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C.L. (Lew) Atkinson came to Wawanesa
in 1904 to earn money in order to pay his way through university. When
he had fulfilled this goal and had been called to the bar, he returned
to Wawanesa to practice. He settled into the community and has
been Wawanesa’s only resident solicitor.
He served as Solicitor for the Union Bank, The Mutual, and the Souris
Valley Land Co.
His clients were charged with everything from Halloween van-dalism to
robbery and arson.
With his practice established he became a community man, joining the
lodge, playing on ball teams, curling, etc.
He began courting Gertrude Foster in about 1905. During the year of
1906-1907, Gertie was in Toronto and Cleveland, Ohio pursuing a career
in singing. She was awarded a scholarship to the Boston School of
Music, for the following year. Her studies in Boston never became a
reality as at this time, she noticed that she was losing her hearing.
Before too many years had passed she became stone deaf. They had one
son, who died at birth.
Mr. Atkinson served as Mayor of the village for over twenty-one years,
from October, 1930 to December, 1951 overseeing the difficult years of
the depression and the second World War.
Gertie died in 1961, Lew lived for two years following her death.
Adapted from Sipiweski, page 20
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