paternal grandparents were Frederick Anthony McGUINNESS (b. August 1857-1862 – d. 5 March 1933) and Anna Charlotte GALLAGHER (b. 19 September 1861/1863/1864 – d. 10 March 1948). Born to Irish parents, Canadian Census records list England (1891, 1901) and Newfoundland (1911) as birthplaces for F.A. McGuinness. He immigrated to Canada in 1864 or 1865 and married Charlotte GALLAGHER in 1882. His wife, Charlotte, was born in Ontario. The couple had four children: William Frederick McGUINNESS, Ernest Albert McGUINNESS, Annie May McGUINNESS, and Frederick Gallagher McGUINNESS. The family moved to Manitoba in 1900 and while in Brandon, Frederick Anthony worked as a CPR conductor from 1906 to 1924/25. He would die in Brandon two weeks before his eldest son, William, succumbed to illness. He is interred in the Brandon Municipal Cemetery (Section 22, Block D, Plot 46).
William Frederick McGUINNESS (b. 22 August 1884 – d. 18 March 1933) was born in Ottawa and graduated with honors from the Willis School of Accountancy in that city. He moved with his family to Manitoba and worked as a cashier with the CPR Express Office from 1900 to 1905. From 1906 to 1911, he worked as a clerk with the Dominion Express Company. In 1910, William married Isabella Louisa POPE and they would have six children: Mary Charlotte, Dorreene Louise, Kathleen Ruth, Frederick George, Orma Grace, and Carol. From 1914-1919, W.F. McGuinness was the secretary-treasurer of the Hanbury Hardware Company; by 1921, he was the general manager. In 1925, W.F. McGuinness was manager of the Manitoba Hardware Company Limited and by 1927 he was the Company’s secretary-treasurer. He was also a member of a number of service clubs and fraternal organizations. From 1919-1923, he served as a director of the Manitoba Winter Fair and Fat Stock Show, representing the Manitoba Poultry Association. He was also a Mason and was involved with Brandon’s Council of the Board of Trade, Brandon Curling Club (1927 treasurer), and the Lawn Bowling Club. W.F. McGuinness passed away at the age of 49 after suffering from an infection for eight months, a complication resulting from influenza. He is interred in the Brandon Municipal Cemetery (Section 22, Block D, Plot 48).
While in Brandon, Ernest Albert McGUINNESS (b. 10 July 1886 – d. 30 August 1943) worked as a CPR ticket agent from at least 1906 to 1916. He was also a well-known baritone in the community. Ernest married Evelina G. DOLMAGE in Souris on 7 August 1912. They would have three daughters: Anna Charlotte, Maire, and Mrs. Edward May. Ernest moved to Winnipeg with his family in 1916 and lived there until his death in 1943. He is interred in the McGUINNESS family plot in the Brandon Municipal Cemetery (Section 22, Block D, Plot 48).
Annie May McGUINNESS (b. 23 December 1888 – d. 23 March 1948) was born in Carleton, Ontario. She worked as a laundress at the Brandon Asylum in 1907. She became a stenographer and worked with a number of firms, including George White Sons and Company in 1913, A.G. Buckingham in 1917, Coldwell Coleman and Kerr from 1919-43, and Kerr, McQuarrie & Meighen in 1945. Annie was a member of the First Presbyterian Church and a charter member of the Heather Club. She died in Brandon at the age of 59, and was interred in the Brandon Municipal Cemetery (Section 22, Block D, Plot 22).
Frederick Gallagher McGUINNESS (b. 1891 – d. 23 May 1968) was born in Ottawa, Ontario. While in Brandon, he was a student (1911) and secretary of Boys’ Work for the YMCA in 1913. He moved to Winnipeg where he graduated from the Manitoba Medical College in 1917. On 3 December 1917, Lieutenant F.G. McGuinness enlisted with the Canadian Army Medical Corps in Winnipeg. He served in France with the Royal Army Medical Corps and was a Medical Officer attached with the Ninth Royal Irish Fusiliers. Lt. McGuiness survived the war and returned to Winnipeg where he married Myrtle Eva WHITE in Winnipeg on 12 September 1922. They would have a son Jim “Jimmy” and a daughter Elizabeth (SHANNON). Dr. McGuinness practiced in Obstetrics and Gynecology and taught at the University of Manitoba’s Medical School from 1923 onwards. He was instrumental in helping his nephew, Frederick George McGUINNESS return to school after he was injured in the Second World War. Dr. McGuinness died in Winnipeg at the Deer Lodge Hospital following a lengthy illness.
Frederick George McGUINNESS had five sisters, three older and two younger. The eldest sister, Mary Charlotte McGuinness (b. 1 May 1911 – d. 02 December 1973), was born in Portage la Prairie. While in Brandon, she worked as a music teacher from 1937 to 1943 and was an organist with Knox United Church from 1941 to 1943. She married Reverend Henry John Herbert OLDFIELD (b. 4 June 1914, Saanich – d. September 2007, Victoria). They had two sons, John and William Frederick “Fred” (b. 1945 – d. 21 August 1986). Mary passed away in Coquitlam, BC.
Dorreene “Doney” Louise McGUINNESS (b. 31 December 1912 – d. 16 February 1976) was born in Virden, Manitoba. She married Dr. Robert INGLIS (b. 17 April 1913 – d. November 1982) and had four children. Dorreene passed away in Estevan, Saskatchewan and is buried in Souris Valley Memorial Gardens.
Kathleen Ruth McGUINNESS (b. 12 September 1915 – d. 15 September 1963) was born in Brandon, Manitoba. She worked as an operator with Government Phones from 1937 to 1941 and as a clerk with CPR Telegraphs from 1943 to 1951. In 1951, she was President of the Trillium Business and Professional Women’s Club. She died in Brandon at the age of 48, and was interred in the Brandon Municipal Cemetery (Section 22, Block D, Plot 50).
Orma Grace McGuinness (b. 13 January 1925 – d. 3 January 2013) was born in Brandon. She had trained as a nurse by 1947. She married George Edmond LONGPHEE (b. 9 September 1924, Souris, PEI – d. 7 May 2002, Sidney, BC) in Brandon on 1 June 1948. They had five children. Orma passed away in Sidney, BC.
Carol McGUINNESS married Herbert YOUNG on 16 January 1954 and had two children. She is the last surviving McGuinness sister of Frederick George McGuinness.
Custodial History
Accession 1-2015 contains records created and collected over the course of McGuinness’ career as a newspaper journalist and freelance writer. The Estate of Fred McGuinness donated the materials to the SJ McKee Archives circa 2011. The Archives accessioned the records in 2015.
Scope and Content
Subseries consists of records created and collected by members of the McGuinness family, as well as records created and collected by Fred McGuinness during his years in the Canadian navy, college, and as a journalist, editor, and freelance writer. The papers and letters include materials from paternal and maternal sides of the McGuinness family.
Records in the subseries consist of newspaper clippings, correspondence, financial papers, legal documents, and military records .
Notes
Biographical information about the Pope-McGuinness families was obtained from the following: Manitoba Vital Statistics Database for birth, marriages, deaths; 1901, 1906, 1911 Canadian Censuses for immigration dates, addresses, occupations; Henderson’s Brandon City Directory (1906-1955) for addresses and occupations; obituaries published in the Brandon Daily Sun, Brandon Sun, and Winnipeg Free Press.
Accruals
Closed
Finding Aid
File level inventory is available
Storage Location
2015 accessions
Related Material
McGuinness wrote about his family and published snippets in his newspaper columns (see McG 2 Newspaper career series), articles (see McG 3.2 Miscellaneous freelance) and monographs (see McG 5 series). His book, Letters from Section 17: A Collection of Morningside Essays is autobiographical in nature
Trillium Business and Professional Women’s Club records
Arrangement
Arrangement was artificially created by the Archives. Subseries has been re-arranged according to publication period.
Documents
McG 1_1 McGuinness family papers and letters inventory.pdf
Crystal City Co-operative Elevator Association Limited Organizational papers: 1928 - 1969 Petition, 1928 Minutes of the provisional Directors' meeting, 6 March 1928 Minutes of the permanent Directors' meeting, 6 March 1928 Minutes of the Shareholders' meeting, 6 March 1928 By-law nos. 1-7, 6 March 1928 Lease MPEL to Crystal City CEAL, 1 August 1928 Share certificate, 12 January 1929 Memorandum of agreement, 12 November 1929 Letter re: lease, 23 November 1929 Application for share of stock, 25 July 1931 Agreement between Crystal City CEA, MPE, Manitoba Wheat Pool and The King, 1 August 1931 Certification of approval for By-law no. 14, 1 December 1931 Letter re: By-law nos. 12 and 13, 30 January 1932 Letter re: application for stock, 14 January 1932 Letter re: Director and Shareholders meeting, 25 July 1931 Agreement between Crystal City CEAL and MPEL, 1 February 1933 Special meeting of Board of Directors re: By-law no. 15, 24 February 1933 Agreement between Crystal City CEAL and MPEL, 15 October 1936 By-law no. 16, 1 November 1939 By-law authorizing cancellation of share capital, 30 October 1940 By-laws 18, 19, 20, and General By-laws, 10 November 1941 Draft resolutions re: By-laws amending General By-laws, 31 October 1947 By-law no. 21, 31 October 1947 Memo re: By-law no. 21, 27 August 1948 By-law no. 22, 16 November 1929 Memo re: By-law no. 22, 7 March 1950 By-law no. 23, 12 November 1921 Agreement between Crystal City CEAL and MPEL, 1 August 1951 Memo re: above agreement, 13 June 1952 Directors' Resolution, 18 October 1961 Building permit, 8 May 1965 By-law no. 26, 25 April 1967 Building permit, 2 November 1967 General By-laws, 16 April 1969 Arrangement, 18 June 1969 Transfer agreement, no date Memo re: local Elevator Association By-laws, no date Motion for By-laws 18, 19, 20 and General By-laws, no date General By-laws, no date By-law re: members equities, no date Minutes of Executive Board meetings, volume 1, 16 March 1928 - volume 7, 1 October 1984 Minutes of Shareholders Annual meetings, 1929 - 1968 (31 reports) Financial records and statistics Statement of surplus, 1938 - 1955 (15 reports) Final statements, 1930 - 1952 (20 reports) Auditors' reports, 1929 - 1968 (34 reports) Analysis of Operating Results, 1951 - 1963 (9 reports) Detail of grain earnings, 1965 - 1967 (2 reports) Auditors reports, 1929 - 1968 (34 reports) Delivery sheets season, 1929 - 1930 (3 sheets) Growers ledger, 1933 - 1934 (2 sheets) Review of Operating Results, 1965 - 1966 Agents monthly expense accounts, 1928 - 1929 Delivery statistics, 1956 Highlights, 1969 Correspondence, 1928 - 1970 Membership list, 1928 - 1969 Miscellaneous Directors' attendance lists, 1951 - 1969 (15 reports) List of Officers, Directors, and Delegates, 1966 - 1967 Requisition for payment of Director's fees and secretary's honorarium, no date Corporate Name: Rural Municipality of Louise
Dominion City Co-operative Elevator Association Limited Minutes of Executive Board meetings, volume 1, 2 May 1960 - volume 2, 29 September 1969 Correspondence, 1960 (1 letter) Corporate Name: Rural Municipality of Franklin.
Rapid City Co-operative Elevator Association Limited Organizational papers: 1931 - 1980 By-law nos. 8, 9, 10 and 11, no date Agreement between Rapid City CEA, MPE, Manitoba Wheat Pool and The King, 1 August 1931 Agreement between Rapid City CEA and MPE, 15 October 1939 By-law no. 16, 27 October 1939 By-law authorizing cancellation of share capital, 6 November 1940 By-law nos. 18, 19 and 20, 2 August 1941 Memo re: Repeal By-law no. 19, no date Memo re: cancellation of share capital, 24 March 1941 Motion sheet re: By-laws 18, 19, 20 and General By-laws, no date Memo re: Share certificate, 26 November 1941 Memo re: Agreement, 19 July 1944 Agreement between Rapid City CEA and MPE, 1 August 1951 By-law no. 23, 14 November 1951 By-law no. 74, no date Directors' Resolution, 18 October 1961 Agreement between Rapid City CEA and MPE, 15 December 1966 By-law no. 26, 15 March 1967 MPE - Act of Incorporation, 15 May 1969 Agreement re: The Campanies Act, 10 June 1969 Letter re: Closure, 29 October 1980 Minutes of Executive Board meetings, volume 1, 6 August 1926 - volume 8, 15 December 1981 Minutes of Shareholders Annual meetings, 1929 - 1964 (24 reports) Financial records and statistics Analysis of Operating Results, 1951 - 1956 (2 reports) Statement of surplus, 1940 - 1955 Final statement, 1930 - 1952 Auditors reports, 1928 - 1945 (13 reports) Auditors report, 1968 Correspondence, 1941 - 1964, 1964 - 1970 Membership list, 1938 - 1961, 1963, 1970 Miscellaneous Directors Attendance list, 1943 - 1963 (16 reports) Directors Attendance list, 1981 Corporate Name: Rural Municipality of Saskatchewan
These records were produced between 1987 and 1988, the researching and writing period for The Wheat City: A Pictorial History of Brandon monograph. Published in 1988 by Western Producer Books (Saskatoon, Saskatchewan), The Wheat City is a 117-page soft cover book, containing black and white images.
Western Producer Books pitched the book’s concept to Fred McGuinness in the fall of 1987. This book was part of the publisher’s “city series” which focused on smaller cities such as Medicine Hat and Prince Albert. It was estimated that the book would contain a 6,000-word introduction followed by approximately 80 archival photographs of Brandon spanning from early settlement to the late 1950s/early 1960s.
Brandon University history major Pam Svistovski worked as McGuinness’ research assistant and McGuinness obtained images for the book from his own personal collection, the Brandon Sun, Lawrence Stuckey, the Archives of Manitoba, and the Western Pictorial Index.
Custodial History
Records were collected and created by McGuinness during the writing phase of the monograph The Wheat City. The materials were donated to the SJ McKee Archives by the Estate of Fred McGuinness circa 2011. The Archives accessioned the records in 2015.
Scope and Content
The subseries consists of textual records and photographs created and collected during the production of the monograph The Wheat City. It includes correspondence, newspapers articles, drafts and black and white photographs from the Archives of Manitoba, Western Canada Pictorial Index, and Illustrated Souvenir of Brandon.
Notes
Information in the history/biography was obtained from The Wheat City’s acknowledgements and a letter to Mr. Fred McGuinness from Western Producer Books, dated September 24, 1987 (McG 5.6, File 11)
Where known, archival reference numbers for photographs obtained from the Archives of Manitoba and the Western Canada Pictorial Index and considered/used in The Wheat City have been provided in the item level description
Accruals
Closed
Repro Restriction
Images published in the monograph and stored in files copyright protected by their respective organizations
Finding Aid
A file level inventory is available
Storage Location
2015 accessions
Related Material
Clarence Hopkin collection
Lawrence Stuckey collection
Jack Stothard collection
Fred McGuinness would write/publish about a topic in a number of forums. Therefore, it is possible research materials pertaining to this monograph may be found in the Fred McGuinness collection subseries: Correspondence (McG 1.2), Brandon Sun (McG 2.2) Miscellaneous freelance (McG 3.2), Local history research (McG 4.1), Manitoba: The Province & The People (McG 5.4), and Manitoba Enterprise (McG 5.5)
Arrangement
Arrangement was artificially created by the Archives. Subseries has been re-arranged according to picture sources
