Robert Fern Lyons, was born on July 1, 1856 in Leeds
County Ontario. He operated a General Store there before coming to the
Fairview district, six kilometres north of Carberry in 1879. He and his
brother, J.H. Lyons, opened a general store on their farm for three
years, the first in the region, until the railway arrived prompting the
creation of Carberry. He was one of the first to buy lots and erect a
department store and dwelling in the new town.
He married Jennet Hume in 1888.
In 1888 Lyons sold his interest in the store and concentrated on
dealing in stock and grain – becoming the largest operator on the local
stock exchange and an exporter of grain and horses. He was considered
to be an expert on “present and future prices of the golden cereals”.
He owned about 2700 acres of land, making him one of the foremost
landowners in the region.
In 1895 he purchased the largest elevator in town , which had been
built by Mr. McKay in 1885.
In 1896 he had a fine brick home built just east of town, a local
landmark for over a century.
He also owned Lyons Hall on Main Street.
Mr. Lyon was elected to the Manitoba Legislature 1892 and four times
thereafter. He served so long as provincial member that he became
Dean of the Legislature.
He was a charter member of the Orange Lodge and active in the Methodist
Church
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