Potentially Significant People
/ PIONEERS
Anderson, Skuli
Biography: Born Iceland 1851
Claims: Came with the first party of Icelandic settlers from Gimli in
1881
Probable Significance: High
Source: Come Into Our Heritage / 277
Images: As Above
Content: Good additional information
Came to North America in 1873 with mother. Father had died at age 37
While in Gimli Skuli was honoured by Lord Dufferin, the
Governor-General of Canada for“progress in agriculture”.
Aranson, Skafti
Biography: Born Iceland 1850
Claims: Arrived in Winnipeg on July 16, 1875. First Icelander to set
foot in Manitoba.
Shipped the first cream from the district by rail from Glenboro.
Probable Significance: High
Source: Come Into Our Heritage / 281
Images: N/A
Content: Good additional information
Mr. Skafti Arason a farmer, and Christian Johnson, originally settled
in Kinmount Ontario, and were part of the expedition that settled upon
the location of the New Iceland colony at present day Gimli. They later
moved to Argyle.
Asmundson, Asmunder
Biography: Born Iceland 1845: Died 1924
Claims: Asmunder lost both feet and a hand to frostbite after barely
surviving a winter journey in his native Iceland in the early 1870’s.
In the summer of 1883, he moved with his wife to Canada and settled in
the Baldur district in Manitoba.
His courage and toughness were an example to his neighbours.
Probable Significance: Medium
Source: The Story of Asmunder Asmundson & Come Into Our Heritage /
285
Images: On file
Content: Good additional information – Book - The Story of Asmunder
Asmundson
Christopherson, Sigurder
Biography: Born 1848, Iceland. Died 1921 Grund
Claims: The first Icelandic settler to file a claim. In 1880 he came
from the “New Iceland” colony at Gimli, visited the district south of
Glenboro and influenced several others from New Iceland to come south.
Probable Significance: Major
Source: Come Into Our Heritage / 335
Images: As Above
Content: Good additional information
Acted as Immigration Agent – traveled to Iceland several times.
Real Estate and Insurance Business
In 1880 Kristoferson from the “New Iceland” colony at Gimli, visited
the district south of Glenboro. He was impressed with the
agricultural potential of the region and influenced several others from
New Iceland to come south. He homesteaded SE 10-6-14, the first
Icelandic settler to file a claim.
Earlier, in 1875, Mr. Kristoferson, then living in an Icelandic
settlement in Wisconsin, served as a delegate for that community, along
with Mr. Skafti Arason and Christian Johnson then residing in Kinmount
Ontario, in an expedition that settled upon the location of the New
Iceland colony.
Sigurdser’s homestead in New Iceland was named Husavik, a name that
lives on today. He was there for four years.
Christopherson, Hernit
Biography: Born 1850, Iceland
Claims: Skilled in homeopathic medicine.
One of the first trustee and Mimir School, helped establish the
Icelandic Library at Grund. Probable Significance: Medium
Source: Come Into Our Heritage / 342
Images: As Above
Content: Some additional information
Came to Argyle from Iceland in 1883. Stayed with his brother at Grund.
Acquired NW 6-6-14 in 1884.
One of the first trustee and Mimir School, helped establish the
Icelandic Library at Grund.
Skilled in homeopathic medicine.
Clark, William & Mary
Biography:
Claims: Among the earliest pioneers. In 1880 Mary was the third
white woman to cross the Pembina River going west.
Probable Significance: Medium
Source: Come Into Our Heritage / 347
Images: As Above
Content: Good additional information
Cramer, Albert Edward
Biography:
Claims: Arrived with John D. Cummings in 1879, claimed land at NE
18-5-13 in 1880
The Cramers began farming at Otenaw a few kilometers northeast of
Baldur. Operated a Cheese Factory / Creamery from his farm.. Move the
building to Baldur as a store when the town started.
Probable Significance: Major
Source: Come Into Our Heritage / 373
Images: As Above
Content: Good additional information
Crayston, Edmund
Biography: Born 1842, ON.
Claims: Came to Glenora area in 1884 - bought the mill site from Walsh
Bros.
Store built on SE 20-3-13 – now on Greg Crayston farm - used as home by
Crayston family in 1890. Wife, Amelia (Montague) donated land for
Wigton school
Probable Significance: Medium
Source: Come Into Our Heritage / 374
Images: N/A
Content: Good additional information
Frederickson, Fridbjorn
Biography: Born 1859, Iceland
Claims: Came to New Iceland (Gimli in 1879)
One of first five Icelanders to file in Argyle in 1880. Land Assessor.
Probable Significance: High
Source: Come Into Our Heritage / 414
Images: As Above
Content: Good additional information
McQuarrie, Alex
Biography: Died 1915
Claims: Came to Dry River region in 1881. Helped form the Dry River
School District.
Probable Significance: Medium
Source: Come Into Our Heritage / 575
Images: N/A
Content: Some additional information
Nelson, John
Biography:
Claims: Nelson Centennial Farm. One of the first homesteaders – came
with his brother Jake in 1879.
Probable Significance: Medium
Source: Come Into Our Heritage / 579
Images: As Above
Content: Some additional information
Parsonage, Henry Josiah
Biography: Born 1855, England
Claims: Homesteaded SW 30-6-13 in 1881.. Six generations have lived in
Argyle so far.
Probable Significance: Major
Source: Come Into Our Heritage / 596
Images: As Above
Content: Some additional information
Taylor, William Stuart
Biography: Born 1830; Died 1903
Claims: Homesteaded 1881. (Taylor’s Hill still a landmark. Father-in
law- of Sigurdur Chritopherson (Daughter Carrie)
Probable Significance: High
Source: Come Into Our Heritage / 673
Images: N/A
Content: Some additional information
Wilson, John Austin
Biography: Born 1829, England
Claims: In 1879 the John Wilson family were the first settlers in
what would become Argyle Municipality. Helped build the church and
school at Marringhurst. Helped build the “Wilson Bridge”.
Probable Significance: High
Source: Come Into Our Heritage / 705
Images: N/A
Content: Some additional information
Wray, Joseph
Biography: Born 1850, Ontario
Claims: Came west in 1879 to Manitou area. Found land near
Baldur. Returned in 1881. Chairman of Trustees, Simpson School ca.
1893. Wheelright and general woodworker.
Probable Significance: Medium
Source: Come Into Our Heritage / 711
Images: N/A
Content: Some additional information
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