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Robert
Beattie
Robert
Beattie is leading a life of diligence and well-connected business
activity on his farm, which comprises four hundred and eighty acres of
fertile land and is located in the vicinity of Killarney. When he
came into possession of this property it was in a wild state, but
inwearied industry and constant application have wrought the usual
transformation and today he is the proud owner of one of the best farms
of that community.
Aberdeenshire,
Scotland, was the birthplace of Mr. Beattie, his natal day being the
7th of March, 1866, and his parents, James and Catherine (Griach)
Beattie. The father and mother were born, reared and married in
Scotland, where they emigrated to America with their family, locating
in the Province of Ontario. There the mother passed away, and the
father subsequently continued his journey westward to Manitoba, where
his death occurred in 1904. He was trained to an agricultural
career in his youth, continuing to follow that vocation until age
compelled his retirement from active life.
To
the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Beattie were born eleven children, of whom
five are deceased. Of the remaining six, our subject is the only
one residing in Manitoba. Robert Beattie was a youth of sixteen
years when he accompanied his parents on their removal to
America. Soon thereafter he learned the carpenter’s trade and
bridge-building, and was for six years in the employ of the Dominion
Bridge Company of Montreal. Next he occupied a similar position
with the Great Northern Railway Company, and while in their service he
purchased a quarter section of wild land, which formed the nucleus of
his present fine ranch.
The
succeeding two years were spent in elevator work, but at the expiration
of that time he returned to this district and bought another hundred
and sixty acres of land. He has since further extended his holdings by
the purchase of another quarter section, all of which he has brought to
a high state of production. From time to time, Mr. Beattie has
increased the value and enhanced the appearance of his property by the
erection of substantial buildings, his now being one of the best
improved places in the country. His fields are planted to such
crops as he deems best adapted to the soil and in connection with
diversification he engages in stock-raising.
In the
development of his interests he has met with the success which usually
rewards the man who directs his energies in a systematic manner along
practical yet progressive lines. For his wife and helpmate, Mr.
Beattie chose Miss Betsey Jane Chapman, a daughter of William and
Elizabeth (Pattulla) Chapman, both of whom are deceased. The
mother, whose death occurred some fifteen years ago, passed away first,
and Mr. Chapman, who died in 1910, later married Miss Agnes Rankin.
Besides
Mrs. Beattie, who is the eldest of the first marriage, there was born a
son, William F., who resides in Manitoba, and Isabella, who is
deceased. To Mr. Chapman and his second wife were born six
children, in the following order: Ida Pearl, Edith May, Hazel
Blanche, Ruby Vona, David Sterling, Harold Melvin, all of whom are
living at home with their mother. The family of Mr. and Mrs.
Beattie also numbers six: Catherine E.M., Beatrice Maud, Alice
Irene, Robert R., Helen Susan and Rowland Griach. Although a
native of Canada, Mrs. Beattie is of Scotch extraction, her father
having been born in Scotland.
The
religious views of Mr. and Mrs. Beattie coincide with the teachings of
the Presbyterian church, of which they are consistent members. He
takes an active interest in community affairs and is now serving as a
member of the local school board. He is meeting with well
deserved success in his undertakings and each year marks a substantial
advance in his business career, which is being pursued with the
unrelenting persistence, characteristic of the energetic man of
determined purpose.
Mr.
Robert Beattie owned and lived on E 1/2 of 15-2-18 and also owned SW
1/4 22-2-18.
Social
life:
He enjoyed playing cards and visiting back and forth with
his many neighbors and friends. He was a member of the Long River
School board for many years.
Transportation
& travel: During his lifetime travel was mainly by horse and
buggy or wagon or sleigh. He owned several cars but never learned
to drive one.
Robert
Beattie retired to Killarney in 1950. He passed away in Killarney
Hospital Sunday, Feb. 3rd, 1952, at 86 years of age. His wife suffered
a stroke in Aug., 1951 and remained in hospital until the time of her
death, Wed., Feb. 20th, 1952 in her 76th year. Their family is
all living.
By Rowland G. Beattie
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