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Notable People
Wawanesa's Influential Citizens



Browse the Full List of Notable People



Wawanesa's Selected Significant People

1. Pioneers
2. Early Business People
3. Services & Professionals
4. Industry
5. Builders
6. Early Politicians
7. Municipal and Town Administration
8. Clergy
9. Educators and School Employees
10. Medical Services
11. Railway Employees
12. Recreational
13. Community Services
14. Renowned Individuals
15. Notable Families 3



The Full List

From a survey of the local history books we have identified about 150 names that seem to have had an impact on the town and region and recorded the information available. We could have included more people and we realize that sometimes even important or interesting people might not be represented in those publications.  We are especially interested in locating descendants or anyone connected to the people on the list.

We would also like additional facts if you have them, photos or documents if available, and comments about how people have had an impact on
their community and their world.




PIONEERS

Aborn, Mr.
Banting, Thomas Edward Meredith
Clark, Alexander.
Cory, Richard Frederick (Fred)
Cory, Richard Sr.
Cory, Thomas
Downie, James
Elliott, Thomas
Elliott, Thomas
Fawcett, Robert B.
Fowler, Frank O.
Hector. James
Ingram, Isaac
Leachman, Charles
Lyle, Samuel
Martin, James
McKinley, Richard (Dick)
Naismith, Alex
Payne, William
Robertson, Stewart
Rutledge, Hugh
Smith, John
Stewart, George
Wallace, Robert


EARLY BUSINESS PEOPLE

Arkell, J.C.
Bain, Alex
Baron. Mrs.
Billingham, S Lumberyard operator.
Boyd, J.G
Burke, Mrs.
Chambers, D.H.  Butcher Shop (1890)
Chambers, J.A. First Lawyer (1890),
Elliott, Jabez First storekeeper Souris City
Ellis, Ernes: Established the “Wawanesa Seed Growers’ Association in 1923.
Foster, William S. Established a printing firm, “The Wawanesa Counter Cheque Book
Gorrie, Charles C.. Pharmacist. Mayor for 22 years.
Gorrie, William:  Est. Gorrie’s Harness Shop. 1890
Harrison, Thomas: Pioneer Merchant in Souris City. Operated the “Red Front Store”.
Hector, R.W. Machine business (1890).
Henderson, John: Agent for Sylvester Brothers Agricultural Implements ca. 1893
Kempton, Alonza Fowler: Established the Wawanesa Mutual (1896) with Charles D. Kerr.

Kent, Charles: Ran a small store on NE 4.7.18, on the trial to Gregory’s Mill. 1884.
Kinley, Richard: One of the first Souris City pioneers. Hotel Keeper.
Lambert, O.E. Furniture sales and undertaker.
Lilley, A.G. “New Restaurant, advertised Nov. 14, 1896. Boarding House
McDonald, E.L.Wawanesa’s second Jeweller.
Neithercut R.J. Hardware Store
Peters, W.S.  Massey-Harris Dealership (1900) and a Hardware Store (1912). Mayor for 11 years.
Richardson, W.J. Hardware store 1890
Reid, Joseph M.Millinery, Stationery and Fancy Goods Store.(With Mrs. Reid) 
Ricker, Dave: Merchant in Souris City 1884. Wawanesa in 1889. Built a General Store/ Ricker’s
Rogers, Clarkson R.: Chartered member of the Wawanesa Mutual and Treasurer on the first policy written.
Rule, Thomas: Livery Stable
Probable Significance: Modest
Scott, A.G. Candy-maker. Store owner.
Tamblyn, Frank: Proprietor of the Northern Pacific Hotel 1890.
Scott, William. Owner and promoter of the town of Souris City
Stevenson, Thomas: Wheelwright by trade. Co-owner of Stevenson & Ferris Furniture Store.    
Story, J.J. Erected the first building in the town that would become Wawanesa, a General Store and Post Office and living quarters above.
Storey, W.T. Lumberyard Owner.
Venier, Charles: Manitoba Hotel in 1919
Wells, Joseph: Proprietor of the Windsor Hotel 1890.

SERVICES & PROFESSIONALS

Atkinson, C.L. Lawyer
Bailey, E.A.: Editor and Publisher of the Wawanesa’s first paper, the Wawanesa Enterprise
Baron. Will: Barber Shop 1895. 
Burgess, George: Machine Shop until 1910. With W.S. Foster, invented the Printing Press which printed the counter check books for the Wawanesa Counter Check Book Co.
Chambers, J.A. Lawyer, Livery Stable operator, horse breeder.
Clements, S.J.Tailor.
Day, C.S. First tailor.
Dobson, Mrs. First dressmaker
Ellams, Mr. First telephone serviceman.
Ellridge, John: Souris City pioneer. Carpenter.
Ferguson, Miss: Dressmaker
Fraser, W.A.:  Lawyer est. in Wawanesa in March of 1894.
Holloway, G.W.Painer, decorator
Nelson, R.J.:  Butcher Shop 1890’s
Kennedy, J.A.:  Butcher Shop 1890’s
Rae, Miss.:  Millenery ca. 1896
Haighs, George: Souris City pioneer. Blacksmith.
Harry, Richard :  First shoemaker
Hunter, Mrs. :  First milliner in Wawanesa
Lake, Dr. G.A.:  Veterinarian 1897

McIlquham. D.A :  Tinsmith 1890
Osborne, Dorothy & Elsie  . Telephone Operators (Hello Girls)
Sims, Fred: Blacksmith and carriage maker. (Early 1890’s – 1924).
Snider, Dr. J.H.:  Veterinarian ca. 1900 - 1904
Sutherland, A.H. :  First Union Bank Manager (1894 – 1901)
Swenerton, Dr. Wilson:  Veterinarian until 1897
Thorn, A.B.. :  Photographer, 1900
Wells, Joseph:  Baker and confectioner. Café.
Woodley, Joseph:  Butcher

BUILDERS

Bissett, George Ferguson :  Prominent builder, plaster and bricklayer.
Booker, Thomas:  Contractor and bricklayer. Seller of bricks. Brickmaker as of 1895.
Burgess, John :  Prominent builder, contractor after 1900
Courtice, James:  Stonemase, contractor and plasterer.
Dick, Dave :  Prominent builder, contractor after 1900.
Ferris, Joe C.: Contractor and businessman. Built a store for J.J. Story in 1889
Gray, John
Biography:  Builder, 1890
Smith, P.R :  Blacksmith, 1890

INDUSTRY

Booker, J. :  Inventor of the Booker Stove
Britton, Mr. :  Established a brickyard south of Wawanesa prior to 1890.
Freek, W. :  Established a brickyard with Mr. Coupland at Souris City ca. 1882
Green, G.W. :  Pump manufacturer and dealer
Green, J. E.:  Pump Maker and repairs.
Gregory, John: Built Gregory’s Mill about in ca. 1884, expanded it in 1890.
McKenzie, John :  Farmer and brick maker.
Snider, A.W. :  Built the Wawanesa Flour Mill in 1895 with D.N.Russell



EARLY POLITICIANS

Graham, Herbert Clement: Elected to the Manitoba Legislature in West Brandon.


MUNICIPAL ADMINISTRATION

Couling, Pierce : Served as Mayor (1910 –1912).

Elliott, James. Coucillor 1886.
Kerr, Charles D. . First Wawanesa mayor - 1909
Kinsley, Richard: First Reeve.
Nichol, Thomas: Replaced William Scott as the resident overseer of the townsite of Souris City

CLERGY

Adams, Rev. G. K. :   Methodist Minister for the Millford / Souris City circuit. Ca. 1883.
Bunt, Rev. : Methodist Minister in Wawanesa area ca. 1890
Currie, Rev. Alex:  Minister of St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church 1899.
Hall, Rev. Thomas Wellington :   First Methodist Minister in Millford.
Hoskins, Rev. M.:   Presbyterian Minister for the Souris City area. ca. 1883.
Kelly, Rev.:  One of the early Souris City Presbyterian ministers.
Kinley, Frank :   The first Sunday School in the district was started by Frank Kinley in Northfield School in 1882
McKay, Rev. J.S:   First Presbyterian Missionary in the region.
Robinson, Rev. Isaac Newton: One of the early Souris City Methodist ministers.
Rounthwaite, Rev. John Frederick. Arrived in Rounthwaite in 1882
Wilson, Rev. T.B.:   First Methodist Minister in Wawanesa , 1890

EDUCATORS & SCHOOL EMPLOYEES

Batty, Edmund, :  Teacher at Souris City, 1882.
Lent, David L.: First teacher at Souris City, 1882.
McKay, Miss:  Teacher at Souris City, 1880’s
Nichol, Miss Mary:  Taught at Souris City (after 1883) and then became the first teacher in
Nichol, Miss Jenny:  Taught at Souris City.
Schultz, Frank :  Taught at Northfield School ca. 1882 – 1893. Influential in the early life of Nellie McClung.

MEDICAL SERVICES

Anderson, Dr.:  Wawanesa’s first resident doctor. (1892).
Brook, Adina:  Acted as midwife for the surrounding district. Her first delivery was in 1904.
Downie, Emma:Trained as a nurse under Florence Nightingale. Homesteaded in 1881.
Husband, Dr.  HenryAubrey :  Came in 1885. Owned the Apothecary.
Grey, Dr. :  Doctor in 1893-94.
Vanstone, Dr. Charles Morley:  Arrived ca. 1895. Later involved in the Mutual.
Jackson, Dr. Frederick Wilbur:  1913 – 1929. Served in WW1.

RAILWAY EMPLOYEES

Cornell, Joseph:   First agent for the Northern Pacific and Manitoba Railway.



RECREATIONAL

Anderson, Mrs.:   Provided piano lessons shortly after the village was formed.
Grainger, “Prof”, Alfred: Music teacher. Composer
Holland, Mr. S:   Bandmaster (1907)
Homer, Mr.:   Bandmaster prior to 1907
Wawanesa Hockey Team, 1900

COMMUNITY SERVICES

Cornell, Joseph : First Worshipful Master of the Wawanesa Masonic Lodge #67. 
Jones, James P.: First Noble Grand of the Wawanesa Odd Fellows.
Roney, William, “Gramps”; Created Roney Park

RENOWNED INDIVIDUALS

McLung, Nellie :   Came with parents John and Letitia Mooney to the Millford area in 1880. Country school teacher. Writer. Exponent of Women’s Rights\

NOTABLE FAMILIES

Cory
Elliott
Mooney