Kenneth Ralph Hanly was born in Clinton, Ontario on July 30, 1932. He obtained his B.A. (Honors in English and Philosophy) from the University of Saskatchewan in 1959, his M.A. in Philosophy from the same institution in 1960, and his Ph.D. in Philosophy with honors from the Unveristy of Oregon in 1967. Hanly was initially appointed to the Philosophy Department at Brandon University in 1963. He retired as of June 30, 1996 and in 1998, the Board of Governors of Brandon University conferred the title of Professor Emeritus on him.
At Brandon University, Hanly was the poetry co-editor of "Pierian Spring" for 1982 and 1983, the editor for that publication for 1984 and 1985, and the editor of "Dollar Poems" from 1983-1987. He also seved as a representative on the University Tenure Committee and the Senate. His research interests included the Canadian left and political radicalism and labour movements in Brandon. During his tenure at Brandon University he was active in the NDP and particularly interested in municipal politics.
Hanly was also a member of the Manitoba Police Commission (1982-1987), the Manitoba Law Reform Commission (1970s), Amnesty International, the Canadian Authors Association, the Manitoba Writer's Guild, the Manitoba Association of Rights and Liberties, and an associate member of the League of Canadian Poets (1984-1986).
As of January 2006, Ken Hanly divides his time between Oakburn, MB and the Phillipines. He can be contacted at northsunm@yahoo.com.
Custodial History
While doing research in 1974, Ken Hanly sent three tapes and a request to William Pritchard to record an oral history of the Socialist Party of Canada. The tapes were recorded in October of 1974. Wiszniowski and Pirozek were interviewed by Hanly himself in the same year. Magnacca was also interviewed by Hanly. Hanly kept these materials from 1974 until 1997 when he decided to donate them to the McKee Archives.
Scope and Content
Fonds includes cassette tapes of a conversation with W. A. (Bill) Pritchard in which he provides an oral history of the Socialist Party of Canada (SPC) and describes his activities as a militant within the party from 1911 to 1927. Pritchard devotes a good deal of time to describing his many experiences as editor of the Western Clarion, the party newspaper, running in various elections, and his tours of B.C. and Alberta on behalf of the party. Pritchard also discusses the ideology of the Socialist Party of Canada and the ideological splits within it that occurred in the 1920s.
Fonds also includes a recording of a conversation with Brandon Communist Frank Wiszniowski dealing with Wisznoiwski's evolvement in various organizations following his arrival in Brandon in 1926. Fonds also includes a taped conversation with former Brandon Mayor Stephen Magnacca concerned with various features of political life in Brandon.
Myrtle Bell Johnston (nee Smeltz) was born January 23, 1906 on the home farm near Cromer, MB. She attended Elm Valley school and then Virden Collegiate. From 1921-1923, she helped her father on the farm before attending Brandon Normal School. Following graduation, she taught in at Rugby, near Forrest, Ravine, near Lenore, Johnstone near Oak Lake and at Oak Lake for 13.5 years. In 1938, Myrtle married Henry Alexander Johnston (1906?-1986) and together they had one son, Wayne. The couple farmed in the St. David's district. Myrtle returned to teaching in 1959, at Sioux Valley and then Oak Lake. She retired in 1971. The Johnston's retired to Virden in 1972.
Myrtle received the Province of Manitoba Good Citizen Award for "exemplifying a way of life that helps make Manitoba a better place in which to live." She had many hobbies, including gardening, travel, lawn bowling, piano, bridge, curling, and enteratining. She was also active in church and community choirs. Myrtle Johnston died on January 7, 2001 in Virden, MB. She is buried at the Johnston family 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 Myrtle Johnson about education in the Virden area. Interviewer is Ola Duncan.
Notes
History/bio information from the records, the Virden local history "Hometown Virden" and Johnston's obituary. Description by Christy Henry.
Audio Tracks
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Reginald Lamont Johnson was born on April 13, 1902 at Beresford, MB. He attended Glenvale and Beresford schools, although the First World War interrupted his schooling. Reg took over the family farm and ran it until selling and retiring to the Souris district in 1966. Reg married Mary C Campbell (1901-1993) on October 31, 1928, and together they had two sons: Douglas and Wayne. Reg was secretary of the Beresford Pool Elevator for 25 years and had a keen interest in flowers. Reg Johnson died on March 8, 1983 in Souris, MB. He is buried at Souris Glenwood 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 Reg L. Johnson about his life story and farming in Manitoba. Interviewer is John E. Forsyth.
Notes
History/bio information from the records and Johnson's obituary. Description by Christy Henry.
Audio Tracks
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