Family History Collection  -   Index


Brown, MR. & MRS. J. B.

J. B. Brown came to the West from Tweed, Ontario, in the spring of 1881, working for a short time with the C.P.R., and then coming to the NInga district where he took a homestead on Section 30-2-18.

In the fall of that year, Mr. Brown returned to Tweed where he married Sara Eliza Sayers.  They came to Brandon in the spring and on April 2nd they started their trip to the homestead, with a team of horses on a sleigh which contained their effects:  a wagon gear, groceries, and personal effects.  During the trip it was necessary for them to change from the sleigh to the wagon on account of the spring thaw.  Their home on the homestead consisted of a one-room shack.
At that time, Indians were not uncommon throughout the country.  They invariably called at the homestead for food and wood.  However, as Mrs. Brown was nervous whey they arrived, she would raise a flag, and Mr. Brown would come to the house from the field where he was working.

When the harvest was completed in the fall, it was necessary to haul the grain to Brandon, the nearest station, for sale.  This required a period of three days.

Fuel for the house was obtained from the Turtle Mountain forest area, where it had to be cut and hauled to the homestead. 
On this homestead, Mr. and Mrs. Brown brought up a family of eleven children, who obtained their education at the Maple Grove and Lyonshall, later going to Ninga and Killarney High Schools.

Mr. Brown started the first Sunday School in the district, which was at Maple Grove, and later was superintendent of the Lyonshall Sunday School, as well as trustee of that school district.

In 1914 Mr. and Mrs. Brown retired from the farm and took residence in Killarney where they took an active part in the Methodist Church.
Mrs. Brown passed away in 1927 at the age of sixty-three.  Mr. Brown was in his eighty-sixth year when he passed away in 1940.
Members of the family deceased are Harry, Sam and Lillian

Members of the family living are Mrs. J. G. Tewsley (Lettie), Calgary, Alberta; Mrs. T. A. Hill (Florence), Ninga, Manitoba; Mrs. J. Heath (Lena), White Rock, B.C.; Ben, John, Walker, Gertrude, Mrs. Roy Clark (Leta), Killarney, Manitoba.