Heritage Resources / People / Index



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