Stephen Adolph Magnacca was born December 10, 1902 in Winnipeg, MB. He joined the Winnipeg Highland Cadets in 1914, and at the age of 15, he added two years to his age and joined the Winnipeg Light Infantry. He was commissioned as a Lieutenant on June 15, 1923. In 1933, he was promoted to the rank of Major. In 1956, he was made an honorary Lieutenant Colonel of the 26th Field Artillery Regiment; he was made a Colonel in 1967.
Magnacca married Grace Rosina Jones in 1927 and together they had two children: Patricia and Allan. Grace Jones was born in Cardiff, Wales on November 22, 1901. She came to Winnipeg as a child. For a few years before her marriage she worked as the circulation manager of The Nor'West Farmer. Members of St. Matthew's Church, Grace Magnacca was active in the Anglican Church Women of Canada (ACW). Following her husband's death she moved to Winnipeg. Grace Magnacca died in Winnipeg, MB on December 20, 2004.
The Maganacca family lived in Winnipeg until Magnacca's military career took him to Brandon in 1940; his family followed in 1942. The Magnacca's ran an Officer's Kit Shop and then in 1947, opened a real estate business named Magnacca Agencies.
Magnacca served two terms as Mayor of Brandon (1961-1969). He was also President of the Assiniboine Historical Society. For meritorious community service, Magnacca was given a Manitoba Golden Boy Award (1969) and a Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Medal.
Stephen Magnacca died on August 4, 1980 in Brandon, MB. He is commemmorated by Magnacca Crescent in Brandon and the Magnacca Research Centre at the Daly House Museum. He was elected a Life member of the Union of Manitoba Municipalities and in 1973, he was made a Member of the Order of Canada.
Scope and Content
Item is a photograph of Mayor Stephen Magnacca and his wife Grace Magnacca dressed in period costumes for Canada's Centennial in 1967.
Notes
History/Bio information taken from the Manitoba Historical Society website (http://www.mhs.mb.ca/docs/people/magnacca_sa.shtml) and the December 31, 1969 Brandon Sun article Experience of being the wife of the mayor has brought satisfaction to Mrs. Magnacca.
Mary Elsie Taylor (nee Greer) was born on January 24, 1898 in Stayner, ON. The family moved to Rapid City, MB in 1906. Elsie took her teacher training in Portage la Prairie and taught in one-room schoolhouses throughout Manitoba. She married William Taylor (1888-1986) on February 7, 1933 in Newdale, SK and together they had four children: James, Margaret, Kathleen, and Lorna. Elsie and WIlliam farmed at Emerson for thirteen years, then moved to Haney, BC in 1946, when William retired. After eleven years in British Columbia the couple moved to Rapid City. Upon their return to Manitoba, Elsie taught in McCreary, Glendale and Rapid City. She retired in 1963. Elsie Taylor died on August 19, 1992 in Brandon, MB. She is buried at Rapid City 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 Elsie Taylor about her life, in particular her experiences in education. Interviewer is Gordon Shanks.
Notes
History/bio information from the records and Taylor's obituary. Description by Christy Henry.
Language Note
English
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Grace Rosina Magnacca (nee Jones) was born on November 22, 1922 in Cardiff, Wales. Her family came to Winnipeg in 1911. Grace graduated from Dominion Business College and worked at Stovel Advocate and NorWest Famer until she married Stephen Magnacca in 1927. Stephen Adolph Magnacca was born on October 12, 1902 in Winnipeg, MB and he received his education in the city. Steve's miltary career began in 1914 when he joined the Winnipeg Highland Cadets and for more than 50 years he served in both the active and reserve army. He was made Hon. Colonel of the 26th Field Regiment in 1967.
Following their marraige, the Magnacca's lived in Winnipeg with their children Patricia and Allan, until Steve's military career took them to Brandon. Upon arriving in Brandon in 1940, Steve opened the A4 Training Camp. Following the Second World War he was transferred from active service to the militia where he served as hospital manager with the Department of Veteran Affairs. After a year he left the position to go into business; his business interests included real estate, insurance and general contracting. Steve also served as Mayor of Brandon from 1962-1970. During his tenure as mayor, the new city hall, the Keystone Centre and the Western Manitoba Centennial Auditorim were constructed. He also worked on the development of Brandon's industrial park and the housing subdivisions of Kircaldy Heights and Riverheights. With her business background, Grace assisted her husband in his various roles.
Both Magnaccas were active in the community and St. Matthew's Cathedral. Steve was past president of the Manitoba Real Estate Association, later receiving lifetime membership. He was past president of the Brandon Lions Club, the Royal Canadian Legion Brandon Branch No. 3, and the Assiniboine Historical Society, as well as president of the Brandon Museum, a former director of the Canadian National Institute for the Blind in Brandon and a former treasurer of the Brandon Progressive Conservative Association. In 1973, Steve was named to the Order of Canada.
Stephen Magnacca died on August 4, 1980 in Brandon, MB. In 1983, Grace moved back to Winnipeg to be closer to family. Grace Magnacca died on December 20, 2004 in Winnipeg, MB. They are both 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 Grace Magnacca about the history of the Magnacca family. Interviewer is Effie McPhail.
Notes
History/bio information from the records and obituaries for both Magnaccas. Description by Christy Henry.
Language Note
English
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Laura Anne Orchard was born on July 31, 1909 at Graysville, MB to Jeannie and Harold Orchard. She was the fourth of six children. In 1912, the family moved to Glenorchie Farm in the Morton district near Miami, MB.
Laura attended Morton School and Miami High School, completing Grade XI, then attended Manitou Normal School in 1928-1929. She taught in one-room schools: Bracken near Laurier (1929-1930); Rothesay near Isabella (19301-1931 or 1932); and Badger near Roland (1932-1933).
After Laura married Hugh Loyns in 1934, they farmed near Roseisle, MB and raised two children, Shirley, who became a high school teacher, and Alwyn, who became a university professor.
Laura continued to work with young people through 4-H Clubs. She also served on Eldviado school board, the one-room school where her children attended. In 1958, Laura returned to teaching at Roseisle Consolidated School District until 1961. When Laura and Hugh left the farm to live in Vanderhoof, B.C., she worked as a resource teacher in Vanderhoof Elementary School from 1965-1974. Though she never completed Grade XII, she did continue to keep abreast of teaching methods through correspondence courses, workshops, and summer sessions.
In the late 1970's, Laura and Hugh retired to Chilliwack, B.C. Laura Anne Orchard died at Chilliwack on July 28, 1983.
Custodial History
The records in the collection were in the possession of Shirley Hicks, Laura Anne Orchard's daughter, until donated to the S.J. McKee Archives in September 2013.
Scope and Content
Collection consists of records related to Orchard’s time at Manitou Normal School. The textual records include: An autograph book with signatures of all the students at Manitou Normal School; Department of Education Entrance examinations for drawing (1929), composition (1929,1930), science (1929), and physiology and hygiene (1930) ; a copy of the Manitou Normal School Closing Ceremonies programme (1929); a notebook on how to teach reading (c.1929); a lesson plan notebook containing notes on various subjects including Manitou Normal School executive, Students, Arithmetic, Primary Reading, Grammar, History, Poetry, Spelling, Geography, Geometry, Science, and class scores.
The collection also contains ten black and white reproduction photographs including: the 1928-1929 Manitou Normal School composite portrait; the Manitou Normal School building; Manitou Normal School Executive; Mr. Gordon, School Principal (1927-1930); various students; and an individual photo of Laura Orchard.
Notes
History/Bio information was provided by Shirley Hicks. Description by John Ball (2013).
Lorne Melville Rogers was born on May 24, 1910 in Brandon, MB. He attended Mount Vernon School, before taking over the family farm. Lorne was on the Mount Vernon School Board for a number of years and also Forrest Elementary. He was a member of the Manitoba Pool Elevator and served on the local board. In his earlier years, he played the violin in a band for many Red Cross programs and dances in the war years. Grace Ellen Howard was born on January 10, 1910 in Stony Mountain, MB. The family moved to the "Rugby Farm" near Forrest in 1924. Grace completed her schooling at Rugby School.
Grace and Lorne married on November 20, 1934 and together had two children, Doris and Norman. The couple farmed the Rogers family farm together. Grace was active in the St. George's Red Cross during the war years and St. George's ACW. She was also a member of the Forrest Legion Auxiliary, and enjoyed flower gardening, sports, music and cards. Grace and Lorne retired to Brandon in 1983, where they enjoyed senior activities together, as well as travelling. Grace Rogers died on March 10, 2001 in Brandon, MB. Lorne Rogers died on December 19, 2001 in Brandon, MB. They are both 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 Lorne and Grace Rogers about early agriculture. Interviewer is Frank Anderson.
Notes
History/bio information from the records, the Forrest and District local history "Family Trees & rural Roots," and Grace Rogers' obituary. Description by Christy Henry.
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Maria Corlette Nelson (nee Grant) was born on December 29, 1900 on the family homestead at Forrest, MB. Maria attended Clark Hall Academy at Brandon College and continued her education until she received her BA in 1925, and her Certificate of Education from Toronto in 1927. Returning to the prairies, she spent the next six years teaching. In 1930, Maria married Wesley Gordon Nelson (1899-1981) and moved to the Nelson farm in the Sparling district. The couple had three daughters, Catherine, Helen and Marion, the latter who died at 3 years of age. In 1960, Maria entered Brandon College's teacher training course (TTC). Maria Nelson died on May 16, 1996 in Winnipeg, MB. She is buried at Brandon Municipal Cemetery.
Ella Laura Cole was born on in 1897 in the RM of Elton in what is now the North End of Brandon, MB. She came to Brandon, MB in 1923 to attend business college. Laura worked for Hughes and Company for over 39 years, then worked for Gordon West until retiring in 1969. Laura was a member of Knox United Church. She never married. Laura Cole died on January 12, 1989 in Brandon, MB. She is buried at Brandon Municipal Cemetery.
Peter Alexander (P.A.) Alex McPhail was born on July 11, 1897 in the RM of Elton in what is now the North End of Brandon, MB. Raised on the family farm in Forrest, MB, he was the eldest son of Archie and Mary McPhail who came to Manitoba from Ontario. Alex took over the farm in 1915, and farmed there until 1949, when he and his family moved to Brandon. During the First World War, Alex as a lieutenant in the Royal Canadian Air Force. He married Effie Irene Weir (1900-1999) in 1933 and together they raised four children: Ronald, Malcolm, Archie and Donna. Effie and Alex were both active members of their community. Alex was especially involved in the agricultural community and won many prizes over the years for his livestock. From 1954-1965, Alex was the General Manager for the Provincial Exhibition Association of Manitoba and the Manitoba Winter Fair. He also served one term as the president of the Canadian Association of Exhibitions. Additionally, Alex was on the Brandon General Hospital board, the Brandon College board, and was a member of the Kiwanis and Shriners clubs. He was also involved in local sports. Both Alex and Effie McPhail were active members of the United Church. Alex McPhail died on June 28, 1989 in Brandon, MB. He is buried at Humesville 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 Maria Nelson, Laura Cole and Alex McPhail about the early days in the North End of Brandon, MB. The interviewer is Efffie McPhail.
Notes
History/bio information from the records and obituaries for the interviewees. Description by Christy Henry.
Language Note
English
Conservation
Preservation copy made 2021 (R. Hess)
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