BUILDERS
Baxter, Dave Biography: (1876-1971) In 1915 he married Gertrude Dafoe Claims: He arrived in Killarney in 1886. Farmed but later turned to carpentry. He spent several years in western USA and Canada keeping his trade. In 1913, he returned to Killarney and opened up a machine shop. In 1918 Dave operated the town's light plant. In 1929 he became first superintendent of the Manitoba Power Commission in the Killarney area. Transferred by the hydro to Morden in 1939. Probable Significance: Source: Trails to Killarney p / Reflections p. From the Local History Sources... David (1876-1971), youngest son of Henry and Helen Baxter was born in Grey County, Ontario. He arrived in Killarney with other members of the family in 1886. Much of his early youth was spent in farming operations but he later turned to carpentry. He spent several years in western USA and Canada keeping his trade. In 1913, he returned to Killarney, bought a brand new Ford car for $800.00, and opened up a machine shop where Prairie Freighters is now. In 1915 he married Gertrude Dafoe of Bannerman and to this union four children were born: LaVerne, Wilbert Dorothy and David. In 1918 Dave operated the town's light plant on the site now the Lakeside Motel. It burned down in 1929 after which Hydro supplied service d Dave served as first superintendent of the Manitoba Power Commission in the Killarney area. George Wesley Brooks was born in the town of Mitchell County of Perth, Ont. in July 1873. He received his education in Ont. and came to Killarney as a young man to start his own carpenter business. He married Margaret Maria Robbins in 1900. They had five children: Alvin, Fred, Garnet, Maybelle and Russell. They also raised a niece, Alma Mitchell. He was a carpenter in Killarney for a number of years, building many houses that remain, as well as barns and other buildings in the surrounding district. He built the Town Hall on Main Street which was demolished a few years ago for a new building. He built the Canadian Customs Office at Lena Port of Entry which is still being used by the Government. He was an active member of the Methodist Church and also very interested in helping the young people in sports. He was an active member of the Forrester's Lodge and Orange Lodge. He died Oct. 3, 1953. Brooks, George Wesley Biography: (1873 - 1953) Married Margaret Maria Robbins in 1900. Claims: Carpenter. Came to Killarney as a young man to start his own carpenter business. Built many houses, as well as barns and other buildings in the surrounding district. He built the former Town Hall on Main Street. He built the Canadian Customs Office at Lena Port of Entry. He was an active member of the Methodist Church and also very interested in helping the young people in sports. He was an active member of the Forrester's Lodge and Orange Lodge. He died Oct. 3, 1953. Probable Significance: Medium Source: Trails & Crossroads to Killarney p. / Reflections p. 220 George Wesley Brooks was born in the town of Mitchell County of Perth, Ont. in July 1873. He received his education in Ont. and came to Killarney as a young man to start his own carpenter business. He married Margaret Maria Robbins in 1900. They had five children: Alvin, Fred, Garnet, Maybelle and Russell. They also raised a niece, Alma Mitchell. He was a carpenter in Killarney for a number of years, building many houses that remain, as well as barns and other buildings in the surrounding district. He built the Town Hall on Main Street which was demolished a few years ago for a new building. He built the Canadian Customs Office at Lena Port of Entry which is still being used by the Government. He was an active member of the Methodist Church and also very interested in helping the young people in sports. He was an active member of the Forrester's Lodge and Orange Lodge. He died Oct. 3, 1953. Crouse, Allan Biography: Allen Crouse (1865-1940) married 1886 Sarah Emma (King) . Claims: Worked on a threshing gang. Partnered with Teddy Wenman and Elijah Tracey, as carpenters. Worked on the Killarney Town Hall and Methodist Church. Worked for A.M. High Lumberyard for 20 years. Chief of Killarney Fire Department for 25 years. Loyal Orange Order. Sir Knight of the Red Cross Degree in Royal Black Perceptory. Methodist Church Probable Significance: Source: Trails to Killarney p / Reflections p. 261  Mr. And Mrs. Allan Crouse and family. From the Local History Sources... Allen Crouse (1865-1940) and Sarah Emma (King) were born and raised on adjoining farmsteads in Hastings, attended the same school and Ebenezer Methodist Church. There were married Dec 21, 1886 when both were 21 years old. In 1899 they came to Killarney on a CPR harvest excursion train with their three children; Albert (10), Egbert (7) and Jennie (3). A fourth The village of Kingsford on the Salmon River 1 1/2 miles from his farm in Co. Hastings, Tyendinaga Township in Upper Canada was named for James King. James and his wife Susannah Richmond came to Killarney in 1900 to be near their daughters Sarah Emma Crouse and Adelaide Martin. They had four other daughters; Mary, Elizabeth, Nancy and Naomi. While in Killarney they lived with Crouses. They were Wesleyan Methodists. Jewell, Jabez Biography: (1852-1910) Claims: Painter and paper- hanger in Mitchell, Ont. Arrived in Killarney in 1899 with all the material necessary for building a house except the bricks. These were made in a kiln south of Lena and dyed by Jabez in a process only he knew. The contractor was Nelson Tracey, in the employ of James Bros. The house still stands on Broadway. Probable Significance: Source: Trails to Killarney p / Reflections p. 360 From the Local History Sources... Jabez Jewell (1852-1910) was a painter and paper- hanger in Mitchell, Ont. He developed a form of colic which he attributed to his occupation. He decided to leave Ontario for the West. He arrived in Killarney on April 22, 1899, accompanied by his wife and five children. Their second child, Arthur Leslie had died in 1883 at the age of two. When the Jewell family came to Killarney in 1899, Jabez brought all the material necessary for building a house except the bricks. These were made in a kiln south of Lena and dyed by Jabez in a process only he knew. A barn to shelter a horse and buggy was first built and here the family lived while their house was being built. The contractor was Nelson Tracey, in the employ of James Bros. The house still stands on Broadway. Porter, John Biography: (1871-1962) married (1896) Elizabeth Church. ( 1874 - 1949) Claims: Carpenter. Homesteaded in 1891 – near Lena. Moved to Killarney in 1910 Probable Significance: Source: Trails to Killarney p / Reflections p. From the Local History Sources... JOHN PORTER (1871-1962) married Elizabeth Church. Of their ten children, Howard, Goldie, Norman, Roy, Myrtle, Winnie, Edna, Dora, Robert, and Eunice, two are still in the district, Roy in Holmfield and Myrtle (Mrs. Kenneth Stouffer) in Killarney. John moved in to Killarney in 1907. John was the eldest son of Alexander and Jessie Porter who left Portpatrick, Scotland for Wingham, Ont in 1865; remained there until 1881 then came west to Pilot Mound. In 1891 Alexander and son John homesteaded in the Plum Hollow district (Lena area). John had NW 2-1-17 and Alex had the east half. Being on the U.S. border, St. John and Rolla, ND were closer than Killarney so they often shopped and travelled over the border, especially in winter. Alex and Jessie had eleven children: Lizzie (Mrs J Cardno), Merne (Mrs A Cardno), Jessie (Mrs A Cardno) In 1896 John married Elizabeth Church of the Plum Hollow district. John and Elizabeth moved to Killarney in 1910, buying a house on Norquay Ave. In 1946 they celebrated their 50th anniversary and ten of their eleven children were able to celebrate with them: Howard, Goldie, Norman, Roy, Bob, Myrtle (Mrs K Stouffer), Winnie (Mrs C Mitchell), Edna (Mrs R Porteous), Dora (Mrs J Frucht) and Eunice (Mrs L Koellermeier). A daughter, Marjorie died at the age of one year. Elizabeth died in 1949 in her 75th year. John stayed on in the house until 1960 when he sold it but remained in Killarney until the fall of 1962 when he came into Winnipeg to make his home with Winnie. It was only for a few short months for he died Dec 8 in his 91st year. McNamee, Andrew Biography: Claims: Built Killarney’s first school in 1883. Probable Significance: Source: Trails to Killarney p / Reflections p. Wenman, Edward George, (Teddy) Biography: (1883 – 1926 ) 1904, married Ada Hall (1880 – 1965) Claims: Mr Wenman received his education and apprenticed for seven years to a building contractor in Folkestone, Kent. In 1906 Mr. and Mrs. Wenman emigrated to Canada. Mr. Wenman had expected to farm but when the authorities found out about his training, it was decided he should go to Killarney where a carpenter was needed. His first job when he arrived was unloading bricks for the new High School on Broadway. Contractor (Lena United Church) (New Rink (1925) Probable Significance: Source: Trails to Killarney p / Reflections p. 572  Mr. and Mrs. E.G. Wenman  George Scott, HJarry Smith, T. Wenman (man in foreground unidentified). From the Local History Sources... Mr. E.G. Wenman was the contractor (Lena United Church) and the final cost was $5,300. In 1925 heavy snow collapsed the roof of the rink. That winter an outdoor rink was set up on the bay just east of the bridge crossing. There was also a toboggan slide on the north shore of the bay which ex- tended to the ice surface giving a good long toboggan ride. Teddy Wenman was the contractor for rebuilding the rink and he supported the roof with wooden trusses approximately every four feet on the skating side. The west side was still supported by upright timbers. Edward George 'Teddy' Wenman (1883) was born at Whitestable, Kent, Eng. He was the younger son of Captain H. Wenman of the Merchant Marine and Mrs. Wenman. The family moved to Folkestone, Kent where Mr Wenman received his education and apprenticed for seven years to a building contractor. In 1904, following the completion of his apprenticeship, he married Ada Hall of Folkestone. She was born at Dover, Kent in 1880. In 1906 Mr. and Mrs. Wenman emigrated to Canada. Mr. Wenman had expected to farm as this seemed to be one of the main jobs open to immigrants but in Winnipeg, when the authorities found out about his training, it was decided he should go to Killarney where a carpenter was needed. His first job when he arrived was unloading bricks for the new High School on Broadway. For some time Mr Wenman worked with Nelson Tracy, then he and Allen Crouse went into partnership. Later he started on his own. The two men who worked longest with him were Harry Smith and George Scott. Later Judson 'Jud' Sellers, Dave Denton and Jack Agolini joined the gang. The greater part of the work was done in the country, building houses, barns, etc. In the early days he travelled by horse to the country Monday morning and returned home the following Saturday. This changed before 1920 when a new Ford car was pur- chased; a happy event for the whole family! Mr. Wenman died in 1926, just a year after he, with his wife and two younger daughters, had spent the winter in England visiting relatives. Mrs Wenman died at the age of 85 in 1965. |