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)
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.
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.
Some pages in the scrapbooks have fallen out and some of the glued pieces are no longer attached to pages
History / Biographical
Dilys Collier (nee Pearce) was born 4 December 1937, in the Rural Municipality of Daly near Rivers, MB. Before studying at Brandon College, Collier was educated in Bradwardine, MB. Collier graduated from Brandon College with a Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Pedagogy in 1958 and 1959 respectively. In 1961, Collier married a Brandon College classmate, Clare Coburn. She spent much of the next two decades working as a homemaker and mother to her three children.
After she and her husband separated in 1979, Collier decided to go back to school. In the next ten years, Collier completed a Bachelor of Education degree (1980), a Bachelor of Social Work from the University of Regina (1982) and a Master of Education degree from the University of Saskatchewan (1987). Across her working career, Collier held many posistions including public school teacher, adult educator, social worker, researcher and personal counselor. Along with her work, Collier volunteered extensively with the Knox United Church and the Brandon Cooperative Nursing School. Through the years, she worked for a variety of organizations, including The Saskatoon Family Service Bureau and the REgina John Howard Society. Collier has lived and worked in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, British Columbia and Swansea, Wales.
Currently (January 2017), Collier is retired and lives in Mission, BC with her husband of thirty-four years, Kenneth Collier.
Custodial History
The records were created and collected by Dilys Collier during her years as a student and alumna of Brandon College/University. The records were stored in her home huntil they were donated to the McKee Archives in 2013.
Scope and Content
Collection consists of records created and collected by Dilys Collier as a means to document her life as a Brandon College student in the 1950s.
Included are three scrapbooks and two folders containing: newspapers and newspaper clippings from The Brandon Sun and The Quill, dealing primarily with Brandon College students, faculty and events; Brandon College administrative records such as the Clark Hall Rules, Collier's proof of registration records, her Brandon College acceptance letter, class schedules and exam timetables; photographs and programmes that cover events such as Freshie Week, dances and other student functions on campus; records documenting campus student activities, including the words to Hail Our College and various College Yells performed after student dances and other functions; decorations from fall proms and Valentine's Day dances, as well as Convocation (1958); programmes from various College convocation ceremonies; various cards Collier received, including those for her birthday and Valentine's Day; election advertisements, primarily for those students running for Student Administration "Stick" positions.
The collection also contains a green taffeta, net and rhinestone gown purchased by Collier to wear to some of the formal dances held at Brandon's Prince Edward Hotel.
Notes
History/Bio information was provided by the donor in late 2016/early 2017. Information on the green gown can be found on prairiehistory.ca. Description by Brian Erixon (October 2016) and Christy Henry.
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
Contains the following files:
1.1 Johnston McPherson's drivers licenses and membership cards 1923-1963 (includes 2 photos)
1.2 Miss Ella McKay/Mrs. Johnston McPherson correspondence 1903-1919
1.3 Mrs. Johnston McPherson miscellaneous [1903-1968]
1.4 Mr. and Mrs. Johnston McPherson correspondence 1960 (includes "Story of the Brandon Hills" and "Fun and Happiness on Treasure Trail"
1.5 Mr. and Mrs. Johnston McPherson correspondence 1961
1.6 Mr. and Mrs. Johnston McPherson correspondence 1962-1963
1.7 (Possibly Johnston McPherson) hay account book 1902; same volume contains a travel diary
1.8 Johston McPherson - Land Title (1910) and correspondence re: land purchase (1909)
1.9 Transcript of History of Justice, Manitoba 1956
1.10 Brandon Hills Busy Bees account book 1927-1934
1.11 Basil McDonald's land patent 1884
1.12 List of electors 1938
1.13 Brandon Hills School teacher's notebook 1927
1.14 List of electors in Glenwood [1915-1941] and Blanchard 1933
1.15 Unidentified correspondence [1902-1929]
1.16 Ella McPherson unsorted correspondence 1915-1952
1.17 Address book with newsclippings ca. 1940 (the bigger of the two address books)
1.18 Ella McPherson address book 1913-1939 (includes 2 photographs; was given to Ella McPherson by Ethel McPherson in 1913; the smaller of the two address books).
File 12.6 is very fragile and has some water damage that has warped the pages, but hasn't damaged the clippings.
Physical Condition
12.5 cm
History / Biographical
For biographical information on Angus and Ethel McPherson see the description for Box 6 of the Alfred Angus Murray McPherson collection. For biographical information on Annie I. McVety (Pentland) see the descrption for Box 10 of the Alfred Angus Murray McPherson collection.
Scope and Content
Contains the following files:
12.1 Angus McPherson album (clippings, poems, etc.) - MISSING
12.2 Ethel McPherson scrapbook 1920-1942
12.3 Ethel McPherson scrapbook 1942-1947
12.4 Ethel McPherson scrapbook 1941-1954 (loose entries)
12.5 Ethel McPherson scrapbook (loose entries)
12.6 Annie I. McVitie scrapbook (poems etc. on an old school register)
12.7 Annie I. McVitie poetry 1879
Notes
Part of the Alfred Angus Murray McPherson collection.
All records are reproductions. Photographs are digital scans.
History / Biographical
Reverend Elijah Daniel Pound (1881 – 1931) was a Brandon College alumnus and pioneer Baptist missionary tasked with opening the largest and most northern Baptist mission fields at Swan River and Bowsman, Manitoba.
Elijah D. Pound was born August 16, 1881, in Bayham Elgin County, Ontario, the second son of John and Rhoda Pound. Both Elijah and his brother, Orlo Lydia (b. February 12, 1880 – d. September 11,1916), were trained in cabinetmaking but Elijah left the trade to enter the ministry, first at Woodstock Baptist College and then at Brandon College.
Pound was a student and boarder at Brandon College from 1910 to 1916 and again in the 1918-19 academic year. Brandon College registration cards identify Pound as an Arts student in 1912-13 and as a Theology student from 1913 onwards. On his Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF) attestation papers, Pound identified the Brandon College COTC as his prior military experience.
Pound’s name was listed in a Brandon Daily Sun article (26 April 1916) about five college students - Wallace Donogh, Norman McDonald, Frank Noble, James Rowell, and Herbert Staines – who withdrew from Brandon College examinations to head to Winnipeg to enlist with the 11th Field Ambulance Corps. Pound was reported to be joining them four days later.
In the interim, Pound married Bessie Lavinia Tolton (b. November 26, 1893 – d. August 11, 1987) on April 27, 1916, at her family home in Oak Lake, Manitoba. They would later have four children: John Henry Pound, Alberta Pound (Stevenson), Norman Elijah Pound, and Ernestine Pound. Pound’s best man was Brandon College’s COTC officer Sergeant Frederick Julian. Pound and his wife entrained to Winnipeg for a short honeymoon before he departed for service overseas. He formerly enlisted (regimental # 531794) with the 11th Field Ambulance Division in St. Vital, Manitoba, on May 1, 1916.
During the war, Pound’s field ambulance cohort remained in contact while overseas and would often submit updates about each other to the Brandon College Quill; it was in The Quill that Pound was reported wounded and later invalided home. Pound was discharged from the CEF in May of 1918 after being deemed medically unfit.
After being invalided home, Elijah Pound was eligible to have his college expenses covered through the Department of Soldiers’ Civil Re-Establishment Invalided Soldiers’ Commission. He returned to Brandon College to complete his theology degree.
Prior to the war, Pound worked as a student Baptist preacher in the summers between College terms. In 1912, he preached in the district around Emmaville, northwest of North Battleford, Saskatchewan. After graduation, Pound became a travelling Baptist minister and lived in the Bowsman River (now Bowsman, Manitoba) parsonage with his family in the 1920s. He preached in the communities of Swan River, Bowsman River, Birch River, Lady Hubble, and Lenswood and was reported to have four other appointments in the Swan Valley. He also did missionary work north of Boswman with the fishermen, lumbermen, and Aboriginals. This territory was considered the largest and most northern Baptist mission field in Manitoba.
Rev. Elijah D. Pound passed away on February 11, 1931, at Deer Lodge Hospital in Winnipeg following a kidney cancer diagnosis (hypernephroma). The Winnipeg Free Press (14 February 1931) reported his funeral service would be held at the Broadway Baptist Church on February 14th followed by an interment at Brookside Cemetery (Plot D2-0661-0). Another Brandon College alumnus, Reverend Evan McDonald Whidden, was in attendance at Pound’s funeral as part of the contingent of Winnipeg Baptist ministers.
After his death, the Pound Memorial Baptist Church was opened in Bowsman, Manitoba. The formal dedication was held on November 8, 1931, with Rev. Dr. Litch, superintendent of the Manitoba Baptist mission, and the Rev. and Mrs. Smith among the 200 participants in attendance. At the opening, Pound’s widow gifted the Memorial Church with its communion table.
Custodial History
The collection of digital images are from the Rev. E.D. Pound’s family photo album titled, “1920 to 1930; Rev. E.D. Pound and Family; Bowsman River, Manitoba; Pictures of Family, Local Church Members & Friends, Lumbering, Fishing, & Travel.” The photographs are in the possession Rev. E.D. Pound’s granddaughter, Patricia Ann Pound Holl of Winnipeg, Manitoba, who is the daughter of Pound’s third child Norman Elijah Pound. The records were passed down to her through the family.
Ann Pound Holl visited Brandon on September 9, 2014, to see the exhibition “Brandon College and the Great War” (September 1, 2014 to December 23, 2014) on display in the Tommy McLeod Curve Gallery at Brandon University’s John E. Robbins Library. The photographs in this collection were digitized that day. Ann’s grandfather, E.D. Pound, was referenced in a letter on display from the Department of Soldiers’ Civil Re-Establishment Invalided Soldiers’ Commission (dated February 17th, 1919) [RG1 Series 11 Military Training Box 1 File 14] as well as listed in the College’s new nominal roll. She brought with her her grandfather’s photo album, copies of E.D. Pound’s papers, and the Tolton Family self-publication “The Two Who Made Us Tell” written by Lillian Tolton Smith.
Scope and Content
The collection consist of copies of Rev. E.D. Pound’s marriage, enlistment, and death records; copies of newspaper clippings pertaining to Pound’s marriage and death; and digital copies of photographs originally taken while Rev. Pound worked as a traveling Baptist missionary in the Swan Valley mission field.
DIGITAL IMAGES
The digital images were selected from the Rev. E.D. Pound’s family photo album titled, “1920 to 1930; Rev. E.D. Pound and Family; Bowsman River, Manitoba; Pictures of Family, Local Church Members & Friends, Lumbering, Fishing, & Travel” and pertain to Rev. Pound’s marriage in 1916 before serving overseas with the field ambulance division and his life after the war in northern Manitoba as a travelling Baptist minister in the 1920s. Northern Manitoba images consist of scanned photographs depicting the Bowsman River parsonage and congregation, the Lenswood School congregation, the Birch River Pioneer Store, winter logging and fishing activities, Rev. Pound performing baptisms and open air services, and the Pound Memorial Baptist Church.
TEXTUAL RECORDS
The textual records in the collection pertain to Rev. Pound’s marriage in 1916, enlistment in the Great War, and death in 1931. Marriage records include copies of Pound-Tolton’s 1916 marriage certificate, wedding photographs, and newspaper clippings announcing the marriage. Military records include 1916 attestation and 1918 discharge papers from the Canadian Expeditionary Force. Death records include copies of Pound’s Manitoba Death Certificate and non-sourced newspaper clippings about Pound’s death.
Copy of Pound-Tolton Marriage Certificate (dated April 27, 1916)
Copy of photograph of married couple Elijah Daniel Pound in military uniform with Bessie Lavinia Tolton
Copy of photograph of married couple Elijah Daniel Pound in suit with Bessie Lavinia Tolton and newspaper clippings “Emmaville News (1912)” and “Wedding Bells Pound-Tolton (April 27, 1916)”
Copy of Pound’s Canadian Overseas Expeditionary Force No. XI Overseas Field Ambulance Attestation Paper (dated May 1, 1916)
Copy of Pound’s Canadian Overseas Expeditionary Force Discharge Certificate (dated May 25, 1918)
Copy of Pound’s Province of Manitoba Medical Certificate of Death (dated March 1, 1931)
Copies of non-sourced newspaper obituaries and articles about Pound’s death:
o “Rev. E.D. Pound, Baptist Minister, Dies in Hospital” [from The Manitoba Free Press (16 February 1931, p. 4)]
o “The Pound Memorial Church”
o “Missionary on Frontier to be Buried Today”
o “Bowsman News”
o “Our Honored Dead” [from The East Elgin Tribune (Aylmer Sun) for 12 October 1916]
o “Obituaraies – Pound”
o “In Loving Memory”
o “Rev E.D. Pound Dies in Winnipeg”
o “Lavender News”
Copies of photograph of Rev. E.D. Pound from vanity publication of Tolton family history, “The Two Who Made Us Tell” (Lillian Tolton Smith)
Notes
Description by Suyoko Tsukamoto
Accruals
open
Finding Aid
none
Location Original
Original materials were retained by Anne Hall
Storage Location
2014 accessions (textual records)
Shared 02 web photos (photos)
Related Material
RG1 Series 11 Military Training Box 1 File 14
The Quill
Arrangement
DIGITAL IMAGES
7-2014.1.1 Elijah Pound wedding photo in uniform
7-2014.1.2 Elijah Pound wedding photo folder
7-2014.1.3 Elijah Pound and Lavinia Tolton Fairview Farm May 4, 1914
7-2014.1.4 Kenton Baptist Church Post Card photo printed by Gowen’s Studio, Brandon, Man. (Photo album notes Elijah Pound and Lavinia Tolton married in Kenton Baptist Church in 1916.)
7-2014.1.5 Boswman River Parsonage 1921
7-2014.1.6 Boswman River Baptist congregation in front of parsonage (Elijah Pound on right holding child)
7-2014.1.7 Boswman River Baptist congregation in front of parsonage (Elijah Pound top centre)
7-2014.1.8 Lenswood School congregation
7-2014.1.9 Wedding (set-up in Lenswood School?)
7-2014.1.10 Lumbering 1920s
7-2014.1.11 Lumbering 1920s
7-2014.1.12 Lumbering 1920s (logs being hauled on 8 foot lunks to saw mill)
7-2014.1.13 Lumbering 1920s
7-2014.1.14 Lumbering 1920s
7-2014.1.15 Lumbering 1920s
7-2014.1.16 Pound and fishing nets (1920s)
7-2014.1.17 Fishing nets on lake (1920s)
7-2014.1.18 Pound and fishing nets in background (1920s)
7-2014.1.19 Boxes of frozen fish ready to ship (1920s)
7-2014.1.20 Birch River Pioneer Store
7-2014.1.21 Pound with Anglican Minister
7-2014.1.22 Pound performing baptism (walking into creek)
7-2014.1.23 Pound performing baptism (submerged to waist)
7-2014.1.24 Pound performing baptism (pants wet)
7-2014.1.25 Pound (middle), Mr. Blackwell and baptism candidate
7-2014.1.26 Annual get together open air service
7-2014.1.27 Pound Memorial Church
7-2014.1.28 Pound Memorial Church dedication
7-2014.1.29 Rev and Mrs. Smith, Dr. Hitch at Pound Memorial Church
7-2014.1.30 Rev and Mrs. Smith, Dr. Hitch at Pound Memorial Church
7-2014.1.31 Rev. E.J. Pound from Tolton Family history book, “The Two Who Made Us Tell” (Lillian Tolton Smith 19??, p.45).
Some of the pages and photographs in the scrapbooks have become loose
History / Biographical
Verda Joan McDonald (nee Peden) was born in Brandon, MB on May 2, 1934. She was the middle daughter of Bill, a school principal, and Phyllis Peden. McDonald attended school at King George, Alexandra (now Betty Gibson), Earl Oxford and Brandon Collegiate Institute.
In 1951, McDonald enrolled in the Bachelor of Arts program at Brandon College. A fellowship program from the local YMCA enabled her to teach gym and swim programs after school and on Saturday for a small salary, which enabled her and some other students to finance their education. She graduated in 1955 with a Bachelor of Arts degree. During her graduating year, McDonald served as Lady Stick for Brandon College; the title of Lady Stick was an elected position and an honour, and gave McDonald and the person elected Senior Stick, Frank McKinnon, the responsibility of leading the student council for that year. In 1956, McDonald obtained her Bachelor of Pedagogy degree, also from Brandon College, which allowed her to teach grades 1 to 12 in Manitoba.
Verda married her college sweetheart, Dick McDonald, on August 25, 1956, and the couple moved to Dauphin to teach at the Dauphin Collegiate and Technical Institute for two years. They returned to Brandon in September 1958, and Verda proceeded to teach at Brandon Collegiate, Neelin High School and Vincent Massey until December 1960.
When Dick finished his degree at Brandon College and started teaching, Verda stayed at home to raise their three sons, Rick, Paul and Daren. During this time she began her many years of volunteering within the community. She served seven years on each of the following three boards: The Brandon Schools Instrumental Music Association; The Brandon University Alumni Board; and The Board of Fairview Nursing Home. She became President of each board during her term.
McDonald supported her husband throughouet his teaching and financial career, as well as his strong involvement in the Artillery Reserve Army with the 26th Field Regiment where he served as Commander and later Honorary Colonel. Both McDonald and her husband maintained strong ties with Brandon University and have contributed generously to funding campaign and scholarships. The Sports Wall of Fame in the Health Living Centre on the Brandon University campus is named in their honour.
In addition to their involvement with Brandon University, the McDonald's were members of the Kinsmen, K40 service club, gold and bridge clubs and enjoyed many years together in Brandon. They enjoyed going on cruise ship holidays and visited many countries together.
Since Dick's death in September 2015, Verda has tried to maintain her involvment in university activities. She continues to reside in Brandon, MB.
Custodial History
Records were created and collected by Verda McDonald during her years as a student and alumna of Brandon College/Brandon University. The records were stored in her home until their donation to the McKee Archives in 2015.
Scope and Content
Collection consists of records dealing with Verda McDonald's experiences as a student and alumna at Brandon College/University. The majority of the collection contains records from the early 1950s during McDonald's college years (1951-1955). These records, which cover the social and athletic aspects of Brandon College in the 1950s, provide a detailed look at college student life during this time period. The collection also contains a small number of records (1955-2005), documenting McDonald's experiences as an alumna of Brandon College/University.
The collection consists of four scrapbooks, which contain photographs, newspaper clippings, graduation cards, lyrics for class songs, and programs for graduation banquets, school dances, graduation ceremonies and drama productions. The scrapbooks also contain ephemera such as sports emblems, table decorations, election paraphernalia. It also includes McDonald's oath of office from when she was sworn in as Lady Stick, as well as her acceptance speech from the same ceremony.
The three file folders in the collection include: a list written by Frank McKinnon, a classmate of McDonald's, outlining his reasons for coming to Brandon College and his recollections of being a student at Brandon College; the rules of Clark Hall residence hall; and pamphlets for various celebrations and events at Brandon University (Homecoming 2009, Homecoming 2006, Reunion Weekend 2005, Reunion Weekend 2004, Homecoming 1995 and 1995 Reconovocation program, Homecoming 1980, 1975 Open House).
Finally, the collection contains 18 loose photographs. A number of the photos document important reunions for the Class of 1955 (40th Anniversary in 1995, 50th Anniversary in 2005), while others were taken at alumni events over the years (1988-1997). There is one postcard of Brandon University buildings (Original Building and Clark Hall, McMaster Hall and the Queen Elizabeth II School of Music building). Some of the 1995 reunion photos include images of the Brandon College Building and Clark Hall under renovation. Also included are a composite portrait of the Class of 1955 and class portraits Arts and Science for the Class of 1960.
Notes
History/Bio information provided by Verda McDonald. Description by Emily Bate (October 2016) and Christy Henry.
