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.
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