Memorable Manitobans: Frank Jacob de Graff (1910-1994)

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Frank Jacob de Graff
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Market gardener, municipal official.

Born east of the Red River in the Rural Municipality of Kildonan on 28 September 1910, son of John de Graff (1871-1947) and Gertrude Anna Maria Heeres (1877-1955), he grew up at the family’s residence on Lot 68 in Rural Municipality of North Kildonan. Taking up farming, he operated a market garden in Rural Municipality of North Kildonan, which he later served as Councillor (14 years), Deputy Mayor, and Superintendent of Public Works. He also volunteered with the Kildonan - St. Paul Health Unit, was a school trustee for the River East School Division, and was President and member of the Board of Governors of the East Kildonan YMCA. He was a candidate in the 1953 federal general election but was defeated by Anton Weselak. On 28 June 1941, he married Irene Margaret Werrell (1919-2017) at John Black Memorial United Church in East Kildonan. The couple had three children. He died at the Concordia Hospital on 8 February 1994.

See also:

Historic Sites of Manitoba: Matheson Grist Mill (1025 Henderson Highway, Winnipeg)

Sources:

Birth registrations, Manitoba Vital Statistics.

1911 Canada census, Library and Archives Canada.

Marriage registration [Frank Jacob de Graff, Irene Margaret Werrell], Manitoba Vital Statistics.

“Irene M. Werrell weds Frank de Graff in vesper hour bridal,” Winnipeg Tribune, 2 July 1941, page 10.

“Mr. and Mrs. John de Graff to mark golden wedding day,” Winnipeg Tribune, 18 August 1945, page 5.

Death notice [John de Graff], Winnipeg Free Press, 13 February 1947, page 18.

“N. K. officers sword in at first meet,” Winnipeg Free Press, 6 January 1954, page 9.

Obituary [Mrs. Gertrude Anna Maria de Graff], Winnipeg Free Press, 31 December 1955, page 6.

“2 Reeves, Mayor face opposition,” Winnipeg Free Press, 9 October 1957, page 3.

“Curious blend result,” Winnipeg Free Press, 10 October 1971, page 4.

Obituary, Winnipeg Free Press, 12 February 1994, page C13.

Obituary [Irene Margaret de Graff], Winnipeg Free Press, 4 November 2017.

We thank Jim de Graff for providing additional information used here.

This page was prepared by Nathan Kramer.

Page revised: 1 January 2023

Memorable Manitobans

Memorable Manitobans

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