Roseisle
A community in south central Manitoba.
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(int) 1 $page = (int) 0 $type_id = '38' $cemeteries = array() $newspapers = array() $documents = array( (int) 0 => array( 'Document' => array( 'id' => '74547', 'title' => 'Learys of Roseisle Manitoba', 'url' => 'Learys of Roseisle Manitoba.pdf', 'video' => '', 'description' => '<p>A genealogy and memoir of the Leary family of Roseisle, Manitoba.</p>', 'text' => ' The Learys John & Maria (Sneyd) Leary & Their Descendants A Brief History of John & Maria Leary & their descendants Compiled by Ina Leary Bramadat 2006 (with 2009 & 2021 updates) FOREWARD This account of the Leary family begins in Ireland in the early 1800s. From a genealogical perspective, it has ended there - at least for the time being. Those of us who have tried to trace our Irish ancestors have met with the disappointment of discovering that the key records in Ireland were likely destroyed by fire, so we may never trace our roots back beyond this ancestral pair. The Leary family left Ireland in 1852 and went to Jamaica in the West Indies for about seven years. Here again, the records at this point in time are scant. We know that John was hired into the Royal Mail Service in Jamaica in 1852 and, at the time he resigned from the service in 1858, he was Chief Messenger for the island. It is not until 1861 that the family again surfaces in the records, this time in Clinton, Ontario where John was Census Commissioner for Huron County. From this point, the family can be traced through census and voter records. The growing body of online data and access to vital statistics has helped our search and has made it more affordable in terms of both time and cost of accessing records. In several places, whole branches are still missing; others are gradually being added as new information comes online or new family members are discovered. What has become evident is that the process of tracing the Leary family will be on-going. As those of us who are actively researching begin to realize that our generation is rapidly thinning out, we have to ask ourselves where we should stop the search and start recording what we know. It is this growing urgency that has produced first the 2006 draft and now, the 2021 update of this book. The expansion of information since the first draft in 2006 is encouraging. Many of the holes in this story may never be filled, but I offer you the challenge of carrying on our research and finding more of the elusive answers. The first chapter is about John and Maria; the next eight, about their children from eldest to the youngest. Throughout the book, Ive included brief background sketches to provide a sense of the socio-political context in which our ancestors lived and travelled. Endnotes are included in each chapter so you will know the source of my information. At times source information differs and census records or other data sources are not always accurate. Where possible, I have tried to indicate discrepancies. Hope you enjoy this work-in-progress. And please remember, copies of photographs, documents or any other information you have on the family will be gratefully received and added to the next draft of the book. Ina (Leary) Bramadat Table of Contents Foreword ÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃ\ ÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃ.. 1 John & Maria (Sneyd) LearyÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃ\ ÃÃÃÃÃÃÃà 3 Anna Maria Leary Family ÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃ\ ÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃ.. 21 Descendants of Anna Maria Leary ÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃ\ ÃÃÃÃ. 29 William Henry Leary Family ÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃ\ ÃÃÃÃÃÃà 34 Descendants of William Henry Leary ÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃ\ ÃÃ.. 51 Benjamin Leary Family ÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃ\ ÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃ.. 64 Descendants of Benjamin LearyÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃ\ ÃÃÃÃÃ.. 78 Katherine Leary Family ÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃ\ ÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃ.. 81 Descendants of Katherine Leary ÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃ\ ÃÃÃÃÃ. 88 Frances Leary Family ÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃ\ ÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃ.. 90 Descendants of Frances LearyÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃ\ ÃÃÃÃÃÃ.. 95 Jane Leary Family ÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃ\ ÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃ. 96 Descendants of Jane Leary ÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃ\ ÃÃÃÃÃÃÃ.. 102 John Leary Family ÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃ\ ÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃ.. 104 Descendants of John Leary ÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃ\ ÃÃÃÃÃÃÃ. 116 George Leary Family ÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃ\ ÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃ. 117 Descendants of George Leary ÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃ\ ÃÃÃÃÃà 144 Index ÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃ\ ÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃ. 153 i The Learys John & Maria (Sneyd) Leary & Their Descendants A Brief History of John & Maria Leary & their descendants Compiled by Ina Leary Bramadat 2006 (with 2009 & 2021 updates) FOREWARD This account of the Leary family begins in Ireland in the early 1800s. From a genealogical perspective, it has ended there - at least for the time being. Those of us who have tried to trace our Irish ancestors have met with the disappointment of discovering that the key records in Ireland were likely destroyed by fire, so we may never trace our roots back beyond this ancestral pair. The Leary family left Ireland in 1852 and went to Jamaica in the West Indies for about seven years. Here again, the records at this point in time are scant. We know that John was hired into the Royal Mail Service in Jamaica in 1852 and, at the time he resigned from the service in 1858, he was Chief Messenger for the island. It is not until 1861 that the family again surfaces in the records, this time in Clinton, Ontario where John was Census Commissioner for Huron County. From this point, the family can be traced through census and voter records. The growing body of online data and access to vital statistics has helped our search and has made it more affordable in terms of both time and cost of accessing records. In several places, whole branches are still missing; others are gradually being added as new information comes online or new family members are discovered. What has become evident is that the process of tracing the Leary family will be on-going. As those of us who are actively researching begin to realize that our generation is rapidly thinning out, we have to ask ourselves where we should stop the search and start recording what we know. It is this growing urgency that has produced first the 2006 draft and now, the 2009 draft of this book. The expansion of information since the first draft in 2006 is encouraging. Many of the holes in this story may never be filled, but I offer you the challenge of carrying on our research and finding more of the elusive answers. The first chapter is about John and Maria; the next eight, about their children from eldest to the youngest. Throughout the book, Ive included brief background sketches to provide a sense of the socio-political context in which our ancestors lived and travelled. Endnotes are included in each chapter so you will know the source of my information. At times source information differs and census records or other data sources are not always accurate. Where possible, I have tried to indicate discrepancies. Hope you enjoy this work-in-progress. And please remember, copies of photographs, documents or any other information you have on the family will be gratefully received and added to the next draft of the book. Ina (Leary) Bramadat JOHN & MARIA LEARY Photo: I. Bramadat Collection John Leary 1804 -1881 John Leary. As of 2021, this rather stern looking gentleman is still the genealogical 'brick wall' at which our search for the Leary family tree grinds to a halt. John Leary was born June 30, 1804, in Ireland1. Oral tradition holds that John was a member of the Royal Irish Constabulary (RIC). His line of employment was given as the reason the family moved to various locations in Ireland, and why the children were born in different counties such as Kings County and Kilkenny. Until recently, searches of the RIC indexes and records in the National Archives, Dublin, the National Archives, London, or in the Latter Day Saints' (LDS) holdings produced no entries that "fit" for the years he was likely to have served 2. Audit records from the years 1836 to 1839 for various Irish counties3 record postings for a John Leary with the RIC in Kilkenny. He was transferred from Kilmacow to Granard, Longford where he served as a constable and Head Constable. This would place him in the area of Brosna, King's County where son John Jr. is said to have been born. We also have John's own testimony that he was a member of the constabulary. In a letter to the Secretary of the Agriculture and Statistics, Department of Canada, John explained changes he had made in the proposed census procedures, saying "I hope and trust that from my former knowledge in taking the census in Ireland when serving in the Constabulary as Head Constable that I shall be able to give general satisfaction at least I will endeavour to do so." 4 The RIC carried out the 1851 census in Ireland so this information would seem to tally. Unfortunately, the 1851 Irish census records were lost when 'rebels' burned the Records office in Dublin. With the fire, the birth, marriage and death records relevant to our family history seem also to have perished. Maria Sneyd Leary. John's wife, Maria, was born in Kilkenny, Ireland September 29, 1808. She and John were married August 5, 1830. John and Maria had eight children: Anna Maria (1831-1915); William (1833-1917); Benjamin (1836-1915); Katherine (1838-1929); Frances (1840-1873); Jane (1843-1920); John (1845-1915); and George (1849-1939). All the children were born in Ireland.5 Photo: I. Bramadat Collection Maria (Sneyd) Leary 1808 -1901 Ireland in the early 1800s Although we have few details of our ancestors and their lives in Ireland, there is an abundance of historical information about the country and the trials and tribulations that lead to mass migrations to other countries.6 John and Maria were born Ireland just after the Act of Union of 1800 which abolished the Irish Parliament and made Ireland part of a United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. This act was the culmination of a long history of conflict between the Protestant British and predominantly Catholic Irish people. The long-standing animosity had its roots in events as far back as the arrival of first Norman barons in 1166 A.D. and the beginning of an 800-year English presence in Ireland. The relationship deteriorated with massacres and confiscation of property by Oliver Cromwell and his army in 1653. At his time, many of the old Irish landed gentry were transplanted to the west of the country and their lands were given to Cromwell's Protestant followers. The Sneyds may have arrived in Ireland around this time.7 In the late 1680s, the Irish invited James II to lead them in rebellion against the English. James was Catholic and had been deposed from the English throne. In 1690, William III of England defeated James II and his followers the Battle of the Boyne. This defeat was celebrated by Orangemen (Protestant supporters) for many generations after as the defining moment of Protestant victory in Ireland. As you read the Leary history, you will see that John and Maria's sons were members of the Orange Lodge and that >William@is a recurring family name. Over three decades following the Battle of the Boyne, a series of punitive acts of legislation restricted Catholic rights to education, property, service in the army or public office and voting. When the French Revolution broke out in 1789, the British feared that unrest in Ireland would coalesce into a similar general revolution. To head off further unrest, the British removed some of the restrictions on Irish Catholic civil rights. Nonetheless, in 1798, a series of rebellious skirmishes erupted across the country These were put down by the British and the Act of Union was passed. This occurred just four years before John Leary was born. During the early 1800s, when John and Maria were growing up and beginning their own family, the population of Ireland was rapidly increasing. At the same time, there was a growing dependency among the Irish population on a single-crop economy based on the production of potatoes. Grain and cattle that were produced, however the landowners shipped this produce out of the country for profit. Then the potato blight destroyed crops in the years between 1845 and 1850, resulting in the Great Famine. The majority of the famine victims died of malnutrition. Many others died on emigrant ships as they sought a new life in other countries. Ireland lost a quarter of is population within the six-year period from 1845 to 1851. It would have been around the end of the Famine migration that John and Maria and their children left Ireland for Jamaica. Although they were Church of England (Protestant) and not apparently dependent upon farming, we have no way of knowing what impact the Famine had on the family. They would not have been among the starving peasant population that died or emigrated abroad in famine ships. As a member of the RIC, John would have been part of the law enforcement but that does not tell us what his personal thoughts or actions were during these years. It is interesting that he left the service in 1852 and transferred to a Royal Mail position (still a British service). Source University of Texas , Perry Castenada Library (lib.utexas.edu/maps/europe/ireland) Map of Ireland with Some of the Key Places for Researching the Leary Family 1. Belfast - John's sister Jane (Leary) Thompson lived near Belfast. Cousins still live in about 20 miles outside Belfast. 2. Kilkenny - Given as birthplace of Maria (on her death certificate) and of son George. Son John was born just north of Kilkenny County in Bresna, located in what was then King's County. George visited a cousin here in 1890s. 3. Dublin - Relatives were living here in the 1980s. William Leary (George's son) was born in Dublin. National Library, National Archives and Records Office located here. --Migration to Jamaica In 1852, the John Leary family migrated to Jamaica where they resided for about seven years. Records held in the British Postal Museum, London, record that John Leary was hired by the Jamaica Post Office on December 13, 1852. Interestingly, a William Leary was hired the same day - likely his son who would have been 19 by that time. Jamaica at that time was a British colony. It was an island in the West Indies with a plantation economy based on sugar cane, coffee and other tropical crops. Slaves were emancipated in Jamaica in 1838, just over a decade before the family arrived. John was with the Post office in Jamaica until 1858. The Royal Mail Archives in London show him as "Head Messenger".at the time he left the post office.8 Jamaica was a British colony, and its postal service was organized under the management of the London General Post Office. In 1671, a Postmaster General of Jamaica was appointed and the island became the first British colony to have a post office. In 1858, operation of postal services was turned over to the colonies. 9 This would explain why the family left Jamaica around this time and continued the next leg of their migration to Canada. Sourcesandafayre.com/atlas British Mail Routes Connecting Jamaica, W.I. with Other Locations in the 1850s British Packets c.1859 USA --""-p Ãà - --,_, Ãà .. -oasi,,.,:, 1::-l GUIANAS COLOMBIA Onward to Canada The family came to Canada between 1857 and 1860, arriving in North America through New Orleans, just west of Mobile on the above map.10 They would have entered Canada from the United States at a time when border crossings were not recorded. In the Canada Census, family members list various dates of arrival, from 1857 to 1864. In the 1901 census, Maria Leary and her son George record their year of immigration as 1860. It seems certain they had arrived by that date because the family was living near Clinton, Ontario at the time of the 1861 census. The eldest daughter, Anna Maria, was married to John Elliott and their first child, Aubrey, was born in 1858 so the family must have migrated before 1860, or perhaps one or more of the older children came to Canada at an earlier date. Passenger lists have so far shown no entries for the family. Canada West (Ontario) around 1860. 11 At the time the Learys migrated to what was then Canada West, the future of Canada was a hot issue for debate. Confederation would not occur for another seven years. John A. Macdonald's Conservative party was in power. The opposition Reform Party was proposing 'representation by population' to replace the equal number seats in Parliament currently held by Canada East (Quebec) and Canada West (Ontario). They also were pressing for a new federation with a central government. In 1860, the Prince of Wales toured the colonies and laid the cornerstone for the new Parliament buildings at Ottawa. Talk of dissolution of the Canadas was sparked when the Prince, in an effort to show impartiality, by-passed Kingston after a group of Orangemen refused to lower their anti-Catholic banners. Protestants as well as Catholics had emigrated from Ireland in large numbers during the Famine years. In contrast to Lower Canada and to American cities such as Boston, around 1860, the majority of the Irish in Upper Canada were Protestants. South of the border, meanwhile, the American Civil War was about to tear that country apart and editorials in Toronto newspapers endorsed the North. In 1862, Canada, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick agreed to build an Inter-colonial Railway to connect the colonies. This began an era of railway expansion that would connect the eastern colonies and that, over the next two and a half decades, would open the West and connect the growing settlements in British Columbia with the rest of Canada. 1861Census. The 1861 Canada Census provides the first written evidence we have of John and Maria Leary and their family in Canada. The census for Huron County shows the family living near Clinton, Ontario.12 John Leary was the Census Commissioner for Huron County for that year and his address was given as Clinton P.O. The family was located, not in the town, but nearby in the Township of Goderich in which the town of Clinton is located. They were living in a one-story, single family log house. John is recorded as being a farmer, age 59 years of age. His religious affiliation was with the Protestant Church of England. He is married with seven children (four male and three female). Two eldest children, William and Anna Maria, were not at home at the time of the census. William, age 28, was living at Port Erie where he worked as a gamekeeper and guide. Anna Maria, who would have been 30 years old at the time, would already have been married and living in Peel County, Ontario. Daughter Catherine was married to a John Dennis and was living nearby in Goderich Township. Benjamin and John Jr. are listed as labourers for the purpose of the census; Frances, Jane and George, the youngest son, have no designated occupation. Two of the children were attending school. Benjamin Leary, the second eldest son, was census enumerator for the area in which the Leary family lived. The census report for this area is signed by Benjamin as enumerator and by John as Commissioner. It is interesting to note that the census entry immediately following the Leary family is for a William Sneyd (age 53), his wife Jane Sneyd (age 47) and family members William (17); Jane (15); Elizabeth (13); Charlotte (10) and Margaret (8). The family was living in a one-story brick house. Maria Leary's maiden name was Sneyd. Further research may show whether the family settled next to relatives when they came to Canada from Jamaica. If so, this would provide another avenue for research into the family roots in Ireland. Jane Sneyds maiden name was Holmes. A history of the Holmes family records that William Sneyd and his sister, Margaret came to Canada with their cousins, the Holmes, and that they both married into the Holmes family. The family came from Three Castles, north-west of Kilkenny town. John Holmes, M.P.P. provided a recommendation for John Leary when he was hired as Census Commissioner for Huron County in 1860. This is an area that should be further researched. 1871 Census. Ten years later, at the time of the 1871 census,13 the Leary family was living near Wingham, Ontario (Range 14, Lot 36). The information recorded was considerably more detailed than the previous census, particularly in regard to the productivity of the farm. The occupants of the farm at this time are listed as John (65), his wife Marie (62) and three children Jane (27), John (23) and George (20). If George was born in September 1849, he should have been 21 years old at this time. This discrepancy in his birth dates reappears at various points during his lifetime. The three children still living at home were all single at that time. The Leary family was living at that time on a ten-acre farm with one house and a barn. They owned one carriage or sleigh, one wagon or sled, a boat, a reaper or mower and a fanning mill. All of the ten acres were 'improved' with three acres in pasture, one acre in garden or orchard, one-half acre in potatoes. and 2-1/2 acres in hay. The previous year they had harvested 50 bushels of oats, 20 bushels of peas, 50 bushels of potatoes and five bundles of hay. They owned three horses, a milk cow, three sheep and three pigs. The sheep and pigs were sold or used for food. Their animals produced 100 pounds of butter and 30 pounds of wool. An entry on the following page of the census (entry #18) shows that Frances, who married Henry Grain in 1870, was living nearby. Family #15, enumerated immediately prior to the Learys were the Godkins, Henry (age 22) and his brothers John (20) and James Jr. (17). The Godkin lads were stepsons of John and Maria's eldest son, William, who, in 1863, had married their widowed mother, Sarah Godkin. After her first husband, James Godkin, died, Sarah brought her seven children to live on the farm James had homesteaded. In 1877, James Jr. and two younger brothers, Tom and Joseph, travelled west with Ben Leary to homestead near Nelsonville, Manitoba. The Move to Manitoba. A decade later, the family had moved again, this time west to Nelsonville, Manitoba. Their youngest sons, John and George, had homesteaded there in 1874, followed by son Benjamin in 1877 and by the eldest daughter, Anna Maria and her husband John Elliott. At the time of the 1881 census, 14 John (age 76) and Maria (age 70) were living on 40 acres on the corner of 1-4-6w, not far from the John Leary Jr. home. Their 16-year-old grand-daughter Maud Dennis was living with them. Maud, who was Katherine's daughter, later married a local settler, Jonathan Mussell.15 Nelsonville and the Manitoba migration are discussed in more detail in later chapters of this history. John's Death. John Leary died Sunday, May 1, 1881, the same year this census was taken. His death is reported in the Nelsonville newspaper the 'Mountaineer' 16 on May 3, 1881 as follows: "John Leary, Sr. one of our old settlers, passed away on Sunday night after a lingering illness." Vital Statistics Manitoba has no record of his death;.17 May (Leary) Howard says in a letter to Edith Leary18 that John's wife Maria was buried in George's plot in Morden "next to their father." The plot had not been purchased in 1881 when John died . Unfortunately, records from the Nelsonville Cemetery have been lost. Edith Leary was of the opinion that graves had been moved to Morden from Nelsonville. No records have been found so far to substantiate this information. Records of Doyle's Funeral Home, the undertakers who handled the burial of Maria in 1901, were lost to flooding for the period prior to 1913. Hillside Cemetery records in Morden show only an infant, Arthur Leary, son of George and Armintha, buried in the double plot and no markers are to be found on the plots. The Godkin history19 states re: John's burial location that he was 'moved to Morden' however, the Godkin's have no additional documentation to support this information. The information on the Learys that is included in their book was collected by Laura Miller from May (Leary) Howard. May (Leary) Howard had no doubts about the location. In her letter to Edith Leary in December 1966, May wrote : "One question you asked, did I know where my Grandmother Leary was buried? Yes, I can tell you that from a letter written to my Uncle Ben Leary at the time of her death by Uncle George Leary. This letter was given to me by Cousin Ella Bond, Uncle Ben's eldest daughter. Grandma Leary died August 24, 1901. She was buried in Uncle George's plot in Morden, Man. beside my Grandfather LearyÃ.I have always wished I knew the date he died - but if you are in Morden some time and look up their graves, they may have had some kind of a marker giving the dates." Unfortunately, May was overly optimistic on this account. The grave markers were never placed and, until recently, the plot was a simple, well-maintained but unmarked area of grass in Hillside Cemetery. In 2008 a simple marker was placed to record their final resting place. Grave marker in Hillside Cemetery, Morden, Manitoba IJB Maria in Later Years. Some of her children were living nearby. Anna Maria, her eldest daughter, was living immediately east of Nelsonville with her five children. Anna Maria's husband, John Elliott, died in March, 1881 just two months before John's death. Son George had married in 1880 and operated a general store and post office in Nelsonville. Son John Junior also had married in 1880 and was living in Nelsonville until he moved about 30 miles further west to the community of Swan Lake. Benjamin had property some 30 miles northwest where his son, O.G. Leary lived, near the town of Roseisle. So, Maria had family nearby with whom she could live, but we have no further information about her until the time of the 1891 Census. She was then living with son George and his family at 300 Furby Street in Winnipeg. 20 Remaining in Nelsonville was no longer a viable option. In the early 1880's, the town had been a bustling hub of activity with a population of more than one thousand and it was expected to become one of the major Manitoba cities when the railway came through town. Unfortunately for Nelsonville, the railway was built through the town of Morden, some eight miles distant. Enterprising townspeople loaded up their businesses and houses and moved them to Morden. George Leary stayed in Nelsonville until at least 1886, then, after the town left, he moved his family to Winnipeg where he became a grain buyer. For two years, between 1893 and 1895, George and family were living in Ireland where he had a position as Immigration Agent. Maria is not listed on the passenger list of the ship on which the George Leary family travelled so it seems likely that Maria stayed with other family members during that time. At the time of the 1901 census,21 Maria was 92 years of age and was living "on her own means" with son George and family in Winnipeg. Her grandson, William, was six years old at the time and, in later years, remembered his grandmother as a kindly, gentle woman. The only tangible item he had to remember her by was an unfinished quilt in the 'crazy-quilt' pattern which she was making for him when she died.22 Another grandchild who remembered Maria was May (Leary) Howard, daughter of John Leary Junior. In a letter, from May (Leary) Howard to Edith Leary, May said "The family lived close to Mother and Father at Old Nelson. As mother told me it was only a few blocks from my parents' home to where Grandpa and Grandma lived. It was about the time of my father's and Uncle Geo's marriage that they came to Nelson in 1880Ã.My mother knew Grandpa Leary well when she was first married and always said he was a very fine gentleman - and highly educatedÃAfter Grandfather's death Grandma made her home with Uncle Geo's family at 300 Furby St. Wpg. She often visited us at Swan Lake, too. We were very fond of grandma. She truly was a wonderful person. I still own a quilt she made me when quite a young girl. I also have many of her letters she wrote me and others in my family. When she died in 1901 the same year as Queen Victoria, I think I was about 17 years old." 21 Maria died August 24, 1901 in the Boyne Valley,24 the name given at that time to the valley in which George Leary later operated the Leary Brick Works. George bought the property west of Roseisle in 1900 and the family moved to the site, likely between the time of the census and the time of Maria's death in August of that year. Her death certificate records that she was buried August 26, 1901 in Morden, Manitoba, with the Rev. Borthwick, a Presbyterian minister, officiating. Maria was Church of England, however, Morden did not have a C of E minister at the time Maria died. Rev. Borthwick was an early missionary in Nelsonville and would have been well known to the Learys. George Leary chaired the meeting at which plans were laid to build a Presbyterian church in Nelsonville and he was a member of the building committee that was formed to carry out the plans. Obituary from The Morden Chronicle, August 29, 1901 Oblluar)ï. J,.,at :Honclay:, J\\ag:u,t 2G lh, tho mortn I ron1a.i,~, qf ll re, "11ui11, tcio:ry, 1100 :lnoyd, WCNI laid IO N!!t i11 11 ill. ,ido Crn~lery, Mo«lcii. 111 =nilï rtnoe with tl1n wWibo:s ,of tho dec<:1~ed, LJic func:w"l limnicm; wcro oor.ictuctcc.J C«')tn£otm11t.blo t.o Ui.o 1ïHut1l of tho Clrurol, of Jl.)1gt,iod, U:)' tho Jtuv, l [. J. 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"'AIIIIIIIJ ltl Jtallll ,., frolill uwa, ~by l.lndrtd I.IHI IIIC:111' !Zr&NI bl, u,n IIICl"II 1, 11111 a -l!d llalfl . trn,ra w,111b - o-.or à kl) to WJel' '1 Children of John & Maria Leary JOHN LEARY was born 30 Jun 1804 in Ireland, and died May 1881 in Nelsonville, Manitoba. He married MARIA SNEYD 05 Aug 1830 in Ireland. She was born 29 Sep 1808 in Kilkenny, Ireland, and died 24 Aug 1901 in Boyne Valley, Manitoba. Children of JOHN LEARY and MARIA (SNEYD) LEARY i. ANNA MARIA LEARY, b. 21 Sep 1831, Ireland; d. 22 Jan 1922, New Westminster, B.C.; m. (1) JOHN ELLIOTT, Orangeville, Ont.; d. 17 Mar 1881, Nelsonville, Manitoba; m. (2) WILLIAM STEVENSON, Nelsonville, Manitoba, 25 Oct 1884; b. 1817; d. 04 May 1896, Morden, Manitoba. ii. WILLIAM HENRY LEARY, b. 09 Sep 1833, Ireland; d. 15 Apr 1917, Ladner, B.C.; m. SARAH ANN YOUNG GODKIN, 27 May, 1863, Wingham, Ont.; b. 18 Sep 1831, Philadelphia, U.S.A.; d. 08 Feb 1915, Ladner, B.C. iii. BENJAMIN LEARY, b. 11 Jan 1836, Kilkenny, Ireland; d. 1915, Wingham, Ontario; m. (1) SARAH BRACE, b. 1837, d. 21 Apr 1869, Wingham, Ontario; m. (2) SARAH KINCAID; b. 1847; d. 1938, Wingham, Ontario. iv. KATHERINE LEARY, b. 20 Apr 1838, Ireland; d. 18 May. 1929, Ladner, B.C.; m. JOHN DENNIS; m. (2) NORMAN HEARL; d. Ladner, B.C. v. FRANCES LEARY, b.27 Jun 1840, Ireland; d. 1873, Wingham, Ontario; m. HENRY T. GRAIN, 1870; Wingham, Ontario; b. 1845; d. 1894, Wingham, Ontario. vi. JANE LEARY, b. 10 Jan 1943, Ireland; d. 07 Sep 1920, Lulu Island, B.C.; m. HENRY HUSTON, 25 Dec 1878; b. 16 Feb 1847, Quebec; d. 18 Feb 1924, Lulu Island, B.C. vii. JOHN LEARY, b. 14 Jun, 1845, Ireland; d. 12 Apr 1915, Fairfield Island, B.C.; m. MARY MAGWOOD. 31 Mar 1880, Nelsonville, Manitoba; b. 02 mar 1865, Fort Erie, Ontario; d. 1928, Chilliwack, B.C. viii. GEORGE LEARY, b. 15 Sep 1949, Kilkenny, Ireland; d. 03 Apr 1939, Learys, Manitoba; m. ARMINTHA AGER, 29 Mar, Rosebank, Manitoba; b. 15 Sep 1862, Napanee, Ontario; d. 29 Mar 1948, Learys, Manitoba. Each of the following chapters is devoted, in chronological order, to one of the eight branches of John and Maria Leary's family. For some branches, the history is still sparse and open to further research. Endnotes 1. Letter from May (Leary) Howard, Chilliwack, B.C. to Edith Leary, Altamont, Manitoba, December 29, 1966. May Howard was a daughter of John Leary Jr. and granddaughter of John and Maria. She also was the first family member to search out and record the Leary family history. When I began my own search, my mother, Edith Leary, wrote May to ask if she might share some of her knowledge with me. As a result of these queries, May wrote two letters outlining the basic details about the family and some of the information she remembered or had gleaned from others. We are deeply indebted to her for collecting and preserving this information which has become the starting point for further research. 2. I searched the records at the National Archives, Dublin and London; cousin Dianne Strimbold has also searched the RIC records without results. Much of the information we have about family origins comes from May (Leary) Howard's letters to my mother Edith Leary. Here is what she wrote (March 30, 1971), about the Leary background in Ireland after she and her sister Daisy visited there in June,1969 "You asked if Daisy & I visited the part of Ireland where the Leary family came from. We only visited North Ireland - my father was born in Brosna Kings Co., in South Ireland. I understand our Grandfather Leary was in the Royal Constabulary and the family moved about a lot & most of them born in various places - mostly South Ireland. Our Grandfather (on Mother's side [i.e., we spent thereÃI'm quite sure most of my father's family were born in County Kilkenny. Times were bad in those days in Ireland the reason the Leary family left & went to Jamaica in the West Indies where they lived 7 years before moving to CanadaÃ.Uncle Geo. talked a Ireland. One was Issac Leary of Kilkenny. He spoke highly of him. He had two daughters,one was Jennie who married Edward (?) Crowin. We had a picture of her cousins I visited descended from Jane Leary, our Grandfather's sister who married a Thompson. They, some of the family, live in Richhill, 20 miles from Belfastà the one we Tracing leads in Kilkenny has led to dead ends because records from the time of interest - circa 1850- were mostly destroyed in fires. I was unable to unearth any leads during research in Ireland, however the search was time-limited. Cousin Dianne Strimbold recently hired an onsite researcher to pursue the Kilkenny connection but had her fees refunded when no records could be found. It seems that the search will have to go deeper and perhaps try also to find a lead through the Jane Thompson connection in North Ireland. 3. National Archives, London Commissioners of Audit and Exchequer and Audit Department - see online catalogue. Both Dianne Strimbold and I had checked the records of the RIC and did not find any entries that seemed to match our common ancestor, John Leary. A breakthrough came when Bill Richardson, a cousin from the William Leary Sr. line, located the above documents. He also located Irish newspaper items from this time reporting cases in which John gave evidence for the RIC during court proceedings. I later located an entry in RIC pension records, details of which - i.e., that he emigrated, died May 1881, pension paid to widow Maria - offer further confirmation of his RIC service. 4. Letter from John Leary, Clinton P.O., dated December 9, 1860, to William Hutton, Secretary, Bureau of Agriculture and Statistics, Quebec. 5. This information is from the letter written by May (Leary) Howard to Edith Leary, December 29, 1966. Date and details of Maria's death are also from her death certificate, Manitoba Vital Statistics, No. 217. 6. Historical information in this brief summary was extracted from several online sources. Among the most helpful internet sites I visited and gleaned this information from was Ireland's History in Maps (www.rootsweb.com (irlkil/ihm/ire) which also lists a number of links to other sites. For more in depth reading on this topic, you might try The Rebels of Ireland by Edward Rutherford (Random House, Canada, 2006), an historical novel but well-grounded in Irish history - gives a sense of the complexities of relationships and loyalties of the time. Or watch the series Story of Ireland. 7. Richard Holmes of Toronto recorded his family history in Old John Holmes of Three Castles Kilkenny and his Descendants (Stewart Publishing and Printing, Toronto, 2002). Two Sneyd cousins came to Canada with the Holmes family and married into the family. In the 1861 census, one of the Sneyds appears next to the Leary family. Richard Holmes wasnt able to establish a definite link with Maria and John but he does reference the source for records of their marriage bonds (Diocese of Ossory, Fern and Leighlin, 1691 - 1845 - see LDS films) 8. May Howard understood that John Leary was Postmaster General in Jamaica. Dianne Strimbold hired a researcher to check the Jamaica Post Office connection with no results. A cousin, Bill Richardson, accessed the Royal Post Office Archives and located John Leary's name, listed as "Head Messenger". I later reviewed the same records and confirmed this information. Online information from another colonial post office (Tasmania) indicates that the Head Messenger was responsible for collection and distribution of mail on the island. 9. Jamaica Gleaner"Pieces of the Past the Stamp of History." (www.jamaica gleaner.com/pages/history/story 0062). 10. May Howard letter to Edith Leary, December 29, 1966. May Howard said she talked with her Uncle George (son of John and Maria) about their arrival through New Orleans. Passenger lists may help confirm this information and would indicate whether all the family members came to Canada at the same time. As of 2012, no passenger listings have been located for the family. Keep searching. 11. Chronicle Publications (1990). Chronicle of Canada. Montreal Author. pp. 292, 296. 12. 1861 Canada Census, Township of Goderich, County of Huron, Ward 5, page 61 (Reel C-1035). 13. ArchiviaNet - Index to the 1871 Census of Ontario - National Archives of Canada - provides a summary which located the sub-district and pinpointed the census file for the family in 1871 by providing information on the name John Leary male, age 65, born Ireland; religion - Church of England, Anglican; origin - Irish; occupation-farmer; District - Huron North (26); sub-district - Wawanosh East (D); Division 1; page -5; Microfilm Reel C-9331; reference RG31-Statistics Canada. The 1871 Canada Census records the following details for the John Leary family: 1) John Leary - male; age 65; born - Ireland; C of England; Irish; farmer; married; grand total of land owned - 10 acres; town or village lots - 0; dwellings/houses - 1; warehouses/ shops - 0; stables/barns - 1; carriages/sleighs - 1; cars/wagons/sleds - 1; boats - 1; reapers/mowers - 1; horse rakes -0; threshing machines - 0; fanning mills - 1; range or commission - 14; # of lot - 36; total no. of acres - 10; no. of acres improved - 10; acres in pasture - 3; acres in salt or marsh -0; acres in garden/orchard - 1; acres in wheat - 0; bushels barley -0; bushels oats - 50; bushels rye-0; bushels peas - 20; beans - 0; buckwheat - 0; corn - 0; acres potatoes 1/2; bushels potatoes - 50; turnips - 0; mangelwurrzels & other beets - 0; carrots, other roots -0; hay crop - 2-1/2 acres; tons or bundles (16 lb.) hay - 5; grass/cover seed -0; flax seed - 0; flax & hemp - 0; also no tobacco, grapes, apples, other fruits or maple sugar; horses >3 years - 1; colts/fillies - 2; working oxen -0; milch cows -1; other horned cattle -0; sheep - 3; swine -3; hives of bees -0; animals killed or sold for slaughter cattle -0, sheep -3, swine -3; lbs. butter - 100; homemade cheese - 0; honey -0; lbs. wool - 30; homemade cloth - 0; linen - 0; furs trapped -0; also no entries for return from forest products or shipping and fisheries. 2) Marie Leary - female; age 62; born - Ireland; C. of England; Irish; married 3) Jane Leary - female; age 27; born - Ireland; C. of England; Irish; single 4) John Leary - male; age -23; born -Ireland; C. of England; Irish; single 5) George Leary - male; age - 20; born - Ireland; C. of England; Irish, single The entry prior to the John Learys (#15) is for the Henry Godkin family [William married 14. 1881 Canada Census Dufferin North (D), Marquette (SD), p.32 Listing #180; Reel # C-13283. 15. Jonathan Mussell was a brother of Catherine Mussell, whose grand-daughter Edith Fraser later married William A. Leary, son of George Leary. See Fraser history. 16. Mountaineer May 3, 1881, Volume 1, #35, p.3. This news item is reported as well in The Emerson International Thursday, May 12, 1881 which carried news from other local districts. 17. I have the letter confirming search and records searched on file. The Anglican archives in Winnipeg have the record books from the local minister; unfortunately, the front pages for 1881 which would have recorded the deaths of John and of Anna Marias husband, John Elliott, are missing. Nelsonville Cemetery records also were destroyed. 18. Letter, May (Leary) Howard, Chilliwack, B.C. to Edith Leary, Altamont, Man., December 29, 1966. 19. Godkin history, p.42. Laura (Godkin) Miller wrote up the information on the Leary/Godkin family from information obtained from May Howard. I have the deed for the George Leary plot in Hillside Cemetery in Morden where John & Maria are said to be buried. The Morden Municipal office had records only for burial of only of Georges and Arminthas infant son, Winston. I had read of grave dowsing. I had success with locating underground water but was sceptical about graves. After the reburial service for Alice Leary during downsizing of Swan Lake Anglican Cemetery, I asked whether anyone had tried dowsing as well as scanning the site with archaeological equipment. Rev. Peggy Sheffield replied that the archaeologist from the University of Winnipeg had asked her to bring a wire coat hanger to their first, preliminary visit to the site. When asked if he discovered any gravesites, she replied, Yes, all but one that was later found by their scanning equipment, away back in the far corner. I decided to try my luck with the Hillside graves and identified one short, infant-size grave on the southwest plot and two adult length graves on the southeast. Another individual with dowsing skills later confirmed the locations. I placed simple grave markers to identify the sites. 20. 1891 Canada Census 21. 1901 Canada Census - Selkirk (D) 1901 Winnipeg Ward 3, p. 9 Dwelling #80 Reel T-6435 22. Several quilt blocks from the quilt Maria was making for her grandson, William, are in the collection preserved by Ina (Leary) Bramadat. 23. Letter from May (Leary) Howard, Chilliwack, B.C. to Edith Leary, Altamont, Manitoba, December 29,1966, p.3. 24. Vital Statistics, Manitoba, Registration No. 1901-06-001766. I have a copy of the certificate on file. Some Outstanding Research Questions/Areas to confirm Where was John Leary Sr. born? Can we find a link to trace the family tree back beyond that generation? Why does John Leary Sr. not show up in the RIC records? His number? Any other sources in Jamaican records to give more information on his work there? Is there any way of documenting where family members were born and where? When exactly did the family come to Canada and where did they live when they first arrived? The Leary Family Anna Maria Leary Family Anna Maria Leary 1831 - 1915 Anna Maria with Second Husband William Stevenson Anna Maria John Elliott in Orangeville, Ontario around 1857. The lived in Brampton before coming west to Manitoba. The Elliott's five children: Aubrey, John William, Annie, Frances, and Ted were all born in Ontario.1 The family came west to Nelsonville, Manitoba sometime between 1874, when Anna's brothers, John and George, homesteaded in the area, and the time the Godkin brothers arrived three years later. The Nelsonville "Mountaineer" (August 10, 1880)2 does not list the Elliott's among the first group of pioneers who arrived in July, 1874. This party included Anna's younger brothers, John Jr. and George Leary. When the Godkin brothers arrived in Nelsonville in 1877, they are said to have bought 50 bushels of grain from John Elliott to see them through the winter months.3 The Elliott's farmed the SW 1/4 of 2-4-6, east of the village. The Leary Family The above map4 shows the land homesteaded near Nelsonville by Anna and John Elliott (SE 2-4-6) and by her brothers John Jr. (NW 1-4-6), George (NE 9-4-6 & SE15-4-6) and Ben (NW & SW 23-4-6). ï~4 ,, Ãà ,"'~+ it!"': .. '\\ à : '\\ <" 1 ~ï-.. ,.. ~ï .. i' : . , à \\:v-f ,Ã. j I~ 'IIï <( à j. i.ï j. ,rï d 4 ï-v---ïï-à -i~i".,j -~ïï (\\ _..,..,. ,,r .. ï-le? .. ~-.. ,s .. +ïi' ,,~ "" Ã.. ,._.., . .., .yï )" l" IJ' I" ~>, . ;J 1-~.J, ttï ~-.. ~ï ,,.~ , .. ,._ à :-,.,c/ï o'l .,,. r" ,..,. . .\\). ~>,ï rï 4 9ï , Ã. -~--->ï ___ Jr ---.- l' . \\\\~ ~i-ï~ ï:I . s,ï : '" : ,, .~ c,~ï ,;'9, ,.,,.. ¥' "~ +ï,(,' .y' '.\\."1 t--.~ï-"' . ~~ï1 . <(\\ .. ~1 t-.-.1.,_; ,.,~ .. \\. ., .. ,1-f' i'T-",,. <I' \\ . ï""' ~; . \\; 11 I .,,.. ~-,, __ ,rï ~---,., - f.t.' --.. -..1 .. *t,l" cl.t ~!,-.. v -.\\{ 'V .. . I' ,.,r 'ff' .. ï"" .y-ï .,.+ fl" .y ,. ' <:."'' ï"-.,,. ,,,.; ï"' .I à ï:i ii'' ?~ ~l à t'" à Ã-1 \\\\ï I "" Ã. " _,.7" I ,.j ~ï J ,;,ï '('ti ' I ,,à . . 1,;!' . tt,;J If,,. .,,.; -.v' ,.,) II -li) 1 ~I'. r .., tï~ Ã.. ~,co\\ Ã. ~-.,i-" J . .. 1~ï t, à ., tlr \\.,. .,,, ~41'' fl' Ã.. -I"'' ,:, J IS f!.w "'.-', . ,,,..,# à .. i .-.-'o<ï tr vï . !'i ,.j\\l'<~t Jh, . Purn \\; ,., . ~-ï 0--.) ~-r _.,. ., . .,.¥ ')ï .. 1..,. Ã.. ' V ,, I-----ï--ï-. J t= --ï ----i ill ,,,. ''ff" ÃÃÃ.. t,ï-l'./ t/ I à Le11. tits1t. ./' "" 9.-. .('" i. i .,.. ,.. l' 'j' ~.ct » Ã. ,~ Ã. ,,., Ã. , .. 11ï1"11. \\'ï -~ï ~i r ~-I -+ef Ã.. ~ï,: à \\\\\\ t-ï~ï iï ii' _____ y+ ff .,.\\ Ã.. "'"'ïï )"'"' )' i.,. ' 'S' ----,'tt" . ~-"'ef -,~ï~.l Ã. 1' Ãà ~\\\\ ,., 1'ï \\; . ) .. l~ Nelsonville .r-,r.-à ..-.;r" .,,,. , à 126 127 Homesteads at Nelsonville The Leary Family John Elliott died in Nelsonville in March, 1881, just two months before his father-in-law, John Leary. His death was reported in the Nelsonville newspaper "The Mountaineer" and in the "Emerson International" as follows: "One of the earliest settlers of this section of the country in the person of Mr. John Elliott passed peacefully away on Thursday morning last. He had been in poor health for some time past." 5 The 1881 census was recorded shortly after John's death. Anna, now widowed and age 40, was living on the farm with her five children, who were listed as: Aubrey (24), John W. (22), Frances (15), Eddy (13), and Annie (10). The family were all Church of England. The eldest son, Aubrey was designated as the 'farmer' in the family, assisted by a John Carson, age 25, also a 'farmer' or hired man.6 Three years later, Anna Maria remarried. Her marriage to William Henry Stevenson took place on October 25, 1884 in Nelsonville.7 The Stevenson brothers were among the first settlers to homestead in the Nelsonville area. After their marriage, William and Anna may have lived in Morden, Manitoba, eight miles southeast of Nelsonville. It was around this time that the railway was built through Morden, rather than Nelsonville, and the population of Nelsonville abandoned their town for the new railway center. Manitoba Vital Statistics records the death of a William H. Stevenson in Morden on May 4, 1896. At the time of Anna's death in 1922 in New Westminster, B.C., she is reported to have been in the province for 20 years.8 1. Aubrey Elliott. Aubrey was born in Ontario about 1857. In 1884, the year Anna remarried, he homesteaded in the Swan Lake area near his uncle's, William and John Leary, and other relatives.9 Aubrey was listed as the informant on Anna's death certificate and was then a resident of New Westminster, B.C. He died May 23, 1937 in Vancouver, B.C.10 2. Frances Elliott. Frances was born January 3, 1860 in Brampton, Peel County, Ontario.11 She married William Topley of Morden12 In 1901, William and Frances and their seven daughters were living in Manitoba13; by the time of the 1911 Census, they were residents of Chilliwack, B.C.14 In December 1966, May (Leary) Howard wrote from Chilliwack, B.C. that, of all her first cousins, only three were still living. These were Benjamin's daughter, Ella Bond in Wingham, Ontario, Katherine's daughter, Bella in Ladner, and George's son, Val Leary in Treherne, Manitoba. She continued: "I really have known more of our second cousins many who live in B.C. much better as they are closer to our ages. When mother [Mrs. - Maud Dennis, Ãborn same year as mother 1864 and Fannie Elliott, 4 years older than mother. Fannie married Wm Topley of Morden & some of her family live here in Chwk. Two of her daughters died this year in Chwk. - Mrs Frank Hall (Edna) and Alice (Mrs. Street)."15 Frances died April 27, 1915 at Fairfield Island, Chilliwack, B.C. 16 Photo courtesy Dianne Strimbold, 3. Annie Elliott. Annie was born about 1862 in Ontario. She died July 26, 1959 in Saanich, B.C.17 4. Edwin (Ted) Elliott. Ted or Eddy as he is listed in the 1881 census, was born about 1874 in Ontario.18 An Edwin Elliott is listed as homesteading NE 2-4-6 adjoining Frances Topicï_ ivlary Topley, Grandmother ~other of M na Leary), Mana Leary the family property near Nelsonville, 19 however, the date of 1876 would rule out this Edwin, as he would only have been about 10 years of age at that time. Given the proximity of the homestead and the similar name, it may have been an uncle or other relative of the Elliott's who homesteaded there. Further information on the Elliott children has not yet surfaced. Endnotes 1. Letter from May Howard to Edith Leary, December 1966. May also says the Elliott's came to Manitoba in 1876. 2. The Nelsonville Mountaineer (August 10, 1880) is quoted in the Miami & R.M. of Thompson Chronicles (1998) pp.8-18 section on Nelsonville. 3. The Godkins of Ireland Miller. See also the Godkin history in the Miami & R.M. of Thompson Chronicles (1998), pp.207-412. 4. The History Committee, Miami, Manitoba. (1967).The Hills of Home. Altona: D.W.Friesen pp.126-127. 5. Death reported in the Emerson International, 24 March 1881 and in Nelsonville Mountaineer 16 March 1881 also in Index of Marriage and Death Notices from Manitoba Newspapers 1959-1881 Vol. No.1 - at Manitoba Genealogical Society (MGS). 6. 1881 Canada Census: Dufferin N (D)1881 Marquette (SD) p.32, Listing #177 7. Province of Manitoba, Vital Statistics, Registration No.1884-001220. 8. Copy of certificate in files courtesy D. Strimbold. 9. Yvette Brandt. (1881). Memories of Lorne 1880-1980. Altona: The Municipality of Lorne, p.60. 10. Family Group Record, FamilySearch International Genealogical Index V5.0 11. Ibid. 12. Letter from May Howard to Edith Leary, December 29, 1966 13. 1901 Canada Census, Automated Genealogy online: Manitoba Census, Lisgar (D) Stanley H-3 (SD), p.7, Family #64; Microfilm T-6432. 14. 1911 Canada Census, ArchiviaNet, British Columbia Census, New Westminster District, Chilliwack Riding, Matsqui Municipality, p. 17. entry # 44. 15. Letter from May Howard to Edith Leary, December 29, 1966. 16. B.C. Archives online, Reg. No. 1915-09-091513 Microfilm # B13125 (GSU#19;02). The Leary Family 17. Family Group Record, FamilySearch International Genealogical Index V5.0 18. Ibid. 19. The History Committee, Miami, Manitoba. (1967).The Hills of Home. Altona: D.W.Friesen, p.60. -----The Leary Family Descendants of Anna Maria Leary Generation No. 1 1. ANNA MARIA2 LEARY (JOHN1) was born 21 Sep 1831 in Ireland, and died 22 Jan 1922 in New Westminster, B.C.. She married (1) JOHN ELLIOTT in Orangeville. Ontario. He was born Abt. 1835 in Ontario, and died 17 Mar 1881 in Nelsonville, Manitoba. She married (2) WILLIAM HENRY STEVENSON 22 Oct 1884 in Nelsonville, Manitoba. He died 04 May 1896 in Morden, Manitoba. Children of ANNA LEARY and JOHN ELLIOTT are: i. AUBREY GEORGE3 ELLIOTT, b. Abt. 1857, Ontario; d. 23 May 1937, Vancouver, B.C.; m. IDA HUNTER JONES, 29 Mar 1911, Vancouver, B.C.. ii. JOHN WILLIAM ELLIOTT, b. 1859, Ontario. 2. iii. FRANCES ELLIOTT, b. 03 Jan 1860, Brampton, Ontario; d. 27 Apr 1915, Fairfield Island, Chilliwack, B.C.. iv. FORBES ELLIOTT, b. 1866, Ontario. v. EDWIN ELLIOTT, b. 04 Sep 1870, Peel County Ontario; d. 13 Nov 1949, New Westminster, B.C.. vi. ANNA MARIA ELLIOTT, b. 19 Jun 1872, Peel County Ontario; d. 26 Jul 1959, Saanich, B.C.. Generation No. 2 2. FRANCES3 ELLIOTT (ANNA MARIA2 LEARY, JOHN1) was born 03 Jan 1860 in Brampton, Ontario, and died 27 Apr 1915 in Fairfield Island, Chilliwack, B.C.. She married WILLIAM TOPLEY. He was born 16 Aug 1851 in Teeswater, Ontario, and died 19 Aug 1928 in Chilliwack, B.C.. Children of FRANCES ELLIOTT and WILLIAM TOPLEY are: 3. i. MARY FRANCES4 TOPLEY, b. 26 Dec 1881, Morden, Manitoba; d. 03 Jul 1973, New Westminster, B.C.. 4. ii. SARAH ALICE TOPLEY, b. 31 Mar 1884, Morden, Manitoba; d. 26 Jan 1961, Chilliwack, B.C.. iii. CLARA GERTRUDE TOPLEY, b. 25 Oct 1886, Morden, Manitoba; d. 27 Jun 1893, Morden, Manitoba. iv. ANNIE OLIVE TOPLEY, b. 21 Jun 1889, Morden, Manitoba; d. 10 Oct 1979, Chilliwack, B.C.; m. THOMAS ROBERTS; b. Scotland; d. Chilliwack, B.C.. 5. v. EDNA ELIZABETH TOPLEY, b. 25 Apr 1891, Morden, Manitoba; d. Abt. 1964, Chilliwack, B.C.. vi. STELLA BLANCHE TOPLEY, b. 29 Aug 1893, Morden, Manitoba; d. 09 Nov 1915, Chilliwack, B.C.. 6. vii. VERA MYRTLE TOPLEY, b. 12 Jan 1896, Morden, Manitoba; d. Abt. 1976, Redlands, California. 7. viii. ESTHER IRENE TOPLEY, b. 09 May 1898, Morden, Manitoba; d. 06 Apr 1986, Penticton, B.C.. ix. WILHELMINE ELLIOT TOPLEY, b. 21 Jan 1902, Morden, Manitoba; d. 02 Mar 1999, Chilliwack, B.C.. Generation No. 3 3. MARY FRANCES4 TOPLEY (FRANCES3 ELLIOTT, ANNA MARIA2 LEARY, JOHN1) was born 26 Dec 1881 in Morden, Manitoba, and died 03 Jul 1973 in New Westminster, B.C.. She married GEORGE NELSON 12 Mar 1902 in Morden, Manitoba. He was born 14 Oct 1871 in Silver The Leary Family Islet, Ontario, and died 16 Sep 1930 in Surrey, B.C.. Children of MARY TOPLEY and GEORGE NELSON are: i. JEAN CAROLINE5 NELSON, b. 09 Aug 1905, Eagle Hill, N.W.T.; m. HAROLD FLAVELL HURNDALL, 27 Jul 1932; b. 23 Sep 1902, Guelph, Ont.; d. 16 Nov 1990, Vancouver, B.C.. 8. ii. DOROTHY MARY NELSON, b. 31 Aug 1907, Battleford, Sask.; d. 28 Nov 1972, New Westminster, B.C.. iii. DONALD GEORGE NELSON, b. 27 Apr 1909, Battleford, Sask.; d. 05 Feb 1968, New Westminster, B.C.; m. (1) LENORE STONEY; m. (2) BERTHA CHAMBERLAIN, 26 Dec 1948. 9. iv. GLADYS OLIVE NELSON, b. 05 Dec 1910, Battleford, Sask.. v. RONALD ALLEN NELSON, b. 27 Aug 1912, Battleford, Sask.; d. 09 Feb 1995, Vernon, B.C.; m. (1) NETTIE FEDEWA, 1940; m. (2) JUNE MOORE, 1975. vi. VERA LILY NELSON, b. 13 Jun 1914, Battleford, Sask.; d. 19 Oct 1982, New Westminster, B.C.; m. (1) WILLIAM BRASSELL; m. (2) HAROLD JOHANN HANSEN, 24 Aug 1942. 10. vii. MACLURE TOPLEY NELSON, b. 24 Jun 1916, Battleford, Sask.. viii. STANLEY DOUGLAS HAIG NELSON, b. 20 Sep 1918, North Battleford, Sask.; d. 26 Apr 1944, Poix, France. 11. ix. WILLIAM KEITH NELSON, b. 16 Jun 1923, North Battleford, Sask.. 4. SARAH ALICE4 TOPLEY (FRANCES3 ELLIOTT, ANNA MARIA2 LEARY, JOHN1) was born 31 Mar 1884 in Morden, Manitoba, and died 26 Jan 1961 in Chilliwack, B.C.. She married ARTHUR HERBERT STREET. Children of SARAH TOPLEY and ARTHUR STREET are: i. NORMA5 STREET, m. HOWARD HARRIS, Chilliwack, B.C.. ii. ALDA BABE STREET, m. (1) HENRY LAPONDA; m. (2) GEORGE NORTHCOTE. 12. iii. AUBREY STREET, b. Chilliwack, B.C.; d. Abt. 1980. 13. iv. ORVILLE STREET. 14. v. MARVIN HUBERT STREET, b. Chilliwack, B.C.. 5. EDNA ELIZABETH4 TOPLEY (FRANCES3 ELLIOTT, ANNA MARIA2 LEARY, JOHN1) was born 25 Apr 1891 in Morden, Manitoba, and died Abt. 1964 in Chilliwack, B.C.. She married FRANK HALL. He died Abt. 1980 in Chilliwack, B.C.. Children of EDNA TOPLEY and FRANK HALL are: i. HAROLD RAYMOND5 HALL, b. Chilliwack, B.C.; m. (1) GLORIA; m. (2) ELEANOR SANDERSON. ii. EDITH HALL, b. Chilliwack, B.C.. iii. DOREEN ELIZABETH HALL, m. JOHN DESMOND; b. Hazelton, B.C.. iv. WILLIAM RAYMOND HALL, b. Oct 1923, Chilliwack, B.C.; m. MARIE. 6. VERA MYRTLE4 TOPLEY (FRANCES3 ELLIOTT, ANNA MARIA2 LEARY, JOHN1) was born 12 Jan 1896 in Morden, Manitoba, and died Abt. 1976 in Redlands, California. She married (1) NORMAN ROBINSON. He was born in Scotland, and died in Akron, Ohio. She married (2) NEIL BRINTNELL. He was born in U.S.A.. Children of VERA TOPLEY and NORMAN ROBINSON are: i. WILLIAM JOHN5 ROBINSON, b. Akron, Ohio. 15. ii. MARGARET ELLIOTT ROBINSON, b. Akron, Ohio. The Leary Family 7. ESTHER IRENE4 TOPLEY (FRANCES3 ELLIOTT, ANNA MARIA2 LEARY, JOHN1) was born 09 May 1898 in Morden, Manitoba, and died 06 Apr 1986 in Penticton, B.C.. She married NORMAN GEORGE. He was born in Scotland, and died 01 Mar 1951 in Penticton, B.C.. Child of ESTHER TOPLEY and NORMAN GEORGE is: i. CALVIN5 GEORGE, m. BERNICE. Generation No. 4 8. DOROTHY MARY5 NELSON (MARY FRANCES4 TOPLEY, FRANCES3 ELLIOTT, ANNA MARIA2 LEARY, JOHN1) was born 31 Aug 1907 in Battleford, Sask., and died 28 Nov 1972 in New Westminster, B.C.. She married (1) HAROLD NEWCOMBE. She married (2) ALVIN I. ANTHONY. He died 27 Jan 1976. Children of DOROTHY NELSON and HAROLD NEWCOMBE are: 1. GARRY SHANE NEWCOMBE6 NELSON, b. 30 Sep 1932, New Westminster, B.C.. 16. ii. RONALD MICHAEL FOLEY NEWCOMBE NELSON, b. 30 Jul 1934, New Westminster, B.C.. iii. MARY JANE ANTHONY, b. 23 May 1948, New Westminster, B.C.; m. GLEN FONTI. 17. iv. LYNDA JEAN ANTHONY, b. 05 Jan 1950. 9. GLADYS OLIVE5 NELSON (MARY FRANCES4 TOPLEY, FRANCES3 ELLIOTT, ANNA MARIA2 LEARY, JOHN1) was born 05 Dec 1910 in Battleford, Sask.. She married (1) JOHN DAVID EDWARD VERNON. He was born 30 Nov 1899 in Stonewall, Manitoba, and died 02 Jan 1969 in New Westminster, B.C.. She married (2) HUDSON ROSS BURNEY. He was born 03 Aug 1923, and died 04 Oct 1985 in New Westminster, B.C.. Children of GLADYS NELSON and JOHN VERNON are: 18. i. CAROLYN MARY6 VERNON, b. 22 Dec 1939, New Westminster, B.C.. 19. ii. WILLIAM JOHN VERNON, b. 21 Jun 1943. 20. iii. ROBERT STANLEY VERNON, b. 04 Aug 1951, New Westminster, B.C.. 10. MACLURE TOPLEY5 NELSON (MARY FRANCES4 TOPLEY, FRANCES3 ELLIOTT, ANNA MARIA2 LEARY, JOHN1) was born 24 Jun 1916 in Battleford, Sask.. He married HELEN REEVES Sep 1941. Children of MACLURE NELSON and HELEN REEVES are: i. SHARON6 NELSON, b. 17 Jun 1943, New Westminster, B.C.. ii. SUSAN MARY NELSON, b. 01 Feb 1946, New Westminster, B.C.. iii. HUGH JAMES NELSON, b. 12 Apr 1955, New Westminster, B.C.. 11. WILLIAM KEITH5 NELSON (MARY FRANCES4 TOPLEY, FRANCES3 ELLIOTT, ANNA MARIA2 LEARY, JOHN1) was born 16 Jun 1923 in North Battleford, Sask.. He married KATHERINE MAUTHE 15 Sep 1951. Child of WILLIAM NELSON and KATHERINE MAUTHE is: i. BARBARA6 NELSON, b. 12 Sep 1955, New Westminster, B.C.. The Leary Family 12. AUBREY5 STREET (SARAH ALICE4 TOPLEY, FRANCES3 ELLIOTT, ANNA MARIA2 LEARY, JOHN1) was born in Chilliwack, B.C., and died Abt. 1980. He married DOROTHY KEITH. Child of AUBREY STREET and DOROTHY KEITH is: i. BOY6 STREET. 13. ORVILLE5 STREET (SARAH ALICE4 TOPLEY, FRANCES3 ELLIOTT, ANNA MARIA2 LEARY, JOHN1) He married GOLDIE FINNEY. Children of ORVILLE STREET and GOLDIE FINNEY are: i. BOY6 STREET. ii. GIRL STREET. 14. MARVIN HUBERT5 STREET (SARAH ALICE4 TOPLEY, FRANCES3 ELLIOTT, ANNA MARIA2 LEARY, JOHN1) was born in Chilliwack, B.C.. He married EILEEN EDMUNDSON. Child of MARVIN STREET and EILEEN EDMUNDSON is: i. FOUR DAUGHTERS6 STREET. 15. MARGARET ELLIOTT5 ROBINSON (VERA MYRTLE4 TOPLEY, FRANCES3 ELLIOTT, ANNA MARIA2 LEARY, JOHN1) was born in Akron, Ohio. She married JAMES SIBLEY. Children of MARGARET ROBINSON and JAMES SIBLEY are: i. CATHY LEE6 SIBLEY, b. Dallas, Texas. ii. ROBERT DON SIBLEY, b. Dallas, Texas. iii. JOHN SIBLEY, b. Dallas, Texas. Generation No. 5 16. RONALD MICHAEL FOLEY NEWCOMBE6 NELSON (DOROTHY MARY5, MARY FRANCES4 TOPLEY, FRANCES3 ELLIOTT, ANNA MARIA2 LEARY, JOHN1) was born 30 Jul 1934 in New Westminster, B.C.. He married SALLY PURVIS. Children of RONALD NELSON and SALLY PURVIS are: i. KATHLEEN7 NELSON, b. 03 Oct 1960. ii. TWIN NELSON. iii. TWIN NELSON. 17. LYNDA JEAN6 ANTHONY (DOROTHY MARY5 NELSON, MARY FRANCES4 TOPLEY, FRANCES3 ELLIOTT, ANNA MARIA2 LEARY, JOHN1) was born 05 Jan 1950. Child of LYNDA JEAN ANTHONY is: i. DAUGHTER7 ANTHONY. The Leary Family 18. CAROLYN MARY6 VERNON (GLADYS OLIVE5 NELSON, MARY FRANCES4 TOPLEY, FRANCES3 ELLIOTT, ANNA MARIA2 LEARY, JOHN1) was born 22 Dec 1939 in New Westminster, B.C.. She married ERIC LEDWON 25 Jul 1964 in New Westminster, B.C.. He was born 17 Sep 1940 in Ruda Slaska, poland. Children of CAROLYN VERNON and ERIC LEDWON are: i. ANASTASIA7 LEDWON, b. 03 Apr 1970, Prince Rupert, B.C.; m. JAMES K. BALDWIN, 22 May 1994, Topley, B.C.; b. 14 Feb 1967. ii. MARC LEDWON, b. 24 Jul 1973, North Vancouver, B.C.. 19. WILLIAM JOHN6 VERNON (GLADYS OLIVE5 NELSON, MARY FRANCES4 TOPLEY, FRANCES3 ELLIOTT, ANNA MARIA2 LEARY, JOHN1) was born 21 Jun 1943. He married (1) PHYLLIS CLARK. He married (2) JOANNE PHYLLIS JENNINGS 01 May 1976. She was born 10 Feb 1949 in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Children of WILLIAM VERNON and JOANNE JENNINGS are: i. ERIKA CLAIRE7 VERNON, b. 20 Jan 1977, Winnipeg, Manitoba. ii. NANCY JOANNE VERNON, b. 18 Dec 1978, North Vancouver, B.C.. iii. JASON WILLIAM HURNDALL VERNON, b. 06 Feb 1981, Mississauga, Ontario. iv. PAUL EDWARD VERNON, b. 26 Apr 1983, Mississauga, Ontario. 20. ROBERT STANLEY6 VERNON (GLADYS OLIVE5 NELSON, MARY FRANCES4 TOPLEY, FRANCES3 ELLIOTT, ANNA MARIA2 LEARY, JOHN1) was born 04 Aug 1951 in New Westminster, B.C.. He married (1) NANCY BROWN. She was born 23 Jan 1952 in Grand Valley, Ontario. He married (2) SUSANNE DARIOUS. She was born 15 Jan 1955 in Montreal, Quebec. He married (3) ANNETTE 11 Aug 2000. Children of ROBERT VERNON and ANNETTE are: i. CONNOR JOHN WILLIAM7 VERNON, b. 05 Feb 1988, New Westminster, B.C.. ii. ELLIOTT NICHOLAS DARIOUS VERNON, Appendix I - Anna Maria (Leary/Elliott) Stevenson REGISTRATION NUMBER: 1884-001220 MARRIAGE DETAILS Place of Marriage: NELSON Date of Marriage: 25/10/1884 PERSONAL DETAILS GROOM BRIDE Last Name: STEVENSON Last Name: ELLIOTT Given Names: WILLIAM HENRY Given Names: ANNA MARIA Marital Status: Marital Status: Religion: Religion: Date of Birth: Date of Birth: Age: Age: Place of Birth: Place of Birth: Name: William H Stevenson Age: 79 Birth Date: 12 December 1816 Death Date: 5 Apr 1896 Death Place: Morden, Manitoba, Canada URL: Name: William Henry Stevenson Gender: Male Marital status: Married Age: 74 Birth Year: abt 1817 [12 Dec 1816] Birthplace: Ireland Relation to Head-of-house: Head Religion: Church of England French Canadian: No Spouse's name: Anne Marie Stevenson Father's Birth Place: Scotland Mother's Birth Place: Ireland Province: Territories District Number: 199 I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I District: Assiniboia West Subdistrict: Moose Jaw Neighbors: Household Members: Name Age William Henry Stevenson 74 Anne Marie Stevenson 55 Edwin Elliott 20 Anna Maria Elliott 18 John William Elliott 25 Aubrey George Elliott 28 The Leary Family William Henry Leary Family William Henry Leary 1833 - 1917 William Henry Leary was the eldest son of John and Maria. He was born September 9, 1833 somewhere in Ireland.1 When the family came to Canada, William went to work as gamekeeper and caretaker of a duck-hunting lodge at Long Point on Lake Erie. William married a widow, Sarah Godkin, who was a neighbour of his parents near Wingham, Ontario. Sarah Ann Young (Godkin) was born September 18, 1831 in Philadelphia, U.S.A. When she was a young girl, Sarah was taken back to Ireland by her parents and later emigrated to Canada. She married James Godkin in Belleville, Ontario when she was sixteen years of age. James and Sarah built a hotel at Zetland, Ontario. They lived there and raised seven children until James died accidently at the age of forty-two. Sarah took the children to live on land that James had homesteaded. They farmed the land until Sarah married William Leary, May 27, 1863. The older sons remained on the farm and the three younger children went to Long Point. When William and Sarah began to raise a family of their own, the younger boys went to live as chore boys with other families.2 William, Sarah & Alice Leary At the time of the 1881 census3, William (47) and Sarah (49) were living at Long Point with their five children: William Jr. (17), Alfred (14), George A. (11), Alice M.M. (9) and David (6). Another child, Mary Louisa, died by drowning in 1869 at Long Point. Shortly after that time, the family moved to Swan Lake, Manitoba, about 30 miles northwest of Nelsonville, where William's family (parents, brothers George & Ben; sister Anna Maria) and Sarah's sons (James, Thomas and Joseph Godkin) lived. Source of Map: Memories of Lorne 1880-1980, p.60 Farms Homesteaded or Purchased by William Leary & other Relatives Southwest of the Village of Swan Lake, Manitoba The Dominion Land Act of 1872 provided for surveying the land into Townships, each containing 36 sections of land, one mile square. Parcels of land were allocated to a variety of parties and uses such as the Hudson Bay Company, the Canadian Pacific Railway, military veterans, schools, Indian Reserves, and woodlots. The remaining land was open to homesteading. Homesteads of a quarter section were offered to heads of families or persons over 21 years of age on condition of settling the land for a three-year period of time. TOWNSlUP' 4 RANGE l 1 WEST Of PFIINCIPAL MERIDIAN This LOWM.111p wu part of the Lorne "1ur1i~ untl 1890. _ _ _ "H~ del'IOteS tbll the ~f-501'1 lllllied applied fclf the Home~~d In that )'ell. (Crown Land ~eoom i!!id 1872 s~ PIMS). M othel$ lmdic!lle tM ""me (If the first. pel'Wl1 wflo Ille land ,m,m the Cr01/l'tl\\. or from the Hud50!1 BB)' C;impany, Canadian Pacifie Railway, M1111toba Swth Westem Colonii,etion Railway Company. ~d the )'elt the laoo wa bovlft (lalid Tlllts Office). Tp._--f'-_ Rge. I/ w;:!,.. ~1,i-J /nl.s/tr 1,,,, 1~'71 M$WC~ 3 I .. . 1/I J..:tl;c. -,,,,,,,.,,:-t.; à ,,i! 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''"' /j'lf /t'I~ -11,J r . ,.~ !I ,u# \\ II # . William homesteaded the SE 1/4 of 36-4-11 in 1882 and his son, William John, purchased the NW 34-4-11 in 1883 & NE 34-4-11 in 1887. The family soon had a cluster of relatives living nearby. William's younger brother John homesteaded the West 1/2 of the same section of land (34-4-11) in 1884 and purchased SE 35-4-11 in 1897. Other relatives who homesteaded or purchased land in the vicinity were John Leary's son, Robert John, who purchased NE 35-4-11 in 1900; Aubrey C. Elliott, who bought SW 24-4-11 in 1884; Henry Huston, homesteaded NE 14-4-11 in 1884; and Jonathon Mussell, who homesteaded SE 14-4-11 in 1885. All lived within 3 miles of William's land. The lake that gave the town its name was near the Leary property. Swan Lake was deep and well stocked with fish and waterfowl, including swans. The surrounding lands were dotted with other small lakes and ponds. As a former guide and gamekeeper, William must have felt at home in his new location. The1886 Manitoba Directory in fact lists William as a Game Guardian for the Swan Lake area. The Manitoba Directory for 1878-79 described Township 4, Range 11 West as "principally woodland. There is a belt of poplar and oak along the baselineÃ.The surface of the ground is broken in some places and in others undulating. The soil is good - Unsettled." 4 The Leary farms were located south-west of the village of Swan Lake, (NW 20-5-10), near the Pembina River. William and Sarah's daughter, Alice, died in Swan Lake of pneumonia, at the age of fourteen.5 She is buried in a small Anglican cemetery south-east of the town of Swan Lake.6 Alice's grave-marker stands alone on the western perimeter of the site and reads: "In sacred memory of Alice M.M. Daughter of William and Sarah A. Leary Died Sept. 4, 1886 Aged 14 years". A family tree obtained by Dianne Strimbold records also that George died of diphtheria at age 15 at Swan Lake, however no marker was located at the site. [See endnotes for update on relocation of Alice's grave - Alice Mary Maud Leary 1872-1886 In the 1890's, the family moved to Ladner, B.C. The last spike on the railway to the west coast had been driven in 1885, opening new pathways for the Leary migration. For people who had grown up in the milder, moister climates of Ireland, Jamaica and Southern Ontario, the dry, harsh cold of Manitoba winters must have been a sometimes daunting experience. Within a few years timespan, most of the Leary siblings and their families headed west again, continuing this time until they reached the West Coast. Anna Maria, William, Katherine, Jane and John all moved to B.C.; Ben returned to Wingham; George alone remained in Manitoba. William and his sons worked in and managed canneries in Ladner and up the Northern coast of B.C. The Leary presence is still evident in Ladner. The Leary House in Ladner is a designated historic Building. the Ladner Museum holds the Leary Family Fonds Accession numbers: 1996-017; 1996-020; 1996-021; 1984-068 the holdings are comprised of various items relevant to B.C. history as well as genealogical information, obituaries and photos of the Leary family.7 The Leary House at Ladner, B.C. The "Leary House" at 4847 Georgia Street in Ladner, B.C. was built in 1891-2 for a man named Robert Moffit and is one of the oldest surviving homes from the early Ladner town-site. William and Sarah's son bought the house in 1910 and lived there with his family until 1945 (wife Anne, and daughters Mabel and Frances Munn, Anne's daughter from her first marriage). The home was purchased in 1971 by Charles Birt and John Erickson and restored. It is preserved as an historic building. As a result of recent renovations, the house currently bears little resemblance to the original. The house "had two bedrooms upstairs, as well as one downstairs. On the main floor was also the dining room, kitchen, living room and pantry. There was no indoor bathroom or electricity until 1920 Heat was supplied only by a heater in the living room fueled by wood, then coal, Needless to say, the upstairs bedrooms must have been frigid in winter." 8 Sarah died February 8, 1915 in Ladner. Her obituary reads: "Much Regret Expressed Throughout Community at Death of Esteemed Resident. Ladner sustained another great loss on Sunday evening in the passing away of Sara Ann Leary. Much regret is expressed throughout the community, as she was highly esteemed by all who came in contact with her, both old and young. Deceased was a native of Ireland and had resided in Ladner for the past twenty-two years. She leaves to mourn her loss her husband, one daughter, Mrs. Helmer, 9 living in Alberta, and three sons, William, Fred and David, residing in Ladner, besides a large circle of friends in the district and in Manitoba, where she formerly resided. The funeral will be held from the family residence in Ladner to the Church of England cemetery in Delta tomorrow afternoon. Rev. F.V. Venables will conduct the services. Murchie & Son of this city have charge of the funeral arrangements."10 Portrait of Sarah (Young/Godkin) Leary in Godkin homestead, Dunston (Nelsonville) William died in his home in East Delta in April, 1917.11 The funeral took place at home with burial in Boundary Bay Cemetery. Prior to his death, William kept in touch with other family members living nearby. In a letter to his brother George back in Manitoba, William spoke of visits to the Huston's (sister Jennie) and to his sister, Catherine, at Boundary Bay. This is the only remaining letter we have at this time from William. The first page of the letter, in which William writes of the family members in B.C., is reproduced following the endnotes to this chapter. William Henry & Sarah Leary 1910 (right) William and Sarah with Tiny (Photos courtesy Bill Richardson) I Sarah (Young/Godkin) Leary William Henry Leary (Photos courtesy Bill Richardson) Boundary Bay Cemetery Delta, B.C. l " rl f: ,, ,ï } , it~( Bt"'.D'~~~:'!l~~~~t~~ , :~~tt1! ~i~lii~~~~;;;!;~~?t~~ ":,~:t . .-.~~ll! à ~~,;,.,111 à r1JJ,ïïï Children of William & Sarah Leary12 1. William J. Leary, the eldest son of William and Sarah, was born April 21, 1864 in Ontario. In 1890, he married Susan Lasseter in the New Westminster District. Susan was born in 1867 and died July 3, 1916 in the Queen Charlotte Islands. William and Susan had seven children: Lena Alice (1890 - ?); Edna Susan (1891-1987); Ada Sarah (1893-1945); George William (1894-1954); Edith Maude (1897-1969); Albert Edward (1899-1979); and Charlotte Alexandra. William then married Lydia Ada Sarah Lasseter, November 28, 1916 in Vancouver, B.C. Lydia was born in 1875 and died in 1962 in Lower Nicola, B.C. William J. died at his home in Merritt, Friday, March 28, 1941 at the age of 78 years. "He was injured in a fall in his yard, and did not recover from the effects." 13 William J. Leary with Wife Susan & Three of their Children c. 1893 2. Alfred Reed Leary Margaret Montgomery Watson, born August 31, 1874 in Belfast, Ireland. Fred and Margaret had ten children: Georgina Anthony Watson (Fred's stepdaughter) born August 6, 1895 in Ladner, B.C. and died December 16, 1947 in North Vancouver, B.C.; Alice Margaret (Peggy) , born February 16, 1899, died April 3, 1981; Kathleen Ellen born November 1, 1901, died 1901; William Henry, October 4, 1902 -December 25, 1969; Benjamin David October 17, 1905 - died 1905; Robert John May 25, 1907 died January 8, 1965 in St. Catherine, Ontario; Alfred Arthur, born October 2, 1909, died Sept. 8, 1974 in Ladner; Violet May, born January 6, 1912, died July 10, 1991; Fred Reed, born October 4, 1914, died June 9, 1962; Irene Maud, born July 12, 1917, died September 8, 1982. Fred & Maggie Leary 3. David Egerton Leary was born in Ontario in 1875 and died October 9, 1938 in Vancouver General Hospital at the age of 64. Following a funeral service at the All Saint's Church in Ladner, he was buried in the Boundary Bay Cemetery. David Leary's obituary describes him as "a resident of Ladner for fifty yearsÃwell-known as a cannery-man in the fishing industry. As a member of the Ladner Gun Club he had a reputation as a good shot, and duck hunting was a favorite pastime." 14 David's wife, Anne (Ott) was born in Chatham, Ontario in 1874 died in October 7,1961 in Ladner. Her funeral was held in the Sacred Heart Church and she was buried in Boundary Bay Cemetery with her husband. She was a past president of the Catholic Women's League, a member of the Ladner Lawn Bowling Club and a member of Delta Chapter of the I.O.D.E. 15 David Egerton & Anne Leary David, Anne, Mabel, step-daughter Ursula (Photos courtesy Bill Richardson) Boundary Bay Cemetery, Delta B.C. Photos courtesy Bill Richardson. To see all Bill Richardson photos, open zip files below: 003a Delta photos.zip 003b William Leary family photos.zip David's and Anne's children were: Frances Ursula Travers Leary, who was born in 1906 in Holly, Michigan, the child of Anne's former marriage. Frances married John Munn in 1928 and they had four children: Rosemary, Ursula, Muriel and David. Kathleen Leary who was born in 1912 and died shortly afterwards. She is buried in Boundary Bay Cemetery. Mabel Patricia Leary born at Ladner in 1915. Mabel taught school in Ladner from 1937-1944. She married James McNamara from Winnipeg in 1944 and later lived in Vancouver. Mabel and James had five children: Maureen (Lilly), Paul, Monica, Colleen and Michael. William and Sarah's other three children died in childhood: 4. George - died in Swan Lake, Manitoba at age 15 years of diphtheria.16 5. Mary Louise - died by drowning at age 13 months at Long Point, Ontario. 6. Alice Mary Maud - died in Swan Lake, Manitoba at age 14 years of pneumonia. Additional generations in the William Henry Leary branch of the Leary Family tree are summarized in the Generations Report at the end of the chapter. Endnotes 1. Letter May (Leary) Howard to Edith Leary 1966; death certificate B.C. Archives 2. Information on the Godkins is recorded in the Miami & R.M. of Thompson Chronicles, 1998. R.M. of Thompson., pp.407-412; The Godkins of Ireland, written by A. Godkin from notes of Laura Miller, and: the Leary Family Fonds Accession numbers: 1996-017; 1996-020; 1996-021; 1984-068 which include L. Miller notes on family, held in Ladner Museum. Members of the Godkin family still live near Nelsonville. The family home is maintained as a Heritage Home. A cairn has been erected on the site in memory of the first Godkins to settle in Nelsonville. 3. 1881 Census of Canada. Walsingham, Norfolk South, Ontario. FHL 1375898 NAC C-13262 Dist 157 SD B Div.! p. 65 Family 328. Two other families are living at the lodge: the Andrew Helmer family and the Morris Filianorris family. Sarah's daughter Jane's married name was Helmer. 4. From Memories of Lorne 1880-1980, p.17. Information about the Swan Lake district, including description of the land and of the homesteading system, is from the Lorne Municipality history. Nelsonville was located at the base of the escarpment that marked the edge of the glacial lake Agassiz, an immense lake that once covered much of Manitoba. Swan Lake lay in the rolling land that made up the Pembina Hills, several hundred feet higher in altitude than Nelsonville, and some 30 miles to the west. 5. Letter from May Howard to Edith Leary, Dec. 29, 1966; Province of Manitoba, Vital Statistics, Registration No. 1886-001114 6. We first visited the site in 2004. The 'old' Anglican Cemetery is about one-half mile east and a mile south of the village of Swan Lake. The cemetery is well maintained by the family that owns the land. It stands out on the prairies because of a grouping of fir trees. Alice's grave is located with two other marked graves on the west border of the cemetery. Several years ago, the family who owned the land tried to contact families to obtain permission to move the markers to a location closer to other graves. Not all families could be contacted and the markers remain in their original location. This photo of Alice was the first family photo I copied, many years ago, for our 'family history' wall. Updated note: In 2006, Rev. Canon Peggy Sheffield of Swan Lake contacted me to again try to arrange relocation of graves for the purpose of downsizing the cemetery. An archaeologist from Winnipeg and an anthropologist from the University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon have undertaken excavation of unmarked graves and reburial at the east end of the site. Permission to relocate Alice's remains was the last family permission required to enable the project to go ahead. As of October, 2006, permission has been granted and the relocation should take place in the Spring of 2007. Further update: I represented the Leary family at the relocation service, conducted by Rev. Peggy Sheffield - a simple, tasteful ceremony in which remains were reburied in new graves at the east end of the cemetery. Alice's grave-stone marks the location of her new burial site - IJB After the ceremony, I wrote the following about Alice and her place in Leary history: Relocation of Alice Mary Maud Learys Grave One of the features of the downsizing or disappearance of small Prairie towns is impact it has on the local cemeteries. One cemetery to feel these effects is the St. Stevens Anglican Cemetery in Swan Lake, Manitoba. This cemetery, which lies southeast of the village, is located on the land of a local farmer. In recent years, giving the declining Anglican congregation in the area, an attempt has been made to downsize the cemetery and to consolidate the graves in one smaller area on the east side of the original site. Moving graves is not a simple process. It requires, in part, contacting living relatives for permission to relocate. It was in this context that Peggy Sheffield the local Anglican minister, contacted the Leary family to request permission to relocate the grave of Alice M.M. Leary. An archaeologist from Winnipeg and an anthropologist from the University of Saskatoon were handling the relocation process and hoped to complete the relocation in 2006. By the time the papers were processed through Vital Statistics and permission forms granted, the relocation was delayed to 2007. A long summer passed and it was not until September of that year that the final permission was granted. After a summer of drought, the skies clouded and rain began to fall during the week scheduled for re-interment. Not too auspicious after a long, balmy autumn, but the process was booked and flights arranged so it was a go no matter what the heavens brought. Alice was the daughter of my fathers uncle William Leary and his wife Sarah. I acted as go-between to get the papers signed by a cousin from the William Leary line who has pursued the family history of that part of the family. Alice was just 14 years old when she died of pneumonia in 1886. Her grave marker is a simple white stone inscribed In sacred memory of Alice M.M. Leary, daughter of William & Sarah, Died Sep. 4 1886. Aged 14 years. This lovely bud so sweet and fair; Called home by early doom; Just came to show how sweet a flower; In Paradise could bloom Thoughts and feelings: like most - thoughts of grief of Alices family gathered in cemetery over 100 years earlier to bury their 14-year-old daughter; sadness at life never lived to fullest; awareness of how lives touch the lives of others in ways we can scarcely imagine. In my early teens - about the age Alice died - I spent hours pouring over the family albums. There were two pictures of Alice - one of a sombre, sad-eyed child; the other of Alice alone with her parents, William and Sarah. An inscription on the back of one picture read: Alice, Wm. Learys only girl. My father also was William Leary - named after his Uncle William, Alices father - and I was an only girl as well, - a heady coincidence for an adolescent mind. Over the years, my mother mentioned that Dad was fond of his cousin Alice who wrote him regularly when he was overseas. So Alice was a tragic and a bit of a romantic figure to boot. Years later, I inherited the family photos. The first thing I did was to scan the picture of Alice, frame it in an elaborate old frame and hang it on the wall of our home. It is an appealing photo and attracted a lot of attention. Soon I scanned and hung other photos - of the women and children of the family - a bit of a feminist statement. As my skills and interest developed, I scanned all the old family photos to disks, so we would have a back-up if anything happened to the originals, and organized the original photos in archival envelopes. You cant work with photos without becoming interested in the people, so I soon undertook some intensive genealogical research. It didnt take long, from the first information I found on the William Leary family, to find out that Alice died in 1886 and it had to be an Alice from the next generation who had written to my father when he was overseas in WWI. So much for the romance. And, even if Alice was an only daughter, she was not an only child. Her mother, Sarah Godkin, was a widow with seven children when she married William Leary. - six boys and one girl. William and Sarah had six more children, four boys and two girls. The first girl, Mary Louisa, died at 13 months of age by drowning - at Long Point, Lake Erie where William was a gamekeeper at a hunting lodge. When Alice was born five years later, she also carried the name Mary (Alice Mary Maud), the name of her paternal grandmother. This was another coincidence - both Alice and I were the only surviving daughters, with four brothers and a sister who died in infancy. I took it for granted that Alice was also a bit of a special princess in her family. In 1882, William and family moved west where he homesteaded the SE1/4 of 30-4-11. Other family members soon followed until there was a small cluster of Leary relatives in the Swan Lake area. So we can also expect that many of the family attended Alices funeral both those who farmed in the area as well as her grandmother and other close family members from the Nelsonville/Morden area to the east. The family records say that Alices older brother George also died in Swan Lake - at age 15 from diphtheria. No trace has been found of his grave or death records. If the information we have is correct, he would have died about a year before Alice. Whether it was this tragic loss or a desire to escape the harsh prairie climate, or just an urge to move on, the family left Manitoba and headed west until they reached the Ladner/New Westminster area of B.C. The other Leary families soon followed. When I finally located Alices grave, it was a moving experience - seeing her simple white grave-marker standing outlined against the prairie sky at the west border of the cemetery. It looked vulnerable there by itself and I am not unhappy that it is relocated near the other graves. Hopefully it will survive there for many generations to come - reminding the local folk of the early pioneers to the Swan Lake area and likely reminding them as well how fortunate they are to be living in an age of antibiotics, pneumonia vaccines and with the Lorne Memorial Hospital just over the horizon. Hopefully, too, our family will be encouraged by the family photos of Alice and family history she helped inspire, to visit the cemetery and the gravestones of Alice and her cousin Horace Grain. And hopefully, Alice will somehow know that she is still remembered and that she has touched other lives in ways she could never have imagined. IJB, The Valley, October 18, 2007 7. Dianne Strimbold, Topley, B.C., a descendant of William, is tracing the history of her branch of the Leary family. She has the family portraits that hung on the walls of the family home as well as other family photos and has tried to follow up on family history in Ireland and Jamaica - so far no further leads as researchers in each setting met with dead ends (no pun intended). 8. From Ladner Museum files. 9. Sarah's daughter, Jane Godkin, married Abner Helmer and they lived in High Prairie, Alberta. Helmer also is the name of the family listed with the William Learys in Port Erie, Ontario at the time of the 1871 census. 10. The British Columbian 11. The British Columbian, 17 April 1917, p.8. 12. Much of the information about this branch of the family was obtained through Dianne Strimbold, Topley, B.C. Most of the earlier dates also appear in the B.C. Archives online listings. 13. The Optimist, Thursday, April 3. 1941. Clipping in Leary File in Ladner, B.C. Archives. 14. The Optimist, October 12, 1938. Clipping in Leary File in Ladner, B.C. Archives. 15. Newspaper clipping in Leary File in Ladner, B.C. Archives. 16. The cemetery records have been lost and there is no record of the location of the gravesite. No record of his death appears in the Manitoba Vital Statistics records. Letter from William Henry Leary, Ladner, B.C. to Brother George Leary, Learys Manitoba, Sept. 1915, p.1 The second page of the letter refers mainly to events back in Manitoba - local politics, brother George's falling out with his former partner and now Premier, R.P.R. Roblin, George's disaffection from the Conservative party - and to matters associated with the war. .;. ----A,~ a. F" --~ -~ -!'Js-'i:-c:2aà _,,--~ ,Q 7-r ~~,,,~-~-7 ----cÃ.. . ,-..~ ~, ~:ï;4~ -~---~-. '.7 ~J< , , . . .cÃ..,, ~/ 9 , J o--/-7'5-. ~----4../-->--~ <L.r o..L!, ~L< ..__,,,,_ ~--"'Y-z: Godkin Family in Nelsonville The following tribute was read by Alex Godkin at the time of unveiling of the Godkin cairn near the former site of Nelsonville. It provides a picture of the hardships of homesteading in the late 1800's and of the interdependence of families in a pioneer settlement. The Cairn was erected in 2002 by descendants of the Godkin brothers to commemorate the part they played in homesteading the land near Nelsonville: Godkin Homestead In Memory of James, Joseph and Thomas Godkin The brothers came West in the early 1870's from Huron County, Ontario. Their first winter home was here in and overturned wagon box. Inscription on the memorial dedicated to the fortitude of our Grandparents In all Canadian history there have been men who were pioneers, and of these, none of them tell more interesting stories than those men who settled in Southern Manitoba in the 1870's near the town of Morden. Then there were no railroads or automobiles to speed home seekers to their destinations, as there were in the newer West. The Godkin brothers started their journey West from Kincardine, Ontario where they boarded a ship, the "Quebec", which made regular trips to Duluth, Minnesota. From Duluth they boarded a train to Fisher's Landing, Minnesota, situated on the Red River. There they boarded a paddle wheel steamer to Emerson, Manitoba. At Emerson the brothers met Mr. Thomas Duncan from old Nelsonville, who consented to take their luggage, and they walked behind the wagon for sixty miles under difficult conditions to their destination. There they boarded with George Leary and commenced their search for land. Having decided on the land, the brothers started back over the Missouri Trail to Emerson to file their claims. The trail back to Emerson was very bad, for it was raining and they had to take off their rubber boots to empty the water out of them. After filing their claims they took the paddle boat steamer to Winnipeg for supplies, which they purchased from J.H. Ashdown's Settlers Supply Store. James also bought a yoke of oxen for ploughing the land. James and Joseph started out for Nelson with several other settlers who were going in the same direction. For five days they traveled, unloading the wagons at night so they could sleep the boxes to keep off the rain and mosquitoes. On the fifth day they arrived home, near the Pembina escarpment. To obtain shelter the brothers put a wagon box on the line dividing the homesteads, where the Memorial now stands, They covered it first with willow gads to form an arch an then tied canvas to the box. James and Joseph started to break the sod, with Joseph holding the plough and James guiding the oxen. The oxen had never been broken in for ploughing. Soon Thomas, who had been working in the Stony Mountain area, arrived with his yoke of oxen and both yokes of oxen were hitched to the one plough. Joseph then went to cut logs to build a home. By the time breaking the sod was finished, Joseph had the logs cut and ready to build the house. Having built the house with a thatched roof, it failed to shed water, much to their dismay. One day's rain outside meant two to three day's rain inside. Later they covered the roof with sod which was much better. Furniture consisted of a table made from boards brought from Winnipeg. Trunks were used for chairs. A bed was made of poplar poles with a hay mattress and Hudson Bay blankets. When haying time arrived there were no mowers, so a scythe was used and it was known as "Armstrong's Mower". As a guard against prairie fires in the fall, on a calm night they would burn the grass around the stacks. The brothers were unable to put in a crop due to the lateness of the season, Therefore, they worked for other settlers in the district. They worked for the Duncan family digging potatoes. Every seventh bushel was their pay. For their winter food supply besides the potatoes, the brothers purchased fifty bushels of wheat from John Elliott. James took the wheat to St. Joe (Walhalla), leaving six pounds of flour to do until he got back, as he thought, in four days. When James arrived at St. Joe he found so many before him at the grist mill that it was thirteen days before his wheat was ground and he got back home, no doubt to the delight of Joseph and Thomas who had only a little tea and some bannock to eat. During the following years there were many trials and tribulations, such as prairie fires, and drought conditions, but as time passed, prosperity knocked at their doors. Taking an excerpt from the Miami and R.M. of Thompson Chronicles, a quote from the Nelsonville Mountaineer states "Surrounding the village are well known successful farmers: the Learys, the Rinns, Duncans, Elliotts and Godkin Brothers all of whom are in comfortable circumstances." When this nation needed their help in time of conflict, many of the "Godkin Family" paid the supreme sacrifice. Their history is a noble and proud one. A.R.GodkinDescendants of William Henry Leary Generation No. 1 1. WILLIAM HENRY2 LEARY (JOHN1) was born 09 Sep 1833 in Ireland, and died 15 Apr 1917 in Ladner, B.C.. He married SARAH ANN YOUNG 27 May 1863 in Colbourne Township, Huron, Ontario, daughter of JOHN YOUNG and JANE FUBOURNE. She was born 18 Sep 1831 in Philadelphia, U.S.A., and died 08 Feb 1915 in Ladner, B.C.. Children of WILLIAM LEARY and SARAH YOUNG are: 2. i. WILLIAM JOHN3 LEARY, b. 21 Apr 1864, Long Point, Lake Erie, Ontario; d. 1941, Lower Nicola, B.C.. 3. ii. ALFRED REED LEARY, b. 31 Jul 1866, Zetland, Ontario; d. 16 Sep 1945, Essondale, B/C.. iii. MARY LOUISA LEARY, b. Abt. Jul 1868, Long Point, Norfolk, Ontario; d. 10 Aug 1869, Long Point, Ontario. iv. GEORGE LEARY, b. Abt. 1870, Long Point, Norfolk, Ontario; d. Abt. 1885, Swan Lake, Manitoba. v. ALICE MAUD MARY LEARY, b. 27 Mar 1872, Long Point, Waldingham, Ontario; d. 04 Sep 1886, Swan Lake, Manitoba. 4. vi. DAVID EGERTON LEARY, b. 16 Aug 1875, Long Point, Lake Erie, Ontario; d. 09 Oct 1938, Vancouver General Hospital. B.C.. Generation No. 2 2. WILLIAM JOHN3 LEARY (WILLIAM HENRY2, JOHN1) was born 21 Apr 1864 in Long Point, Lake Erie, Ontario, and died 1941 in Lower Nicola, B.C.. He married (1) LYDIA ADA SARAH LASSETER. She was born 1875, and died 1962 in Lower Nicola, B.C.. He married (2) SUSAN LASSETER 14 Mar 1890 in New Westminster, B.C.. She was born 22 Jan 1868, and died 03 Jul 1916 in Miller Creek, Queen Charlotte Islands, B.C.. Children of WILLIAM LEARY and SUSAN LASSETER are: 5. i. LENA ALICE4 LEARY, b. 05 Sep 1890, Ladner, B.C.. ii. EDNA SUSAN LEARY, b. 02 Aug 1891, Ladners Landing, B.C.; d. 1987, Burnaby, B.C.. 6. iii. ADA SARAH LEARY, b. 22 Jan 1893, Ladners Landing, B.C.; d. 1945, Vancouver, B.C.. 7. iv. GEORGE WILLIAM LEARY, b. 10 Apr 1894, Ladner, B.C.; d. 1954, Tiell, Queen Charlotte Islands. 8. v. EDITH MAUDE LEARY, b. 02 Jul 1897, Ladner, B.C.; d. 1969. 9. vi. ALBERT EDWARD LEARY, b. 12 Dec 1899, Ladner, B.C.; d. 1979. 10. vii. CHARLOTTE ALEXANDRA LEARY, b. 17 Aug 1903, Ladner, B.C.; d. Courtney, B.C. 3. ALFRED REED3 LEARY (WILLIAM HENRY2, JOHN1) was born 31 Jul 1866 in Zetland, Ontario, and died 16 Sep 1945 in Essondale, B/C. He married MARGARET MONTGOMERY FREW WATSON 29 Dec 1896 in New Westminster, B.C. She was born 31 Aug 1874 in Belfast, Ireland, and died 05 Oct 1945. Children of ALFRED LEARY and MARGARET WATSON are: i. GEORGINA ANTHONY4 WATSON, b. 06 Aug 1895, Ladner, B.C.; d. 16 Dec 1947, North Vancouver, B.C. ii. ALICE MARGARET (PEGGY) LEARY, b. 16 Feb 1899, Ladner, B.C.; d. 03 Apr 1981; m. (1) EARL GRAY; m. (2) RUDY SATTERPAKKA. iii. KATHLEEN ELLEN LEARY, b. 01 Nov 1901; d. 1901. iv. v. WILLIAM HENRY LEARY, b. 04 Oct 1902; d. 25 Dec 1969, Prince George, B.C.. vi. BENJAMIN DAVID LEARY, b. 17 Oct 1905; d. 1905. vii. ROBERT JOHN LEARY, b. 25 May 1907; d. 08 Jan 1965, St. Catherines, Ontario; m. MARLENE KINGSTON. viii. ALFRED ARTHUR LEARY, b. 02 Oct 1909; d. 08 Sep 1974, Ladner, B.C.. 11. viii. VIOLET MAY LEARY, b. 06 Jan 1912; d. 10 Jul 1991. 12. ix. FRED REED LEARY, b. 04 Oct 1914; d. 09 Jun 1962. 13. x. IRENE MAUD LEARY, b. 12 Jul 1917; d. 08 Sep 1982. 4. DAVID EGERTON3 LEARY (WILLIAM HENRY2, JOHN1) was born 16 Aug 1875 in Long Point, Lake Erie, Ontario, and died 09 Oct 1938 in Vancouver General Hospital. B.C.. He married ANNE OTT TRAVERS. She was born 1873, and died 1961 in Boundary Bay, B.C.. Children of DAVID LEARY and ANNE TRAVERS are: i. FRANCES4 TRAVERS. 14. ii. MABEL PATRICIA LEARY. Generation No. 3 5. LENA ALICE4 LEARY (WILLIAM JOHN3, WILLIAM HENRY2, JOHN1) was born 05 Sep 1890 in Ladner, B.C.. She married (1) JAMES LUSK. She married (2) RICHARD HUSBAND 28 Aug 1911 in Prince Rupert District, B.C.. He was born 1884, and died 1923 in Tiell, Queen Charlotte Islands. Children of LENA LEARY and RICHARD HUSBAND are: 15. i. DOROTHY ROSALIE5 HUSBAND, b. 1911; d. 1991. ii. RICHARD WILLIAM HUSBAND, b. 1913; d. 1916. 16. iii. ARTHUR LAWRENCE HUSBAND, b. 1915; d. 1988. 17. iv. GEORGE WALTER HUSBAND. 18. v. HUBERT MILES HUSBAND, b. 1920; d. 1948. 19. vi. GRACE LEARY. 6. ADA SARAH4 LEARY (WILLIAM JOHN3, WILLIAM HENRY2, JOHN1) was born 22 Jan 1893 in Ladners Landing, B.C., and died 1945 in Vancouver, B.C.. She married ROBERT ELLIS KITSON 27 Jul 1914 in Mount Tolmie, B.C.. He was born 1885, and died 1980 in Vancouver, B.C.. Children of ADA LEARY and ROBERT KITSON are: i. KATHLEEN MARY5 KITSON, b. 1915; d. 1990. ii. CHARLOTTE EDITH KITSON. 7. GEORGE WILLIAM4 LEARY (WILLIAM JOHN3, WILLIAM HENRY2, JOHN1) was born 10 Apr 1894 in Ladner, B.C., and died 1954 in Tiell, Queen Charlotte Islands. He married DORIS MADELEINE RICHARDSON. She was born 1910, and died 2000. Children of GEORGE LEARY and DORIS RICHARDSON are: i. DAVID VAUGHEN5 LEARY, b. 1931. 20. ii. BERYL JOY LEARY, b. 1933. 8. EDITH MAUDE4 LEARY (WILLIAM JOHN3, WILLIAM HENRY2, JOHN1) was born 02 Jul 1897 in Ladner, B.C., and died 1969. She married CHARLES HELMER 20 Dec 1914 in Skidegate. He was born 1883, and died 1927 in Kinuso, Alberta. Children of EDITH LEARY and CHARLES HELMER are: i. EDWARD CHARLES5 HELMER, b. 1915; d. 1941. 21. ii. ROY WILLIAM HELMER, b. 1917. iii. MYRTLE EDITH HELMER, m. HUBERT MILES HUSBAND. 22. iv. ADA MURIEL HELMER. 23. v. GEORGE HELMER. 9. ALBERT EDWARD4 LEARY (WILLIAM JOHN3, WILLIAM HENRY2, JOHN1) was born 12 Dec 1899 in Ladner, B.C., and died 1979. He married IRENE MCCUL. She died 1981. Children of ALBERT LEARY and IRENE MCCUL are: 24. i. FERNE E.5 LEARY. 25. ii. LAWRENCE LEARY. 10. CHARLOTTE ALEXANDRA4 LEARY (WILLIAM JOHN3, WILLIAM HENRY2, JOHN1) was born 17 Aug 1903 in Ladner, B.C., and died in Courtney, B.C.. She married OSWEL ROY FIELD. Children of CHARLOTTE LEARY and OSWEL FIELD are: 26. i. HELEN FLORA5 FIELD. 27. ii. AUDREY ROWENA FIELD. 28. iii. KEITH C.W. FIELD. 11. VIOLET MAY4 LEARY (ALFRED REED3, WILLIAM HENRY2, JOHN1) was born 06 Jan 1912, and died 10 Jul 1991. She married JAMES SCOTT Abt. 1935. He was born in Duncan, B.C., and died 1948. Children of VIOLET LEARY and JAMES SCOTT are: 29. i. GORDON REED5 SCOTT, b. 04 Jul 1936. 30. ii. ROBERT DOUGLAS SCOTT, b. 1938. 31. iii. KATHLEEN PATRICIA MAY SCOTT, b. 17 Mar 1940. 32. iv. MARGARET EILEEN EUNICE SCOTT, b. 24 Sep 1942. 12. FRED REED4 LEARY (ALFRED REED3, WILLIAM HENRY2, JOHN1) was born 04 Oct 1914, and died 09 Jun 1962. He married EILEEN RUSSELL 1948. Child of FRED LEARY and EILEEN RUSSELL is: i. FRED REED5 LEARY, b. 1948. 13. IRENE MAUD4 LEARY (ALFRED REED3, WILLIAM HENRY2, JOHN1) was born 12 July 1917, and died 08 Sep 1982. She married (1) CHARLES MARTIN ROBERTS Abt. 1938 in Vancouver, B.C.. She married (2) HOWARD EARL RAGSDALE Abt. 1950 in Penticton, B.C.. He died Abt. 1968 in Burns Lake, B.C.. She married (3) JPHN LEASON Abt. 1970 in Smithers, B.C.. He died Abt. 1980 in Prince George, B.C.. Child of IRENE LEARY and CHARLES ROBERTS is: 33. i. MARGRETT DIANNE5 ROBERTS, b. 13 Sep 1940, Vancouver, B.C.. Children of IRENE LEARY and HOWARD RAGSDALE are: 34. ii. LINDA MARLENE5 RAGSDALE, b. 05 Apr 1951, Terrace, B.C.. 35. iii. WENDY IRENE RAGSDALE, b. 18 Oct 1954, Burns Lake, B.C.. iv. MAXINE PATRICE RAGSDALE, b. 04 Jan 1956; m. MICHAEL LEWENDOWSKI, Abt. 1981. 36. v. LAURIE MARIE RAGSDALE, b. 20 Sep 1960, Burns Lake, B.C.. 14. MABEL PATRICIA4 LEARY (DAVID EGERTON3, WILLIAM HENRY2, JOHN1) She married JAMES MCNAMARRA. He was born 1918, and died 1985 in Ladner, B.C.. Children of MABEL LEARY and JAMES MCNAMARRA are: i. MAUREEN ANNE5 MCNAMARRA. ii. MONICA ELLEN MCNAMARRA. iii. PAUL JAMES MCNAMARRA. iv. COLLEEN MARY MCNAMARRA. v. MICHAEL WILLIAM MCNAMARRA. Generation No. 4 15. DOROTHY ROSALIE5 HUSBAND (LENA ALICE4 LEARY, WILLIAM JOHN3, WILLIAM HENRY2, JOHN1) was born 1911, and died 1991. She married FRANCIS RICHARDSON 1930. He was born 1907. Children of DOROTHY HUSBAND and FRANCIS RICHARDSON are: 37. i. DOUGLAS MARRIOTT6 RICHARDSON, b. 1931. 38. ii. GARRY STANHOPE RICHARDSON, b. 1932. 39. iii. KENNETH RICHARDSON, b. 1942. 16. ARTHUR LAWRENCE5 HUSBAND (LENA ALICE4 LEARY, WILLIAM JOHN3, WILLIAM HENRY2, JOHN1) was born 1915, and died 1988. He married (1) BERNICE RUDGE. He married (2) GWEN BENDIT. Children of ARTHUR HUSBAND and BERNICE RUDGE are: 40. i. VERNELLE6 HUSBAND. 41. ii. ILONA HUSBAND, b. 1941. 42. iii. RICHARD L. HUSBAND, b. 1943. iv. MICHAEL HUSBAND, b. 1940. 17. GEORGE WALTER5 HUSBAND (LENA ALICE4 LEARY, WILLIAM JOHN3, WILLIAM HENRY2, JOHN1) He married (1) DOREEN RUDGE Children of GEORGE HUSBAND and DOREEN RUDGE are: 43. i. DAVID L.6 HUSBAND. ii. ROBERT C. HUSBAND. iii. CYRIL K. HUSBAND. iv. JOAN L. HUSBAND. v. RONALD F. HUSBAND. 18. HUBERT MILES5 HUSBAND (LENA ALICE4 LEARY, WILLIAM JOHN3, WILLIAM HENRY2, JOHN1) was born 1920, and died 1948. He married MYRTLE EDITH HELMER. Children of HUBERT HUSBAND and MYRTLE HELMER are: 44. i. DENNIS6 HUSBAND. 45. ii. SHARON HUSBAND. iii. DONNA HUSBAND. iv. LESLIE HUSBAND, m. LYNNE THOMPSON. 19. GRACE5 LEARY (LENA ALICE4, WILLIAM JOHN3, WILLIAM HENRY2, JOHN1) She married (1) HARRY FORSGREN. She married (2) ALFRED NICOL. Children of GRACE LEARY and HARRY FORSGREN are: i. MARILYN6 FORSGREN. ii. VICKI FORSGREN. iii. GARY FORSGREN. Child of GRACE LEARY and ALFRED NICOL is: iv. LYNDA6 NICOL. 20. BERYL JOY5 LEARY (GEORGE WILLIAM4, WILLIAM JOHN3, WILLIAM HENRY2, JOHN1) was born 1933. She married EDWARD LAFORTUNE 1955. Children of BERYL LEARY and EDWARD LAFORTUNE are: 46. i. RANDI DELENE6 LAFORTUNE, b. 1956. 47. ii. TAMMI MARIAL LAFORTUNE, b. 1959. 21. ROY WILLIAM5 HELMER (EDITH MAUDE4 LEARY, WILLIAM JOHN3, WILLIAM HENRY2, JOHN1) was born 1917. He married FRANCES ENGEBRETSON. She was born 1919. Children of ROY HELMER and FRANCES ENGEBRETSON are: 48. i. SHIRLEY6 HELMER. 49. ii. WILLIAM HELMER. iii. EDNA HELMER. iv. FRANCIS HELMER. v. LANA ALAN HELMER. 22. ADA MURIEL5 HELMER (EDITH MAUDE4 LEARY, WILLIAM JOHN3, WILLIAM HENRY2, JOHN1) She married CECIL SHANTZ. Children of ADA HELMER and CECIL SHANTZ are: 50. i. CHERYL6 SHANTZ. ii. GARY SHANTZ. iii. KEITH SHANTZ. 23. GEORGE5 HELMER (EDITH MAUDE4 LEARY, WILLIAM JOHN3, WILLIAM HENRY2, JOHN1) He married DOROTHY PIPER. Children of GEORGE HELMER and DOROTHY PIPER are: i. RICKY6 HELMER. ii. SANDRA HELMER. iii. CHRIS HELMER. iv. LEO HELMER. 24. FERNE E.5 LEARY (ALBERT EDWARD4, WILLIAM JOHN3, WILLIAM HENRY2, JOHN1) She married LESLIE MCKIRDY. Children of FERNE LEARY and LESLIE MCKIRDY are: i. BRIAN6 LEARY. ii. IRENE LEARY, b. 1982; m. LONNIE NUNWEILER NORMAN. 25. LAWRENCE5 LEARY (ALBERT EDWARD4, WILLIAM JOHN3, WILLIAM HENRY2, JOHN1) He married LINDA RIDING. Children of LAWRENCE LEARY and LINDA RIDING are: i. SHANE6 LEARY. ii. AUTUMN LEARY. iii. PATRICK LEARY. iv. BLANE LEARY. 26. HELEN FLORA5 FIELD (CHARLOTTE ALEXANDRA4 LEARY, WILLIAM JOHN3, WILLIAM HENRY2, JOHN1) She married DONALD WILLIAM RUSSELL. Children of HELEN FIELD and DONALD RUSSELL are: i. COLEEN AUDREY6 RUSSELL. 51. ii. GLENDA JEAN RUSSELL. 27. AUDREY ROWENA5 FIELD (CHARLOTTE ALEXANDRA4 LEARY, WILLIAM JOHN3, WILLIAM HENRY2, JOHN1) She married KEITH ROBERT STITT. Children of AUDREY FIELD and KEITH STITT are: i. SHANNON LUCILLE6 STITT. 52. ii. ROBERTA LYNN GRAEME STITT. 28. KEITH C.W.5 FIELD (CHARLOTTE ALEXANDRA4 LEARY, WILLIAM JOHN3, WILLIAM HENRY2, JOHN1) He married GAIL LARAINE WOODROW. Children of KEITH FIELD and GAIL WOODROW are: 53. i. SHANE ROY6 FIELD. ii. TARA MCKENZIE FIELD. 29. GORDON REED5 SCOTT (VIOLET MAY4 LEARY, ALFRED REED3, WILLIAM HENRY2, JOHN1) was born 04 Jul 1936. He married MARGARET THOMPSON 07 Jul 1961. She was born 27 Dec 1941. Children of GORDON SCOTT and MARGARET THOMPSON are: 54. i. KENNETH GORDON6 SCOTT, b. 28 Aug 1966. ii. KAREN MARGARET SCOTT, b. 03 Apr 1973. 30. ROBERT DOUGLAS5 SCOTT (VIOLET MAY4 LEARY, ALFRED REED3, WILLIAM HENRY2, JOHN1) was born 1938. He met KELLY. Child of ROBERT SCOTT and KELLY is: i. ROBBIE6 SCOTT. 31. KATHLEEN PATRICIA MAY5 SCOTT (VIOLET MAY4 LEARY, ALFRED REED3, WILLIAM HENRY2, JOHN1) was born 17 Mar 1940. She married CASEY VAN TOL Abt. 1960 in ?White Rock, B.C.. Children of KATHLEEN SCOTT and CASEY VAN TOL are: i. KATHERINE6 VAN TOL. 55. ii. JAMES VAN TOL. 32. MARGARET EILEEN EUNICE5 SCOTT (VIOLET MAY4 LEARY, ALFRED REED3, WILLIAM HENRY2, JOHN1) was born 24 Sep 1942. She married (1) JULIUS BOORSMA. She married (2) ROBERT SIMS. Children of MARGARET SCOTT and JULIUS BOORSMA are: i. MICHAEL6 BOORSMA. ii. PATRICK BOORSMA. Children of MARGARET SCOTT and ROBERT SIMS are: iii. CINDY6 SIMS, b. 10 Sep 1972; m. RONALD SCHMIDT, 20 Jun 1997; b. 12 Dec 1971, Decker lake. iv. DUSTIN SIMS, b. 10 Dec 1972. 33. MARGRETT DIANNE5 ROBERTS (IRENE MAUD4 LEARY, ALFRED REED3, WILLIAM HENRY2, JOHN1) was born 13 Sep 1940 in Vancouver, B.C.. She married FRANK DANIEL STRIMBOLD 14 Jun 1963 in Burns lake, B.C., son of ERIC STRIMBOLD and IVY MCINNES. He was born 17 Dec 1939 in Smithers, B.C.. Children of MARGRETT ROBERTS and FRANK STRIMBOLD are: 56. i. TANYA DAWN6 STRIMBOLD, b. 06 Jan 1965. 57. ii. LIA KIRSTEN STRIMBOLD, b. 22 Jun 1966, Burns lake, B.C.. 58. iii. TONY MARK STRIMBOLD, b. 30 Sep 1969, Burns Lake, B.C.. iv. MONICA LYNN STRIMBOLD, b. 14 Oct 1974, Vancouver, B.C.. v. TODD ANDREW STRIMBOLD, b. 26 Jan 1976, Burnaby, B.C.. vi. NICHOLAS SCOTT STRIMBOLD, b. 17 Jun 1977, Vancouver, B.C.. Frank & Dianne Strimbold & family 34. LINDA MARLENE5 RAGSDALE (IRENE MAUD4 LEARY, ALFRED REED3, WILLIAM HENRY2, JOHN1) was born 05 Apr 1951 in Terrace, B.C.. She met (1) DAVID HARDY in Prince George, B.C.. She married (2) JAMES LIDDLE 1968. He died in Burns Lake, B.C.. Child of LINDA RAGSDALE and DAVID HARDY is: i. CRYSTAL DAWN6 HARDY, b. 18 Nov 1977, Prince George, B.C.. Children of LINDA RAGSDALE and JAMES LIDDLE are: ii. RICHARD EARL6 LIDDLE, b. 24 Mar 1969, Burns Lake, B.C.. 59. iii. JAMES REID LIDDLE, b. 18 Jul 1971, Burns Lake, B.C.. 35. WENDY IRENE5 RAGSDALE (IRENE MAUD4 LEARY, ALFRED REED3, WILLIAM HENRY2, JOHN1) was born 18 Oct 1954 in Burns Lake, B.C.. She married DAVID TOWNSEND 17 Dec 1974 in Prince George, B.C.. Children of WENDY RAGSDALE and DAVID TOWNSEND are: i. KRISTEN BREANNE6 TOWNSEND, b. 30 Oct 1981, Victoria, B.C.. ii. KYLE CHANDLER TOWNSEND, b. 22 Mar 1986, Victoria, B.C.. iii. KEVIN WILLIAM TOWNSEND, b. 01 Aug 1988, Smithers, B.C.. 36. LAURIE MARIE5 RAGSDALE (IRENE MAUD4 LEARY, ALFRED REED3, WILLIAM HENRY2, JOHN1) was born 20 Sep 1960 in Burns Lake, B.C.. She met HARRY BIRD. Children of LAURIE RAGSDALE and HARRY BIRD are: 60. i. PATRICIA LEAH6 RAGSDALE, b. Jun, Prince George, B.C.. ii. MELANIE MARIE RAGSDALE, b. Prince George, B.C.. iv. DUSTIN ALLEN BIRD, b. 05 Jun 1985, Prince George, B.C.. Generation No. 5 37. DOUGLAS MARRIOTT6 RICHARDSON (DOROTHY ROSALIE5 HUSBAND, LENA ALICE4 LEARY, WILLIAM JOHN3, WILLIAM HENRY2, JOHN1) was born 1931. He married ALICE A. MCDONALD. She was born 1932. Children of DOUGLAS RICHARDSON and ALICE MCDONALD are: i. DONALD7 RICHARDSON. ii. DAVID RICHARDSON. iii. JACK RICHARDSON. iv. PHYLLIS GWEN RICHARDSON. v. D. MICHAEL RICHARDSON. 38. GARRY STANHOPE6 RICHARDSON (DOROTHY ROSALIE5 HUSBAND, LENA ALICE4 LEARY, WILLIAM JOHN3, WILLIAM HENRY2, JOHN1) was born 1932. He married LUCILLE ELIZABETH DAWSON. She was born 1937. Children of GARRY RICHARDSON and LUCILLE DAWSON are: i. WILLIAM KENNETH7 RICHARDSON, b. 1959; m. JESSICA MCFARLANE, 1993; b. 1959. ii. KEVIN JOHN RICHARDSON, b. 1960; m. JANET PATTERSON, 1984; b. 1957. 39. KENNETH6 RICHARDSON (DOROTHY ROSALIE5 HUSBAND, LENA ALICE4 LEARY, WILLIAM JOHN3, WILLIAM HENRY2, JOHN1) was born 1942. He married JUDITH M. NEWCOMBE. Children of KENNETH RICHARDSON and JUDITH NEWCOMBE are: i. LAURA7 RICHARDSON. ii. ALLEN RICHARDSON, m. TRACEY. 40. VERNELLE6 HUSBAND (ARTHUR LAWRENCE5, LENA ALICE4 LEARY, WILLIAM JOHN3, WILLIAM HENRY2, JOHN1) She married GERALD POIRIER. Children of VERNELLE HUSBAND and GERALD POIRIER are: i. KAREN7 POIRIER. ii. DIANE POIRIER. iii. JOSEPH POIRIER. iv. MICHAEL POIRIER. v. JULIANE POIRIER. 41. ILONA6 HUSBAND (ARTHUR LAWRENCE5, LENA ALICE4 LEARY, WILLIAM JOHN3, WILLIAM HENRY2, JOHN1) was born 1941. She married HERBERT JONES. Children of ILONA HUSBAND and HERBERT JONES are: i. JAMES S.7 JONES. ii. ANTHONY HERBERT JONES. iii. JEFFREY JONES. iv. RICHARD PAUL JONES. v. JOEL JONES. vi. LORI JONES. vii. TAWNEY JONES. 42. RICHARD L.6 HUSBAND (ARTHUR LAWRENCE5, LENA ALICE4 LEARY, WILLIAM JOHN3, WILLIAM HENRY2, JOHN1) was born 1943. He married SHIRLEY NEWCOMBE. She was born 1945. Children of RICHARD HUSBAND and SHIRLEY NEWCOMBE are: i. CHERYL7 HUSBAND, b. 1966. ii. KELLY HUSBAND, b. 1968. 43. DAVID L.6 HUSBAND (GEORGE WALTER5, LENA ALICE4 LEARY, WILLIAM JOHN3, WILLIAM HENRY2, JOHN1) He married MARGARET POLOSKI. Children of DAVID HUSBAND and MARGARET POLOSKI are: i. LORRAINE7 HUSBAND, b. 1963. ii. STEWART W. HUSBAND. iii. KAREN ANNE HUSBAND. 44. DENNIS6 HUSBAND (HUBERT MILES5, LENA ALICE4 LEARY, WILLIAM JOHN3, WILLIAM HENRY2, JOHN1) He married DONNA OLIFKY. Child of DENNIS HUSBAND and DONNA OLIFKY is: i. RUSSEL7 HUSBAND. 45. SHARON6 HUSBAND (HUBERT MILES5, LENA ALICE4 LEARY, WILLIAM JOHN3, WILLIAM HENRY2, JOHN1) She married RON JOHNSON. Children of SHARON HUSBAND and RON JOHNSON are: i. DARCY7 JOHNSON. ii. DEBBIE JOHNSON. iii. DARLENE JOHNSON. iv. DIANNA JOHNSON. 46. RANDI DELENE6 LAFORTUNE (BERYL JOY5 LEARY, GEORGE WILLIAM4, WILLIAM JOHN3, WILLIAM HENRY2, JOHN1) was born 1956. She married DAVID ELLIS 1985. He was born 1955. Children of RANDI LAFORTUNE and DAVID ELLIS are: i. CHELSEA RAE7 ELLIS, b. 1985. ii. HAILEY MICHELLE ELLIS, b. 1994. 47. TAMMI MARIAL6 LAFORTUNE (BERYL JOY5 LEARY, GEORGE WILLIAM4, WILLIAM JOHN3, WILLIAM HENRY2, JOHN1) was born 1959. She married JAMES L. MCNEIL. He was born 1962. Children of TAMMI LAFORTUNE and JAMES MCNEIL are: i. SPENCER JAMES7 MCNEIL, b. 1994. ii. PATRICK RYAN MCNEIL, b. 1996. 48. SHIRLEY6 HELMER (ROY WILLIAM5, EDITH MAUDE4 LEARY, WILLIAM JOHN3, WILLIAM HENRY2, JOHN1) She married RICHARD PEGG. Children of SHIRLEY HELMER and RICHARD PEGG are: i. TERRY7 PEGG. ii. RANDI PEGG. iii. BRENDA PEGG. iv. KEVIN PEGG. 49. WILLIAM6 HELMER (ROY WILLIAM5, EDITH MAUDE4 LEARY, WILLIAM JOHN3, WILLIAM HENRY2, JOHN1) He married FAE. Child of WILLIAM HELMER and FAE is: i. ROY7 HELMER. 50. CHERYL6 SHANTZ (ADA MURIEL5 HELMER, EDITH MAUDE4 LEARY, WILLIAM JOHN3, WILLIAM HENRY2, JOHN1) She married RALPH FUNK. Children of CHERYL SHANTZ and RALPH FUNK are: i. SHELLEY7 FUNK. ii. SHAWN FUNK. 51. GLENDA JEAN6 RUSSELL (HELEN FLORA5 FIELD, CHARLOTTE ALEXANDRA4 LEARY, WILLIAM JOHN3, WILLIAM HENRY2, JOHN1) She married JOHN VANDERENDE. Children of GLENDA RUSSELL and JOHN VANDERENDE are: i. RUSSELL7 VANDERENDE. ii. COLIN VANDERENDE. 52. ROBERTA LYNN GRAEME6 STITT (AUDREY ROWENA5 FIELD, CHARLOTTE ALEXANDRA4 LEARY, WILLIAM JOHN3, WILLIAM HENRY2, JOHN1) She married RON REYNOLDS. Children of ROBERTA STITT and RON REYNOLDS are: i. DANIEL7 REYNOLDS. ii. KRISTY REYNOLDS. iii. BRITTANY REYNOLDS. 53. SHANE ROY6 FIELD (KEITH C.W.5, CHARLOTTE ALEXANDRA4 LEARY, WILLIAM JOHN3, WILLIAM HENRY2, JOHN1) He married STACEY. Children of SHANE FIELD and STACEY are: i. ALEXANDRA7 FIELD. ii. BRANDON FIELD. 54. KENNETH GORDON6 SCOTT (GORDON REED5, VIOLET MAY4 LEARY, ALFRED REED3, WILLIAM HENRY2, JOHN1) was born 28 Aug 1966. He married SUZANNE CARLSON 30 Dec 1994. Child of KENNETH SCOTT and SUZANNE CARLSON is: i. KEAGAN PARKER7 SCOTT, b. 21 Nov 1999. 55. JAMES6 VAN TOL (KATHLEEN PATRICIA MAY5 SCOTT, VIOLET MAY4 LEARY, ALFRED REED3, WILLIAM HENRY2, JOHN1) He married DEBBIE in Coquitlam, B.C.. Children of JAMES VAN TOL and DEBBIE are: i. ERIN7 VAN TOL. ii. EMILY VAN TOL. 56. TANYA DAWN6 STRIMBOLD (MARGRETT DIANNE5 ROBERTS, IRENE MAUD4 LEARY, ALFRED REED3, WILLIAM HENRY2, JOHN1) was born 06 Jan 1965. She married (1) MORRIS RAUCH 14 Sep 1985 in Houston, B.C.. She married (2) MONTGOMERY BELSHAM 20 Apr 1996 in Kaui, Hawaii, son of CHARLES BELSHAM and MARJORIE GREENE. He was born 22 Jan 1966 in Vanderhoof, B.C.. Child of TANYA STRIMBOLD and MONTGOMERY BELSHAM is: i. TAYLOR CHARLES7 BELSHAM, b. 08 May 1998, Smithers, B.C.. 57. LIA KIRSTEN6 STRIMBOLD (MARGRETT DIANNE5 ROBERTS, IRENE MAUD4 LEARY, ALFRED REED3, WILLIAM HENRY2, JOHN1) was born 22 Jun 1966 in Burns lake, B.C.. She married BRENT LONG 03 Sep 1994 in Topley, B.C., son of RAY LONG and EIRIEN KEMPLE. He was born 10 Mar 1968 in Burns Lake, B.C.. Children of LIA STRIMBOLD and BRENT LONG are: i. SHEA AARON7 LONG, b. 08 Feb 1994. ii. TORI BRYNN LONG, b. 08 Feb 1994. 58. TONY MARK6 STRIMBOLD (MARGRETT DIANNE5 ROBERTS, IRENE MAUD4 LEARY, ALFRED REED3, WILLIAM HENRY2, JOHN1) was born 30 Sep 1969 in Burns Lake, B.C.. He married GINA PUNIS 09 Oct 1993 in Prince George, B.C., daughter of LINO PUNIS and SANTINA ROSSI. She was born 30 Jul 1969 in Burns Lake, B.C.. Child of TONY STRIMBOLD and GINA PUNIS is: i. KIAN ALEXANDER7 STRIMBOLD, b. 08 Feb 1999, Burns Lake, B.C.. 59. JAMES REID6 LIDDLE (LINDA MARLENE5 RAGSDALE, IRENE MAUD4 LEARY, ALFRED REED3, WILLIAM HENRY2, JOHN1) was born 18 Jul 1971 in Burns Lake, B.C.. Child of JAMES REID LIDDLE is: i. JAMIE LYNN7 LIDDLE, b. 10 Feb 1998. 60. PATRICIA LEAH6 RAGSDALE (LAURIE MARIE5, IRENE MAUD4 LEARY, ALFRED REED3, WILLIAM HENRY2, JOHN1) was born Jun in Prince George, B.C.. She married TOM KADIA 20 Jul 1999 in Las Vegas, USA. Child of PATRICIA RAGSDALE and TOM KADIA is: i. JASMINE MARIE7 KADIA, b. Prince George, B.C.. The Leary Family Benjamin Leary FamilyBenjamin Leary 1836-1915 Benjamin Leary was born January 11, 1836 in Kilkenny, Ireland.1 The first written record we have of Ben is in the 1861 Canada Census.2 The family was living at that time in Clinton, Ontario. Ben's father, John Leary, was the Census Commissioner for Huron County and Benjamin was census enumerator for the Clinton area. Ben was married twice. His first wife was Sarah Brace of Wingham. Sarah was born in 1837 and died on April 21, 1869. Ben and Sarah had one son, Orlando George (O.G. Leary). Sarah is buried in the Wingham Cemetery with Ben. Original Headstone for Sarah (Brace) Leary and Joint Marker for Benjamin and Sarah, Wingham Cemetery Benjamin later married Sarah Kincaid Ella (Mrs. Fred Bond) who was born in 1880 and died in 1947, and Josephine, born in 1882 and died in 1951.3 Sarah and her two daughters also are buried in the same plot in the Wingham Cemetery. Headstone for Sarah (Kincaid) Leary, Daughters Josephine & Ella Ben came west from Ontario to Nelsonville in 1877. Three of his brother William's stepsons, the Godkin boys, travelled with him and their trip is documented in the Godkin history.3 According to this record, the three Godkin lads (Joe, Tom & Jim), travelled to Manitoba with Ben Leary and three other men. They went from Wingham to Kincardine by train where they caught the boat "Quebec" to Duluth. From Duluth, they travelled again by train to Fisher's Landing in Minnesota, a landing point on a tributary of the Red River. From here, a boat took them to Emerson, a crossing point into Canada. The trip from Wingham to Emerson took eight days. Earlier settlers, such as Ben's brothers, John and George, had travelled on to Winnipeg and from there, made their way by foot and cart to Nelsonville. By the time this group arrived, the Nelsonville settlement was growing. The party was met at Emerson by Thomas Duncan, who had come from Nelsonville with a team of mules. Tom Duncan took the luggage and the men walked the 60 miles to Nelsonville. There they stayed with George Leary until they located and filed claim to their homesteads.4 Route Taken from Wingham to Nelsonville by Ben Leary & Godkin Lads 1877 I ) to Nelsonville Ontario B Rail ---y h. By Steams 1P ---By Foot or Cart --- Benjamin homesteaded about 3 miles north of Nelsonville on the West 1/2 of 23-4-6 (See the map of Leary family holdings in section on John & Maria). At the time of the 1881 Census, Ben, who was then 42 years of age, was living at Nelsonville with his sixteen-year-old son Orlando. Both are listed as "Farmers".5 Ben lived in Manitoba for six months of the year but returned to Wingham for the winter months. Ben and O.G. later homesteaded about 30 miles further northwest along the escarpment near Roseisle. A letter from a "Mrs. C." says she remembered Ben Leary. He homesteaded NW 1/4 of 12.6.7 near Roseisle and took a pre-emption on SE1/4 of Section 27. He sold 12.6.7. to Alfred Frances a British navy captain; Mr. Frances went back to England in 1904-5 and Mrs. C.s father bought the land. Mrs. C. said that Ben also lived for a "short time" on Andy Turnbull's land. Ben went back to live with his wife and 2 daughters in Ontario "because his wife would not come west". Ben was "a tall, stout man with a long white beard".5 At the time of the 1901 Census, Ben, now 63 years of age, was living in Wingham, Ontario with his wife Sarah (45) his mother-in-law, Alicia Kincaid and five nieces and nephews, 5 to 15 years of age. 6 The original census lists these children by the surname "Matthews" and records that they emigrated from the U.S.A. in 1897 so it seems likely they were relatives of his wife Sarah. Ben died in 1915 in Wingham and is buried in WIngham Cemetery beside his first wife, Sarah. The map below shows Bens and Orlandos homesteads in the Roseisle area. Ben's & O.G.'s Homesteads near Roseisle Source: History of the R.M. of Dufferin 1880-1980 (Online at https://digitalcollections.lib.umanitoba.ca >Manitoba Local Histories>Carman)C-"-"I. c,.P./l. JI.,_;.(_ IN_Ã,,-._, -=-.. , Ã. ~. T.C.tj,,.;r, I c:.tJ,,,.,7', =:::---10---,,. Ã. 11-.. ,/'i. 11,-.A.,,1 I w.,i,,.;,.. s,..;r1, 1/l./J,,.;r, ~I --(',ï<t,:W .,,,. :._,,. ,..,,., :J à ,__ I : J,. ---18-"-,w-.. t-~ ,11,i .. ,;. r.f7,,.,,,,-,. ,,,,_;&J,.._1_.., C-~.,. I o,,,.,,. e..,,..,I., ,,,,,,,>'"'ï----7 -o,,.,,,, ,:. ,c.,..,11 ,.fl.c;.c£_,,Ã.,, -;-7 ,,,., . s.J. 1,,.,.,,,, s./. ,. i.J . .J,1,.., ;i!9 ,tf.S,J,.L. l,lf s.,1~ r. ,'s t= . .J.r.,,. I H-"ï"" I J.s .. ,r1, 11~ ., J.Jo,.4rr 20 ---11r~, .. ~, Pr.,.s.l, ,:,,.,.,,, I J.1,,. 4,.a, ,.J,,.,., "::: I --.: -8 --ï H-8-C ..---~ "' -..;s~ "-~ ,,.~, I r. if; ,.,i 0-, _,~ I l. .,.,~ -;_ zs--rst,,..,.,.,,_,.,,: CPR. ,c-,.,, 1S..I .. A 1J ,,r. ï,;,,,~--Ã.. --15 --c l'lt 'Ii, ,s .. ,. t. .Jr.r1 iitJw-4-8 ,.,,,_nt_ t,J,,.i .. :.. ,.,.. "'-"'-8 ;/ ,-,o ---"" ,,..,,,t.w. 14,J,;jJ~ . I ,11.,._,1, ,"1..1'!1 .. ,l ï~=~ .. -,,,,J..11 .. ,, .:~::;~ --ze-::lLt I tt 9c . I _.,._ , #-tt; Jlt . 1,,.,.~-, ""#'<.in. J,. .---'-¥ ,~ à 1.1. 11Ã,,1.,_, ,J. ,lfi,.,.-zr ,,.,,Af-;N '1-'iTol,4 1"1,$'.L. c.J.JL.,,,,,,,,, :SI 1" Jc/a l,4A«l.d1, ."1JJ1re I ---11---H-f.L. /'f s L. s-.,~ r. I fll.o"'-11;~ I -~,,,, . ..-.,,à Ã. ~--~ l'f~N I c.P.R. ---25----c .P.R. ' C>.l'.R. H-,t-1 Sele 1,.,,.. I R.~.,t' I M..QÃ" L.~N, I ----21' ---fl-tf-,1 t 11--'--f?.,&4 d I J!.lf,Q~.-, L.,+.1,,..,-, -13 c.;,.iz. , e--.~. I I 1,1.-11a.,,,, l,1.-.,t 11 à j .. ,.,,-,, Iï"'-ï '-'.J' I ---12----H---~H Jl.-d IJ,1i,MWE J.J,,.,t.,, c.,#. : ,,,.,..,,.,,;.,. Orlando George (O.G.) Leary Benjamins son, Orlando George (O.G.) Leary was born in Wingham, Ontario on September 17, 1865. Orlando George (O.G.) Leary At the time of the 1881 Census, O.G. was 16 years of age and farming with his father Ben at the homestead north of Nelsonville, Manitoba. Both he and his father later homesteaded in the Roseisle area. O.G. homesteaded the NW 1/4 section 22, Township 6, Range 7 6 immediately adjacent to and east of Boyd property that became the village of Roseisle. He also bought the 1/4 section directly east of that property. See the map above for location of lands near Roseisle. The letter from "Mrs. C." referred to above, says that O.G. later sold that property and moved to Section 27 (Ben's holding) living there "until they all went west either to Alta or Sask".7 On June 12, 1893, O.G. married Ellen (Nellie) Galbraith 8 born October 12, 1865. Nellie was a member of another Roseisle pioneering family, William C. Galbraith and his wife Jane (Ager) Galbraith (see more below). O.G. and his wife Nellie were active in the founding of the Presbyterian Church in Roseisle, where Nellie was the first President of the local Ladies Aid. They had two sons who survived infancy, William and Lewis. William Henry was born October 20, 1894 in Roseisle. A brother, Benjamin, was born April 1, 1896, but died at the age of six months and is buried in the local Roseisle Cemetery. The other surviving brother, Lewis, was born January 1, 1897. A fourth son, who was not named, died in infancy. O.G.'s first wife, Nellie, died January 7, 1899 and is buried in the family plot in Roseisle with her two infant sons. She died following childbirth. The newborn daughter, Mable, born December 24, 1898, died two weeks later. Although Mable is not recorded in local cemetery records, three infant graves show up with grave dowsing. When O.G. died in 1951, at son Williams home in Whitecourt, AB, he was buried in Roseisle next to his first wife, Nellie and infant children. O.G. Leary grave marker Roseisle Carman Standard 1899-01-14 [*Note: Jane (Ager) Galbraith was a sister of my maternal great-grandfather, John Ager. She married William C. Galbraith of Roseisle. He built the second store in Roseisle and became post-master in 1905. They lived in a house they built on 2nd St., Roseisle - recently demolished. Both buried in Roseisle Cemetery IJB ] DllATB OF MU 0. G. LAB.Y, Th8 dth .ecnrrt<l llt ltliaimi UII s.iur. d11y 11( ~Ira LMuJ, cifo ,if 0. G. L~r1. Oea.i-b W'lll .by ïho~t ïr.;1 .. ~.,. ' '1'bi, ~11cu.:.d It"'., .. b.-.a.i4l ea hur .. h111b11114, '. ï.hM"y,,11i':g t\)Tj 0.039 g 0 Tc 8.5 0 0 8.5 373.3266 217.817 Tm (hilcl~i, to'nuii,rn' 11~iaiciili1:r'11 ïi . 1,;., 1he ymmgn1 beil,r !Pd lh~ïn 1 ninntbï"la Mn. 1,,-a:, à ,. . di1gl1t1r of 111r Wa,. 0.-lbniitb, of R, .. 11iah1. Thi, ; ïrnnttno~-:ook,pla.ie.en ~M~1,f and-wH ï.' ~rsel1 ., à a.J.,d, Ã.. W.C. Galbraith Store & Post-Office, Roseisle W.C. Galbraith home in Roseisle, MB The following year, June 6, 1900, O.G. married Annie Louise Beech, a widow who owned the half section immediately east of his land.9 At the time of the 1901 Canada Census, O.G. and family were living in the Roseisle district.10 Orlando G., was then 35 years of age, a farmer by occupation, living with wife, Annie (DOB Dec. 13, 1864); children William age 5 and Lewis, age 4. Other residents of the house were Robert Beech, widower, age 78 (DOB Sept. 17, 1822), likely Annie's father, and Roy Beech, age 14, possibly Annie's son. Annie went to the USA with O.G. and sons in 1911 (border crossing records); I havent as yet located further records for her. f~f., -1 ï:::-. -I If! -1 She likely died in Winnipeg - 24/12/26 (Manitoba Vital Statistics 1926,057203) at age 65 years. Ten years later, Orlando, William and Lewis were still residents of Roseisle.11 Annie and the other members of the Beech family are not listed in this census. A 1911 record of border crossings to the United States lists Orlando, Annie and the two boys. Their destination is Florida, however the sons later show up in the U.S. draft registration files for World War I. The family was living at that time in Delaware where O.G. and William were farming near Magnolia and Lewis was working at Dupont Betts in Wilmington. Sometime in the following decade, O.G. moved west to the Whitecourt, Alberta area where the family again homesteaded. Life in Alberta. The book - The Story of Whitecourt describes pioneering life in Whitecourt area. O.G.'s name appears in the story of the early Whitecourt days: "In the 20's, the increased logging going on meant not only an increase in population but an increase in accidents and sickness as well. The nearest hospital was in Edmonton and Dr. Wellwood had passed away in the very early 20's. In 1925 a delegate, Mr. O.G. Leary, was sent to Edmonton to appeal to the Health Department for a district nurse or a doctor. The Health Department put him in touch with Dr. V.E. Barrow who had just retired from many years service with the Health Department" 12 The bulk of the people in Whitecourt area were "either Presbyterian or Methodist. In August 1923 a meeting was held to consider the erection of a church - a grant of $200.00 and a loan of $600.00 was to be quested from the Presbyterian Church of Canada. Mr. O.G. Leary took on the job of canvassing the town for cash, labour and lumber and reported in October 1923 that he had been 'reasonably successful' ". 13 This continued his earlier involvement with the Presbyterian Church from his earlier days in Manitoba. A sketch of Main Street, Whitecourt from the 1920's the Leary Furniture Store on the NE corner of 50th St and 51st Ave with the date 1924. A note says "Dawson put up building; used for fights wrestling matches before Leary" 14 The history does not say which of the Learys owned the store. The Whitecourt and area History also contains references to O.G.'s on William ("Bill") Leary and the part he played in the developing community. Describing early farming and the threshing machines into which sheaves were fed by hand, the account says that Bill Leary was one of the men who had one of these early machines, which were hauled from farm to farm with everyone pitching in." (p.85) On 26 April, 1927 Orlando married a third time to Lydia Forrest, a widow from Whitecourt. Children of O.G. Leary William (Bill) Henry Leary O.G.s son William married Jennie Marie Bales 18 July 1928 in Edmonton, Alberta (Born 28 Oct, 1909 in Mapleton, Kansas; died in Vancouver, B.C.) She was the daughter of Guy Jesse Bales and Clara Jane Cartwright. She had a brother Arthur M. born 19 Sept, 1912 in Xenia, Kansas and a sister Velma Ruth born 31 Dec, 1917 in Blackwell, Oklahoma. Marie had come to Whitecourt by train from the U.S.A. William and Marie had 4 children. Bill and Marie had four children: Eileen, Josephine, Melvin, and George. The Whitecourt and district history describes the school the children attended, 7 miles west of Whitecourt: "In 1936, a school at Allendale was startedÃ. called "Westward"ÃThe school was built by William Leary, Earl McIlwaine and Wallace Powers. Leary did the hewing and also furnished the firewood. There was a big logging camp stove in the school that had to be fed with three-foot chunks of wood." (p.100) The writeup on Westward School includes two pictures, one from 1936 with Melvin, Josephine and Eileen as pupils; the other of a picnic at Westward with Bill and Marie and the Leary children. (p.100) The Leary log home, built by William, is now in Whitecourt Museum and is being restored. See photo below. Leary Log House at Whitecourt Several years ago, we reconnected with this branch of the Leary family. From Notes - O.G. Leary family: Information from [ "Sagitawah Saga - The Story of Whitecourt"pioneering life in Whitecourt area. "In the 20's, the increased logging going on meant not only an increase in population but an increase in accidents and sickness as well. The nearest hospital was in Edmonton and Dr. Wellwood had passed away in the very early 20s. In 1925 a delegate, Mr. O.G. Leary, was sent to Edmonton to appeal to the Health Department for a district nurse or a doctor. The Health department put him in touch with Dr. V.E. Barrow who had just retired from many years service with the health Department". p.81 P.88 same - The bulk of the people in Whitecourt area were "either Presbyterian or Methodist. In August 1923 a meeting was held to consider the erection of a church - a grant of $200.00 and a loan of $600.00 was to be quested from the presbyterian Church of Canada. Mr. O.G. Leary took on the job of canvassing the town for cash, labour and lumber and reported in October 1923 that he had been 'reasonably successful" A sketch of Main Street, Whitecourt from the 1920's shows the Leary Furniture Store on the NE corner of 50th St and 51st Ave with the date 1924. A note says "Dawson put up building; used for fights wrestling matches before Leary" The Leary log home is now in Whitecourt Museum and is being restored. OG died June 10, 1951 - [Family Search International Genealogical Index v5.0 Batch Number 8864904 Sheet 20 Source call no. 1396487 Film Birth source: for William - October 20, 1894 [Man. VS - 10/20/1894 - Reg. No. 1894-003423] Note that he was born four days after his cousin & our father, Bill Leary, son of George, resident later of Roseisle but born in Dublin See notes on census under O.G. Leary - in Roseisle 1901, 1906; 1911; to USA - Florida in 1911 William registered during WWI as an alien (non-US citizen - required to register but not to serve in US forces) [Draft registration card June 5, 1917] - was living near Magnolia, Delaware; born in Carman, farming in partnership with his father, O.G. Leary; single; responsible for 'Relative Dependents'; medium height, grey eyes, black hair Family moved to Whitecourt abt. 1919. [History of the "Leary Log Home" in Whitecourt Leary family, searching for work and land, had recently arrived in the Whitecourt area after a lengthy trip from their home in Delaware. However, O.G. Leary was not a born farmer, so after two years he sold the home and his quarter section to his son William (Bill) H. Leary. Bill leary lived and worked on the land for a number of years before the loneliness and seclusion of bachelorhood prompted him to search for a wife. From Whitecourt History Book: Describing early farming and the threshing machines into which sheaves were fed by hand; says Bill Leary was one of the men who had one of these early machines, which were hauled from farm to farm with everyone pitching in. p.85 [Map of Whitecourt for 1920- William or OG or both? [p.100 Whitecourt History "In 1936, a school at Allendale was startedÃ. called "Westward"ÃThe school was built by William Leary, Earl McIlwaine and Wallace Powers. Leary did the hewing and also furnished the firewood. There was a big logging camp stove in the school that had to be fed with three-foot chunks of wood." Writeup on Westward School includes two pictures - 1936 with Melvin, Josephine and Eileen as pupils; one of picnic at Westward (7 miles west of Whitecourt) - with Bill and Marie and the Leary children. p.100 Marie Bales Leary (wife of William) Born Mapleton, Kansas, USA, October 28, 1909 [memorial card; obituaryWas one of the first settlers from the USA to Whitecourt - by train - in 1921 Married July 28, 1928. Were first family living on other side of the McLeod River, six miles from other families. All children born at the farm. Drove the school bus (team of horses), was local midwife; had a large garden; helped others during Depression. Moved to Vancouver 1955 after Bill had a sawmill accident. Home burned two weeks after arrival; took in boarders. Worked as caregiver. Co-founder of South Granville Seniors' Centre. Active bowler. Active in church. Remarried to a Mr. Dyck. Died Friday, August 21, 2009, Vancouver, B.C. Children of William & Marie: (Information courtesy George Merlin Leary) 1) John Melvin (Born 23 May, 1929 in Whitecourt, Alberta; currently (1999) lives in Ashcroft, B.C.; married Muriel Carlyn Goodyear 25 May, 1957 in B.C.; 3 children--Bryan John, Allan Robert and Graham Keith; currently (1999) living with common law partner Lorraine Sawaluk; 7 grandchildren). Melvin with Carl Leary Carl, Ina (Leary) Bramadat , Melvin, Lorraine Melvins & Muriels grave Melvin died in 2013 and is buried with wife Muriel. 2) Josephine Lois (Born 31 Oct, 1930 in Whitecourt, Alberta; in 1999 was living in Edmonton, AB; married Percy Lee Baxter in Greencourt, Alberta; 3 children--Alice Jane, Bruce Lee and Elsie May; in 1999 was with partner Ray Schapansky; 3 grandchildren) Carl Leary, Josephine, Ray Schapansky 3) Eileen May (Born 29 Nov, 1931 in Whitecourt, Alberta; in 1999 was living in Chilliwack, B.C.; married Noel George Ford on 18 July, 1955 in Alberta; 2 children--Valerie Gail and Denise Joy; 1 grandchild). 4) George Merlin (Born 28 Mar, 1942 in Whitecourt, Alberta; in 1999 was living in Calgary, AB. Married Margaret Mary Elliott Sept 2, 1967 in Vancouver, B.C. (Born 27 May, 1943 in Knockroe, Passage East, County Waterford, Ireland; daughter of James Elliott, born 24 Sept, 1909 Passage East, County Waterford, Ireland, died 28 Dec, 1957 in Chester, England and Anastasia Power, born 27 Apr, 1914 and died 6 Oct, 1950 in Chester, England; married 10 Apr, 1932 at Waterford, Ireland; brothers James (Jimmie) born 3 Aug, 1932, died 13 Apr, 1948, Patrick born 8 Mar, 1934 County Waterford, Ireland, Michael born 30 Mar, 1937 County Waterford, Ireland, William born 15 Aug, 1938, County Waterford, Ireland, died 24 Apr, 2009 in Chester, England, and George born 22 Feb, 1949 in County Waterford) Children of George & Margaret: Scott Patrick (Born 4 Apr, 1972 in Vancouver, B.C.; married Heather Young with 3 girls; older two, Celeste and Caitlynne, are adopted from a former marriage and their youngest is Estella; living in San Diego, CA) Joanna Lynn (Born 30 July, 1973 in Vancouver, B.C.; married Russell Nielson in St. George, IJJ Utah with 7 children--Britain, Kiara, McKenna, Brookelyn, Rigdon, Braxton and Jaeger; living in St. George, Utah) Chad William (Born 30 Jan, 1975 in Vancouver, B.C.; married Tonya Lindsay in Calgary, AB; 3 children-Emily, Addison and Ashton; living in Airdrie, AB) Mark Adam (Born 3 June, 1981 in Lethbridge, AB adopted at birth; married Lyndsey Steedman in Calgary, AB; 2 children--Abigail and Oliver; living in Calgary, AB) Following is a note I received from George M. (George Merlin Leary /William/ Orlando George/ Benjamin/John) Here is a little bit about my family. My father William (Bill) Henry Leary died in 1972 in Vancouver and as you know my mother Jennie Marie Bales died in 2009. I am the youngest of 4 children. Melvin is the oldest followed by Josephine and then Eileen. They were all very close in age whereas I was kind of forgotten until some 11 years after Eileen. My wife Margaret and I have 4 children that are all married with families. Margaret was born in Passage East, County Waterford and moved to Chester, England when 3 years old. She immigrated on her own to Vancouver, B.C. Canada in 1964. We met and married in Vancouver in 1967. You can see we are thoroughly Irish. I am 70 and Margaret is 69. We are both in excellent health. I think we inherited good genes. I graduated from UBC in 1969 and have worked as a geologist in the minerals exploration business ever since. We now have 15 grandchildren. Our oldest son Scott and wife Heather live in San Diego with three children. He is a doctor. Our daughter Joanna and husband Russell Nielson live in St. George, Utah with their seven children. Russell runs St. George Truss Company. Our next son Chad and wife Tonya live in Airdrie, just outside the north side of Calgary, with their three children. Chad runs his own business in home construction and renovation. Our youngest son Mark and wife Lyndsey with two children live in Calgary. Mark runs his own window washing and snow removal business. I would like to pass the Leary family tree and epic history onto my children and grandchildren. Note: Following retirement, George M. pursued genealogical research training in Utah. He and Margaret came to Manitoba to visit Roseisle Cemetery (grandparent -O.G., Nellie graves), Hillside Cemetery, Morden (great-grandparents, John & Maria graves) as well as Nelsonville cairn. George M., grandson, at O.G. Leary grave, Roseisle George M. Leary at Nelsonville cairn during visit to Manitoba Lewis Leary - second surviving son of Orlando and Nellie (Born 2 Mar, 1897; married 19 Sept, 1924; died ?). We have almost no information on Williams brother Lewis. Family members said that he had moved to the west coast and that family members are still living there. They seemed to have lost contact with that branch of the family. An area for further research. We have no photos of William or Lewis. Endnotes 1. Letter from May Howard to Edith Leary, December 29, 1966. In recent years, Benjamins great-grandson, George Merlin Leary, provided the following information on Benjamin and his descendants: Benjamin Leary (Born 11 Jan, 1836 in Kilkenny County, Ireland; died 21 May, 1915 in Wingham, Ontario) 1) Married Sarah Brace 18 Sept, 1863 (Born 1837; died 21 Apr, 1869 following birth of Benjamin B. in Wingham, ON.; buried with Benjamin in Wingham Cemetery) Children of Benjamin & Sarah Brace: Orlando George (Born 16 Sept 1864 in Wingham, ON; died 10 June, 1951 on his son William's farm at Whitecourt, Alberta & buried in Roseisle Cemetery) (Born Apr, 1866; died 22 June, 1869) Benjamin B. (Born 17 Mar, 1869; died 25 Sept, 1869) 2) Married Sarah E. Kincaid 9 Jan, 1873 in Ingersoll, Oxford Co, ON (Born 26 May, 1855, 1851 or 1847; died 27 Oct, 1938 or 1939, buried with two daughters in Wingham Cemetery); her mother was Alecia Kincaid who lived in Wingham, ON. Children of Benjamin & Sarah Kincaid: Mary E. (Born 1874) Benjamin (Born 5 June, 1876; died 29 July, 1877 in Wingham, ON); Josephine (Born 1879; died 1951 in Wingham) Ella May (Born 1880 in Wingham; died 1974); Married a John Frederick Bond 01 June, 1904 in Toronto, ON who was born 26 Jan 1877 in Meaford Grey Co, ON. 2. Canada Census 1861. See the page with signatures of both Benjamin and John in first chapter of this book (John & Maria section). 3. Letter from May Howard to Edith Leary, December 29, 1966. 4. Recorded in Chronicles, pp.407-412. 5. 1881 Canada census Dufferin District Marquette SD, Family #50, p.8. I have the homestead document, located by later occupants in the attic of the house, given to sister-in-law Jean Leary, and passed along to me to hold with the Leary records. Front page of homestead document 6. Letter from May Howard to Edith Leary, December 29, 1966 says he did not like the cold winters in Manitoba. A letter from a Mrs. C. (Mrs. Clark?) states that Ben's wife did not wish to move to Manitoba. Ben was homesteading his farm near Nelsonville, later near Roseisle; terms of homestead acquisition required the settler to live on the land for six months each year and to improve the land before he could receive a patent indicating ownership of the land. The Dufferin History Book list of homesteads (pp.16-17, 26) shows Ben purchased SE27-6-7W from the C.P.R. on Sept. 13, 1894; and bought the east 1/2 of 28-6-7W on Nov.30, 1889 (patent received 21-07-1891) and homesteaded the NW 12-6-6W April 26, 1884 (patent received 24-07-91). 7. 1901 Census of Canada District 73 SD g-3 Wingham (Town) Huron (East), Ontario Archives Microfilm T-6474. Note: the Automated Genealogy 1901 Census Indexing Project is misleading - it lists the surname "Leary" for the male children; in the original census, no surnames are listed for these children. DOMINION-LANDS. GRANT ro -. .<fl01n GWl~l/1'1) l:w~Lf SI'ff ATE IN THE d -2l~v1~. J; )1,Q/1---;;"j;)~ -\\ # j-b-l,U7'1..-JJ-:::J_'l, .f.'v 4. ----!/2 -.1L Vi/'!,-' -1 -ï-ïï;1)-DA.Ti:D ;,f'ft!t (D e±o--tuu I I g? I. RECORDED l ti~, {~t /, Lib. a;x-Poi. _:/ 6 l, _ , ï. :, ' > ï, .. . . 8. List of homesteads and original purchases, RM Dufferin history book, Survey map for RM Dufferin, Township 6, Range 7 shows Orlando Leary purchasing the NE 1/4 of section 22-6-7w (purchased 21-11-91; patent received 08-02-92); also homesteaded NW 22-6-7w (homesteaded 21-02-83; patent received 14-09-91) [RM Dufferin history, p.16 and 26]. 9. Manitoba Vital Statistics online: Dufferin Reg. No. 1893-001063 . George Merlin Leary, grandson of O.G., provided the following information: Children of O.G. and Nellie: William (Bill) Henry Leary (Born 20 Oct, 1894 in RM of Dufferin; died 27 Aug, 1972 in Vancouver, B.C.; buried with his wife Jennie Marie Bales in Valley View Cemetery in Surrey, B.C.) Benjamin (Born 4 Jan, 1896; died 9 July, 1896) Lewis (Born 2 Mar, 1897; married 19 Sept, 1924) Unnamed son (Born late 1897 or early 1898; died in infancy in Roseisle, MB) Mable (Born 24 Dec, 1898) The above information was recorded in the family bible, now in Geo. M. Learys possession. 10. Letter, undated, from "Mrs. C.", possibly Mrs. Clark, an early resident of Roseisle area, apparently in response to a request for information about Ben and O.G. The recipient of the letter likely was Helen (Taylor) Affleck who kept up regular correspondence with Mrs. Clark after she and her husband moved to British Columbia. Mrs. C. says that "Ben Leary had one son, O.G. who lived on 22 where John Begg lived east of Roseisle. He married Nellie Galbraith, Bill Galbraith's sister. She died and left 2 little boys - one Louie and the other Billie after his granddad (?). OG later married Annie Beach (Beech?) who lived where Jim McCullough lived on Section 23. OG sold and moved to (Section) 27 living there "until they all went west either to Alta or Sask". 11. 1901 - Lovell's Directory 1901 lists O.G., farmer, living in Roseisle (Selkirk County) - p.675. 1901 Census of Canada Subdistrict: Dufferin, Lisgar; D 7, SD b-6, archives film T-6432; page 9, household 72 (Automated Genealogy): 12. 1911 Canada Census - MacDonald District 18, Township 6, Range 7W p.5, Family #47 13. "Sagitawah Saga - The Story of Whitecourt", p.81 14. Op.cit., p.88 15. Op.cit., p.?? 10. Marriage to Annie Beech in Morden, Manitoba: Reg. No. 1900-001744 (Man VS) 11. 1901 - Lovell's Directory 1901 lists O.G., farmer, living in Roseisle (Selkirk County) - p.675. 1901 Census of Canada Subdistrict: Dufferin, Lisgar; D 7, SD b-6, archives film T-6432; page 9, household 72 (Automated Genealogy): 12. 1911 Canada Census - MacDonald District 18, Township 6, Range 7W p.5, Family #47 13. "Sagitawah Saga - The Story of Whitecourt", p.81 14. Op.cit., p.88 15. Op.cit., p.?? 16. Our branch of the family (the William Learys of Learys, Manitoba) tried for a few years to track down the O.G. Leary family. We reconnected with the William Leary branch from Whitecourt, Alberta. William and wife Marie visited the Leary Valley circa 1951 when O.G. was buried in Roseisle Cemetery. They were then living at Whitecourt, Alberta. We lost touch with them after our father died and, because no Learys were listed in the Whitecourt phone book, were sure we had lost contact. We relocated them by coincidence. Around 1997, a nurse from Swan Lake who had cared for our mother, Edith Leary, visited in Vancouver. She went to see someone in hospital and met a woman who was visiting another person in the same room. The woman talked of having relatives in Manitoba - Learys - and the nurse spoke of having cared for our mother during her illness. The other visitor was Marie, now a Mrs. Dyck. She sent back information with the address of her son Melvin in central B.C. The nurse gave the information to Jean Leary in Altamont. Jean sent it back to me (IJB) through Carl and Marilyn when they came to visit. Carl and Marilyn were able to identify that they had stayed at a motel the previous year at that location in B.C. - an unscheduled stop at a motel that looked like a good place to stop for the night. The woman at the desk said "That is a good name. My husband is a Leary", however, they couldnt find a connection at that time. I sent a copy of O.G.s photo to Melvins address along with information about our family. I received no response. Then, one day, Melvin and his sister Josephine arrived in Grimshaw and visited Carl and Marilyn. Melvin was living in the interior of B.C. and Josephine was still living in Whitecourt. Her married name was Baxter. The log house they originally lived in is being restored at the Whitecourt Museum. Carl and Marilyn were invited to a family gathering in 1999 and met the other sister, Eileen, Marie (their mother) and other members of their families. We are now in contact with the family. The following photos are from the reunion. IJB Eileen, Marie, Josephine; Melvin in back at old Leary house Whitecourt Museum George M., Carl; Margaret, Eileen, Noel Ford Carl Leary, Eileen & Noel George Ford Eileen (Leary) Ford, Melvin Leary Back: Ray S., Josephine, Alice (Baxter) Rizzoli, Noel Ford; Front: Melvin, Marie, Maries 2nd husband, Eileen Carl Leary & Bruce Baxter at Whitecourt reunion Josephine, Eileen, Noel (George) Ford Carl kept in touch with the family over the years and we (Carl, Marilyn & I) later visited Eileen (Leary) Ford and family in Chilliwack, B.C. Melvin Leary, his partner Lorraine, and Williams wife, Marie, then 99 years of age, joined the reunion. Marie was able to confirm and add to background information on that branch of the family. Much to the disappointment of Eileen and ourselves, she told us that a housekeeper had thrown out her album of old family photos. She also confirmed that Williams brother, Lewis, had been living in B.C. but had lost touch with the family after William died. Since that time, Josephine, Marie and Melvin have all died. This year, 2021, I did not receive a reply to my Christmas note to Eileen. Marie, widow of William Leary (O.G. Learys son) Died August 21, 2009 in Vancouver, B.C. (Mother to Josephine, Melvin, Eileen & George) Obituary - Jennie Marie Leary LEARY Jennie Marie October 28th, 1909 - August 21st, 2009 It is with great sadness that Marie's family announces her passing. Marie passed on peacefully in her sleep in her 100th year. Marie was predeceased by her beloved husband William Leary in 1972, her brother Arthur Bales, her sister Velma Brown, her niece Clara Johnston, her nephews Clifford Somers and Lee Somers, her son-in-law Percy Baxter, her daughter-in-law Muriel Leary and her brothers-in-law Bill Somers and Dave Brown. Marie is survived by her children Melvin Leary and his spouse Lorraine Sawaluk, Jospehine Baxter (Leary) and her spouse Ray Schapansky, Eileen Ford (Leary) and her husband Noel, George Leary and his wife Margaret, her niece-in-law Alta Somers, niece Elaine Jordinson and her husband Terry, nephews Ray Bales and his wife Beva, Bob Bales and Harvey Bales and his wife Carol and her niece-in-law Donna Somers and all their families. Marie's legacy of love lives on in each of her 12 grandchildren, 25 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great-grandchildren. Marie was born October 28th, 1909 in Mapleton, Kansas, US to Guy Jessie Bales and Clara Cartwright. Her family moved to Whitecourt, AB, Canada in 1921 when Marie was 12 years old. She married William Leary on July 18th, 1928 and they built their homestead as the first family to live on the other side of the McLeod River 6 miles from anyone else. Each of Marie's 4 children were bon on the homestead as the river was too treacherous to cross at the time of each birth. Marie drove "school bus" which was a team of horses even in the freezing winter. She was also the town's midwife and assisted in too many births to count. Marie would always make sure those less fortunate had food from her massive garden and she and Bill took in the hungry people who were travelling to find work during the depression. In 1953, her -------husband Bill had an accident at his sawmill and they moved west to Vancouver, BC in 1955. Two weeks later their home burnt to the ground and they lost everything. Being the surviving pioneers that they were, Marie and Bill started over taking in boarders while Marie worked as a caregiver (to the age of 76) and Bill worked as the caretaker at Lawson Oats on Broadway. Marie was one of the co-founders of the South Granville Senior Center where she actively participated in bowling winning several trophies. All her life, Marie was a mainstay at church and there was rarely a day when she wasn't baking to give to the church for their fundraising. Marie's love for life and her huge heart brought so much happiness to so many over the years. She is dearly loved and will be missed by all. Heaven is a much more beautiful place now that you are there Marie. The ocean mist will forever make you smile as you soar like an eagle on the wings of your family's love. Graveside service for family at Valleyview Memorial Gardens, 14644 - 72nd Avenue, Surrey, BC, August 28th, 2009 at 10:30 am, 604-596-7196 or 604-596-8866 (Good Shepherd Gardens). Memorial service at 1 pm followed by a light lunch at Fairview Presbyterian Church, 2725 Fir Street, Vancouver, BC, 604-736-0510 with Rev. Grant Wilson presiding. Following Marie's generous way of life, the family asks only for your attendance. Let the flowers live and if you care to make a donation to the cause of your choice please do so. VALLEY VIEW FUNERAL HOME ~p (604) 596-8866 Descendants of Benjamin Leary Generation No. 1 1. BENJAMIN2 LEARY (JOHN1) was born 11 Jan 1836 in Kilkenny, Ireland, and died 1915 in Wingham, Ontario. He married (1) SARAH BRACE. She was born 1837, and died 21 Apr 1869 in Wingham, Ontario. He married (2) SARAH KINCAID 09 Jan 1873 in Ingersoll Ontario, daughter of JOHN KINCAID and ELIZABETH. She was born 1847, and died 1938 in Wingham, Ontario. Child of BENJAMIN LEARY and SARAH BRACE is: 2. i. ORLANDO G.3 LEARY, b. 17 Sep 1865, Wingham, Ontario; d. 10 Jun 1951, Whitecourt, Alberta. Children of BENJAMIN LEARY and SARAH KINCAID are: 6. ELLA MAY3 LEARY, b. 1880, Wingham Ontario; d. 1974, Wingham, Ontario; m. JOHN FREDERICK BOND, Toronto Ontario; b. Abt. 1881, Meaford Ontario. ii. JOSEPHINE LEARY, b. 04 Nov 1878, Wingham Ontario; d. 1951, Wingham, Ontario. 7. BENJ LEARY, b. 11 Jun 1876, Wingham Ontario; d. 29 Jul 1877, Wingham Ontario. Generation No. 2 2. ORLANDO G.3 LEARY (BENJAMIN2, JOHN1) was born 17 Sep 1865 in Wingham, Ontario, and died 10 Jun 1951 in Whitecourt, Alberta. He married (1) ELLEN NELLIE GALBRAITH 06 Dec 1893 in R.M. of Dufferin. She was born 12 Oct 1875, and died 07 Jan 1899 in Roseisle, Manitoba. He married (2) ANNIE LOUISE BEECH 06 Jun 1900 in Morden, Manitoba. She was born 13 Dec 1864 in Ontario. Children of ORLANDO LEARY and ELLEN GALBRAITH are: 3. i. WILLIAM HENRY4 LEARY, b. 20 Oct 1894, R.M. of Dufferin; d. 1972, Surrey, B.C.. ii. BENJAMIN LEARY, b. 04 Jan 1896, R.M. of Dufferin; d. 09 Jul 1896, Roseisle, Manitoba. iii. LEWIS LEARY1, b. 01 Mar 1897, R.M. of Dufferin. iv. INFANT LEARY, b. R.M. of Dufferin; d. Roseisle, Manitoba. Generation No. 3 3. WILLIAM HENRY4 LEARY (ORLANDO G.3, BENJAMIN2, JOHN1) was born 20 Oct 1894 in R.M. of Dufferin, and died 1972 in Surrey, B.C.. He married JENNIE MARIE BALES. She was born 28 Oct 1905. Children of WILLIAM LEARY and JENNIE MARIE are: 4. i. JOSEPHINE5 LEARY, b. Whitecourt, AB. 5. ii. EILEEN LEARY, b. 29 Nov 1931, Whitecourt, AB. 6. iii. MELVIN LEARY, b. 23 May 1928, Whitecourt, AB. iv. GEORGE LEARY. Generation No. 4 4. JOSEPHINE5 LEARY (WILLIAM HENRY4, ORLANDO G.3, BENJAMIN2, JOHN1) was born in Whitecourt, AB. She married PERCY BAXTER. Children of JOSEPHINE LEARY and PERCY BAXTER are: 7. i. ALICE JANE BAXTER6 BAXTER. 8. ii. ELSIE MAY BAXTER. iii. BRUCE LEE BAXTER. 5. EILEEN5 LEARY (WILLIAM HENRY4, ORLANDO G.3, BENJAMIN2, JOHN1) was born 29 Nov 1931 in Whitecourt, AB. She married NOEL GEORGE FORD 18 Jul 1955. Children of EILEEN LEARY and NOEL FORD are: 9. i. VALERIE GAIL6 FORD, b. 02 May 1956. 10. ii. DENISE JOY FORD. 6. MELVIN5 LEARY (WILLIAM HENRY4, ORLANDO G.3, BENJAMIN2, JOHN1) was born 23 May 1928 in Whitecourt, AB. He married MURIEL CARLYN GOODYEAR 25 May 1957. She died 06 Jun 1996 in 108 Mile Ranch, B.C.. Children of MELVIN LEARY and MURIEL GOODYEAR are: i. BRYAN JOHN6 LEARY, b. 18 Aug 1958; m. NANCY BRADSHAW. 11. ii. ALLAN ROBERT LEARY, b. 15 Feb. iii. GRAHAM KEITH LEARY, b. 29 Mar 1965. Generation No. 5 7. ALICE JANE BAXTER6 BAXTER (JOSEPHINE5 LEARY, WILLIAM HENRY4, ORLANDO G.3, BENJAMIN2, JOHN1) She married RON RIZZOLLI. Child of ALICE BAXTER and RON RIZZOLLI is: i. JP-LEE RIZZOLI7 RIZZOLLI. 8. ELSIE MAY6 BAXTER (JOSEPHINE5 LEARY, WILLIAM HENRY4, ORLANDO G.3, BENJAMIN2, JOHN1) Children of ELSIE MAY BAXTER are: i. JOSHUA7. ii. MATTHEW. 9. VALERIE GAIL6 FORD (EILEEN5 LEARY, WILLIAM HENRY4, ORLANDO G.3, BENJAMIN2, JOHN1) was born 02 May 1956. She married STEVE PALLAGI Aug 1995. Child of VALERIE FORD and STEVE PALLAGI is: i. KARISSA7 PALLAGI. 10. DENISE JOY6 FORD (EILEEN5 LEARY, WILLIAM HENRY4, ORLANDO G.3, BENJAMIN2, JOHN1) She married OWEN BELL Sep 1996. Child of DENISE FORD and OWEN BELL is: i. LUCAS7 BELL. 11. ALLAN ROBERT6 LEARY (MELVIN5, WILLIAM HENRY4, ORLANDO G.3, BENJAMIN2, JOHN1) was born 15 Feb. He married MARY-JO HYLLER. Children of ALLAN LEARY and MARY-JO HYLLER are: i. TYLOR7 LEARY. ii. JENNA MURIEL CARLYN LEARY. iii. BRYAN LEARY. iv. MICHELLE LEARY. Endnotes 1. Banks, Ray, comp., World War I Civilian Draft Registrations, Provo, UT, USA: The Generations Network, Inc., 2000, Online publication - Banks, Ray, comp.. WWI Civilian Draft Registrations [database on-2000.Original data - United States, Selective Service System. Draft Registration Cards, 19171918. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1987-1988.Microfilm Publications: M150 The Leary Family Frances Leary Family Frances Leary 1840-1873 Grave Marker for Frances (Leary) Grain in Wingham Cemetery (No photograph of Frances available) Frances Leary was born in Ireland June 27, 1840.1 She married Henry T. Grain in 1870. The 1871 census shows Henry and Frances Grain living near her parents, the John Leary's, at Wingham, Ontario. 2 At the time of the census, Henry Grain was 25 years of age. He was born in Canada, was Church of England by religion and was farming. The couple had been married within the previous 12 months. Frances' age is given as 27, either an error in the birth date we have recorded, or an equalization of the couple's ages, which seems to appear in several places in the records. Frances died shortly after, in 1873, 3 and is buried in Wingham Cemetery. Later Henry Grain remarried. His second wife, Elizabeth A. Wade, was born March 5, 1853 and died in 1937 in Wingham. 4 She also is buried in the Grain plot. Henry Grain died in 1894. -GRAJN HENRY T. GRAIN 1845 -{894 HIS WIFE ELIZABETH A. WADE 1853 -1937 , HIS WlfE FRANCES LEAR\\ 1844 -'-1873 Children of Frances and Henry Grain 1. Horace Grain. Frances and Henry had one child, Horace, who was born on November 5, 1871 in Wingham. In 1901, Horace was living adjacent to his stepmother and her family near Wingham.5 He later moved west to Manitoba and lived for some time with his uncle, John Leary Jr., and family in Swan Lake. Horace never married. He died at age 42 and is buried in Swan Lake, Manitoba in the same Anglican cemetery as William and Sarah's daughter, Alice Leary. His grave is located at the east end of the cemetery and did not have to be relocated when the cemetery was down-sized. Horace George Grain Gravemarker at Swan Lake, Manitoba Children of Henry Grain and Elizabeth Wade 6 Henry and Elizabeth had four children, step-siblings of Horace Grain: 1. Francis, born 18 Oct 1878; 2. Roland, born 16 Oct 1880, 3. Lancelot, born 16 August, 1878; 4. Margaret R., born 11 August, 1890. Horace Grain in militia Horace Grain (back left) with Wade family Endnotes 1. Letter from May (Leary) Howard to Edith Leary, December 29, 1966. 2. 1871 Canada Census, Huron North (D), Wawanosh East (SD); Entry #18, p.6; Reel C-9931. 3. Letter from May Howard to Edith Leary December 29, 1966; Wingham Cemetery marker. 4. Automated Genealogy 1901 Census Indexing Project; .SD Turnberry, Huron East, Ontario, District 73, SD f-1, p. 5, Family # 47, Archives Microfilm T-6474, 5. Automated Genealogy 1901 Census Indexing Project; .SD Turnberry, Huron East, Ontario, District 73, SD f-1, p. 5, Family # 46, Archives Microfilm T-6474. 6. Same as note 4 above. Descendants of Frances Leary Generation No. 1 1. FRANCES2 LEARY (JOHN1) was born 27 Jun 1840 in Ireland, and died 1873 in Wingham, Ontario. She married HENRY THOMAS GRAIN 27 Jan 1871 in Wingham, Ont., son of THOMAS GRAIN and SELICIA. He was born 1845, and died 1894 in Wingham, Ontario. Child of FRANCES LEARY and HENRY GRAIN is: i. HORACE3 GRAIN, b. 05 Nov 1873, Wingham. Ontario; d. 1914, Swan Lake, Manitoba. The Leary Family Frances Leary Family The Leary Family John Leary Jr. FamilyJohn Leary 1845 - 1915 John Leary in Front of House at Swan Lake (?) At the present time, we have no formal photograph of John Leary Jr. in our family photo collection. This photo from the George Leary album is labelled as "John Leary's House" and likely, given the "Leary" physique, it is John Leary standing on the porch. May describes her father as "a tall man with a beard".1 We have no confirmation of the label or location, i.e., is it their home at Swan Lake or at Chilliwack? John's daughter, May, wrote of a trip back to Manitoba, regretting that their old home at Swan Lake had been torn down by the man who bought the property and built his new home in the same spot as the original. "It all looked so changed when Alfred Beech drove us there - really made us feel terribly sad - nothing the sameÃ.You know the highway does not go past where our old home used to be - but right through the section that my father owned - just wish to remember it all as when we lived there". She goes on to say they have a lovely old painting of the house hanging in their breakfast room - "Daisy and I love it." 2 John Leary was born June 14, 1845 in Bresna, King's County, Ireland.3 At the time of the 1861 and the 1871 census, John was living in his parents' home in Ontario. In 1874, he and his younger brother George travelled west to homestead near what later became the town of Nelsonville, Manitoba. John homesteaded the NW 1/4 of 1-4-6, north-east of the town-site (see homestead map in the chapter on Anna Maria and her family). The hardships and adventures of the early settlers are recorded in the Miami & R.M. of Thompson Chronicles4 account of Nelsonville and in the Godkin family history5. The Godkin boys, James and Tom, are said to have borrowed a wagon cover from John Leary to provide shelter during their first winter in Nelsonville. John married Mary Ellen Magwood in Nelsonville on March 31, 1880.4 At the time of the 1881 Canada census, John is recorded as being 30 years of age, Irish, Church of England, and a farmer by profession. Mary was 18 years old, also Irish and Church of England, and was born in Ontario.5 John and Mary moved to the Swan Lake/Pilot Mound area, about 25 miles west of Nelsonville, in 1883 (W1/2 36-4-11) and lived there until they again migrated westward to British Columbia in 1911.6 The eldest son, Robert was born in Nelsonville,7 the others after the family moved to Swan Lake. By the time of the 1901 census,8 John and Mary had a family of five children: Robert (18); May (16); Daisy (15); Pearl (11) and Allan (10). John died Sunday, April 11, 1915 at his home on McDonald Road, Fairfield Island, British Columbia.9 four years after the family moved to B.C. His death was attributed to bronchitis, associated with heart and kidney problems10 His funeral was held in St. Thomas' Church and he was buried in the Church of England Cemetery in Chilliwack. John had been an Orangeman for some fifty years and was a charter member of "the first Orange Lodge to be instituted in Southern Manitoba".11 John was a member of Chilliwack L.O.L. No. 1470 at the time of his death. The Orange Order conducted the ceremony and "a large number of the brethern were in attendance." 12 John's obituary goes to say that "In politics he was a Conservative, and in religion an Episcopalian. Mr. Leary was a fine example of Irish generosity and whole-hearted hospitality, a sincere friend, and straightforward and honest in all his dealings, and many old-time friends will regret to learn of his death."13 Mary Ellen (Magwood) Leary moved to Sardis, B.C. after her husband John's death in 1915. She died in Chilliwack in 1928.14 and is buried beside her husband. Children of John and Mary Leary 1. Robert John Sneyd Leary 19 years old when the family moved to Chilliwack. In 1916, he joined the Engineer Corps of the Canadian Overseas Expeditionary Forces.15 "Bob", as his family called him, was 33 years and 10 months old at that time. His physical profile indicates that he The Leary Family Members of the John Leary Family with their Cousin Ett Leary and friends. Taken while the family was at Swan Lake (Allen died at Swan Lake) Back Row: Pearl Leary Allen Leary Mary (Magwood) Leary Middle Row: Daisy Leary Loretta ("Ett") Leary (George Leary's daughter) Front Row: May Leary Alda & Sarah Graham (sisters) & their cousin, Lila Graham May & Daisy Leary Robert J.S.Leary grave Harry Howard (Mays name not added) Mountain View Cemetery Chilliwack The Leary Family May & Harry Howard 50th. Anniversary Robert John Sneyd Leary May (Leary) Howard did not share the long, lanky "Leary" physique - he was 5 ft. 7-1/4 inches in height with a chest measurement of 39 inches. He was described as being of "fresh" complexion with blue-grey eyes and brown hair. From the photograph above, John seems, to have inherited the distinguishing "Leary" hairline that appears across generations of male members of the family. At time of enlistment, Bob listed his profession as 'carpenter' and had spent three years in the 104th Fusiliers in New Westminster. He did not marry. Bob died in Vancouver, B.C. on August 9, 1947 at age 6516 and is buried in the Legion Cemetery in Chilliwack. 2. Jessie May Leary was born in the Swan Lake area in Manitoba (R.M. of Lorne) on May 14, 1884.17 She married Harold William (Harry) Howard on December 7, 1910 18 "in Mrs. Howard's parents lovely country home at Swan Lake, Man. They then left for a two month honeymoon".19 May wrote, at the time of their 50th. anniversary: "Being so close to Dec.7th makes me think of those days. I don't think any bride before me or since ever was any happier. It has been a most happy 50 years for us both Ã.I'll always remember the beautiful wedding & the great wedding breakfast Mother prepared. Many of the guests are gone now- only some of the younger ones living." 20 May and Harry lived in Kindersley, Sask. for several years where Harry was the first CNR agent. They moved to Kamloops, B.C. in 1917 where he was CNR agent until his retirement in 1946. Harry was a member of the Order of Railroad Telegraphers and was with the CNR for 50 years. He was a Mason - Past Master of the Masonic Lodge in Kindersley and recipient of a 50 year award from the Kamloops Lodge. For several years, he was a Director of the board of Royal Inland Hospital in Kamloops.21 May was a piano teacher for many years. She studied at the Royal Conservatory of Music and later obtained her Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Chicago in about 1953, having "completed the three-year course in one year" 22 In a letter written in 1965 to Edith Leary, May spoke of another married relative who was studying: "I've always felt that if one really wishes to do things like that you can always find the time. My friends used to say to me 'how can you manage it all - with your large class?' That was when I lived in Kamloops - but somehow I always did find time for my music study, along with my teaching - and have never regretted all the hours I put in on the piano, as well as studying for my Bac. of Music. I was fortunate in having a husband who went along with me in all I did."23 May was a member of the Chilliwack Registered Music Teachers Association and proudly carried the letters Bac.M., ACTM, RMT after her name. One of her frustrations in later years was her growing deafness, which was fairly advanced when we met her in the 1960s. After Harry's death, May and Daisy stayed on in their home at 428 Kipp Avenue in Chilliwack with the assistance of a series of housekeepers and a gardener. May was keenly interested in the Leary family history and it is from her letters that the core of the family information has been preserved. 3. Daisy Alice Leary 24 She taught school in Manitoba until the family moved west to B.C. Her sister May wrote that they were pleased to hear that her cousin Bill Leary's son, Donald, was starting his ---teaching career in Pembina School, the last school in which Daisy taught before she moved to B.C. 25 Daisy taught for many years at Sardis, B.C., before retiring in the late 1940s. When we met Daisy in the 1960s, she was a gentle, quiet-spoken, pleasant woman - a contrast to her brisk, wiry, talkative, but equally pleasant sister, May. Daisy was active in church work during her retirement. She had a stroke in 1969 and another in 1970 however, there was no paralysis, and she continued to get about easily. Daisy died in Vancouver at age 89 years, on March 4, 1976 26 and is buried in Chilliwack. 4. Pearl Leary 27 She died in Chilliwack, B.C. and is buried in the family plot. 5. David Allen Leary was born March 25, 1891, also while the family was farming in the Swan Lake district. He died January 25, 1910, the year before the family moved to B.C. and is buried in the Pilot Mound Cemetery in Manitoba. 28 6. John George Leary was an adopted brother.29 He married Laura Gordon and they had two daughters, Mary and Kathleen. George's wife, Laura died December, 1967 and he had remarried a widow, Jan, whom May said they all liked very well. May wrote with pride and affection in later years of the only remaining family members of her immediate family. Mary married Bryan Wilkins and, in 1970, they had four children: Debbie, David, Michael, and an infant son. Kathleen was a nurse and an accomplished musician. Her married name was Wurz and, in 1970, she had a 10 month old daughter. We have not yet reconnected with that branch of the family. Endnotes 1. Letter from May Howard, Chilliwack, B.C. to Jessie Armitage, Altamont, Manitoba, October 12, 1961, p.6. May and Jessie both grew up in Swan Lake, Manitoba and had mutual acquaintances and memories. They reconnected and began corresponding in later years when May discovered Jessie was living in Altamont and was a close friend of Edith Leary, widow of William A. Leary of Learys, Manitoba. Several of these letters have survived and are in our files. It was in response to Edith Leary's queries about Leary family history that May recorded the information that was the basis and starting point for my own research. The family owes May a great debt of gratitude for her interest in the Leary history and for the letters in which she communicated her information to others in the family. 2. Letter from May Howard, Chilliwack, B.C. to Jessie Armitage, Altamont, Manitoba, October 2, 1961, pp. 7-8. 3. Letter, May Howard to Edith Leary, December 29, 1966. John's obituary from the Chilliwack Gazette, April 15, 1915 says he as born in Bresna, Kings County, June 14, 1853. However, this date was not consistent with census and other information and the 1853 date would make him older than his younger brother, George, born in 1849. The obituary also says the family came from Jamaica to Little York (Toronto) in 1857. Other family members record in the census that they immigrated in 1860; John says 1864 in census. 2. The Miami & R.M. of Thompson Chronicles (1998), account of Nelsonville, pp.8-18 lists the Learys among the second group of settlers to arrive at Nelsonville, July 1874. 3. The Godkins of Ireland, from notes prepared by L. Miller, based on interviews with the Godkin pioneers. 4. Manitoba Genealogical Society - An Index of Marriage and Death Notices from Manitoba newspapers 1959-1881 p.61. Information from the Emerson Internationalist , 08 Apr 80. 5. 1881 Canada census, Dufferin N District, Marquette SD, p.32, family #179. 6. These dates are from John Leary's obituary in the Chilliwack Gazette, April 15, 1915. Henderson's Manitoba and North-West Territories Gazeteer and Directory for 1894/95 and 1897 show the family living on 36.4.11 near Pilot Mound. Lovell's Directory l901, p. 973, also lists John in Pilot Mound (Selkirk County). -1980, a history of the municipality, lists persons homesteading or first purchasing land in the municipality. John homesteaded the NW 1/2 of 36-4-11 in 1884 and purchased the adjoining SE 1/4 of 35-4-11 in 1897.William Leary homesteaded the SE 1/4 of 36-4-11 in 1882; William John Leary purchased the N1/2 of 34-4-11 in 1883 & 1887; Aubrey C. Elliott bought SW 24-4-11 in 1884; Henry Huston homesteaded NE 14-4-11 in 1884; Jonathon Mussell homesteaded SE 14-4-11 in 1885. 7. Province of Manitoba Vital Statistics online, Registration No.1882-12519006 8. 1901 Canada Census for Manitoba - Lisgar District, Louise (SD), p.6 In this census, John's birthdate is given as 1852 and his date of immigration to Canada as 1864; both dates differ from other sources. 9. Chilliwack Gazette, April 15, 1915. 10. Copy of B.C. Vital Statistics Death Certificate =08; also B.C. Archives online registration No. 1915-09-091508, Microfilm # B13091 (GSU # 192119). 11. Chilliwack Gazette, April 15, 1915, op.cit. 12. Ibid. 13. Ibid. 14. BC Archives online: registration No. 1979-09-006881 Microfilm No. B13594 (GSU# 2051229) 15. Attestation Paper No. 490494, NAC online records for Canadian Overseas Expeditionary Forces, WWI. 16. BC Archives online: Registration No. 1947-09-007131 Microfilm No. B13194 (GSU#203'8. 17. Province of Manitoba Vital Statistics online: Registration No. 1884-09-004908. 18. Province of Manitoba Vital Statistics online: Registration No. 1910-003863. 19. Newspaper article, no source recorded, "Couple Celebrates 50th Anniversary". 20. Letter, May Howard to Edith Leary, 1960. 21. Newspaper article, no source recorded, "Couple Celebrates 50th Anniversary". 22. Newspaper article, no source recorded, "New Music Degree for Mrs. H. Howard". 23. Letter from May Howard to Edith Leary, March 3, 1965, p.2 24. Province of Manitoba Vital Statistics online, Registration No. 1886-1586612. 25. Letter from May Howard to Edith Leary, December 6, 1955, p.2. 26 B.C. Archives online: Registration No.: 1976-09-004>; Microfilm No. B13350 (GSU# 2050532) 27. Information on birth and death are from May Howard letters. 28 Birth date is from May Howard letters; Death: Province of Manitoba Vital Statistics online, Registration No.1910-001197 29. In a letter to Jessie Armitage, Altamont, Manitoba, December 17, 1970, May wrote "Our family Bro. Geo & his two married daughters all live in Vancouver. Mary his eldest girl has 4 children - Debbie 10 yrs. and 3 young boysÃDavid 3 yrs. and Michael 2 yrs. are quite active little boys. Mary's youngest not yet walking but a very fine wee fellow. Kathleen (the nurse) has one little girl and she is surely a darling, is now 10 months." p.3 Mary's husband Bryan Wilkins was then a graduate of UBC in Commerce and studying to become a Chartered Accountant. The second daughter, Kathleen Wurz, was a nurse; also a musician, playing the piano and violin, in ARCT work in piano and playing violin with the Symphony Orchestra (July 9, 1963 letter to Jessie Armitage). Question and Further Research What became of the letters, photos and other family information May collected over the years? Where are the descendants of George and Laura now living? Descendants of John Leary Generation No. 1 1. JOHN2 LEARY (JOHN1) was born 14 Jun 1845 in Ireland, and died 12 Apr 1915 in Fairfield Island, B.C.. He married MARY MAGWOOD 31 Mar 1880 in Nelsonville, daughter of JOHN MAGWOOD. She was born 02 Mar 1865 in Fort Erie, Ontario, and died 1928 in Chilliwack, B.C.. Children of JOHN LEARY and MARY MAGWOOD are: i. ROBERT JOHN SNEYD3 LEARY, b. 24 May 1882, R.M. of Roland, Manitoba; d. 09 Aug 1947, Vancouver, B.C.. ii. JESSIE MAY LEARY, b. 14 May 1884, R.M. of Lorne, Manitoba; d. 11 Dec 1974, N. Vancouver, B.C.; m. HAROLD WILLIAM HARRY HOWARD, 07 Dec 1910, Swan Lake, R.M. of Lorne, Manitoba; d. 06 Mar 1968, Chilliwack, B.C.. iii. DAISY LEARY, b. 24 Nov 1886, Swan Lake, Manitoba; d. 04 Mar 1976, N. Vancouver, B.C.. iv. ELIZABETH PEARL LEARY, b. 25 Aug 1889, Swan Lake, Manitoba; d. 12 Mar 1916, Chilliwack, B.C.. v. DAVID ALLAN LEARY, b. 25 Mar 1891, Swan Lake, Manitoba; d. 25 Jan 1910, RM of Louise, Manitoba. 2. vi. JOHN GEORGE LEARY. Generation No. 2 2. JOHN GEORGE3 LEARY (JOHN2, JOHN1) He married (1) LAURA GORDON. She died 21 Dec 1967 in Vancouver, B.C.. He married (2) JAN. Children of JOHN LEARY and LAURA GORDON are: 3. i. MARY4 LEARY. 4. ii. KATHLEEN LEARY. Generation No. 3 3. MARY4 LEARY (JOHN GEORGE3, JOHN2, JOHN1) She married BRYAN WILKINS. Children of MARY LEARY and BRYAN WILKINS are: i. DEBBIE5, b. Abt. 1960. ii. DAVID, b. Abt. 1967. iii. MICHAEL, b. Abt. 1968. iv. BABY, b. Abt. 1969. 4. KATHLEEN4 LEARY (JOHN GEORGE3, JOHN2, JOHN1) She married UNKNOWN WURZ. Child of KATHLEEN LEARY and UNKNOWN WURZ is: i. DAUGHTER5 UNKNOWN, b. Abt. 1969. The Leary Family George Leary 1849-1939 George Leary, the youngest son of John and Maria, was born in Kilkenny, Ireland, September 15, 1849.1 He would have been a young child at the time the family moved to Jamaica. At the time of the 1861 census, George was with his parents in Clinton, one of the two children in the family who were still attending school. There is no record of the intervening years, however, a decade later, George, now age 20, was living with the family at Wingham. He is said to have taught school in Ontario.2 In 1874, George and his brother John began the next leg of the family migration, this time west to Manitoba. 119 The Leary Family The West in the 1870s. on to bring settlers to the new territory. The government of John A. MacDonald was actively promoting western settlement. Their intent was to populate the Prairies and forestall the Americans who were pushing westward into lands north of the Canada - U.S. border. The Canadian government feared that Americans would outflank the western flow of Canadian settlement and cut the rest of Canada off from its settlements on the west coast. To this end, activities were afoot to build a railway to join the East with the Pacific and bring British Columbia into the new Dominion of Canada. The railway was allocated subsidies of land to promote building a rail line to the West Coast. The second prong of the government's strategy was to encourage settlement of the area. Given the problems of the Riel Rebellion, their preference was to bring white, Anglo-Saxon Protestants into an area whose population was mainly Catholic, Francophone and Metis. To achieve these ends, the Dominion Land Act was passed in 1872. This act provided for surveying the western territory into Townships, each containing 36 sections of land, one mile square. Parcels of land were allocated to a variety of parties and uses, such as the Hudson Bay Company, the Canadian Pacific Railway, military veterans, schools, Indian Reserves, and woodlots. The remaining land was open to homesteading. Homesteads of a quarter section (160 acres) were offered to heads of families or persons over 21 years of age on condition of settling and improving the land for a three-year period of time. 3 What an attraction this opportunity must have had for families like the Learys who had come from an island where even small parcels of land were a precious commodity. The Trip to Nelsonville. In 1874, George and John headed west. The Canadian railway had not yet been built to Manitoba, so it is likely they followed basically the same route taken a couple of years later by brother Ben - traveling by train from Wingham to Kincardine, north of Goderich on Lake Huron, across Lake Huron and Lake Superior to Duluth. From Duluth George and John would have travelled by train again to Fargo-Moorhead on the Red River, then by steamship down the Red River to Winnipeg. By the time Ben and the Godkins travelled, three years later, the rail line had been completed from Duluth to Fisher's Landing on a tributary of the Red River east of Fargo, so they were able to take that route instead of going to Fargo-Moorhead. The area where John and George homesteaded had not yet been settled, so they went first to Winnipeg, at the fork of the Red and Assiniboine rivers. Just the previous year, Winnipeg had become a city. It was now a growing settlement of some 3,000 people and had become the center for buying equipment and supplies. From Winnipeg, George and John, with a small party of other homesteaders, loaded their supplies on an ox cart and headed southwest on foot along a trail used by fur traders and buffalo hunters known as the Missouri or Hunters' Trail. The area they had to cross was swampy in those days and, in July, the mosquitoes were at their peak. The trip southwest in 1874 to what later became Nelsonville, was later described by A.P. Stevenson: "The old Missouri trail was followed between 120 The Leary Family Headingly and LaSalle near Starbuck, nearly two-thirds of the way through swamps, with water two and three feet deep. The ox and cart were mired three or four times, and what a delightful time we greenhorns had, up to the waist in water, with millions of mosquitoes adding their cheerful notes to the proceedings. It was hungry and tired crowd that camped late that night on the high-smelling banks of the LaSalle trying to dry our socks, etc. Our clothing had early in the day been made up onto bundles and tied high and dry on our backs during the passage of the swamps. The following morning we found our ox had broken loose and taken the road to the Boyne River so we started on foot for the same place. The distance was thirty miles, a dead level plain, without a tree, shrub or twig, no house of any description, not a drop of water to drink." 4 Based on an early map of hunter's trails in R.M. of Dufferin History 1880-1980, p.5 John and George were among the second group of settlers to this area just below the escarpment. In the Spring of 1874, a man by the name of Robert Stevenson had homesteaded there with his sons, however a fire destroyed their shelter and Stevenson and two sons died. It was in the summer of the same year that the Leary brothers arrived with the next party of settlers to the area. Much of the information that has survived about the early days in Nelsonville comes from a few surviving copies of the local paper, the . Most other records were destroyed by fire. An updated history of Thompson Municipality provides a summary of what is currently known about the Nelsonville settlement. 5 The Leary brothers arrived just ahead of the rush to homestead the area. By 1876, the fertile farmland near Pembina Mountain was a targeted area for settlement. Nelsonville grew rapidly, reaching its peak population of 1,000 by the time it was incorporated in 121 Manitoba 1874 Route Taken to Nelsonville --Steamship -Emerson to Wnnipeg -By Foot & Cart -Wnnipeg to Nelsonville The Leary Family 1882. The town had a mill, a post office, three general stores, two hotels, two livery and feed barns, a photography shop, a branch of the Dominion Lands Office, bookstore, machine warehouse, meat market, blacksmith shop, three churches, a jewelry store, and several other businesses. Residents were convinced that, with their central location, the railway would pass through their settlement and the town would become second only to Winnipeg.6 Unfortunately, the railway came through the nearby town of Morden instead of Nelsonville and by 1884-85, an exodus began. People moved buildings to Morden and the town quickly disappeared. Today there is just a cairn and the old Methodist church standing at the site. In later years the area was renamed "Dunstan". The Nelsonville Cemetery, a mile north and half mile west of the cairn, is the only other trace of the settlement. The Leary family also moved on. John Sr. died in 1881 in Nelsonville; John Jr. married in 1880 and he and his family moved west to Swan Lake district; Ben and son O.G. moved to the Roseisle area; Anna Maria remarried and moved, possibly to Morden, and her son Aubrey homesteaded at Swan Lake. George Marries. Nelsonville until the town left. On March 29, 1880, he had married Armintha Loretta Ager of nearby Rosebank District. 7 She was born in Napanee, Ontario, September 15, 1864 and had come west to Manitoba with her parents in 1876. The Ager family lived north-east of Nelsonville at Ager Corner, the site of Ager School and Ager Church.8 George was 29 and Armintha was 18 years of age at the time they were married. They operated a General Store in Nelsonville and George also served as Postmaster in the town from 1882 to 1886.9 By this time, the stagecoach brought mail from Emerson and, until the railway was built, Nelsonville was the post office for communities as far west as Swan Lake.10 In 1881, George Leary is listed in Henderson's Directory as a Marriage Licence Issuer for Manitoba for Nelsonville in the R.M. of North Dufferin.11 As one of the last residents of Nelsonville, George played a role in winding down the affairs of the town. The , January 8, 1886 reported that "There are no councillors nominated for the Town of Nelson this year. The town has collapsed utterly. Three Armintha (Ager) Leary 122 The Leary Family or four families still reside there, but as a business point, Nelson has ceased to exist. Most of the buildings have been moved to Morden and all others worth moving will likely soon follow." The January 22 issue of the same paper reported that: "Peter Anderson was elected Mayor of Nelson by acclamation. The returning Officer Mr. George Leary, declared him duly elected. Mr. J.J. Cochrane and other warm supporters immediately the paraphernalia important to high and important positions, were tendered to Mr. Anderson, he seemed inclined to take the matter as a joke and thought the boys wanted to stick him for the beer."12 Departure for Winnipeg. The exact date of George and Armintha's departure from the Nelsonville area is unknown. George Jr.'s obituary says the family lived in Morden and Winnipeg after leaving Nelsonville, so they may have been in Morden for a brief period of time. Henderson's Directory entries show that, by 1890, the family was living in Winnipeg. At that time, George was an 'accountant' working in the Government offices and living at 16 Colony Street.Two years later he was working for the Treasury Department and living at 300 Furby Street.. He then appears from 1984 to 1987 as a bookkeeper at 164 Princess Street - the Grain Exchange - and from 1898 as a partner in Roblin and Leary (Grain Buyers).13 George & Armintha's Children. George and Armintha's first son, John Sutton George Leary ("George") was born in Nelsonville, October 6, 1883. A second son, born in Nelsonville in January 1886, did not survive. The remaining members of the family, with the exception of son William, were born in Winnipeg: Charles Evan (1889); Loretta Kathleen (1892); Ager Valentine (1898); Arthur Winston (1900). William was born in Dublin, Ireland in 1894 when George was there recruiting new settlers to the West. The 'land rush' that had brought the Learys to Manitoba continued to move like brush-fire westward across the prairies. Settlers were actively recruited in other countries including the British Isles and Eastern Europe. George had experience as a homesteader and now, as a grain dealer, he also had an interest in continuing development of farmlands of Western Canada. Between 1893 and 1895, George, Armintha and their first three children went in Ireland, where George was an Immigration Agent. Their fourth child, William, was born where they lived at 173 Rathgar Road in South Dublin.14 Brickyard Land Purchased. still living at 300 Furby Street in Winnipeg. All the children were at home and Maria, now age 92, was living with them 'on her own means'.15 George had just purchased land near Roseisle, on 13-6-8, west of where his in-laws had relocated. The property lay in the valley of the South Boyne River.16 It was the site of a large deposit of clay, suitable for making bricks. The railway had just reached Roseisle in 1901, and was continuing west through the valley. It provided transportation for finished bricks as well as for people and for the wood that was being harvested from woodlots in the area. In partnership with several other people, George formed the Boyne Valley Brick Works, later to become the Leary Brick Works when the family took over operation of the plant in 1910. The plant operated until 1917 when, as a result of World War II, demands for 123 The Leary Family building material fell on the home front and manpower to operate the plant was unavailable because of the war. "Learys". Meanwhile, a railway station was built and named "Learys", a post office was started with the same name, and in 1911, Leary School #1540 as built. This was a one-room school where Grades 1-IX were taught. Members of the Leary family were postmasters from the time the post office opened until it closed in 1945.17 George and Armintha lived in a brick house on NW 13-6-8. This house burned but was re-built by their son William. George and Armintha lived out their lives at Learys with the exception of a short period when Armintha lived with her daughter Ett and family in Roseisle. George died at Learys on April 3, 1939 a few months before his 90th. birthday. A grandson, Alvin George, son of Bill and Edith Leary, was born the following day, April 4. George Leary's obituary provides some additional information about his life. It reads "George Leary, one of the first members of the Winnipeg Grain Exchange when it was located in a building at Princess and Market St.provincial government, died Monday at his home at Leary, Man. He was in his 89th. year. The village west of Carman where he had lived the last 20 years was named after himÃ.When he was on the grain exchange he was for a time a partner of the late Sir Rodmond Roblin. About 1888 he was one of the leaders in the organization of what was known as the Maple Leaf Protective league, which had its headquarters at the southeast corner of Main and Market St. The league as in reality a political organization of Conservative membership. Mr. Leary was its first president and remained in office for 10 years. Later it was reorganized as the Maple Leaf Conservative club and carried a large membership. The seven surviving members are His Honor W.J. Tupper, K.C., Lieutenant-Governor, John Norquay, now living at Selkirk, H.A. Issacs, Geo. Davis, R. Crystal Irving, Chas, Gerrie and Dr. R.M. Simpson, who succeeded Mr. Leary as President. In the early days of the Roblin government, Mr. Leary entered the provincial civil service and for 14 years was an accountant and auditor in the government employment. He left the service in 1915 and four years after went to live at Leary. Mr. Leary was a prominent member of M." 18 George is buried in Roseisle Cemetery. Daughter Ett Ager and her family lived at Learys with Armintha during WWII. When son William (Bill) returned to the valley, she stayed for a time with Rod and Ett Ager in Roseisle, later coming to live with Bill and family. Armintha lived at Learys until her death in 1948. She died on March 29, the date of their wedding anniversary. Armintha was noted in her earlier years for her skill in embroidery which she learned from Anglican sisters during her stay in Ireland. Children of George & Armintha Leary 1. John Sutton George Leary was born June 10, 1883 in Nelsonville.19 He would have been about ten years old when the family went to Ireland for two years. In 1901, George was living in the family home in Winnipeg and was listed in that year's census as a clerk, with no indication where he was working. He married Ina E. Simpson May 3, 1906. 20 Ina was born November 2, 1887 21 in Ontario, before the family moved to 124 The Leary Family Miami, Manitoba. George and Ina moved to Learys, Manitoba sometime before 1911 and were there at the time of the 1911 census. 22 George, his brother Ev and their parents, George and Armintha, operated the brickyard from 1910 to 1917 as a family business. George and Ina's first son, Gordon George, was born in Winnipeg, January3, 1907. George and Ina built a two-story brick house just west of the brickyard on SW13-6-8 and their other children, Russell Winston (born 1909) and Floyd Simpson (born May 19, 1912), were born there. George and Ina later moved to Bowsman in northwestern Manitoba. Ina died of cancer on November 15, 1927 in nearby Swan River at 50 years of age. 23 We do not know what they did there, however, the horse-drawn van with the sign "J.G. Leary, Butcher" written on the side, may be from that era. Other family pictures show the boys as young men in North Battleford, Saskatchewan. where their aunt Julia (Simpson) Bond lived and where their grandmother Alecta Simpson stayed. George and his sons moved to B.C. where they lived first in Houston, then in Hazelton. George died at Smithers, B.C., September 15, 1944 24 following surgery. He was 61 years of age. J. S. George Leary Ina Simpson Leary 125 The Leary Family 1.1 Gordon married Charlotte Hannah Moore, who was born in Burns lake, January 4, 1922. They had three sons: Gordon Winston (1944), James Stewart (1946 and Steven Maurice (1950). Gordon died in Hazelton, December 23, 1996 his wife Charlotte died May 20, 1998. 25 1.2 Winston died October 13, 1945 in Tranquille Hospital in B.C., of an overdose of insulin at age 35. 26 1.3 Floyd "Hap" and Ian. Floyd died in Hazelton May 25, 1991. The genealogy report lists more recent generations of the family. 27 Gordon Winston & Floyd Leary 2. Charles Evan Leary ("Ev") time of the 1911 census, Ev was single, living at Learys, and a 'brickyard manager' by occupation. Initially, Ev lived a half-mile east of the brickyard in a house west of the river along the edge of the valley. Later he built the first brick house located on NW 13- 126 The Leary Family 6-8. On August 7, 1911, Ev married being a "tiny doll-like girl" 29 They had one son, Allan, who attended Leary School. Mabel died (date unknown) and, on March 30,1920, Ev married Barbara McDonald. 30 Ev was noted for his violin playing 31 and played his father's favorite piece "Killarney" at George's funeral. George and Barbara had two children, John and Pearl. Ev moved to Winnipeg, possibly around the time the brickyard closed. He was interested in holistic health and had an office near Portage Avenue (Suite 6, Steele Block) where, according to his calling card, he practiced 'Scientific Electro-Therapy'. Ev died in Winnipeg in 1939 and is buried in Brookside Cemetery on the west side of the city. 32 Barbara remarried, to a Mr. Beeso and died October 22, 1955. 33 Ev Leary with his Father, George Leary & son Allan at Learys Station Note that Ev has his violin with him 2.1 Allan attended school at Learys. In later years, he lived at Thunder Bay, Ontario where he married a widow. Bill Leary visited him there but the family lost touch with him in later years. 127 The Leary Family 2.2 John was in the Armed Forces in WWII. He lived in Winnipeg and operated a scrap-metal business (Leary Metal Company) for several years. He and his wife Hilda had four children: Carol, John Jr., Allen and ?Marilyn. John was in Winnipeg until at least the mid-1950s, then moved to Vancouver. He had a photography shop in Vancouver which he ran with his son Allen. His eldest son, John Jr. did in an automobile accident in Vancouver. 34 John retired, remarried and moved to the U.S.A. 2.3 Pearl and she had a son, Randall. 35 3. Loretta Kathleen (Leary) Ager married Rodmond Palen Roblin ("Rod") Ager March 16, 1921 at the family home at Learys 36 They had one surviving son, John. "Ett" died in 1948 while the family was living in Roseisle, Manitoba. Rod & Ett Ager John & Shirley Ager 3.1 John married Shirley Bottrell of Roseisle and they had three children, Garth, Cheryl and Loretta, as well as two adopted foster children (Sandy and Dianne). John served in the Armed Forces (Korea) then worked at Stony Mountain Penitentiary for several years before retiring to Ashern, Manitoba. John died in 2005. 128 The Leary Family 4. William Allan Leary ("Bill") was born October 15, 1894 in Dublin Ireland. The name "Allan" came from the Allan Steamship Line, on which he was christened during the trip home from Ireland. Bill was the first student from Brandon College to enlist when WWI broke out in 1914. 37 He joined the Fort Garry Horse but transferred at Valcartier before going overseas, to the Canadian Motor Machine Gun Brigade. Bill served overseas and was exposed to mustard gas at Lenz in 1917. He rose to the rank of Captain and was awarded the Military Cross and Bar. After the war, he opted to return to the Valley. In 1931, he married Edith Fraser of Altamont who had taught at Leary School. In the late 1930's, he took over the farm property and began refurbishing the brick plant. His efforts were again interrupted by war, this time WWII. Bill re-enlisted in the Armed Forces (Veteran's Guard & in charge of Mobile Recruiting Unit) and was unable to resume William Alan (Bill) Leary WWI Edith (Fraser) Leary 1928 restoration until the end of the war. He re-opened the plant in 1947 and produced bricks until his death on March 16,1953. Edith taught for several years after Bill died then moved back to live on the site of their first home near the brickyard. She died January 7, 1986. She and Bill are buried in the family plot in Altamont Cemetery. 129 The Leary Family Bill and Edith had six children, five of whom survived to adulthood: 4.1 Bryson Alan (Dec. 13, 1932 - April 20, 2003) attended school at Learys, Altamont, Roseisle, Notre Dame Collegiate and Brandon College. He spent three years in the Air Force then went into Forestry. He spent most of his working years with Forestry in Alberta and the Yukon. He enjoyed trophy hunting, later antique hunting. He and his wife Jean McLaren Peters, had two sons: Bill and Jim, both married with children and working with Forestry/Mining/Land Use in the Yukon. There are four grandchildren. 4.2 Donald Garth (August 8, 1932 - June 26, 2002) also attended school in Altamont, Learys and Roseisle. He then went to Normal School in Winnipeg, later completing his B.A. and Education degrees at the University of Manitoba. He taught throughout the north and locally, settling in the family home at Learys in his later years. Donald raised sled-dogs, Highland cattle and hay. He married Elsie Piel and had three children: Lynette (veterinarian, now living in Winnipeg), Kelvin (with Forestry, now with the Yukon government, Whitehorse), Sharon (now teaching in Whitehorse, Yukon). All three are married with children. 4.3 Ina Jean - ) started school in Altamont during the war years, then went on to the one-room Leary School and to high school in Roseisle before attending the University of Manitoba. Ina married Kelvin Bramadat of San Fernando, Trinidad in 1954. They spent three years in Trinidad where Kelvin set up the Science Department of his old college and Ina taught at Naparima Girls' High School. Their daughter, Dawn, was born in Trinidad. They returned to Manitoba where Kelvin continued a career in teaching and administration and coached volleyball. Their three sons, Rawle, Ronald and Dennis were born in Manitoba. Ina returned to university, completing her B.A. (University of Winnipeg) and Bachelor of Nursing (University of Manitoba). After working at Misericordia Hospital, she joined the faculty of the School of Nursing, University of Manitoba and continued studies to complete her Master 's (MScN) and doctoral degrees (Ph.D.) at the University of Texas, Austin, Texas. She spent her remaining working years in teaching and administration at Faculty of Nursing University of Manitoba then retired in 1997 to live on18 acres of the original Leary property in the Valley. Kelvin & Ina have four children: Dawn (alternative health in Montreal), William Kelvin Rawlins "Rawle " (restaurant services, Winnipeg); Ronald (Lonewolf Construction/ building inspector, Dawson City); & Dennis (service coordinator, biolabs equipment, Brisbane, Australia). All but Rawle are married with children. 4.4 Alvin George (April 4, 1939 - May 16, 1984) also went to school in Altamont, Leary and Roseisle, completing his high school in Altamont when the family moved there after Bill Leary's death in 1953. Alvin worked for some years with United Grain Grower's. He married Arlene Rubidge of Deerwood and they had two children: Deanne and Ian. Alvin joined the Armed Forces and was posted to Germany. On his return, he opted for further training as a Radiology Technician. He later completed his exams in Hospital Administration and worked in that capacity in Manitoba and Alberta until he was diagnosed with ALS. Alvin died of ALS in 1984 and is buried in Altamont Cemetery. 130 The Leary Family Arlene remarried in 2005 to John McCurry of Brandon. Deanne and family are living in Brandon and Ian is in Regina, Saskatchewan as of 2006. 4.5 Carlton William "Carl" (November 9, 1940 - ) attended Leary and Altamont schools. When he graduated from high school, Carl headed west to the Peace River Country where he began a lengthy career in Forestry. He worked in several locations in Alberta and in Dawson City, Yukon, before returning to the Peace River area. Besides Forestry, Carl worked with the Alberta government; and after retirement, continued working as a consultant, negotiating with forestry industry companies and First Nations in Northern Alberta. He married Marilyn Dacyk, of Worseley, Alberta and they had four children: Gayle (photographer/family businesses); Roxanne, (died in infancy); Dwayne (oilfields/construction); and Pamela (photographer). Carl & Marilyn have six grandchildren. 4.6 Lorna Eileen (August 8, 1945 -August 29, 1945) died in infancy and is buried in Altamont Cemetery. Bryson Ina Carl Alvin & Donald in Altamont 1940s More detailed profiles of the Bill Leary branch of the family are included in "The Leary Reunion 2001" compiled by I. Bramadat. 131 The Leary Family 5. Ager Valentine Leary was in the Armed Forces in WWI. He married Gertie Hood, a member of the Hood family who lived opposite Leary School. Val worked as a mechanic, later farmed just west of the brickyard property. They had a home in a sheltered hollow where fruit trees and flowers flourished. They had two daughters: Doreen and Muriel. Val and Gertie retired to the village of Treherne. Both are deceased. Ager Valentine ("Val" ) Leary 5.1 Doreen attended Leary School. She trained as a Psychiatric Nurse in Selkirk, Manitoba, just north of Winnipeg. She married Bob LeClair of Selkirk in the Roseisle United Church. Doreen and Bob had five children. 5.2 Muriel also attended school at Leary and at Roseisle. She worked in Garwood's Red & White Store, then, like her sister, trained as a Psychiatric Nurse in Selkirk. She married Don Posnick and they had four children. They retired to the west coast. Don is deceased. 132 The Leary Family Muriel, Gertie, Val & Doreen Leary 6. Arthur Winston was born in Winnipeg and died at age 5 months on March 20, 1900. He is buried in the George Leary plot in Hillside Cemetery in Morden. 133 The Leary Family Map Showing Learys, Roseisle, Swan Lake & Dunstan (Nelsonville) 134 The Leary Family Early Memories of Learys by Alice (Hood) Burrows These early memories of the area were written by Alice (Hood) Burrows whose family lived across the road from Leary School. This account was written in 1967. At that time, Edith Leary was lliving in Altamont and Donald Leary had not yet moved back to the farm. In this beautiful little valley, nestled a chain of the Pembina Hills, just twenty miles west of Carman, lay at one time, what one might possibly describe as a small village, with the Boyne River flowing through it. Although it once had a place on the map. it might now be described as a place where no one lives, but its beauty remains. Now all one can see is the remains of a thriving brick plant, a few small buildings, and one large brick dwelling across the railway track. Mr. and Mrs. George Leary and family - George, Charles Evan, William, Loretta and Valentine came to this valley in the early1900s from Winnipeg, where Mr. Leary had a government position. Mr. Leary was Irish, and most of the family grew up tall and straight like him, proud of their ancestry. Mrs. Leary came from a farm in the Ager district, south of Rosebank, where the Ager School had been named after her father. Mr. G. Leary had visited his uncle and family on a farm near Nelsonville, or Old Nelson, on occasions, and had met the Ager family and his future wife there. [Correction: As noted There was no railway when Mr. Leary came, but mud bricks were manufactured for the housing trade. [Note: The railway was completed west from Roseisle through business, as there was plenty of clay at hand. Three men - Mr. Roblin Sr. of Winnipeg, Mr. Rodgers, of Winnipeg, and Mr, Leary might be credited to this, and the bricks were named Dominion Press Bricks. Later, Mr. Leary bought it out, and the name 'Learys' was stamped on each brick made. [Note: The brickyard ws initially established as the Boyne Valley Brick Works in 1902, likely with government assistance; then in partnership with Roblin and others and finally, in 1910, the family bought out the partnership . George Sr., Armintha, J.S. George and Mr. and Mrs. G. Leary and family lived in a big white house. It had many rooms and Mrs. Leary boarded the men working at the brick yard, and she also kept the post office after the railway came through. She had as her helper, Mrs. Lena Masters, and Mrs. Masters had a daughter, Violet. [Note: The post office opened in 1911, Ev Leary was George, the eldest son, managed this plant for a number of years, later a second son, Charles Evan, and many years later, William Ã.. [several paragraphs about the Miss Simpson, and they had three children - Gordon, Winston and Floyd. His wife, Mrs. Leary, was a good organist, and later played for church on Sundays. They lived in a large brick house which they built, just to the west of the boarding-house. Their barn, and 135 The Leary Family outside buildings were also brick. Charles Evan second son of Mr. and Mrs. G. Leary, or 'Ev' to most who knew him, married a tiny doll-like girl named Mabel. They lived to the east and north across the valley from the brick-yard by the river Ev had the first car around, and some of us can remember a man getting his foot cut. The neighbors called on Ev to take him to Carman. Later that night Ev heard his car horn blow, and, looking out the window, he saw a bear carrying away the rug that order to blow the horn, you would squeeze the ball. Later, Ev built a large brick house with screened in veranda on two sides, to the west of the old house, and across the valley from the other homes. This was a lovely large home, and the family had one son, Allan. It was the chore of the Hood boys to take milk down every evening to the Ev Learys, and two of them can remember one evening when they were to take the milk down and wait for their mother. She had gone with the Learys in their car that day. While waiting at the front of the house, they heard the crunching of bones. They kept as quiet as they could until the car arrived, and they found it was a mother bear eating at the bones that had been thrown out. The two boys, who were not very big, were often afraid to go down with the milk at night because of lynx, though they would never say they were afraid. One year, the Indians came in and killed off the bear and lynx for skins. [Note: When George and Armintha bought the valley land, they decided to spend a night tenting on their new property. In the morning, they found bear hairs on the guy wires of the tent. The land was heavily treed at that time. In later years, an occasional bear or cougar would pass through the area. This past year (2005), a bear and cub have again Later, in the 1900s, the C.N. Railway came through, and a little red station was built and named Learys. It had a waiting room with seats all around and an iron stove, and an armchair for Mr. Leary, who carried the mail to and from the post office for many years. It had another room for coal and freight. There was always a good supply of coal to be used for those waiting on the train, as the trains were often late coming from the west, especially in the wintertime. There were two trains a day, one coming from the east and one coming from the west. There was also a loading platform to the west of the station, for loading the cars of cordwood and stock, etc. [Note: In the early years there were many woodlots in the area and cordwood was shipped as far east as Sperling, On one occasion, many years later, we were all waiting for the train (including our teacher) to go to a picnic at Roseisle. It was a very hot day, and the train was late. So most of the younger ones had gone up the track for a drink of water (1/4 mile west good clear water flowed through a pipe in the bank). The train came around the bend and made its usual whistle. 136 The Leary Family Two of the beginners - Camille Money and Pearl Hood - hadn't got back. Some were yelling from the station, "Get off the track!". But there was only one thing on their little minds - to get to the station - and so they kept on going. I ran and grabbed Camille, who was a few yards ahead of the train, and next, Pearl, who was a few yards ahead of him, and pulled them off the track. I can still hear my older sister yelling, "Hurry up or you'll miss the train!". I wasn't too concerned about the train, but we caught the back end of it. I remember, too, my feet were killing me as I was wearing a new white canvas pair of shoes with rubber soles and laced up the leg, that had my feet cramped and burning, so I didn't enjoy the day too much. Just about 1/4 mile up the valley, clay was taken out of the hills for Carman Tile and Sewer Pipes. About 1-1/2 miles west from Learys a cement plant opened up. Mr. Babcock of Winnipeg owned the property, so the station there was called Babcock. There were several buildings there besides the cement plant à Children living in the valley would often walk up to Babcock and go through the mines when the men were not working. The mines were very dark and damp. We all liked to visit Mrs. Gordon who would play the latest music on the piano for us, and soon have us singing with her. It was sad for us all, when she took pneumonia, and in spite of having Dr. McGavin from Carman, she died. In 1911, a small school was built, just up at the top of the hill, west of the valley, and it was named Learys. The school was a very nice building, with plastered walls and many large windows, with one small window, of many colors above each large window. And by each window, was a lamp in a bracket on the wall. It also had a library, porch and woodshed. It always looked so nice, especially at night, when the lamps were all lit, and shined up for an occasion such as the Christmas concert. Folks always turned out well. Lunch was served and there was no fee charged. Some of the pupils who went to Leary School were - Bill, Val, and Etta Leary, Violet Masters, Catherine and John Taylor, Lena Vandall, Flossie, Zelma, Orval, Gertrude, Mary and Edmund Hood, Margaret and Willie Fleming (Babcock), Anthony Moulin (Montcalm), and many years later - Gordon and Winston Leary and Allan Leary, Andrew and Ellen Taylor, Alice, Evelyn and Pearl Hood and Elva Brousseau, Underwood children (Babcock), Doreen and Muriel Leary, Nellie, Albert and Lillian Clarke, who lived 1-1/2 miles east of Learys on the Tremblay place [south of Tremblay's on the "Clarke family who lived at the top of the hill, south from Learys. Bryson, Donald, Ina, Alvin and The first teacher at Learys was Miss Elizabeth Hardy from Babcock, daughter of Mrs. Gordon from a previous marriage. Miss Hardy also gave music lessons to Flossie and Zelma Hood, who later played for church and Sunday School, held in Learys School. A minister drove up Sundays from Roseisle with horse and buggy to conduct services. Some of the teachers who taught at Leary School were: Miss E. Hardy, Babcock, 137 The Leary Family Miss E. Saunders, Roseisle, Miss E. Lowry, Roseisle, Miss E. Fraser, Altamont, Miss A. Medlicott,Altamont, Miss M. Armitage, Altamont, Miss E. Massey, Selkirk, Miss J. Keith, Roseisle, Mr. R. Moffat, Portage-la-Prairie, Miss Davidson, Winnipeg, Miss A. and they lived in the old Hood house; she taught at Leary School for 12 years in the 1930s and '40. Other teachers included: Constance Pelly, Notre dame de Lourdes, Hugette Vigier, Notre Dame de Lourdes, Beulah McNevin, Winnipeg; also Edith Leary, Learys was quite a lively place to live when the brick plant was running, and the be heard from both places, across the valley and hills. In 1912, the Leary family went to Chilliwack, B.C. and returned in 1914. War came in 1914 and William, or Bill to most who knew him, was the first to enlist [first student from Brandon College}. Bill became a Captain, and received medals. We can recall hearing how his gas mask slipped off one day while leading his men in battle, and the effects were to prove damaging to his health in later years. When Bill came back from the war he started farming. His farm was situated just up the top of the hill, to the south of the valley. Valentine, the youngest of the Leary family, or Val as most knew him, enlisted shortly after Bill, and he also started farming on a farm adjoining Bill's farm, to the east, after the warÃ.[Section omitted mentioning By now, Mr. and Mrs. G. Leary had moved over to the Ev Leary home. Ev moved away, had lost his wife, and had Allan to raise. G. Leary and family had also moved away. There didn't seem to be sale for bricks. [Note: WWI saw decreased construction on the home front; also manpower was not available with all eligible men in armed two miles west and north across the tracks from Roseisle. They had one son, John, who taught school for a while, went into the army, married, and is now (1967) a guard at Stony Mountain Penitentiary. Mr. and Mrs. Rod Ager retired in the F.Ager home in Roseisle. Valentine Leary, or Val, to most who knew him, married Gertrude Hood, a few years after the war, and lived for a short time in the valley. They later moved to Belmont and Baldur where Val worked in a garage. Later they moved to their homestead, approximately 1-1/2 miles west of the valley, until they retired two years attended Leary School and later went through for nurses at Selkirk and married there. Ev Leary married again many years later, a lovely person and a teacher. They came back to the valley, and lived for a few years with their children, John and Pearl. Ev was a very good violin player, his wife was also good at the violin and piano. Etta was well schooled in music and Bill and Val played the violin also. They were a musical family and many pleasant evenings were spent thereà [Paragraph omitted about Hood family . 138 The Leary Family Bill Leary married E. Fraser of Altamont, years after the war, and they lived in the G. children - Bryson, Donald, Ina, Alvin and Carl. They all attended school at Learys and years later moved to Altamont. When World War II came, Bill Leary joined up immediately and went overseas [Note: Bill joined up but, because of age and earlier injuries, served on the home front with the Veterans' Guard and headed up a Mobile Recruiting Unit in Northwest Ontario factory and got the machinery running and once again, they made good bricks at Learys. All went well for a few years. Bill's family had grown up - Bryson and Carl moved to who is teaching now in Winnipeg. Alvin is in the army, is married and is in Germany at lived with her daughter and son-in-law Mr. and Mrs. Rod Ager, in RoseisleÃ. [paragraph The Leary School closed, and was sold and moved to Graysville, where it is used as a shop. [Emil Tranq says the school was torn down and the material used to build a As I remember, the Leary district was mostly English, but French lived to the west of Hood's. Though the French were represented in the school, by their trustees, the majority were English folk, and they had English teachers. Gradually there were fewer English, and more French, and toward the end, the school was run by French folk who hired French teachers. [Note: By the late 1940s, Catholic, Francophone students were in a majority. All teaching was in English but, periodically, Father Picot from St. Lupicin, three miles distant, came with his horse and buggy - or sleigh, depending on the time of year - for religious teaching. The protestant, English-speaking students (all Learys by that time) were sent home a half hour earlier than usual. We were always pleased to get out early on those days. - In the year of 1967, with spring approaching, I believe there to be only one family living 1/4 - 1/2 mile west of Learys in the hills. They are Mrs. Tranq and her son. Besides farm belonging to Ed Hood, to the north. [Note: in the 1960s, there was an influx of artisans into the area. Donald Leary returned with his family to the family farm and Edith Leary moved a cottage back to the site of the brick house where she and Bill Leary had begun their married life, just west of the brickyard. Ina (Leary) and her husband retired on a parcel on the NE 1/4 of the original Leary property. Bryson and his wife Jean retired in nearby Altamont. Several families now live in the valley. Cross-country ski trails were cut and groomed throughout much of the valley and the local "Pumkin Creek Ski Club" is this year (2006) celebrating its 30th anniversary. Our sincere thanks to Alice (Hood) Burrows for recording this account of the early days in the Valley.- 139 The Leary Family Endnotes 1. Date of birth is from death certificate; obituary; also from a letter from May Howard to Edith Leary, December 29, 1966. Was it the city or the county of Kilkenny? George occasionally subtracted a couple of years from his age and dates from 1849 to 1852 are variously recorded in documents. 2. Family 'wisdom'; also the written information on a photo in the family album, of George as a young man, labels him as a teacher. Where, or how long he taught is not known. 3. Dominion Land Act ; also discussed in The History of the R.M. of Dufferin in Manitoba 1880-1980, p.9 and in Memories of Lorne 1880-1890, p. 2 4. The Farmer's Advocate, January 4, 1911. 5. An excellent summary of the Nelsonville history is found in the Miami & R.M. of Thompson Chronicles, pp.8-19. This account was based on the existing Nelsonville Mountaineer newspapers and other sources and was compiled by Nedra Burnett. Most of the information on Nelsonville is from this secondary source. 6. Nelsonville Mountaineer, 1880 Aug.10, in p.13 7. Marriage date March 29, 1880 - Source: MGS - Index of Marriage and Death Notices from Manitoba Newspapers, 1959-1881 - from Emerson International 8. The date of arrival in Manitoba is from Armintha's obituary. Armintha's father, John Ager, was born in Napanee, Ontario on April 14, 1838. His parents were James Ager, born in North Hampshire, England, and Mary Ducham (?) born in France. This information is from a copy of his death certificate (Province of Manitoba Official Notice of Death 010004). Armintha's mother, Catherine Garrison, listed her 'origins' in the census as "U.E.L." (United Empire Loyalist) and the family stories say they came from Pennsylvania and were "Pennsylvania Dutch". John and Catherine homesteaded NE 206-6 and took a pre-emption on SE 20-6-6 in 1884 (The History of the R.M. of Dufferin in Manitoba 1880-1980, p.16). This land lay a mile west of what later became the village of Roseisle, along the South Boyne River. George and Armintha 's land at Learys was about three miles further west along the river. Armintha had a half-brother, Fletcher Ager, adopted by Mr. Ager when they married. Fletcher and his family homesteaded near Roseisle and later lived in the village. Flett's son, Rod Ager, married his half-cousin, Loretta Leary. 9. ArchiaviaNet, National Archives of Canada - Post Offices. From same source: Nelson post office in Lisgar federal electoral district, opened 1878-07-01; was called Nelsonville until 1882-10-01, later changed to Dunstan 1908-07-01. 140 The Leary Family 10. Memories of Lorne 1880-1890, p. 125. Prior to opening of the Nelsonville post office, mail came only to Emerson. 11. History of the R.M. of Dufferin in Manitoba 1880-1980, p. 84 (taken from Henderson's Directory for 1881). 12 Quoted in the Miami & R.M. of Thompson Chronicles, p.18. 13. The 1900 Exchange. He was then living at 300 Furby Street.in Winnipeg: 1900 Winnipeg City - Winnipeg Directory 1900 Microfiche 116 4846 1900 - 4 of7 p.730 - from MGS. Lovell's Directory, 1901 lists George as "grain exporter" living in Winnipeg (County Selkirk) - p.238 14. While in Ireland, George met with some of his cousins. He is said to have got on well with a cousin Issac Leary from Kilkenny (Letter from may Howard to Edith Leary). Two photographs in the family collection are of "cousins in Ireland" but have no names. Family members (Armintha, George Jr., Ev and Loretta, had their photographs taken by a Kilkenny photographer). In 1990s, the house at Rathgar Road is still standing and in excellent condition, having been recently renovated to 1890s condition by the residents, a film director, his wife and family of four young children. The wide plank floors, wooden shutters and stone hearth are among the original features that date back to that era. 15. 1901 Canada Census, Selkirk (D), Winnipeg Ward 3, p.9, Dwelling #80 Reel T6435. 16. Originally called the Riviere Iles du Bois by the Metis, the river was renamed by earliest settlers from their "Orange" roots, in memory of the 1690 Irish Battle of the Boyne. -1980, p.2. 17. J. S. George Leary was first designated postmaster (1911). Charles Evan Leary took over almost immediately (1911-1912); followed by Armintha Leary from 1913 to 1945 when the post office closed. 18. Copies of obituaries do not have the source noted. 19. Manitoba Vital Statistics online, Reg.No. 1883-099-003240. 20. Manitoba Vital Statistics online, Reg No. 1906-003967 21. Date of birth on death certificate, Manitoba Vital Statistics online, Reg. No. 1927-063053. See also Miami & R.M. of Thompson Chronicles, p.588 for history of Ina's family. 141 The Leary Family 22. 1911 Canada Census 23 Manitoba Vital Statistics online, Reg. No.1927-063053. 24. BC Archives online Reg. No. 1944-09-649930 Microfilm # B13184 (GSU # 1983207) . 25. Information on Gordon and Charlotte is from In Memoriam article, June, 1998 (no source cited). 26. Obituary of Gordon Leary; BC Archives online Reg. No. 1844-09-6551654 Microfilm # B13184 (GSU #1983207). 27. Information obtained from Steven Leary, Hazelton, B.C. 28. Manitoba Vital Statistics online, Reg. No. 1911-002649. 29. Learys, an account of the early district written by Alice (Hood) Burrows, 1967. p.4. 30. Manitoba Vital Statistics online, Reg. No. 1929-012214. 31. The History of the RM of Dufferin in Manitoba 1880-1980, p.71, also see Learys .op.cit., p.12 32. Brookside Cemetery Records, online. 33. Obituary notice. 34. Letter from May Howard to Edith Leary. John visited May Howard at Chilliwack on occasion. 35. Letter from May Howard to Edith Leary. 36. Manitoba Vital Statistics online, Reg. No. 1921-010279. 37. ArchiaviaNet: Attestation Paper No. 15337 RG 150-Box 590-48. At time of enlistment, Bill was 19 years, 11 months of age, and had the "Leary" build - 6 ' 1" tall with a 37" chest (expanded). He had a 'dark' complexion, blue eyes, black hair. 142 The Leary Family 143 The Leary Family Descendants of George Leary Generation No. 1 1. GEORGE2 LEARY (JOHN1) was born 15 Sep 1849 in Kilkenny, Ireland, and died 03 Apr 1939 in Learys, Manitoba. He married ARMINTHA LORETTA AGER 29 Mar 1880 in Rosebank, Manitoba, daughter of JOHN AGER and CATHERINE GARRISON. She was born 15 Sep 1862 in Napanee, Ontario, and died 29 Mar 1948 in Learys, Manitoba. Children of GEORGE LEARY and ARMINTHA AGER are: 2. i. JOHN GEORGE SUTTON3 LEARY, b. 10 Jun 1883, Nelsonville, Manitoba; d. 15 Sep 1944, Hazelton, B.C.. ii. BOY LEARY, b. 21 Jan 1886, Nelsonville, Manitoba; d. 1886. 3. iii. CHARLES EVAN LEARY, b. Mar 1889, Winnipeg, Manitoba; d. 20 Nov 1939, Winnipeg, Manitoba. 4. iv. LORETTA KATHLEEN LEARY, b. 17 Jul 1892, Winnipeg, Manitoba; d. 11 Jan 1948, Carman, Manitoba. 5. v. WILLIAM ALAN STANISLAUS LEARY, b. 15 Oct 1894, Dublin, Ireland; d. 15 Mar 1953, Deer Lodge Hospital, Winnipeg. 6. vi. AGER VALENTINE LEARY, b. 14 Feb 1897, Winnipeg, Manitoba; d. Sep 1976, Treherne, Manitoba. vii. ARTHUR WINSTON LEARY, b. Nov 1899, Winnipeg, Manitoba; d. 20 Mar 1900, Winnipeg, Manitoba. viii. GIRL LEARY, b. 04 Apr 1891, Winnipeg, Manitoba; d. 1891. ix. GEORGE LEARY, b. 1882; d. 16 Aug 1882, Source: Man. VS website. Generation No. 2 2. JOHN GEORGE SUTTON3 LEARY (GEORGE2, JOHN1) was born 10 Jun 1883 in Nelsonville, Manitoba, and died 15 Sep 1944 in Hazelton, B.C.. He married INA E. SIMPSON 03 May 1906 in Winnipeg, Manitoba. She was born 02 Nov 1878 in Ontario, and died 15 Nov 1927 in Bowsman, Manitoba. Children of JOHN LEARY and INA SIMPSON are: 7. i. GEORGE GORDON4 LEARY, b. 03 Jan 1907, Learys, Manitoba; d. Jun 1998, Hazelton, B.C.. ii. RUSSEL WINSTON LEARY, b. 1909, Learys, Manitoba; d. 13 Oct 1945, Tranquille, B.C.. 8. iii. FLOYD SIMPSON LEARY, b. 19 May 1912, Learys, Manitoba; d. 25 May 1991, Hazelton, B.C.. 3. CHARLES EVAN3 LEARY (GEORGE2, JOHN1) was born Mar 1889 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, and died 20 Nov 1939 in Winnipeg, Manitoba. He married (1) MABEL MCLAREN 07 Aug 1911 in Winnipeg, Manitoba. She was born 16 Oct 1892. He married (2) BARBARA MACDONALD 30 Mar 1920 in Winnipeg, Manitoba. She died 22 Oct 1955 in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Child of CHARLES LEARY and MABEL MCLAREN is: i. ALLAN4 LEARY. 144 The Leary Family Children of CHARLES LEARY and BARBARA MACDONALD are: ii. JOHN4 LEARY. 9. iii. PEARL LEARY. 4. LORETTA KATHLEEN3 LEARY (GEORGE2, JOHN1) was born 17 Jul 1892 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, and died 11 Jan 1948 in Carman, Manitoba. She married RODMOND PALIN ROBLIN AGER 16 Mar 1921 in Learys, Manitoba, son of FLETCHER AGER and EMILY GRIMSTEAD. He was born 07 Mar 1888 in Roseisle, Manitoba, and died 05 Jun 1952 in Carman, Manitoba. Children of LORETTA LEARY and RODMOND AGER are: 10. i. RODMOND JOHN4 AGER, b. 19 Nov 1930, Carman, Manitoba; d. 24 Mar 2006, Grace Hospital, Winnipeg, Manitoba. ii. INFANT AGER, b. Carman, Manitoba; d. Roseisle, Manitoba. 5. WILLIAM ALAN STANISLAUS3 LEARY (GEORGE2, JOHN1) was born 15 Oct 1894 in Dublin, Ireland, and died 15 Mar 1953 in Deer Lodge Hospital, Winnipeg. He married EDITH JANE FRASER 28 Jul 1931 in Swan Lake, Manitoba, daughter of ALEXANDER FRASER and BIRDIE HOLLISTON. She was born 13 Mar 1904 in Somerset, Manitoba, and died 07 Jan 1986 in Swan Lake Hospital, Manitoba. Children of WILLIAM LEARY and EDITH FRASER are: 11. i. BRYSON ALAN4 LEARY, b. 13 Dec 1932, Carman Hospital, Carman, Manitoba; d. 20 Apr 2003, Swan Lake Hospital, Manitoba. 12. ii. DONALD GARTH LEARY, b. 08 Aug 1934, Carman Hospital, Carman, Manitoba; d. 26 Jun 2002, Notre Dame Hospital, Manitoba. 13. iii. INA JEAN LEARY, b. 08 Oct 1936, Carman Hospital, Carman, Manitoba. 14. iv. ALVIN GEORGE LEARY, b. 04 Apr 1939, Carman Hospital, Carman, Manitoba; d. 14 May 1984, Brandon, Manitoba. 15. v. CARLTON WILLIAM LEARY, b. 09 Nov 1940, Carman Hospital, Carman, Manitoba. vi. LORNA EILEEN LEARY, b. 08 Aug 1945, Carman Hospital, Carman, Manitoba; d. 29 Aug 1945, Altamont, Manitoba. 6. AGER VALENTINE3 LEARY (GEORGE2, JOHN1) was born 14 Feb 1897 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, and died Sep 1976 in Treherne, Manitoba. He married GERTRUDE MAY HOOD 14 Feb 1925, daughter of OSCAR HOOD and MARY. She was born 1902, and died 1991 in Treherne, Manitoba. Children of AGER LEARY and GERTRUDE HOOD are: 16. i. DOREEN MAY4 LEARY, b. 27 Apr 1926. 17. ii. MURIEL LORAINE LEARY, b. 02 Jul 1927. Generation No. 3 7. GEORGE GORDON4 LEARY (JOHN GEORGE SUTTON3, GEORGE2, JOHN1) was born 03 Jan 1907 in Learys, Manitoba, and died Jun 1998 in Hazelton, B.C.. He married CHARLOTTE HANNAH MOORE 03 May 1944 in Hazelton, B.C.. She was born 04 Jan 1922 in Burns Lake, 145 The Leary Family B.C., and died 20 May 1998 in Hazelton, B.C.. Children of GEORGE LEARY and CHARLOTTE MOORE are: i. GORDON WINSTON5 LEARY, b. 14 Dec 1944, Hazelton, B.C.. ii. JAMES STEWART LEARY, b. 01 Apr 1946, Hazelton, B.C.; d. 17 Aug 1954, Hazelton, B.C.. 18. iii. STEVEN MAURICE LEARY, b. 08 Dec 1950, Hazelton, B.C.. 8. FLOYD SIMPSON4 LEARY (JOHN GEORGE SUTTON3, GEORGE2, JOHN1) was born 19 May 1912 in Learys, Manitoba, and died 25 May 1991 in Hazelton, B.C.. He married JOYCE LOADER. She was born 23 Jul 1939. Children of FLOYD LEARY and JOYCE LOADER are: 19. i. BOBBY5 LEARY. 20. ii. IAN FLOYD LEARY, b. 02 Aug 1947. 9. PEARL4 LEARY (CHARLES EVAN3, GEORGE2, JOHN1) She married MATHER. Child of PEARL LEARY and MATHER is: i. RADALL5 MATHER. 10. RODMOND JOHN4 AGER (LORETTA KATHLEEN3 LEARY, GEORGE2, JOHN1) was born 19 Nov 1930 in Carman, Manitoba, and died 24 Mar 2006 in Grace Hospital, Winnipeg, Manitoba. He married SHIRLEY BOTTERELL 1956. Children of RODMOND AGER and SHIRLEY BOTTERELL are: 21. i. GARTH5 AGER. 22. ii. CHERYL AGER. 23. iii. LORETTA AGER. iv. DIANE AGER. v. SANDY AGER. vi. PAT COLLINS. 11. BRYSON ALAN4 LEARY (WILLIAM ALAN STANISLAUS3, GEORGE2, JOHN1) was born 13 Dec 1932 in Carman Hospital, Carman, Manitoba, and died 20 Apr 2003 in Swan Lake Hospital, Manitoba. He married JEAN MCLEARN PETERS 26 Sep 1958 in Edmonton, Alberta. She was born 17 Jan 1934 in Cadomin, Alberta. Children of BRYSON LEARY and JEAN PETERS are: 24. i. WILLIAM ALAN5 LEARY, b. 22 Feb 1961, Fort Vermilion, Alberta. 25. ii. JAMES BRIAN LEARY, b. 27 Jan 1962, Edson, Alberta. 12. DONALD GARTH4 LEARY (WILLIAM ALAN STANISLAUS3, GEORGE2, JOHN1) was born 08 Aug 1934 in Carman Hospital, Carman, Manitoba, and died 26 Jun 2002 in Notre Dame Hospital, Manitoba. He married ELSIE LYDIA PIEL 29 Dec 1959 in Winnipeg, Manitoba. She was born 21 Sep 1935 in Morris, Manitoba. 146 The Leary Family Children of DONALD LEARY and ELSIE PIEL are: 26. i. LYNETTE CAROL5 LEARY, b. 22 Oct 1960, Norway House, Manitoba. 27. ii. KELVIN DONALD LEARY, b. 11 Apr 1963, Arcola, Saskatchewan. 28. iii. SHARON COLLEEN LEARY, b. 27 Apr 1964, Arcola, Saskatchewan. 13. INA JEAN4 LEARY (WILLIAM ALAN STANISLAUS3, GEORGE2, JOHN1) was born 08 Oct 1936 in Carman Hospital, Carman, Manitoba. She married KELVIN BRAMADAT 09 Aug 1954 in United College Chapel, Winnipeg, Manitoba, son of RAWLINS BRAMADAT and FLORENCE RAMCHARAN. He was born 23 Feb 1925 in San Francique, Trinidad, and died 08 Jun 2008 in Carman, Manitoba. Children of INA LEARY and KELVIN BRAMADAT are: 29. i. EVELINA DAWN5 BRAMADAT, b. 14 Dec 1955, San Fernando, Trinidad. ii. WILLIAM KELVIN RAWLINS BRAMADAT, b. 01 Jul 1957, Swan Lake Hospital, Swan Lake, Manitoba. 30. iii. RONALD DUANE BRAMADAT, b. 25 Aug 1958, Grace Hospital, Winnipeg, Manitoba. 31. iv. DENNIS CARLTON BRAMADAT, b. 07 Jan 1964, Grace Hospital, Winnipeg, Manitoba. 14. ALVIN GEORGE4 LEARY (WILLIAM ALAN STANISLAUS3, GEORGE2, JOHN1) was born 04 Apr 1939 in Carman Hospital, Carman, Manitoba, and died 14 May 1984 in Brandon, Manitoba. He married MARGARET ARLENE RUBIDGE 30 Sep 1961 in Altamont, Manitoba. She was born 16 May 1940. Children of ALVIN LEARY and MARGARET RUBIDGE are: 32. i. DEANNE LEE5 LEARY, b. 20 Aug 1969, Red Deer, Alberta. 33. ii. IAN CHARLES LEARY, b. 08 Feb 1972, Winnipeg, Manitoba. 15. CARLTON WILLIAM4 LEARY (WILLIAM ALAN STANISLAUS3, GEORGE2, JOHN1) was born 09 Nov 1940 in Carman Hospital, Carman, Manitoba. He married MARILYN FAYE DACYK 17 Apr 1964 in Worsley, Alberta. She was born 22 Feb 1947 in Elk Point, Alberta. Children of CARLTON LEARY and MARILYN DACYK are: 34. i. GAYLE EDITH5 LEARY, b. 18 Nov 1964, Fairview, Alberta. 35. ii. DWAYNE WILIAM LEARY, b. 24 Oct 1967, Hinton, Alberta. 36. iii. PAMELA JOY LEARY, b. 25 Jul 1972, Slave Lake, Alberta. iv. VALERIE ROXANNE LEARY, b. 06 May 1966, Fairview, Alberta; d. 29 Aug 1966, Fairview, Alberta. 16. DOREEN MAY4 LEARY (AGER VALENTINE3, GEORGE2, JOHN1) was born 27 Apr 1926. She married ROBERT MERVIN LECLAIR 08 Jul 1948 in Roseisle, Manitoba. He was born May 1927, and died 22 Jan 2008 in Selkirk, Manitoba. Children of DOREEN LEARY and ROBERT LECLAIR are: i. CHERYL5 LECLAIR, b. 20 Jan; m. JOHN MELNICK. ii. LUANNE LECLAIR, b. 08 Dec; m. KEN PEARSON. iii. ROBERT LECLAIR, b. 06 Aug; m. MARILYN. iv. CRAIG LECLAIR, b. 07 Oct. v. RANDY LECLAIR, b. 17 May 1959; m. SHARLENE. 147 The Leary Family 17. MURIEL LORAINE4 LEARY (AGER VALENTINE3, GEORGE2, JOHN1) was born 02 Jul 1927. She married DON POSNICK 30 Jun 1951. He was born 1926, and died 1999. Children of MURIEL LEARY and DON POSNICK are: 37. i. DONALD WAYNE5 POSNICK, b. 24 Jan 1953. ii. ALAN DALE POSNICK, b. 10 Apr 1954; m. KAREN. iii. D. KEITH POSNICK, b. 20 Sep 1955. 38. iv. DONNA LORAINE POSNICK, b. 18 Jun 1959. Generation No. 4 18. STEVEN MAURICE5 LEARY (GEORGE GORDON4, JOHN GEORGE SUTTON3, GEORGE2, JOHN1) was born 08 Dec 1950 in Hazelton, B.C.. He married ANNA MARIE PELSMA. She was born 21 Dec 1954 in Hazelton, B.C.. Children of STEVEN LEARY and ANNA PELSMA are: i. GORDON JAMES6 LEARY, b. 03 Jul 1976, Hazelton, B.C.. ii. ANGELIEN MARIE LEARY, b. 11 Dec 1978, Hazelton, B.C.. iii. CHRIS HANNAH LEARY, b. 28 Nov 1980, Hazelton, B.C.. 19. BOBBY5 LEARY (FLOYD SIMPSON4, JOHN GEORGE SUTTON3, GEORGE2, JOHN1) He married (1) DOLORES SLATER. Children of BOBBY LEARY and DOLORES SLATER are: i. SHELLEY6 LEARY. ii. KATHY LEARY. Child of BOBBY LEARY is: iii. ROBBY6 LEARY. 20. IAN FLOYD5 LEARY (FLOYD SIMPSON4, JOHN GEORGE SUTTON3, GEORGE2, JOHN1) was born 02 Aug 1947. He married EILEEN KERR. She was born 08 Dec 1952. Children of IAN LEARY and EILEEN KERR are: i. SHANNON6 LEARY, b. 14 Apr 1971. ii. SHARMON LEARY, b. Mar 1973. iii. SHANNA LEARY, b. 27 Jul 1980. 21. GARTH5 AGER (RODMOND JOHN4, LORETTA KATHLEEN3 LEARY, GEORGE2, JOHN1) He married CORIE. Children of GARTH AGER and CORIE are: i. ROBLYN6 AGER. ii. DANIELLE AGER. 148 The Leary Family 22. CHERYL5 AGER (RODMOND JOHN4, LORETTA KATHLEEN3 LEARY, GEORGE2, JOHN1) She married DAVE HUSKA. Children of CHERYL AGER and DAVE HUSKA are: 39. i. BELINDA6 HUSKA. 40. ii. DAVID HUSKA, JR.. iii. RODMOND HUSKA. 23. LORETTA5 AGER (RODMOND JOHN4, LORETTA KATHLEEN3 LEARY, GEORGE2, JOHN1) She married (1) BYRON HERNANDEZ. She married (2) JOE MASON. Children of LORETTA AGER and BYRON HERNANDEZ are: i. SKYLER6 HERNANDEZ. ii. LOGAN HERNANDEZ. iii. KATIE HERNANDEZ. Child of LORETTA AGER and JOE MASON is: iv. TALIA6 MASON. 24. WILLIAM ALAN5 LEARY (BRYSON ALAN4, WILLIAM ALAN STANISLAUS3, GEORGE2, JOHN1) was born 22 Feb 1961 in Fort Vermilion, Alberta. He married MARGARET TERPENING 04 Sep 1992 in Burnaby, B.C., daughter of REX TERPENING and TRUDIE. She was born 08 Aug 1961 in Burnaby, B.C.. Children of WILLIAM LEARY and MARGARET TERPENING are: i. ADAM ALAN6 LEARY, b. 18 Jul 1993, Whitehorse, Yukon. ii. JARED AIDAN LEARY, b. 18 Aug 1998, Whitehorse, Yukon. 25. JAMES BRIAN5 LEARY (BRYSON ALAN4, WILLIAM ALAN STANISLAUS3, GEORGE2, JOHN1) was born 27 Jan 1962 in Edson, Alberta. He married JANET ELIZABETH MILL 09 Nov 1991 in B.C., daughter of RONALD MILL and DIANE CHAMBERLIN. She was born 22 Feb 1962 in New Westminster, B.C.. Children of JAMES LEARY and JANET MILL are: i. BRYAN RONALD6 LEARY, b. 18 May 1993, Whitehorse, Yukon. ii. STUART JAMES LEARY, b. 07 Jan 1996, Whitehorse, Yukon. 26. LYNETTE CAROL5 LEARY (DONALD GARTH4, WILLIAM ALAN STANISLAUS3, GEORGE2, JOHN1) was born 22 Oct 1960 in Norway House, Manitoba. She married MURRAY DOUGLAS STOW 1988 in Graysville, Manitoba. He was born 12 Oct 1959 in Carman, Manitoba. Children of LYNETTE LEARY and MURRAY STOW are: i. MARK DONALD6 STOW, b. 01 May 1993, Vancouver, B.C. ii. MEARA STOW, b. 21 Mar 1995, Vancouver, B.C.149 The Leary Family 27. KELVIN DONALD5 LEARY (DONALD GARTH4, WILLIAM ALAN STANISLAUS3, GEORGE2, JOHN1) was born 11 Apr 1963 in Arcola, Saskatchewan. He married KATHERINE ANN HOOPER 1987 in Learys, Manitoba. She was born 01 Feb 1956 in Moncton, New Brunswick. Children of KELVIN LEARY and KATHERINE HOOPER are: i. KASIA BREE6 LEARY, b. 04 Feb 1988, Whitehorse, Yukon. ii. SAVANNA DAWN LEARY, b. 05 May 1993, Whitehorse, Yukon. 28. SHARON COLLEEN5 LEARY (DONALD GARTH4, WILLIAM ALAN STANISLAUS3, GEORGE2, JOHN1) was born 27 Apr 1964 in Arcola, Saskatchewan. She married KELLY CHOY 1987 in Brandon, Manitoba, son of ALLAN CHOY and JUDY. He was born 28 Apr 1963 in Shoal lake, Manitoba. Children of SHARON LEARY and KELLY CHOY are: i. JORDAN6 CHOY, b. 12 Mar 1992, Dawson City, Yukon. ii. KELVIN CHOY, b. 30 Sep 1993, Manitoba. 29. EVELINA DAWN5 BRAMADAT (INA JEAN4 LEARY, WILLIAM ALAN STANISLAUS3, GEORGE2, JOHN1) was born 14 Dec 1955 in San Fernando, Trinidad. She married (1) LEONARD TERHOCH 1978 in Winnipeg, Manitoba. He was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba. She married (2) KEITH WILLCOCK 1987 in Windsong, Eastern Townships, Quebec. He was born 23 Sep 1950 in Ipswich, England. Children of EVELINA BRAMADAT and KEITH WILLCOCK are: i. MICHAEL JORDAN6 WILLCOCK, b. 08 Nov 1985, Montreal, Quebec. ii. KYRA SHAUGHNESSY WILLCOCK, b. 11 Aug 1987, Montreal, Quebec. iii. DAVID WARREN WILLCOCK, b. 15 Nov 1988, Audet, Quebec. iv. ANDREW JAMES WILLCOCK, b. 26 Jul 1991, Audet, Quebec. 30. RONALD DUANE5 BRAMADAT (INA JEAN4 LEARY, WILLIAM ALAN STANISLAUS3, GEORGE2, JOHN1) was born 25 Aug 1958 in Grace Hospital, Winnipeg, Manitoba. He met (1) LYNN BOWER. He married (2) MARNI GUNTER 03 Sep 1995 in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, daughter of MERVIN GUNTER and BETTY. She was born 17 Jun 1970 in Loon Lake, Saskatchewan. Child of RONALD BRAMADAT and LYNN BOWER is: i. ASHLEY DAWN BOWER6 BRAMADAT, b. 11 Jun 1989, Whitehorse, Yukon. Children of RONALD BRAMADAT and MARNI GUNTER are: ii. AVERY ALYSSA6 BRAMADAT, b. 05 Apr 1998, Whitehorse, Yukon. iii. MASON TRAVERS BRAMADAT, b. 15 Dec 2000. 31. DENNIS CARLTON5 BRAMADAT (INA JEAN4 LEARY, WILLIAM ALAN STANISLAUS3, GEORGE2, JOHN1) was born 07 Jan 1964 in Grace Hospital, Winnipeg, Manitoba. He married MAREE STASCH 09 Oct 1994 in Brisbane, Australia, daughter of GEORGE STASCH and KATHLEEN NOONE. She was born 04 Dec 1964 in Mt. Isa, Northwestern Queensland, 150 The Leary Family Australia. Children of DENNIS BRAMADAT and MAREE STASCH are: i. KATHLEEN ELISE6 BRAMADAT, b. 27 Dec 1999, Brisbane, Australia. ii. SEAN ALEXANDER DONALD BRAMADAT, b. 29 Aug 2002, Brisbane, Australia. 32. DEANNE LEE5 LEARY (ALVIN GEORGE4, WILLIAM ALAN STANISLAUS3, GEORGE2, JOHN1) was born 20 Aug 1969 in Red Deer, Alberta. She met FRANK SZAKALY Dec 1994 in Brandon, Manitoba. Children of DEANNE LEARY and FRANK SZAKALY are: i. TYLER WILLIAM ALVIN6 LEARY, b. 20 Oct 1987, Brandon, Manitoba. ii. STEPHEN JONAS FERENC SZAKALY, b. 06 Feb 2000. 33. IAN CHARLES5 LEARY (ALVIN GEORGE4, WILLIAM ALAN STANISLAUS3, GEORGE2, JOHN1) was born 08 Feb 1972 in Winnipeg, Manitoba. He met DANIELLE ELISE FRASER. She was born 09 Apr 1980 in Edmonton, Alberta. Children of IAN LEARY and DANIELLE FRASER are: i. BRENDAN IAN6 LEARY, b. 03 Mar 1990, Brandon, Manitoba. ii. BRAEDYN MARLAINE LEARY, b. 08 Nov 1991, Red Deer, Alberta. iii. DARIAN LEARY, b. 01 Jul 2001, Yorkton, Saskatchewan. iv. LYCIA DEANNE CHRISTINA LEARY, b. 19 May 2002, Regina, Saskatchewan. 34. GAYLE EDITH5 LEARY (CARLTON WILLIAM4, WILLIAM ALAN STANISLAUS3, GEORGE2, JOHN1) was born 18 Nov 1964 in Fairview, Alberta. She married JERRY JONSON 08 Jun 1985 in Fairwiew, Alberta. He was born 02 May 1962 in Edmonton, Alberta. Children of GAYLE LEARY and JERRY JONSON are: i. DEVON DWAYNE6 JONSON, b. 24 Oct 1989, Fairview, Alberta. ii. LAURA JACQUELINE JONSON, b. 27 Dec 1991, Fairview, Alberta. 35. DWAYNE WILIAM5 LEARY (CARLTON WILLIAM4, WILLIAM ALAN STANISLAUS3, GEORGE2, JOHN1) was born 24 Oct 1967 in Hinton, Alberta. He married JULIE WATCHORN. Children of DWAYNE LEARY and JULIE WATCHORN are: i. LEVI DEREK WILLIAM6 LEARY, b. 06 Jan 1993. ii. AUSTIN CARLTON HARVEY LEARY, b. 10 Jan 1995. 36. PAMELA JOY5 LEARY (CARLTON WILLIAM4, WILLIAM ALAN STANISLAUS3, GEORGE2, JOHN1) was born 25 Jul 1972 in Slave Lake, Alberta. She married KELVIN BENNETT 17 May 1997 in Grimshaw, Alberta. He was born in Peace River, Alberta. Children of PAMELA LEARY and KELVIN BENNETT are: i. BROOKE6 BENNETT, b. 14 Dec 1999, Peace River, Alberta. ii. TALON BENNETT, b. 07 Dec 2001, Edmonton, Alberta151 The Leary Family 37. DONALD WAYNE5 POSNICK (MURIEL LORAINE4 LEARY, AGER VALENTINE3, GEORGE2, JOHN1) was born 24 Jan 1953. He married LINDA GUERTS 1974. Children of DONALD POSNICK and LINDA GUERTS are: 41. i. AMBER BULTE6 POSNICK. ii. SAMANTHA POSNICK. 38. DONNA LORAINE5 POSNICK (MURIEL LORAINE4 LEARY, AGER VALENTINE3, GEORGE2, JOHN1) was born 18 Jun 1959. She married BRIAN TWOMEY. Children of DONNA POSNICK and BRIAN TWOMEY are: i. DEREK6 TWOMEY, b. 1990. ii. KARA TWOMEY, b. 1992. Generation No. 5 39. BELINDA6 HUSKA (CHERYL5 AGER, RODMOND JOHN4, LORETTA KATHLEEN3 LEARY, GEORGE2, JOHN1) She married PETER RAPOSA. Child of BELINDA HUSKA and PETER RAPOSA is: i. OLIVIA7 RAPOSA. 40. DAVID6 HUSKA, JR. (CHERYL5 AGER, RODMOND JOHN4, LORETTA KATHLEEN3 LEARY, GEORGE2, JOHN1) He married ANDREA BERG. Child of DAVID HUSKA and ANDREA BERG is: i. TYLER7 HUSKA. 41. AMBER BULTE6 POSNICK (DONALD WAYNE5, MURIEL LORAINE4 LEARY, AGER VALENTINE3, GEORGE2, JOHN1) She married GRAEME BULTE. Child of AMBER POSNICK and GRAEME BULTE is: i. COEN NOEL7 BULTE, b. 25 Feb, Melbourne, Australia. Note: For a longer version of his life story, see: George Leary -The Life & Times of an Enterprising Irishman, compiled by his granddaughter Ina (Leary) Bramadat. 152 George Leary 1849 - 1939 GEORGE LEARY The Life & Times of an Enterprising Irishman Compiled by his granddaughter Ina (Leary) Bramadat PROLOGUE .George Leary lay propped up in bed, wearing a white night-shirt. He was almost 90 years of age and his face had grown thin and gaunt. His hair had long since receded into a white fringe, typical of the hair pattern among Leary males. His trademark mustache and goatee still gave him a distinguished air and still served, as it had throughout his adult life, to effectively camouflage a narrow and less than forceful chin. This is the picture of my grandfather that is clearly imprinted on my mind, my first childhood memory. This memory is so sharp and clear, that I have always felt I knew my Grandfather Leary, even though I was only two-and-a-half years old when he died. The family pictures show a more formal side of his life than the one I recall. In many of these pictures, he is wearing a black suit and a black bowler hat. Someone, at some time, must have commented on his most photogenic pose, because he often appears in right profile, gazing slightly upward to the distant heavens. Grandpa Leary was tall and thin, with the long Leary legs, and, even in his later years, he stood ramrod straight. His three brothers and four sons had the same build. Family stories relate that, at least once, my grandfather found his height to be an advantage. He was a staunch Conservative and a vigorous political campaigner. He was out campaigning one day at an open-air meeting. His opponent was short and had to stand on a stone-boat (a.k.a. manure-spreader) to address the crowd. George drew laughter and loud applause from the crowd when he remarked that the fact that his opponent had to stand on a manure spreader to deliver the Liberal message Asaid it all. The memory I have of my grandfather would have been from shortly before he died - April 3, 1939, the evening before my brother Alvin George was born. I remember clearly standing by his bedside and thinking how high the bed was. Of course, I would only have been about 2-1/2 years old then so, was the bed really high or was it just that I was small? The other clear visual memory I have from these days is of coming down the stairs in our own house by the brickyard and seeing the big wicker baby carriage in the living room. The trauma of Grandpa Learys death and the arrival of a new sibling must have had a strong impact on my young mind for these two images to have registered so clearly. My grandparents were living then in the brick house that still stands in the valley. The bed where Grandpa Leary lay was against the north wall of what, in later years, was our dining room. It faced west so he could look out through an expanse of windows toward the hills. Within his line of sight would have been the big elm tree that was already reaching its prime when the family =s back in the 1920s, Grandpa Leary would have a muskmelon from his garden cooled and ready for her when she arrived home from teaching at Leary School. Each day he walked a quarter mile west along the railway track to get fresh, cold spring water from a pipe that was driven into the embankment. Everyone preferred the spring water to the nearby well water. This is the place where the family now maintains a picnic site commemorating our mother, Edith Leary Over the years, I learned a bit more about Grandpa Leary. He was interested in people and quite well-informed, particularly in the area of politics. He was proud of the fact that he was Irish. George was born in the south of Ireland, however, like his family, he was a member of the Protestant Church of England (Anglican Church). And, while living at Learys, he was a member the Roseisle Orange Lodge. Although the community surrounding Learys was largely Roman Catholic, he lived amicably with his neighbours. But there were limits beyond which his biases would not let him go. It is said that, when a local Catholic lad appeared at the door to visit his daughter, he firmly closed the door in the mans face and said he would have none of that. He always claimed that he could understand most things but he would never understand how you could plant a little acorn in the ground and have it grow into a tall, sturdy oak tree. It as from these few memories and snippets of family information that I began the search for George Leary=s life story. Early newspapers proved to be a gold-mine of information on his early life. In the interests of maintaining some of the colour and feel of the times - and of hearing George=s own words as they were frozen in print over a century ago - most of the newspaper items are quoted in full. Research of family history is never complete, so Ive provided as much information as possible in endnotes to tell future family genealogists the places I have looked in my search for the recorded imprints that George Leary left behind during his long and busy life. IRELAND TO ONTARIO George was the youngest son of John and Maria (Sneyd) Leary and a sibling of Anna Maria, William, Benjamin, Catherine, Frances, Jane and John. He was born in Kilkenny County, Ireland, September 15, 1849. (1) George was still a young child when his father left the Royal Irish Constabulary and took up a position with the Royal Mail service in Jamaica. (2) The family -- =s niece, May Howard, recalled that her uncle spoke of travelling through New Orleans on their way to Canada. (3) The family reappears in Clinton, Ontario, where John Sr. was Census Commissioner for Huron District for the 1861 Census. Why they moved to that particular location is unclear, however, listed immediately after the Learys in the census are the William Sneyd family. Whether William Sneyd was cousin of Marias is still unknown, but given the rarity of the Sneyd name, and the fact that both came from Kilkenny, it seems likely this was the reason for settling at Clinton. William Sneyd and his sister Jane came to Canada from Three Castles, Kilkenny in the 1830s. They came with their cousins, the Holmes, and both married into that family. (4) John Learys recommendation for the position of Census Commissioner was made by John Holmes, M.P.P. (5) The relationship between the families at this point is still speculative and is a source of ongoing research. At the time of the 1861 census, George was living with his parents and was one of the two children in the family who were still attending school. (6) No record of George has surfaced yet until a decade later, at the time of the 1871 census. He was now 20 years old and was living with the family near Wingham, Ontario, north of Clinton. (7) He is said to have taught school in Ontario. (8) Three years later, George and his brother John began the next leg of the family migration, this time west to Manitoba. The West in the 1870s. Manitoba had just become a province in 1870 and the push was on to bring settlers. to the new territory. The government of John A. MacDonald was actively promoting western settlement. Their intent was to populate the Prairies and forestall the Americans who were pushing westward into lands north of the Canada - U.S. border. The Canadian government feared that Americans would outflank the western flow of Canadian settlement and cut off the rest of Canada from its settlements on the Pacific coast. cl The Trip to Nelsonville. In 1874, George and John headed west. The Canadian railway had not yet been built to Manitoba, so it is likely they followed basically the same route taken a couple of years later by brother Ben who travelled by train from Wingham to Kincardine, north of Goderich on Lake Huron, across Lake Huron and Lake Superior to Duluth. From Duluth, George and John would have travelled by train again to Fargo-Moorhead on the Red River, then by steamship down the Red River to Winnipeg. Three years later, when Georges brother, Ben, travelled west, a rail line had been completed from Duluth to Fisher's Landing on a tributary of the Red River east of Fargo, and he was able to take a slightly different route to Manitoba. (See Map 1) The area where John and George homesteaded had not yet been settled, so they went first to Winnipeg, at the fork of the Red and Assiniboine rivers. Winnipeg had just become a city. It was now a growing settlement of some 3,000 people and the centre for buying equipment and supplies. It was also the centre where mail arrived from family members back home. R.M. of Dufferin History 1880-1980, p.5 Fargo -Moorhead Ontario to Nelsonville By Rail ---By Steamship ---By Foot or Cart ---Manitoba 1874 Route Taken to Nelsonville NELSONVILLE The area where the party took up homesteads lay just below an escarpment, formed when glacial Lake Agassiz receded from Southern Manitoba. John and George were among the second group of settlers to this area In the Spring of 1874, a man by the name of Robert Stevenson had homesteaded there with his sons, however, a fire destroyed their shelter and Stevenson and two sons died. It was in the summer of the same year that the Leary brothers arrived with the next party of settlers to the area. Much of the information that has survived about the early days in Nelsonville comes from a few surviving copies of the local paper, the . Most other records were destroyed by fire. An updated history of Thompson Municipality provides a summary of what is currently known about the Nelsonville settlement. (12) The Leary brothers arrived just ahead of the rush to homestead the area. By 1876, the fertile farmland land around what was known as the Pembina Mountain Settlement was a targeted area for new settlers. The town of Nelsonville grew rapidly, reaching its peak population of 1,000 by the time it was incorporated in1882. The town had a mill, a post office, three general stores, two hotels, two livery and feed barns, a photography shop, a branch of the Dominion Lands Office, bookstore, machine warehouse, meat market, blacksmith shop, three churches, jewellery store, and several other businesses. Residents were convinced that their central location ensured that the railway would pass through the settlement and that the town would become second only to Winnipeg and perhaps Brandon. Articles in the early newspapers give a sense of the optimism that generated in these boom-town communities. Under heading Pembina Mountain - the following letter was sent to the editor of the Manitoba Free Press: Having had occasion to visit this part of the province so familiarly known as the Pembina Mountain Settlement and as a great deal has been said concerning the natural advantages which this portion affords to the intending emigrant, I must from personal observation say that justice has never yet been done. Nor will I undertake to draw a picture, as no tongue can tell or pen describe the natural advantages which this section affords those who are seeking new homes. Suffice it to say it is a perfect paradise, which one cannot realize or believe without seeing. I Explorer. (13) Georges Days in Nelsonville George was active in the life of the community. Although the Learys were Church of England (Anglican), George was involved in the church-building activities of both the Presbyterians and Methodists of the community. The Manitoba Free Press from January 18, 1878 reported plans for building the first Presbyterian Church in the Nelsonville area: At a public meeting held on Saturday, Dec. 28th. 1977, in the house of Mr. James Duncan, to consider what steps should be taken for the erection of a Presbyterian church edifice in the neighbourhood, Mr. George Leary was called to the chair, and Mr. Robert Foster appointed secretary. (14) George was appointed to the building committee to devise the ways and means to build a 20 by 30-foot frame structure on the NE 1/4 of Sec. 3, Tp. 4, 6W. The first fund-raising event was a social. The Presbyterian minister to that area was Reverend H.G. Borthwick. (15) The newspaper later provided a report of the social. Numbers were present from a long distance, it apparently being a good thing to go twenty to thirty miles to such a gathering. The evening was passed very pleasantly, in listening to speeches, readings, recitations, songs grave and gay, etc. A very bountiful good tea with fixings was prepared by ladies of the congregation. The collection taken up came to $19 for the building fund of the church in this neighbourhood. The Rev. Borthwick, in gathering up the fragments at the close of proceedings initiated a movement in favour of presenting Dr. Morris, an esteemed settler of this neighbourhood, with a horse, etc. to enable him with more ease and comfort to himself, toto carry out his work among those who call upon him for medical aid. The proposal was well received and will no doubt be successful. God Save the Queen closed a very happy and pleasant evening. (16) The need for churches seems to have blurred the distinction between different religious groups. George Leary also chaired the Methodist church social at Rev. Harrisons home and the Manitoba Free Press. Under heading Methodist Social at Pembina Mountain: At the residence of Rev. J.M. Harrison, Pembina Mountain, a social was given in the interests of the church building fund, on the 20th. ult. Although the night was dark and the road heavy, a very large and interesting audience gathered. Tea was served under the able superintendence of Mrs. Harrison, and ample justice was done to the edibles by those whose appetites had been sharpened by the long drive of ten or twelve miles. By 8:30, some seventy persons had assembled, and an exceedingly pleasing and even superior programme was rendered. We cannot so much impose on your valuable space as to trouble you with the complete programme, but from the names of those who lent their assistance, your readers will be able to form some just estimate of its character. Mr. George Leary ably occupied the chair. Speeches both interesting and profitable were given by the following gentlemen: Rev. J.H. Borthwick - subject, Blisters; Dr. Morris, Enterprise; J.W. Phillips, Union; Mr. Murray, Prospective; Mr. Newcomb, Reminiscence; all of which were received with great enthusiasm. Recitations were rendered by Messrs. J.W. Phillips, Thos. Godkin, and W. Morden, and by Miss Polly Fox and Miss Harvey. The musical part is deserving of special note. None equal to this has yet been given on the Mountain. The organ discoursed sweetly, and by the very clever touch of Miss Jenny Nelson and Mr. Pugh one would have little difficulty to understand the secret of all successful performing music, the deep love of the art. Solos were beautifully and artistically rendered by Miss Kate Phillips, Mrs Harrison and Mr. Fox. A great number of choruses were sung by the choir and perfect harmony of time and tune characterized the whole of the selections; these being of a superior nature showed the wisdom of the leader, Mr. Fox. The financial results were very encouraging and we wish our Methodist friends every success in their laudable undertaking. Georges Protestant leanings were reaffirmed in 1878 with his appointment as lecturer of the Provencher County Grand Orange Lodge. (18) In February of the same year, he was one of the directors elected to the board of a new agricultural society. (19) Other Learys Arrive By this time, other members of the family had joined in the lure to the West. In 1877, Georges eldest sister, Anna Maria Elliott and family moved to Nelsonville and homesteaded just east of town. Brother Ben followed shortly after, bringing with him his son Orlando George (O.G.) and three of William Learys stepsons, the Godkin boys (Jim, Tom and Joe). The parents, John and Maria, joined the family in Nelsonville in 1880, the year that both George and his brother John Jr. were married. The 1881 census records that Johns and Marias sixteen-year-old granddaughter, Maud Dennis, was living with them. Brother William also came west with his wife Sarah and five George Marries. George was one of the fortunate bachelors who found one of the pretty girls that the Manitoba Free Press correspondent referred to in the 1878 tribute to the Pembina area settlements. On March 29, 1880, he married Armintha Loretta Ager of nearby Rosebank District. ( 20) Mint, as George called her, was born in Napanee, Ontario, September 15, 1864 and had come west to Manitoba with her parents in 1876. The Ager family lived north-east of Nelsonville at Ager Corner, the site of Ager School and Ager Church. (21) The 1881 census described Armintha as 19 years of age, born in Ontario, of English origin and Methodist by religion. (22) In the same census, George is listed as a farmer, age 29, born in Ireland of Irish origin, with Church of England affiliation. . George and Armintha operated a General Store in Nelsonville. George also served as Postmaster in the town from 1882 to 1886.(23) By this time, the stagecoach brought mail from Emerson and, until the railway was built, Nelsonville was the post office for communities as far west as Swan Lake. In 1881, George Leary is listed in Henderson's Directory as a Marriage Licence Issuer for Manitoba for Nelsonville in the R.M. of North Dufferin (24) By 1882, either George or his brothers were riding the wave of expansion and moving into the real estate boom. In an advertisement in the Manitoba Daily Free Press, in1882, H.S. Crotty & Co. of Winnipeg list 1500 Lots in Leary Estate, Nelsonville for sale on the property market. (25) The Learys were apparently Homesteads of Leary Family at Nelsonville Township 4 Range 6 SW 2 - Town of Nelsonville SE 2 - John Elliott (m. to Anna Maria) SE 15 - George Leary NW 1 - John Leary (Georges brother) NE 9 - George Leary W1/2 23 - Ben Leary (Georges brother) ,, .. +ï t\\,f l(l'I' I 11'\\ ,ïi '\\ <" 'I t~f .. ., à ,. .. v:. t-ï .. ;,.-~ ; .. à ~,,.v-4111 ~.,, J Ã. ~ï d <(~ï <Ill j , --,. -ïï-à 1--.,\\~ï tfi .J 'F ,, "': 1' .,c.>~ ¥.-> ~-+~ ~-ï .. 1s ~-ff' ft~ "" yï '!t,. .. A..W : ,., IJ' I" .. .. t-~,l; t(' .. ï'!-"" ~,,. ,I~ '"",.I' ,tf'~~ .,,, f,. ,. .. i. -~ ~>, rï . .. à oï à --~--.>~---..a, ---4ï .. , . +i-.Jtj' à ;/ #~ ;, à ï, .. ï ' ,, t~ c,~., ~ï ,.,,. :#"ï """' . -r._/' ,~ .,yt .. '\\ ~,_ï~~ . ~_.1 ~.4"\\9->,'\\ t-ïI\\\\; ,. ~-.. fl i"''' fl I,,., .. ~ï ,.'I" t>; 41 \\; 11 I ---., .. t,'' , Ã. ~ï ,.. --I-~l -.. tïtJ .. -~~.,, tlJt-~.$ï , .. v \\\\-( v "1" 1,>" vï ti" .. -~ ¥" ..,.,,. ~ï ' \\-1'" .y ,. 'i Ã.. t~ïl ,,.; .f/ ..~\\ "' ~,. ? ï~ t-ï ~-I '\\. I ~ï à ~.., ., ,., t'' ,,. I .,, " ,.., ". ,l' I ,. t ~,. -"-.;,;j ~;..JJ ,,,..J ~v' ~i' ~4 .. ~"'~,(\\ .. r ,ï tï1 Ã. ~,, J ~-~.,. ,ï """"' t/'r \\., f-. ,, J~ï " Ãà .,,,.. -:, I u ,ii +;Ã#ï .i 4 .. ï'o<< ,, tr vï ï" .. Jh, .f'u'l'Clt ,> \\: i-ï ~-0-9' . ~ï .,. .. s-4' ._,, \\ Ã.. .,_.,. ' )-,, I-----ll " ïïïï-., ,= ~vï --ï ----1 ''ri' Ã. .., ,,,. . Ã. ~-. ., I q_-.. Le!l 1 lf~t,011. /' ,1ï .('' '!,. .. i +ï )0 à ti-ct -..1-' 'l,-" I\\ .. , .-~1 l\\:".". ,. ï~ï ta} t t,)-1 +ï~ ~-,, ït\\\\ t-ïv iï .,,. y .. ff \\°'ï ., Ã. )-.. ~-,_,.,_ tï . ., . i~ 1S- . .. ,~.,. . ~-.. < ,~~F à "~.\\~ ÃÃà 'V-\\\\ ,., ï \\: . -.c. l~ 'J\\t,' Nelsonville .;r"' Ã. ~-,,,, ," ,., à George Leary Armintha George Arminthas aunt Mint Mint Ads in Nelsonville Mountaineer _-BES1: ~uM-t'.i:Y:-OF'cr~ir :;- -I . Ã. .., Ã.. .,.,,;-:;. .. -ïïï-- ,r.ew, Ãà ~.!;_ ,o .,, ' ' --' ~1/ ï".-1;-t-~ ~-~--_ -_ -_ -_ -_ -'-!~~~?::-:0:~ ;,,M , _. _ ; _. -and ~ca_dJ~a~JI~fli~[, < _ .-~ii.derclotbmg, _Glovcs,ïTf B~ces,-ete., etc.; --.- -~-:: -x.ri:a.i:. ouT,:i;':i;:'re:; cïoi1:-;pLE-TE-~ --;;t '_StoCk IGAN:..: >RESS. . . NADA! l~EE, -Ã.. - ¥" Ã.,--Ã. L . .\\UIES' Ai'-». GEXTLt:lrt,;x'!i FA~CY Gooos A.SD JEWELllY. TUE CF.t.EBkATF.D n.u:t:~l~t (.'Okilt J.LWA.\\"3 IS STOCf. -~---AU QOOU Dort !tom Xo~tn..i ud Tcic111.0 a.rttu ud auked at low .ftauea l.fllpe,:tlaaï of -'lQUIJ AH PnCti l.ii1'1ieci. . ,rYour Patrooage Respec\\fully Solici\)Tj 0.412 g 0.0179 Tc 0.367 0 Td (ed. T. H. GODl~ltEY . ï1ï!VfA.~N M~h1~7,11-v'~b.lZà 7 Jen1:.,i,J£1<. ~~83_,/)S'Ti HARDW AREi STOVES. TINWARE. ~_;_: --- m.ts _:_ ~-::, i :~f.Mill,-TWWS, BUFFA.IA }!Jll)iT!l!I GOAt -/l-_ i.i-~~i ~~itiii~~};it~~j~J.~ -~-~ 1.~~~: >tllls E liOYS'''ntmlYïM/.\\!IE CLOTHING HOUSE i ~""""'" ::.:. ' 90ï :;_,._..~;,;1,;:.,:,:.~.~~:.:i: ~~§.?~1!:~~~=ï-~:, J ï--. -~ :;::~~ ~::; -LADIES' UNDERWEAH, ' :ï:;;:;.;::::--ï = 1;., à 1$\\ Ãà ,~,..!'la. rïi~ :~ï"'1,11:, Ã.. i! i;t, Ã. ~,~-11,;::u , _ï i-uw:ic HS . e. --~-_-t,,,.,,~ Ã. l, à :.-::ï1.:..-;;.,.;."';;:.:' _, .. ïï-.. _BLE;ACHEO AND UNBLEACHEïo-ï COTTON, lit tM ., ,Ã.i_ 1ïf'--o;,.y. :.°'ho!: .. 1 s .. y 1~ .. llHwlo "1Ã, .~., , Ã.. DIVIIU£JJ.1, ,1/e6&f'. /4,,~,fl',r,t:!,tL .,,.,~uov ~~_Bt~_pple_,-, Agent. .;J'r MAy /8~'P$ ,,.s-; J. J. Oochr~~,.Apnt. 1i.. o-. nÃi.--. ~. n--Ã_, wiÃ1,Ã. ïÃ:.. .. _ Ã. ,_ ___ .. --:. READY MA.DE CLOTHING,' BOOTS & SHOES, ~POST OFFICE -STORE,_ NEL')()N. PARALYZING PRICES DO_ NOT NEGLECT TR.E OPPORTUNITY J..ll-,-~UIMi,lÃ.ilo~ol-IÃ_ GEO. LEARY. 1 IIHTH IUffES AlfKO.A.L were quite creatively written. Unfortunately, the much-anticipated railway by-passed the town. The nearby town of Morden was chosen over Nelsonville as a hub of the rail line and by 1884-85, an exodus began. People moved buildings to Morden and the town of Nelsonville quickly disappeared. Today there is only a cairn and the old Methodist church standing at the site. In later years the area was renamed "Dunstan". The Nelsonville Cemetery, a mile north and half mile west of the cairn, is the only other trace of the settlement. Even some of the cemetery residents, such as John Leary Sr., moved on, to be re-located in Morden cemeteries. George stayed on in Nelsonville until the town left. As one of the last residents of Nelsonville, he played a role in winding down the affairs of the town. The , January 8, 1886 reported that "There are no councillors nominated for the Town of Nelson this year. The town has collapsed utterly. Three or four families still reside there, but as a business point, Nelson has ceased to exist. Most of the buildings have been moved to Morden and all others worth moving will likely soon follow." The January 22 issue of the same paper reported that "Peter Anderson was elected Mayor of Nelson by acclamation. The Returning Officer, Mr. George Leary, declared him duly elected. Mr. J.J. Cochrane declaration of office and all the paraphernalia important to high and important positions, were tendered to Mr. Anderson, he seemed inclined to take the matter as a joke and thought the boys wanted to stick him for the beer."(26) Although George was still living in Nelsonville in January, 1886, he also was preparing to follow the exodus from the disappearing town. Ads in Winnipeg newspapers as early as 1884 record the reality of the towns sudden decline. George had dissolved his business affairs in Nelsonville and placed all his stock on the line to pay off creditors. (27) The exact date of George and Armintha's departure from the ., .; .. _':'; :-,., ï:-.: ~'[!.. WI (Q] Ir IA. [~tif' @ W -~]~~ll~l-~~ttrt BEING A SUB.DIVI N.W. Q;,~ S(C.35 T!.oïR% 6 WEST alt it~ b n ','<ï THE PROPCl~TY Of' JOHN L.NELSON . . J: :,-:, Ã. Cousin George Merlin Leary (William, O.G., Benjamin, John) at cairn A cairn also has been placed at the nearby Godkin homestead to mark the site where William Sr.s godsons lived their first winter in Nelsonville in a cellar covered with a canvas tarpaulin. The Godkin home still stands on the farm. Among its contents is an early portrait of Sarah (Young, Godkin) Leary. Homesteads of Leary Family at Swan Lake, Manitoba Township - 4 Range - 11 SE 36 - William Leary (brother of George) N1/2 34 - Wm. John Leary (son of William) W 1/2 36 & SE 35 - John Leary Jr. (brother of George) NE 35 - Robert Sneyd Leary (son of John jr.) NE 14 - Henry Huston (m. to George=s sister, Jane Huston) SW 24 - Aubrey Elliott (son of George=s sister, Anna Maria Elliott) SE 14 - Jon. Mussell (m. to Maud Dennis, d. of Georges sister, Katherine Dennis-Hearl) ( ) If. If ass ,c, Sm,f-1; 19 J. /VJ,,y<N? / S~iJ : ~c 11117re j 1&"1~ ; ',f4/, e.dJ. J'a,ne,-:, j J:e// ' lla,re. j /ff-P,. l8i'/ 1 Jf, If i l J/-&/n-1'/C/-,:rdyt!n li8/ lf,,t5,C, 8 5 ..lei,,, J J;,1,n J, ,F,vse,-h-V5er /ff8.Z IS?o Ht1,. .)}d,,c/ C"/JQ,/e.s ~dblC-/f!<!-{!,,_y l<jd ::2. /8'96 If ' If Serf T ,.fihrJ ~7/;{ L,,-,,1 /$ 'I l'i/9& II If /?o6erl-5 <Mmll6 8:tr61J<1r {7'q~<1ur /~9¥ /(!8.3 If I If .:Ter<>me ~,; th,do,-, lff9/ ½, <l'l If i Ill ,f,e-/,an:/ 7/urloJJ ~A?I~ Jl1.1nlqP '1t$eJ/. lftf H-.,. ff J,,1,1'} 1-'J,,tµew' MiJrr<J ~.1 fr/4 rrc J./ ,1n J$f6 II.,. II John L.: 61'oWr> / t g.E, If .. " ~r7e IJ. 23 1111#/e.h'-'r)" 18 8't1 13 -hht/10,n l?,pcrfC. 4/,'l/,am .kme.s :llt1r,al./ &-,,wn M,mro &#.u/1~ lfdC /'ft;). JtlO/ /86':J.. .. .. I/_ ,,(w, .. r.. 1n 1/,,e,,f',;,,.,.,,., /'/"_L,..,,ql /fi''/7 l~</l -t. ~< /eler ;.l,,~,,. . ÃJ , l'!(/,ih,5/,J, /rJo/,,1,~ /M-r /",ekr-<:,DR lfil6 li7t/ <'.IU \\ I/ /YJC/;, /#s-? iM"f-,1,,.s~ l<?'f ;gg3 I/ ' George & Armintha's Children. George and Armintha's first son, John Sutton George Leary ("George") was born in Nelsonville, October 6, 1883. (29) A second son, born in Nelsonville in January 1886, did not survive. (30) The remaining members of the family, with the exception of William, were born in Winnipeg. These were: Charles Evan (1889), Loretta Kathleen (1892), Ager Valentine (1898), and Arthur Winston (1900). The last child, Arthur Winston, died at five months age. His death was reported in the Winnipeg Free Press: "The death of Arthur Winston, youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. George Leary, took place yesterday morning at the family residence, from spinal meningitis. The funeral will take place today to the C.P.R. depot at 11:45 and the interment will be at Morden in the family plot upon the arrival of the train."(31) Even after his move to Winnipeg, George had firm enough roots in the Morden area to plan on eventually being buried there. The two plots he purchased in Mordens Hillside Cemetery became the resting-place of their infant son and of the parents, John and Maria Leary. (32) Hendersons Directory, George was an accountant working in the Government offices and living at 16 Colony Street. Two years later he was working for the Treasury Department and living at 300 Furby Street. He is then listed in the directory from 1894 to 1897 as a bookkeeper at 164 Princess Street - the Grain Exchange - and from 1898 as a partner in Roblin and Leary (Grain Buyers).(33) The two men also had other business connections: both men were founding members of the Dominion Elevator Company and, in 1905, Roblin was one of the persons who took out the patent on the second brick plant - the Dominion Pressed Brick Company.(34) Rodmond Palen Roblin was from the Carman area and both shared an interest in Conservative Party politics. In 1900, Roblin became premier of the province from and gave up the grain-buying business. Grain buying took George on trips to rural Manitoba. A news item from the Morden Monitor reported that Mr. George Leary, the well-known old timer, has been on a visit to Morden this week. In addition to private business he has been sizing up the wheat situation for future operations. He believes the price of wheat is on the rise. (35) The Morning Telegram likewise reported that Messrs. George Leary and S.A. McGaw returned yesterday from Carberry. They report the crops looking fine.@ (36) In Winnipeg, George continued his involvement in local organizations: The officers of Red River Lodge, No. 4, A.O.U.W.*, were installed last evening by J.R. Jones, M.D., P.M.W. The officers for the ensuing year are as under: J.M. Mathew, M.W.; John Dyke, foreman; John Senneth, overseer; George Leary, recorder; J.A. Osborne, financier; W.L. Watt, receiver; Jas. Archibald, guide; Wm. Gray, inside watch; J.S. McGinnis, outside watch; S.B. Ritchie, R.M.W. (37) No doubt he continued his Orange Lodge connections after the move to the city and it is likely that it was during these early years that he joined the Northern Lights Masonic Lodge. George and family were then uprooted for a two-year interval. From 1893 to1895 they were in Ireland, where George was a Dominion Immigration Agent. George sent back quite extensive coverage of his lectures and activities in Ireland. These reports provide a glimpse into the enthusiastic manner in which new immigrants were recruited into the West. They also give a sense of Georges facility with public speaking. For these reasons, we also will have a brief intermission from the Winnipeg chronology and devote the following chapter to the Ireland years. Mid-Ulster Gazette reports a lecture by Mr. Geo. Leary, Dominion Immigration agent in Cookstown, on the resources of the Northwest and its advantages as a home for settlers. From the Gazettes report of the lecture, Mr. Leary dealt with his subject in a practical way, from the standpoint of one who knows by experience what an agricultural settler can do in Manitoba. (39) The Daily NorWester, picked up on this theme. Under the heading What Experience has Proven to be the Most Successful System of Farming in the Northwest, they reported: Mr. George Leary, well known in Manitoba, now Dominion Immigration Agent in Ireland, has contributed a series of articles on Farming in Western Canada to the Irish Farming World. The following is the last of the series. Up to within the past few years most of those who settled in Western Canada were influenced by one of two ideas - either to go in exclusively for wheat farming on the one hand or stock raising on the other. The craze for wheat farming culminated in the organization of joint stock companies, the purchase and cultivation of whole townships of land, and in nearly every case subsequent financial disaster, It was found that managers with high salaries who managed nothing successfully except the reduction of the bank balance, where in no way essential to the production of large quantities of wheat at low cost, and the farms were in some cases subdivided and sold, and are now being profitably worked by their owners. The ranchers met with a greater amount of success, owing in a degree to less original expense with a greater margin of profit, but even they cannot be said to have set the grass on fire with their gains when everything is considered. After many experiments in both lines by all sorts and conditions of as well as back home in Manitoba. The Daily Nor'Wester picked up this item from Dublin: "The Great Canadian West": (Dublin Weekly Freeman. Dublin, 18th. Sept., 1894). Dear Sir, - May I trouble you to publish the following extracts from letters of Mr. John Davis, late of Stoneyford Co. Kilkenny, who sailed to Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, on the 23rd. of April last? The extracts will be of interest to many of your readers, as Mr. Davis was universally esteemed, and had a wide circle of friends and acquaintances who will be glad to learn his honest and unbiased opinion of the Canadian West. I enclose the original letters, which, having verified the extracts quoted, kindly return. - Very truly yours, George Leary, Canadian Government Agent. South Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, July 1, 1894. Dear Mr. Leary- I delayed writing until I should see some of the country, and now that I have been around it in every direction I can say something about it. It is a grand country - poor rack-rented Ireland, I pity you! - not a whit behind your description of it. I wish I had been here ten years ago instead of now. The place is being settled up with wonderful rapidity. The great flow now is towards Beaver Lake, in anticipation of the railway running there. Good free-grant land cannot be had nearer, except very scrubby (bushy) land. This land is the best for breaking but, of course, requires more labour. You would be surprised at the lot of settlers that are coming in. Mrs. Powell and her daughter, from Co. Roscommon, arrived last week. There are a great number settling around Leduc and Wetaskawin. The people have great respect for the Irishman, and there are quite a few of my countrymen near here. There is a man from Co. Wicklow, just a mile away. Girls are very scarce. (Signed.) J.A. Davis South Edmonton, August 25, 1894. Dear ___, According to promise I now write you, though I am afraid it will not be as long a letter as usual, as I have not much new to add. Harvest is in full swing here now and the crops are great. What you would call a good crop in Ireland would be called middling here. The barley and oats are specially good; the wheat, too, is fine. The weather is just perfect, anything to equal it I never experienced. As this is the warmest part of the year, it is pretty hot in the day (95 F in the shade), but deliciously cool in the evenings and night. The heat is not oppressive like in Ireland. I can work out in 120F in the sun without the least inconvenience: of course, the perspiration trickles down you, but I don't mind it a bit. I cut about fifteen acres of hay the week before last, brought it in and ricked it last week with the help of one man. I will commence cutting tomorrow again, and cut about as much more. You should see the every little labour that's with it here. Just cut it one day, rake it up the next, as it won't heat except wet by rain. You would have far more labour with two acres than I had with the fifteen. I often, often think that this is the place for an Irishman: no landlords; the land twenty times as good, only that a person has to put up with a little inconvenience at first. Of course, starting on the bare prairie seems queer, but you get to like it. I never feel a bit lonely here, in fact I couldn't, for we have someone in every day; no NorWester gave a summary of Georges activities in Northern Ireland: A lengthy report of an excellent lecture on Canada delivered in Belfast by Mr. George Leary, the representative of the Dominion government, appears in the Belfast News-Letter. In referring to it editorially, the News-Letter says: Mr. Leary has, by his lectures and newspaper articles done much to awaken interest in Canada, and there is no doubt that Irishman though he is, he has a deep-seated admiration for the new land across the AtlanticÃ. (42) Under headings ACanada in Ireland - Mr. George Learys Lecture - Editorial Reference in Belfast News-Letter - repeats the above item, adding: Mr. G. Leary, the Dominion Immigration department, who is working in Ireland, has evidently occasioned some stir in the Green Isle. The Belfast News-Letter of Jan. 10, gives over to columns to one of his lectures, and makes the following editorial commentsà The paper then quotes from the editorial and continues in another item in the paper with the following reprint from the Irish newspapers: An Evening in Canada - The Good Work George Leary is Doing in Ireland - That George Leary, the Dominion immigration agent in Ireland, is doing excellent service for the Northwest is evidenced by the lengthy reports of his lectures which appear in the Irish newspapers. The Tyrone Constitution says of one of his addresses: Many of our best citizens and agriculturists were present in the crowded Royal Assembly rooms on Thursday (21st. ult.), to listen to Mr. Leary, the representative of the Dominion government in Ireland, notice of whose lecture on Canada and its Resources, had appeared in our columns. The lecturer has a thorough mastery of his subject, clear articulation, and fluent command of the language, and being an Irishman knows what to say and how to say it in every emergency. The chair was taken by J.G.F. Porter, J.P., who in a short address spoke in flattering terms of Canada, and introduced the lecturer as of established reputation, and that the fullest reliance might be placed on his statements, as he came to them as an accredited representative of the Canadian government. Then follows over a column report of Mr. Learys lecture, and at the close, Mr. William Elliott, in moving a vote of thanks to the lecturer, said he had seldom listened to such a volume of information given in a stated time in so agreeable a manner. Canada was undoubtedly a splendid country with a brilliant future, and he could not give anyone who thought of leaving Ireland better advice than to throw in their fortunes with vigorous young Greater Irish Farming World says: The agricultural resources of Canada was the subject of a very instructive lecture delivered by Mr. Leary, commissioner for the Canadian government in this country. The lecture was given in the Royal Assembly Hall, Onagh, which was crowded by an attentive audience. Mr, John G, Porter, JP., was in the chair and among those present were Messrs. Walter Turner, representative of the Allan Line in the north of Ireland; Charles Donnegan T.C., T.J. McAdam, and many leading townsmen. Mr. Leary is a fluent speaker, with an exceedingly pleasant style of conveying information to his hearers, and this information is the more valuable from the fact that Mr. Leary for over twenty years farmed in the Northwest of Canada. His account of the advantages to be derived through emigration to Winnipeg, Manitoba, or other provinces was clear and lucid, and such as would set many people thinking as to whether they are wise to stay at home, when by going across the seas they would have the certainty of bettering themselves as a reward of industry and pluck. The Farming World devotes nearly two pages to Mr. Learys remarks. (43) Reporting on another North Ireland lecture, the NorWester printed the following article: Canada and its Resources - What George Leary is Doing to Induce Immigration from Ireland: Canada and its Resources was the lecture delivered in Trillich on Thursday evening, 24th January, by George Leary, chief agent for the Canadian government in Ireland. Samuel Alcorn, Esq., was moved to the chair. The Tyrone Constitution gives the following report: Notwithstanding the inclemency of the weather there was a large attendance present on the occasion. The lecture which was highly interesting was profusely illustrated with lime light views of Canadian cities, farms and farming operations magnificent scenery of wood, water and mountain. The lecturer dealt with Canada and its almost illimitable resources, agricultural and commercial Canadian progress which was especially noticeable in the western portion where settlement commenced scarcely a score of years ago. The lecturer referred to its large, handsome and well-built cities, the capabilities of the soil, the vast crops raised in Manitoba, and the immense cattle, horse and sheep ranches in the far west. He advised all those who found it difficult to make a living in Ireland owing to decreasing capacity of the soil and the increasing competition in food stuffs to turn their attention to Canada with the view of founding a home for themselves in the Dominion. The great west, he said, undoubtedly offered the strongest inducements to men with large or small capital. It was to the vast prairie and park country west of Winnipeg to the Rockies, and from the United States boundary to the Saskatchewan that he particularly turned their attention. The territory was 1000 miles long by 400 broad, and was called the prairie section of the Tyrone Free Press says editorially: If there were many farmers among the audience who crowded the Royal Assembly hall on Thursday night to listen to Mr. Learys lecture on Canada, they must have heard many things to set them seriously thinking as to whether they would be wiser in remaining at home or trying their fortune in other climes where they would be free of the incubus of landlordism. To help those in this neighbourhood who may be thinking of emigrating, to make a wise choice, was the object of Mr. Leary in coming to Omagh, and as we have said, his lecture gave plenty room for thought. As Mr. Leary truly pointed out, the prospects of Irish farmers are not promising, and there was not the slightest reason to doubt the truth of the statements made to the lecturer by hard-working, industrious farmers, that instead of making money, they were actually out of pocket at the end of the year. And with foreign countries coming year after year into keener competition, the outlook has little silver lining. If then farmers find that their toil is only rewarded with loss, many of them will probably make up their minds to try and better themselves in the far west. To such as do so, Mr. Leary acting as the fully accredited commissioner of the Canadian government offers free grants of 160 acres of choice lands in Manitoba, and to these with a little capital the assurance that they can get improved farms with houses and outbuildings, close to railways and towns, at a small price per acre. As the lecturer explained, the only value attaching to these improved farms was the worth of the improvements, and in Canada, unlike in Ireland, these improvements belong to the farmer. Farms of virgin land, near towns, can be got for a moderate outlay and any of the different classes, free or improved, would in a few years probably place the owner in a position of comfort and independence such as they would never each in Ireland, A remark of Mr, Leary anent the free grant farms may usefully be repeated. Referring to the notion that they were given free because they were useless, he declared that there was not a highly manured garden /.i'f ï.r t. -Ã..,L ck t/.,,,<-< d 'f f,,--; £,.,c.,,? fC,/4.rl ~--~ 'is /Jl-~,a,,U!.. a-, . ,./t.,/'P"(. jP,.,.ue. t. ,--P ,,,, lr'J .1 f__ -~ Ã:! . R= ea,._Ã,à 9, .[ ,;_,, .. "-pa. Ãà f'c,,J.:~d .5 ~-;;,.,. 1H-"""::1 J~ J~;..;_c; ~_,,.,,I ~c~~-,,.. . ~-1.r tJ,d:r'°' THE BOOK OF COMMON PRAYER, THE SACRAMENTS, ltlTl',$ AN"D CERElIONTES OF THE CilURCB, '(li:IJ< <!t~urc!J ol eJ;nglan11; PSALTER on' PSALMS OF DAVlD, AND TH£ FORM A!'-'D MANNER OF )IAKIZ-G, OltDAl~INO. A.NO CONSKCUAl'ING OF l)ISIIOl'S. l'RIBSTS, .urn DEACONS. '8onbon: PRINTED BY EYRE A.NO SPO'M'ISWOODE, Pritc \\0 the QuM' mot lotlleat Maju,r, n,a n SOCIETJ' FOR. l'ROJIQTINO OICRJSTTA.N KNOWJ,IWGB. &w .C U.. ._.,,-. DtïfHory, l(lrQ-t.tt~ Aou à a.wto1 er-, Lo.don, a.w. AThe Emerald Isle,@ on Thursday evening at Headingly. The proceeds of the entertainment will go towards the reduction of the debt on the Episcopal church there. The lecture will be illustrated by a series of lime light views. Those who heard the same lecture in the city were delighted with it. (50) The newspaper later reported on the event: A most interesting lecture, under the auspices of the Headingly Ladies Guild, on Ireland, illustrated by lime light views of its beautiful scenery, many of its eminent sons and several prominent Canadian statesmen, was given at the school house on Thursday evening, the 26th, by G. Leary, late immigration agent to Ireland. The room was well filled by an appreciative audience, some of whom well remembered the dear old Emerald Isle, and while happy in the land of their adoption, well love, as true Irishmen, the home of the jaunting car; but prefer three square meals a day in Manitoba to scenery and home. At its close a hearty vote of thanks was given to the clever lecturer. (51) George was apparently in demand that spring on the church fund-raising circuit. The Manitoba Morning Free Press of April 9, 1898 noted that George, whose magic lantern exhibitions are always appreciated would be giving one of his lectures on Ireland in support of fund-raising for the new St. Martins church. (52) He seems also to have had a connection with the Icelandic community: An entertainment will be given Manitoba Telegram August 3, 1900 reported A Baby Show Puzzles the Judges - In the morning, a good deal of entertainment was derived from the baby show, and George Leary and T.W. Taylor proved themselves to be men of great moral and physical courage by undertaking to act as judges. Fourteen bouncing babies were placed on exhibition, and fourteen mothers were beside them, who by their confidant bearing gave the judges to understand that their infant prodigies were without doubt worthy of the prize. With fear and trembling, the awards were finally made to four of the dimpled exhibits, and the judges hastened to make themselves scarceà (54) George also kept up his Irish ties through celebrations of March 17th. St. Patricks Day. Looking backward forty years, the Winnipeg Free Press of March 18, 1939, noted that St. Patricks Day 1899 was celebrated at the Masonic Temple; among those in attendance was George Leary. (55) George was a member of the Northern Lights Masonic Lodge. (56) And, in keeping with his Protestant Irish roots, he also was a member of the L.O.L. (Loyal Orange Lodge). The badge from his membership in the Roseisle branch of the lodge is among the Leary family artefacts. George also made political hay for the party by responding to the editor of the after the latter had referred disparagingly to Georges immigration activities. George is reported to have replied to the editor in a way which must certainly have convinced the Morden editor that in rousing Mr. Leary he woke up the wrong passenger. Mr. Leary gives some account of what he did when he was Canadian Immigration Agent in Ireland between July 1893 and June 1895, and of the results which attended his work. Mr. Leary is able to make a most creditable showing, not only in regard to the immigration literature he distributed the correspondence he conducted and the lectures he gave, but also in the number of immigrants who came out as a direct result of his efforts. It seems that all Mr. Leary received for n the government was $1,200 a year in salary and a similar amount in expenses. To do the work which Mr. Leary was doing, the present government is now employing three agents at over four times the cost. To quote from Mr. Learys letter: I was the only agent the Conservative Government had in Ireland from 1892 to 1896 and it cost the country $4,800 for that period. If this was inexcusable on the part of a Tory Government, how do you square Mr. Siftons action in appointing three agents to cover the same country, Mr. Devlin at a salary of $2,000, Mr. Webster $1,800, and Mr. OKelly $1,8000, or an annual salary charge of $5,6000 with the corresponding expenses, which will easily make the total $10,000 per year and who, as their own reports show, are only taking enough exercise to enable them to draw their salaries and one of whom - Mr. OKelly - states that he would not advise lectures being given on Canada through the north of Ireland, owing to the anti-immigration feeling Morden Chronicle, though a Grit paper, is certainly doing excellent service to the Conservative party by instituting comparisons between the management of the immigration service under Mr. Sifton and its management under his predecessors. (57) On a similar theme, George spoke to his Conservative Club colleagues: A few years ago, the Editor of the Morden Monitor, who was then a Conservative, asked for the position of immigration agent to would get the job. Well, he got it and went over to Scotland, and stayed over there for two years at a salary of $1,250 per year and expenses, the whole trip costing $5,000, and all that he brought back was a little Scotch terrier. This was the way Mr. Greenway was exploiting the revenue of the Province, and Sifton was doing the same in Ottawa. (58) Given the coverage George received in the newspapers, either he was newsworthy or he had a close colleague on the newspaper. More likely, both applied. In any event, the following item appeared in the Manitoba Morning Free Press in January, 1899: Mr. George Leary returned yesterday from a business visit to Emerson. He was suffering at the time from what he thought was a very severe cold. His physician, however, pronounced it pneumonia, and Mr. Leary will likely be confined to his house for at least two weeks. (59) After the family returned to Winnipeg, speaking engagements were just a part of Georges busy life. He is listed as one of many stockholders in the Winnipeg Coffee and Boarding House, a house where working people could get room and board at low cost, in a non-denominational setting. (60) George also dabbled in real estate. He is listed as a member of the Winnipeg Real Estate Exchange which had board rooms in the Grundy Block on Main Street. He was listed with the firm of Walker & Leary Land Co., with offices in the McIntyre Block in Winnipeg, as well as in St. Paul, Minnesota and Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. (61) This partnership was dissolved in 1905. (62). During these years, he also was appointed a Justice of the Peace (63). He also continued to work for the provincial government. In 1905, the Morning Free Press reported that Mr. George Leary, the new departmental auditor for the province, entered upon his duties at @the irregularities must have been discovered by even the most cursory examination and that investigation of the entries made in these would have disclosed the fact that money was being purloined. (65) George found In several places the column for returned affidavits was blank and in several places there were no treasury receipts entered. Numbers had also been skipped, and several hundred licences had been lost track of. The year 1897 had all been written at one timeÃ. (66) George also was a member of a government commission set up to enquire into the business methods of a hail insurance company. The Morning Telegram reported that officials of the Crown Mutual Hail Insurance Company claimed to know nothing of complaints from farmers about the extent to which their losses were being compensated. George, in questioning one official, pointed out that the company had collected $13, 372,80 and had paid out only $2,125.05 in claims. Office expenses and directors fees meanwhile came to between $10,000 and $11,000. (67) George had previous experience in hail insurance. He was one of several promoters named in the letters patent setting up the Manitoba Farmers Mutual Hail Insurance Company. (68) Here too, commissioners looked into the financial operations of the company, after farmers laid complaints about practices followed by company agents in the field. The finances were found to be in order but the agents were found to have made misrepresentations and to have exceeded their authority in making statements regarding assessments. During these years, George also became more actively involved in the political life of the province, more specifically, in the Conservative Party side of political life. >in the field= for a position in the legislature. (69) A decade later, the NorWester announced that: Mr. George Leary will in all probability accept nomination for the vacancy in Ward 3, as alderman, in opposition to Mr. J.W. Horne. (70) and, in 1898, a news item out of Morden reported that: On the Conservative side the name of Mr. Geo. Leary has been freely mentioned, and from the many favourable remarks heard there is little doubt that he would be the right man in the right place. (71) Nothing further was reported in any of these cases; speculations seem to have remained just that. Georges most noteworthy contributions to politics were made during the years he served on the Executive of the Conservative Club, working diligently behind the throne to promote the party and its leaders. He was the first president of what was initially known as the Maple Leaf Protective League, later the Maple Leaf Conservative Club. In his role as President, George received regular press coverage (which is something of a genealogists dream). From these reports, it is apparent that, by 1896, George was actively involved on the Maple Leaf Conservative Club executive and in electioneering for the Conservative party. He was part of the platform at a rally at the Brydon Rink where Hugh John Macdonald accepted the Conservative nomination for Winnipeg. (72) and he was on hand when Sir Charles Tupper opened the campaign. (73) George was closely involved as Secretary for Hugh Johns campaign. (74) George again had an opportunity to draw upon his Ireland experience. In a letter to the Editor of the NorWester, he attacked the opposition in the person of Clifford Sifton: To the Editor of the NorWester. Sir, - As a fair sample of the value of the arguments advanced by opposition speakers during the election, I quote from the speech of Mr. Clifford Sifton in the Brydon Rink last evening: The Massey-Harris self-binder which is sold in Manitoba for $140, was sold in Glasgow, Scotland, for $75 and in other countries also for about half what it costs.here. Forsyth, now in the city, and who is, I believe, a good Reformer, has for nearly two years past been the representative of the Massey--Harris self-binder which is sold in Manitoba for $140, was sold in Glasgow, Scotland, for $75 and in SA't'UROAY, .tmi'B 20, 1890 . . f.xattivcserviccon El«:tion : Tl,y, in the intcre.t of KON. HUGH J llACOOKALD I , Will k:ndly n'tttt. io ,heir r~ : specti"" Snb-Divlsion Cum' millet Roor.11 on Mond~y , li~ning, 2>od inst., at$ p.m ' ' GEO. LEARY, ; Socretary. ' Winnif'(g, June 20, 1896. ; COD SAVE THE QUUN. had come from the party. The circular, said to have come from the Coercionist (i.e., Conservative) head-quarters urged Hugh John Macdonald supporters to turn out en masse to secure a good share of the applause at an opposition meeting. (76) That the opposition printed the allegedly false circular in the first place, and the Conservatives felt obliged to deny it under oath speaks to the nature of the politics at the time and the intensity of the campaign. Reports of the Maple leaf Club meetings appeared regularly in the local papers. They provide a glimpse of Georges activities during these years and document his ongoing involvement with the party. Under the heading Good Progress in Organization - Foreshadowings of the Coming Political Battle, the NorWester reported on the Maple Leaf Conservative Clubs bi-weekly business meeting held March 3, 1898 meeting in Albert Hall: Mr. George Leary presided and opened the meeting at 8:30". The meeting started with gramophone selections. George then suggested setting up membership committees in each ward. Members heard that Hugh John was popular throughout the province, and they are in a better state of organizationÃthe parties were running neck and neck and the only hope for the opposition Greenway Government was in so manipulating the voters lists that a clear expression from the people could not be obtained. (77) The meeting ended with more gramophone pieces. Entertainment was a regular part of Club gatherings. On at least one occasion, George Leary did his lime light presentation: The story weather which prevailed last night, did not prevent a large number of members of the Maple Leaf Conservative Club, accompanied by ladies, from attending the entertainment given in Albert Hall. NorWester, will deliver speeches on the political situation on next Wednesday evening. (79) This item also reveals why the NorWester was so diligent in reporting details of Club meetings and political events around the province. We are reminded the following month of the vagaries of Manitoba weather when the Wester reported that: On account of the inclemency of the weather last evening a very small audience appeared at the Maple Leaf Conservative Club rooms and Mr. George Leary, the president, proposed that the lecture be postponed till the next regular meeting. The members then proceeded to play games and a very sociable and enjoyable evening was spent. (80) The speeches finally were delivered in June. it was on this occasion that George mocked the Greenway agent to Scotland. Later in the program, Alderman Baker spoke. He closed by moving a vote of thanks to Mr. Leary for the way he had devoted himself to the interests of the Club. The motion was carried with cheers and musical honours. Mr. Leary said such a vote was unexpected and unnecessary, as it was a labour of love on his part. He hoped all useful effort would be made to get the old party back. He then announced that the rooms would be open every afternoon and evening and hoped they would be freely used. (81) The Manitoba Free Press also carried the occasional report: M L Conservative Club - Addresses Delivered at the Regular Weekly Meeting - Mr. Leary presided and the meeting commenced with a song from Mr. Geo. Larivill. Mr. Leary then followed with an address delivered in his usual witty style. he prophesied that the provincial general elections would come off before next autumn. He also favoured the reduction of the number of minsters to three as proposed by Mr. Hugh John Macdonald; and criticized the financial statements made at different times since 1888. (82) His talk was followed by further musical selections and by updates and exhortations on the need for the partys preparation for the upcoming election. Meetings were held as well in other parts of the province. In January 1898, a meeting was held in George=s old territory in Morden, Manitoba. Under the headline Sir Charles Spoke for Over Three Hours - A Challenge to Laurier the following account appeared: The most successful meeting of the Liberal-Conservative Association ever held in Morden took place last evening on the occasion of the visit of the Hon. Sir Charles Tupper, Bart., Hon. Hugh John Macdonald, Mr. W.H. Hastings and Mr. George Leary, who were present at the association=s annual election of officers and banquet. It was decided to deviate from the usual routine a little and have the public meeting at 7:30, then the banquet. At the meeting Sir Charles was introduced by Mr. James @ AJust before the engagement began Lord Nelson asked, is Tom Murphy aboard? I am here, says I. Then let the battle begin, for victory is ours, says lord Nelson. (Laughter). And as Tom Murphy had won that naval engagement, so had Sir Wilfred made Canada a nation. (Laughter). The people of Canada are having their experience of Grit rule for the second time, and like the Egyptians of old, the plagues were upon =s relations are about exhausted he thought it would be well for Mr. Sifton to Adopt a few young Galacians and Doukhobors as his children and place them in office in the place and stead of old and trustworthy officials who may have imbibed the principles of the Conservative party.[Note: Sifton focused immigration recruitment on East European farmers. ]. Referring to local politics, Mr. Leary stated that since the Greenway government came into power on January 16, 1888, and one of the proud boasts of that government was true in fact, then the government would be entitled to credit and consideration upon their financial record. but as a matter of fact the government in the ten years they have been in power have had nine straight deficits. Mr. Leary then entered minutely into the financial record of the government, showing conclusively that on its financial record the government could not expect anything but the most emphatic condemnation from the electors of this province. After speaking for an hour, Mr. Leary stated that her would have to draw his remarks to a close in order to allow Mr. Aikins time to address them; Mr. Leary was loudly applauded on taking his seat. (85) A number of items appear throughout 1899 attesting to the fact that George was busily involved in election activities. (86) In 1901, George stepped down as president of the club. In his address George attributed his resignation to A41 doing so would probably be detrimental to the interests of the club and the party.@(87) Although no further explanation appears in the newspapers, it was about this time that one of the many dramas in the ongoing saga of railway construction emerged in the daily news, with George as a central character. Hugh John Macdonald gave an interview in March, 1901 in connection with a contract the government was negotiating with a James P. McDonald of New York for a railway linking Manitoba and Duluth on the Great Lakes. Hugh John stated that the negotiations were proceeding harmoniously and were practically complete when I became aware of rumours regarding questionable proceedings arranged without the knowledge of the GovernmentÃ.I at once delayed all negotiations, I believe the contract was in the interests of the Provinceà The dread of having my personal reputation or that of the Government injured was the only thing that prevented the contract being presented to the Legislature last session. (88) The difficulty was with a >subsidiary contract drawn up between James P. McDonald of New York and George Leary which would have allocated a sum of $200,000 to George and two colleagues in return for shepherding the contract through the muddy political channels of current railway deals. The basic contract would have provided a railway line from Manitoba to Duluth. The issue underlying negotiations with various rail companies at that time was the high cost to farmers of transporting grain to the Lakehead. And the concern within the Conservative ranks was that the party would be seen as having accepted kick-backs in the deal. It was two years later that George gave an interview to the Morning Telegram in which he commented on the subsidiary contract. In his statement, George said: The associates referred to in the contract were, first, a Winnipeg business man who has never been a member of the legislature, who is not a candidate and who is not taking any active part in politics; and, second, Mr. C. Allen, who for many years was the partner of Mr. J.D. Cameron. These two men were my only associates in the subsidiary contract. I was introduced to Mr. J.P. McDonald by Mr. Allen. I understand Mr. Cameron had already met him in New York some months before but Mr. McDonald was not then ready to make the bargain. No member of the Hugh John Macdonald government or of the Roblin government had any knowledge of the subsidiary contract for some time after it was made. When they discovered its existence, the Macdonald government declined to go on with the contract; and the Roblin government would have nothing to do with it. The fact that Mr. Roblin would have nothing to do with it, caused, as is well known, a personal quarrel between him and me. I considered, and still consider, the subsidiary contract a perfectly legitimate one. The Manitoba Government wanted to secure a reduction in rates, and I thought I could find capitalists in New 42 York who would invest in a new railway. I thought, and still think, that in return for conducting negotiations involving much trouble and expense, I was entitled to charge those capitalists an amount which would be considered a reasonable commission in any other equally large business transaction. (89) A new deal with McKenzie and Mann for a Canadian route was struck instead and the Duluth route fell by the wayside. The American route promised lower rates than those offered at the time by the Canadian lines. The Liberal Greenway government later considered pursuing the Duluth option but they concluded that the provincial government would have no means of enforcing the rates with an American railway. I recall hearing family friends refer to the railway deal as the time George almost became rich! This was just one of the times George had a falling out with his former grain buying partner, R.P. Roblin. A letter from Georges eldest brother, William Leary, acknowledges a later disaffection from both Roblin and the Conservatives: I see Roblin and cabinet ministers were up before the police magistrates on a charge of robbing the country - they are a fine bunch and yet I dont think they can beat the grits for boodling. I was sorry to hear you had joined the latter, but you will go back to the old party at Domn ElectionsÃ. (90) In November of the same year George wrote to the Honorable Valentine Winkler as follows: AI would like to be one of the Civil Service Comr: I fancy I have all the qualifications to do full justice to the position and when Hugh John was premier had the matter worked out. R.P. however gave it its quietus. Although independent in politics I am still classified as a Tory of the Macdonald kind, and all around should be a credit to your govt in every way. I have written Mr. Norris and would be glad to have your good word. Yours Faithfully, Geo. Leary (91) There is no indication whether George was successful in his request. His obituary claims that he retired to Learys in 1919 so he was in likely in some way employed in Winnipeg during the intervening years. George laid a complaint in the Court of Kings Bench in October 1923, against Sir R.P. Roblin over a matter in which he claimed his former partner had bilked him of a packet of shares in Dominion Elevators, a company in which they were both founding members.(92) The depositions taken from both parties throw light on the relationship between the business partners and on some of the business dealings. George explained that he had to sell his shares of the Dominion Elevator Company to pay another bank claim; that he was required to sell the shares back to the company; and that Roblin had told him on the side that he would hold his portion of the shares in trust until income from dividends paid the cost of the shares, at which time he would turn them back to George. George claimed that they had done this type of transaction before while they were partners. When approached on several 43 occasions later, Roblin gave various excuses and did not honour their agreement. Roblin, for his part, claimed not to remember anything from such a long time ago, either of the transaction or of basic details of their partnership. (93) George said he had lost most of his records in a fire in their home in Chilliwack and had little documentation to support his claims. The result of the claim is unknown but it likely did little to endear the men to one another. In 1901, George stepped down from the presidency of the Conservative Club. One of the last meetings he chaired coincided with the death of Queen Victoria: In token of respect to the memory of her late Majesty the walls of the clubroom were draped in black, as was also a picture of the late Queen hanging in the room. The letters V.R. in black were conspicuously displayed. The occasion also marked club elections: AMr. George Leary, the retiring president, occupied the chair and after a brief speech, in which he referred to our late Queens death, called upon the auditors for their report. The report noted that so many ballots were cast (over 400 for more than 80 candidates) that scrutineers had to adjourn at midnight to complete the task the following day. (94) His resignation was reported under headline Mr. Leary Resigns - Maple Leaf Conservative Club Loses Its Chief Officer. - Much Regret Expressed by the Members at This Step -- Nomination and Election of New President. The article read: A special meeting of the Maple Leaf Conservative Club was held last night to consider the resignation of its president, Mr. George Leary. Mr. Leary in his opening remarks stated that difficulties of a personal nature rendered it impossible for him to still hold this chair, as his doing so would probably be detrimental to the interests of the club and the party. Unfortunately, he could give no further explanation of the causes which led to the step, but stated they were not of a nature to prevent his remaining as a member of the club, and devoting his time and influence to its welfare. Several of the members touchingly referred to the fact that Mr. Leary had been one of the founders of the club, and from its first inception had been one of the prime movers, lending both personal and financial assistance to its advancement. He had several times been elected to the presidents chair by acclamation and filled the position in a most satisfactory manner. Short addresses on the political situation in the province and the Dominion were delivered by Mr. Turnock, Mr. A.H. Kennedy, Mr. J. Winram and Mr. F.W. Drewry, all of whom touched upon Mr. Learys step. On the first proposal of the motion of resignation, which was moved by Mr. Drewry and seconded by Mr. Lewis, no answer was given, the members refusing to vote, but on its second presentation it was adopted and a vote of thanks tendered Mr. Leary for his many efforts during his long term of office. A meeting for the purpose of nominating candidates for the vacancy will be held next Wednesday evening and the election one week later. (95) Georges retirement as President was suitably marked by his colleagues. Under the headline Mr Leary 44 Honored - Maple Leaf Clubs Retiring President Recipient of an Address and Cane. the Morning Telegram gave a detailed account of A Most Enjoyable Evening Spent by Members of the Senior Conservative Organization of This City Last Night.@ when the Maple Leaf Conservative club held a general meeting in their room in the Foulds Block, corner Main and Market streets, on Wednesday, 13th day of February, at 8 p.m., for the purpose of nominating a president for 1901. (96) In connection with the meeting of the Maple Leaf Conservative club, last night in the club rooms, called for the purpose of nominating candidates for the presidency, rendered vacant by the resignation of Mr. Geo. Leary. A banquet was tendered that gentleman by the members of the club, as a result of the nomination Mr. Alex. Haggart, Q.C., whom Mr. Leary defeated in the contest for the presidency a few weeks ago, was elected president of the club by acclamation. The meeting throughout was most unanimous and during the evening the various speakers each paid a high tribute to Mr.Learys personal worth and his services to the Maple Leaf club and the Conservative party generally. Mr. Leary was presented with a handsome illuminated address accompanied by a gold headed cane. In addition to speeches, vocal and instrumental selections were rendered to the enjoyment of those present. The chair, occupied by Mr. E.L. Taylor, first Vice-president, on his right was Mr. Leary, the guest of the evening, and Mr. F.W. Drewry and on his left was Mr. Jos. Bernier, M.L.A. Among others present were Dr. Bain, M.L.A. of Selkirk; Dr. Jones, L. McMeans, G.W. Donald, A.H. Kennedy, Jos. Kerr, Jos. Burke, F.H. Turnock. R.S. Park, Ald. Barclay, Ald. Sharpe and about a hundred others. After the courses had been cleared away the chairman propose the toast, The King, which was heartily honored by all joining in singing God Save the King. Letters of regret at not being able to be present were then read from Hon. Hugh John Macdonald, Hon. D.H. McFadden, Hon. Colin H. Campbell and Mr. J.T. Gordon. The chairman then called Mr. Leary to his feet, when Mr. H.A. Issacs read to him the following address: THE ADDRESS. George Leary, Esq., Dear Sir; - The members of the Maple Leaf Conservative club feel they cannot allow your resignation of the office of the president of the club to pass by without tendering you an expression of their regret at this unavoidable incident. During the three years you have been its head you have nursed this institution as tenderly and carefully as ever a hot house plant was tended and have raised it from a 45 puny weakling to become a power in the land, endeared to its friend as and supporters and recognized an respected by its by ts opponents as one of the great factors of fair play in politics, not only in Winnipeg but in the whole province of Manitoba. To you, sir, thanks are due the hearty thanks of the whole Conservative party for the untiring energy and zeal you have displayed in their interest, at all times, and without studying your own convenience or personal feelings in the matter. In recognition of these facts the members of the Maple Leaf Conservative club ask you to accept this address and the accompanying cane as a souvenir of the time during the time you have ably acted as their president, and they feel assured that, although you have retired from the presidential chair, they will still be able to count upon you as a valued member, whose advice and assistance may be sought for the feeling of confidence it will be cheerfully given in the best interest of the club and the Conservative party generally. On behalf of the Maple Leaf Conservative club, , A.A. Admans, Joseph Kerr, G, Gerrie, Geo. Davis, H.A.Issacs, Hugh J. Macdonald Winnipeg, Feb. 13, 1901. The address was beautifully illuminated and enclosed in an appropriate frame. The address was headed with a Union Jack, surrounded by a wreath of Maple Leaves. The work of illumination was done by Mr. W.R. Lewis of the great West Life. Mr Leary, in reply, said that it would be impossible for him to express the appropriateness of the honour bestowed upon him by the members of the Maple Leaf club. He accepted the address and cane as a token of the good will of the members generally which had assisted him throughout his years of office in the club. Our good old friend, the Free Press - he used the word friend, advisedly in speaking from a political platform, for that paper had rendered the Conservative invaluable assistance through its idiosyncrasies - had stated that he tried to dictate to Premier Roblin in regard to the dismissal of Liberal civil servants and had stated that he was troubled with a swelled head. As far as he was concerned the Free Press was far afield. He had never assumed a dictatorial air, but had always laboured for the interests of the club, and he was glad to know that his labours had always had the full sympathy and support of the members of the club. He then reviewed the history of the Maple Leaf club, since its inception, five years ago until the present time. The club had been able to accomplish much in securing honest and progressive government for the province and on this account the club was hated by the machine Liberals, headed by the misplaced milestone. If he was now leaving the club at the present juncture he could say that he had stayed with the club through thick and thin in the days of adversity. In conclusion he again thanked the members for the honour accorded. In retiring to the ranks of the Maple Leaf club it was gratifying to him to know that he enjoyed the confidence of all the members of 46 the club. Speeches were also delivered by Dr. Jones, L. McMeans, Jos. Flahey, J.J. Winram, and W.R. Lewis and G.W. Donald, president of the Young Mens Liberal Conservative association and Mr. A.H. Kennedy on behalf of the Young Mens Liberal-Conservative association, each of the speakers referred in grateful terms to Mr. Learys services to the club and through the club to the Conservative party in the province especially in the last local election. Vocal selections were rendered by Miss Sloan an Messrs. Turnock, Bellhouse and Crick. Misses Sloan and Mr. G.W. Baker contributed recitations, and Misses Sloan, Wilson Bros. and Baker, and Teniors string band instrumental selections. Votes of thanks were moved to those who contributed to the programme. to the committee in charge, and to the chairman. Mr. Leary then proposed three cheers for President-elect Haggart and in doing so said that he felt assured the future of the club could be safely be entrusted to Mr. Haggarts hands as he had always found him am active worker, ready at all times to serve his party. The cheers were given with right good will. The banquet broke up after singing The Maple Leaf Forever and God Save the King. George remained involved in the Conservative Club. The of January 28, 1905 reported that the Conservatives were gearing up for party elections. George Leary was a candidate for the Winnipeg South executive and was an auditor for the process. (97) Under heading Maple Leaf Electing Today - Keen Interest in Contests and Good Program Prepared - Annual election of officers in clubroom in the Billington Block. Hon. Hugh John Macdonald, K.C. and others to address meeting. AThe retirement of George Leary leaves still two candidates for the presidency, Capt. John Allan and Lendrum McMeansÃ. (98) It is not clear from this news item whether George had again served as president in the interval between his 1901 retirement and 1905. Winnipeg - George, Armintha, Ett, Bill & Val with 3 unknown persons47 George Bill & Val at brickyard watching men move bricksI l A 48 George Armintha Bill Ett and driver at west coast c. 1914 George & Armintha at house in Chilliwack 49 Map showing Learys, Manitoba ~~'Tl h;~~~-~~.1 . .,~adbu lmasipp1l ct ry :y Vi ,7 50 George & sunflowers at Learys George with Ev and Allan at station George with Bryson & Donald at Learys ca. 1935 51 Member of the L.O.L. 52 Armintha & George in later years53 LEARYS, MANITOBA Children of George and Armintha. George & Armintha had five children who survived childhood. Their first son, John Sutton George Leary ("George") was born in Nelsonville, October 6, 1883. A second son, born in Nelsonville in January 1886, did not survive. The remaining members of the family, with the exception of son William, were born in Winnipeg: Charles Evan (1889); Loretta Kathleen (1892); Ager Valentine (1898); Arthur Winston (1900). William was born in Dublin, Ireland in 1894 when George was there recruiting new settlers to the West. At the time of the 1901 census, George and family were still living at 300 Furby Street in Winnipeg. All the children were at home and Maria, now age 92 was living with them 'on her own means'.(99) Maria died in August that year in Boyne Valley (100) so the family must have lived for a time in the valley. But this was apparently not a permanent move. The 1907 census still locates the family (members) at 300 Furby Street and in 1908, an item in the Manitoba Free Press (Monday, April 20) notes that A fire broke out at midnight last night in the residence of George Leary, 300 Furby street, presumably from spontaneous combustion. A quantity of clothing and furniture was ruined and the interior of the building was damaged. Brickyard Land Purchased. In 1900, George purchased land near Roseisle, on 13-6-8, about three miles west of where his in-laws had relocated. The property lay in the valley of the South Boyne River. (101) It was the site of a large deposit of clay, suitable for making bricks. It seems likely that George had insider information that the railway would veer west through Carman (where R.P. Roblin had extensive property) rather than following the proposed route to the south. The railway reached Roseisle in 1901, and was continued west through the valley. It provided transportation for finished bricks as well as for people and for the wood that was being harvested from woodlots in the area. In February, 1901, George and four other men (D.A. Kelzer, W.J. Boyd, J.W. Horne, and C.J. Brown) were issued letters patent on The Kelzer Brick Machine and Manufacturing Co., Limited. The business of the company was to be the manufacturing of brick machinery invented and patented by D.A. Kelzer, and all other kinds of machinery, stoves, furnaces and tools, to carry a general foundry business, and to manufacture brick. The chief place of business of the company will be Winnipeg. The capital stock is placed at $200,000, divided into 200,000 shares of $1 each. (102) In partnership with several others, George formed the Boyne Valley Brick Works. The MorningTelegram of April 1, 1901 announced that Letters patent have been issued for incorporation of the 54 following companies: Ã. The Boyne Valley Brick Works Co., Ltd.@ - Applicants J.R.Jones, W.R.Inman, Geo. Leary, E. OReilly, H.J. Macdonald, all of Winnipeg; and John Ager, of Roseisle . (103) The company is first listed on the Lorne Municipality tax rolls for 1902 under the name of H.J. Macdonald. In 1905, the partnership reformed as the Dominion Pressed Brick Company. Georges partners in this second company were: A Hon. Rodmond Palen Roblin, the Hon. John Hume Agnew, George leary, Wilfred L. Roblin, all of Winnipeg, Albert Hugh Clark of Carman, under the name of the Dominion Pressed brick Company, Limited, for the purpose and with the objects of carrying on a wholesale and retail iron, stone, brick, mortar, cement and lumber business of general dealers in all kinds of contractors and builders supplies with a total capital stock of $60,000. The operations of the company will be carried on at Learys, Boyne Valley, Man., with its chief place of business at Winnipeg. (104) In 1910, the Leary family (George, Armintha, George Jr. and Charles Evan (Ev) took over the brick plant as a family business. It operated until 1917 when, as a result of World War II, demands for building material fell on the home front and manpower to operate the plant was unavailable because of the war. George and Arminthas son, William (Bill) , was in the process of refurbishing the plant to resume production when World War II broke out. Bill, who had served in World War I, re-enlisted in the armed forces and the project was put on hold until after the war. The Leary Brick plant resumed production in 1947 and continued until Bills death in 1953. "Learys". Meanwhile, a railway station was built and named 'Learys. A short spur line and loading platform made possible loading of bricks onto railway cars for shipment to Winnipeg and other locations. A post office was opened under the Learys name, and in 1911, Leary School #1540 as built. This was a one-room school where Grades 1-IX were taught. Members of the family were postmasters from the time of opening until it closed in 1945. (105) George and Armintha initially lived in a house near the brickyard. It was know always as the White House, not because it was the centre of operations but, presumably, from the one photo that survives, that it was a white frame structure. What is certain, is that the walls were lathe and plaster because, many years later, the site was a source of lathes that were used for marking garden rows and for any number of projects. For a brief time, George, Armintha and the three younger children lived in Chilliwack, B.C. Older brother John and family had settled in Chilliwack in 1911and other members of his family were living in the Ladner/New Westminster area of B.C. (106) In later years, George maintained his Winnipeg contacts and was a regular guest at the Vendome Hotel. His obituary stated that he retired in 1915. (107) After the brick plant closed and son Ev moved away, George and Armintha moved into the large brick house on NW 13-6-8, north of the railway tracks. True to the family fortunes, this house also burned in the 1930s. Their son, William and his family were then living in the brick house west of the brickyard. 55 Bill and his wife Edith designed and rebuilt a new house on the burned-out site. They built a cardboard model of the house and reused salvaged bricks from the burned-out ruins along with new bricks in the upper portion. As a result, bricks in the upper portion of the house have a slightly different coloration. The new house incorporated double brick wall construction with sawdust from Bill Learys sawmill as insulation. The interior was finished with lathe and plaster. In later years, Bill Leary salvaged maple flooring and baseboards from the managers house at the abandoned Babcock Cement plant site. George and Armintha lived out their lives in the rebuilt house, with the exception of a short period after WWII when Armintha lived with her daughter, Ett and family in Roseisle. George Dies. George died at Learys on April 3, 1939 a few months before his 90th. birthday. A grandson, Alvin George, son of Bill and Edith Leary, was born the following day, April 4. George Leary's obituary provides some additional information about his life. It reads "George Leary, one of the first members of the Winnipeg Grain Exchange when it was located in a building at Princess and Market He was in his 89th. year. The village west of Carman where he had lived the last 20 years was named after himÃWhen he was on the grain exchange he was for a time a partner of the late Sir Rodmond Roblin. About 1888 he was one of the leaders in the organization of what was known as the Maple Leaf Protective League, which had its headquarters at the southeast corner of Main and Market st. The league was in reality a political organization of Conservative membership. Mr. Leary was its first president and remained in office for 10 years. Later it was reorganized as the Maple Leaf Conservative club and carried a large membership. The seven surviving members are His Honor W.J. Tupper, K.C., Lieutenant-Governor, John Norquay, now living at Selkirk, H.A. Issacs, Geo. Davis, R. Crystal Irving, Chas. Gerrie and Dr. R.M. Simpson, who succeeded Mr. Leary as President. In the early days of the Roblin government, Mr. Leary entered the provincial civil service and for 14 years was an accountant and auditor in the government employment. He left the service in 1915 and four years after went to live Northern Light Lodge, A.F. and A. M.@ (108) Other accounts noted that George was buried from the family home at Learys. Pall-bearers were: William Begg, John Begg, John Holliston, James Taylor, Robert Swain, and Paul Bordeaux. Son Ev Leary played Georges favourite song, Killarney on his violin. George is buried in Roseisle Cemetery beside his wife Armintha. 56 Burial in Plot #7 - Roseisle Cemetery Endnotes 1. Date of birth is from death certificate; obituary; also from a letter from May Howard to Edith Leary, December 29, 1966. George occasionally subtracted a couple of years from his age and dates from 1849 to 1852 are variously recorded in documents. 2. Royal Mail Archives, London - John was hired into the Jamaica Royal Mail service on December 13, 1852. A William Leary was hired the same day - was he a brother? John is recorded as Head Messenger in 1858, when he left the Jamaica postal service. This was the year the service was turned over to the individual colonies. 2. Written information on a photo in the family album, of George as a young man, labels him as a teacher. Where, or how long he taught is not known. 3. Discussed in -1980, p.9 and in Memories of Lorne 1880-1890, p. 2 4. The Farmer's Advocate, January 4, 1911. 5. An excellent summary of the Nelsonville history is found in the Miami & R.M. of Thompson Chronicles, pp.8-19. This account was based on the existing newspapers and other sources and was compiled by Nedra Burnett. Most of the information on Nelsonville is from this secondary source. 6. Nelsonville Mountaineer, 1880 Aug.10, in , p.13 7. Marriage date March 29, 1880 - Source MGS - Index of Marriage and Death Notices from Manitoba Newspapers, 1959-1881 - from Emerson International 08 Apr 80 57 8. The date of arrival in Manitoba is from Armintha's obituary. Armintha's father, John Ager, was born in Napanee, Ontario on April 14, 1838. His parents were James Ager, born in North Hampshire, England, and Mary Ducham (?) born in France. This information is from a copy of his death certificate (Province of Manitoba Official Notice of Death 010004). Armintha's mother, Catherine Garrison, listed her 'origins' in the census as "U.E.L." (United Empire Loyalist) and the family stories say they came from Pennsylvania and were "Pennsylvania Dutch". John and Catherine homesteaded NE 20-6-6 and took a pre-emption on SE 20-6-6 in 1884 (The History of the R.M. of Dufferin in Manitoba 1880-1980, p.16). This land lay a mile west of what later became the village of Roseisle, along the South Boyne River. George and Armintha 's land at Learys was located about three miles further west along the river. Armintha had a half-brother, Fletcher Ager, adopted by Mr. Ager when they married. Fletcher and his family homesteaded near Roseisle and later lived in the village. Flett's son, Rod Ager, married his half-cousin, Loretta Leary. 9. ArchiaviaNet, National Archives of Canada - Post Offices. From same source: Nelson post office in Lisgar federal electoral district, opened 1878-07-01; was called Nelsonville until 1882-10-01, later changed to Dunstan 1908-07-01. 10. Memories of Lorne 1880-1890, p. 125. Prior to opening of the Nelsonville post office, mail came only to Emerson. 11. History of the R.M. of Dufferin in Manitoba 1880-1980, p. 84 (taken from Henderson's Directory for1881). 12 Quoted in the Miami & R.M. of Thompson Chronicles, p.18. 13. The 1900 Henderson's Directory lists George's place of employment as the Grain Exchange. He was then living at 300 Furby Street.in Winnipegs Henderson's Manitoba 1900 Winnipeg City - Winnipeg Directory 1900 Microfiche 116 4846 1900, p.730 - from MGS. Lovell's Directory, 1901 lists George as "grain exporter" living in Winnipeg (County Selkirk), p.238 14. While in Ireland, George met with some of his cousins. May Howard wrote in a letter to Edith Leary (March 30, 1971) that George spoke highly of a cousin Issac Leary whom he visited in Kilkenny. Issac had two daughters; one of them, Jennie, was married to an Elman Crowin. Two photographs in the family collection are of "cousins in Ireland" but have no names. Family members (Armintha, George Jr., Ev and Loretta, had their photographs taken by a Kilkenny photographer). In 1990s, the house at Rathgar Road is still standing and in excellent condition, having been recently renovated to 1890s 58 condition by the residents, a film director, his wife and family of four young children. The wide plank floors, wooden shutters and stone hearth are among the original features that date back to that era. 15. 1901 Canada Census, Selkirk (D), Winnipeg Ward 3, p.9, Dwelling #80 Reel T-6435. 16. Originally called the Riviere Îlets-de-Bois by the Métis, the river was renamed by earliest settlers from their "Orange" roots, in memory of the 1690 Irish Battle of the Boyne. History of the R.M. of Dufferin, 1880-1980, p.2. 17. J. S. George Leary was first designated postmaster (1911). Charles Evan Leary took over almost immediately (1911-1912); followed by Armintha Leary from 1913 to 1945 when the post office closed. 18. Copies of obituaries do not have the source noted. 19. Manitoba Vital Statistics online, Reg. No. 1883-099-003240. 20. Manitoba Vital Statistics online, Reg. No. 1906-003967 21. Date of birth on death certificate, Manitoba Vital Statistics online, Reg. No. 1927-063053. See also Miami & R.M. of Thompson Chronicles, p.588 for history of Ina's family. 22. Automated Genealogy, 1911 Canada Census, Manitoba/MacDonald/13-6-8, p.6. 23 Manitoba Vital Statistics online, Reg. No.1927-063053. 24. BC Archives online Reg. No. 1944-09-649930 Microfilm # B13184 (GSU # 1983207). 25. Information on Gordon and Charlotte is from In Memoriam article, June, 1998 (no source cited). 26. Obituary of Gordon Leary; BC Archives online Reg. No. 1844-09-6551654 Microifilm # B13184 (GSU #1983207). 27. Information obtained from Steven Leary, Hazelton, B.C. 28. Manitoba Vital Statistics online, Reg. No. 1911-002649. 29. Learys, an account of the early district written by Alice (Hood) Burrows, 1967. p.4. 59 30. Manitoba Vital Statistics online, Reg. No. 1929-012214. 31. History of the RM of Dufferin in Manitoba 1880-1980, p.71, also see Learys, op.cit., p.12 32. Brookside Cemetery Records, online. 33. Obituary notice, no source cited. 34. Letters from May Howard to Edith Leary, March 30, 1971, August 1972. John visited May Howard at Chilliwack on occasion. 35. Letter from May Howard to Edith Leary, March 30, 1971. 36. Manitoba Vital Statistics online, Reg. No. 1921-010279. 37. ArchiaviaNet Attestation Paper No. 15337 RG 150-Box 590-48. At time of enlistment, Bill was 19 years, 11 months of age, and had the "Leary" build - 6 ' 1" tall with a 37" chest (expanded). He had a 'dark' complexion, blue eyes, black hair. 38. Information on WWI service is from W.A.Leary military record, National Archives of Canada. Other information pertaining to Bill and Edith Leary and their family is from birth certificates, marriage certificates, Leary Family Reunion 2001 book and other family documents. 39. 1901 Canada Census, Selkirk (D), Winnipeg Ward 3, p.9, Dwelling #80 Reel T-6435. 40. Province of Manitoba Vital Statistics online, Registration No. 1900-003301. 41. Burial records for Hillside Cemetery, Morden Town Office, Morden, Manitoba. William A. Leary Life Story Volume I: Childhood through WWI William A. Leary Life Story Volume I: Childhood through WWI Compiled by Ina (Leary) Bramadat 2015 FOREWARD For each family reunion, I try to put together a small volume highlighting another piece of our family history. This time its an overview of the early life of William Allan Bill Leary, husband to Edith (Fraser) Leary a.k.a. Gram, father of Bryson, Donald, Ina, Alvin , Carl and Lorna Eileen (who died in infancy). The original intent was to do our fathers entire life story, however its become increasingly apparent over the past couple of years that, with the amount of material already available and additional research required, that wasnt going to happen. So what you have here is Volume I - Childhood through WWI. That said, we actually dont have a lot of information or photos from Bill Learys early childhood. On the other hand, the World War I part of the story became much longer and more complex than expected. Some years ago, I got a copy of our fathers WWI service record and, like so much research, the more you find, the more questions you have. Dad, like so many soldiers, never spoke of his war experiences. But he was always interested in photography, and among his effects are a number of photo albums, particularly from his military years. Another source of information surfaced in the form of letters to his parents - only a dozen of them, and all from around 1916. Faded, wrinkled and water-stained from being in the bottom of a trunk, they nevertheless give additional insight into his years overseas, at least what he wished to share of it. The other reason there is so much material to draw upon is that World War I has been thoroughly studied, particularly in 2014, its 100th anniversary year, and a wealth of information can be accessed online. You will find attestation papers (documents completed by each soldier when they enlisted or were drafted into service), War Diaries (which record communications of individual army units), maps, photos, descriptions and analyses of battles, along with basic information on each soldier, grave locations and memorial tributes to those who died in action. I have tried to glean as much relevant information as possible from this immense volume of material but what is distilled in this overview is just a small glimpse into the context of Bill Learys wartime experiences. From these bits of information you will have to imagine for yourselves what it was like for him as a young student to join the army at age 19, serve through the major battles on the Western Front, be exposed to mustard gas, and by the end of the war, at age 25, to have won the Military Cross twice and risen to the rank of Captain. Of course the impetus for digging beyond the material we hold in our family records lies, in part, in growing awareness of the impact of war on those who serve in the military. Given our fathers silence over the years, we will never really know how it affected him and shaped his future. Was it really the reason for his decision after the war to return to the peace and calm of the Valley rather than continue his studies as his family planned? He didnt talk about that part of his life, however, our mother (Gram) claimed it was so. She shared his feelings for Learys and the family roots that run deep in the Valley. A few of you from each generation feel that same deep attachment to the Valley and seek it out as a place of soul-refreshing calm when troubled by the world - or more often, by the people in it. As for Bill Leary, who is the subject of this wee tale, he has taken his personal knowledge with him to the deeper silence of the grave. History is always someones interpretation of the past and we will each paint our own portrait of Bill Leary as we weave the few sketchy facts presented here into the story of his life. This is a record of what I have found so far and some of my own interpretations. As always, I have to add a few disclaimers: 1) this family history makes no pretence of being exhaustive, 2) the research isnt complete, and 3) the research trail and sources havent been recorded with the detail you should expect; you wont find the usual lengthy endnotes documenting all the places Ive been and contacts made. But Ill try, as in past volumes, to point out areas that should be followed up on when someone has the time and inclination. So heres what Ive found so farÃ. May, 2015 The Valley Ina (Leary) Bramadat FAMILY BACKGROUND William Allan (``Bill``) Leary, was born in Dublin, Ireland October 15th. 1894 (Fig.1). His birth in the country where the Leary family had their roots was in some ways coincidental. Bills grandfather, John Leary, had left the island with his wife Maria and eight children some 42 years earlier, travelling to the West Indies to take up a post with the Royal Mail service on the island of Jamaica. This was in the wake of the Great Famine in Ireland when thousands of people who didnt die from starvation left the country to seek a better life abroad. Grandfather John Leary was with the Royal Irish Constabulary, a Protestant, living and working in South Ireland. As such, he was part of the establishment that dealt with hunger riots, workhouses and the general horror of the day. We will never know the familys reaction to the disaster or their personal motivation for leaving Ireland, however, in 1852, John and his eldest son William both secured positions with the Royal Mail Service and the family embarked for the tropics. Bills father, George, the youngest of the Leary brood, would have been only two or three years of age at the time. In 1858, Britain turned over operation of the mail service to their colonies. John, by then, was Chief Messenger, in charge of receiving and distributing mail on the island. He migrated again with his family, this time to the town of Clinton in Canada West, now the province of Ontario. At the time of the 1861 census, the Learys were living next door to William and Jane Sneyd, no doubt a relative of Johns wife, Maria Sneyd, all from the region north of Kilkenny, Ireland. John secured a position as Census Commissioner for Huron District to carry out the 1861 Census. By 1871, the family had settled on farm land near Wingham, Ontario. Meanwhile, in 1870, Manitoba joined Canada and was targeted for settlement. Bills father, George, and an older brother, John, came west to Manitoba in 1874 to homestead at Nelsonville, southwest of Winnipeg. George homesteaded land near Nelsonville but he also operated a general store and served as postmaster. In 1880, he married Armintha Ager of nearby Rosebank area. His parents and other members of the family soon joined the brothers in Nelsonville. Unfortunately, this thriving new land-rush town was by-passed by the railway. Businesses and families moved on, and by 1886, the town had vanished. The George Leary family moved again, this time to Winnipeg where George became a grain buyer, an accountant/auditor with the Treasury Department of the Provincial government, and an active member of the Conservative Party. These connections may have influenced his appointment as an Immigration Agent with the federal government along with a posting to Ireland from 1893-95. So it happened that the family was back in Ireland and living at 173 Rathgar Road in Dublin when their son, William, was born. Figure 1 - Birth record from Dublin Records Office A more detailed account of this early family history can be found in previously compiled volumes titled The Learys and George Leary. See also Wm Leary - The Early Years (DVD). I z uJ uJ <I) I I .J <:( z a a: ,., EIRE , IRELAND 0 St à I -' :::> Ã, N -\\ .. '5 -;; C: .. iii folrrn1\\ t'ormA l)c,imlmh.i brthhr ar na hllslUlnl de bh11n 11:a hAchla um Chl:il'U Br<"ill1<"an112 311,u.'" B:li3nna lo.,is:o,;,,,_ BIRTH CERTIFICATE issued in pursuance of Births and Deaths Registration Acts 1861 to 1972 B«ithcl.'.Ula ,i Clit:lfodh i £C'Wllar Binhs Rctistcrcd in die: Di1trict or /llJ<,< s,:._&Ã.,.o<., Cl:.~ 'Y:J tR-fr< ,e,,,,,.,,, " That.-Men faoi Sh(':il:a Oifitr an A1d-ChUnlthton G11cn urtdcr 1ht St:il of Oifit A1d-ChUt:iithrol2 J.( Sl~ru 81r,1t~i,:.Ch.'.;,Ddn:hnnhtlbu-, Thi: )'<Jr(l(Blh >ho<,.ict1JM-~1',\\c(n,,f,--d('01Jy ,. ~Thc,:,an.1 .A!<-J~ f~l°'JJlkl ,. lh.iS Att.-&tfofo Copied i gCont:ie inlkCouncyol lS don lrom fan lt:l51assoo a athrU 116 a LIS!\)Tj 0.# g 4.6234 0 0 4.8001 405.8 259.69 Tm (ld lareis a athmithe-TO ALTER TIIIS DOC i\\lEl\\"I OR TO LTITER ITSOAl,Tf.Rf.D ISA SERIOUS OFFE A Century LaterÃ. Location of Rathgar Rd. in South Dublin 173 Rathgar Rd.in the year 2000 Ina visiting 173 Rathgar Rd. in 2000 Carl in back yard of 173 Rathgar in 2011 IN llAlH Ballyboden Gallo '-Gr-e l~Ejmondstown Balhnteer DUBLIN BAY --Royal Canal (North) Grand Canal (South) --Mainline Rail --Dartï Light Railw"ay --Motorway --National Main Road --Other Road CHILDHOOD William Allan Stanisclaus Leary was baptized on board the nof the Allan Steamship Line during the familys return voyage to Canada. William was a family name (Georges eldest brother) but he was given the name Allan after the steamship line on which he was baptized. The name Stanisclaus, which he notably never used during his lifetime, was bestowed by one of his sponsors, Sister Mary Pascal, of Holy Trinity Convent, Oxford. The other sponsor was Rev. Canon Dann, of Limerick and the service was performed by Rev. Robert Brooks Egan, curate of St. Michael and All Angels, Hyde Park, London (see Figure 2). We have no information at this point as to why these folks were travelling to Canada at that time or whether the family had any prior connections with any of them. Perhaps the in-transit baptism is more indicative of George Learys propensity for making contacts and instigating the unusual. The ship arrived in Montreal July 7, 1895 with the Leary passengers bound for their final destination in Winnipeg. S.S. Sardinian S.S. Sardinian Passenger List (Note: The passenger list index transcribed the name as Leung rather than Leary so that is what you have to look under if you check the lists via the index) Mr. Geo. Leary Mrs. x Master x Master x Miss x Infant yl ,r ,.. /I h , / r ,,/. /;, .. ..i-,, _/:4 /4,( .7,:/ ./4,,I',. r:f,~,, ï'J Jl / 'l 'tt' ï-------)l..1H1, , ÃÃ. , ,, ""'" , , ,Ã.,. Ãà à , ÃÃÃ.. .,..ittt.¥'4, .. I 11b1ll"tillh',lt1M1h ÃÃÃ.. ~,Ã., , Ã. ,,L) 1.~1/ .. , ~,,/,,../ ,, , Figure 2 - Baptismal record Back in Winnipeg. The family returned from Ireland to their home at 300 Furby Street where they had been living since moving to Winnipeg, other than an initial year on Colony Street (See City Directories). Maria Sneyd Leary, was living with the family. We have no record at the moment of Bills early schooling. In 1900, about the time he would have entered public schools, the family bought the property in the South Boyne Valley on 13-6-8w from the CPR and, in partnership, built the Boyne Valley Brick Works. An account in 1901 by family friend, Rev. Borthwick, states that George had built what would be a fine home on the property (the White House west of the brickyard). We have no clear record of how much time the family spent there or in Winnipeg. Maria died in the Boyne Valley in 1901 when Bill was 6 years old. We have one remaining product from her own hands - blocks of a quilt she was making for Bill when she died (see photo of one block on next page). According to May Howard, Bills cousin, it had been a tradition of Marias to make quilts for the grandchildren. We have only a few photos of Bill from these early years t,A,r:-<d 'f IC~ L~ ,Ã.at. o-f s /JJ..~~ ,,,. a.ce. a-, . ,Jk/'Pt: .P.-.< t_ ,_,p ,,,, h"J -RI,<? ea.,à ,.,à 9i t!o .f ,;,._,, ~«A ,va..-"'. .5~;:..,. :ht--:, /datJt:~a.C c,-..-.,vl J~ f~;..;_c; ~e:~ THE BOOK OF COMMON PRAYER, A.!tO 40Ml)Clff'IU.TIOH OP THE SACRAMENTS, .UtD pTlUIR RITES AND C&RElIONll!S OF TllE CilURCH, &(:COaOUfO TO na t:'Q o, TOOtrllSII. l\\lTH TUS PSALTER OR PSALMS OF DAVID, P0tNl~ o tlfq to N .fN-"' or ,old i,. Clu,rdlu; ANO THB FORM AND MANNER OP MAKINO, OROAINtSO, ANO CONSKCflATINO OF nisuors. Pnt8STS. ANO DKAOOI\\S. ~n~on: PRINTED BY F.Yll& AND SPOTTISWOODE, Pritt-r "° lM Q1,1"'1 mol B.uw,Ueat Miutr, SOCJBTJ' FOB. PROArOTINO OICRJSTTA._N KNOW'I,BDQB. S.W M U.. lklri1\\ n,,,.'°'1, ?f~bnluit ,hu-. Owt04 Ct-. LMlloo, 8. VI, _,Ã.._ Bill Leary age 6 years Quilt block made by Maria Sneyd Leary for grandson Bill Bill (right) with brother Val At Furby Street - Back: George, Armintha, unknown men; Front: Bill, Ett, Val, unknown woman In this early photo of the brickyard, Bill is seen beside his father George (left) and brother Val watching men load bricks. In the early1900s, the family also spent some time in Chilliwack, B.C. Georges brother, John, had moved there and other family members were living by then in Ladner, on the B.C. coast. We have photos of the house the family lived in at Chilliwack and a picture of Bill rowing a boat on the river in front of the house. So far, we have located no additional records giving the address or length of stay in British Columbia. Bill`s military record says he served with the 104th Canadian Militia in Chilliwack, B.C. from June 16, 1910 to June 4, 1914. I havent researched terms of service with the militia, including time commitment - this is an area that others might want to check out. For example, what attendance was required to remain on strength with the militia? Bill around age 12, rowing boat on river in front of home in Chilliwack. George & Armintha Leary in front of Chilliwack home. Family in B.C. - Driver, George, Bill, Armintha, Ett Bill was back in Manitoba attending Brandon College at the time he enlisted in WWI. An item and photo in the Brandon College journal confirms the family`s story that he was the first student to enlist from the College. His attestation papers list his occupation as student. Bill - back row, 4th from left Brandon College MILITARY CAREER WWI From Brandon College Bulletin, July 1917 Brandon College and the War Corp. (Now Lieut.) WM. LEARY The first Brandon College mun to enlist. On July 4, 1914 Bill transferred from the B.C. militia to the 18th Canadian Mounted Rifles/Ft. Garry Horse Regiment (from service record); he is shown on the pay lists from Aug.15 to Aug. 26, 1914 as a private with the 18thM.R. The Regiment was mobilized on August 5th, 1914 and moved to Valcartier, Quebec on August 30. There it was combined with members of other pre-war Militia regiments to form the 6th Battalion C.E.F. (Canadian Expeditionary Force). The role of the Regiment was changed from Cavalry to Infantry at this time. Colonel G.W.L. Nicholsons -1919provides an informative background on the mobilization and initial training at Valcartier: The First Contingent at Valcartier. The summons sent out on 6 August 1914 by the Minister of Militia had named the place of mobilization as Valcartier, sixteen miles north-west of Quebec City. The first group of volunteers reached the new camp on 18 August, and by 8 September the influx, carried in one hundred special trains, had raised the strength to its maximum of 32,665. The new campsite lay along the east bank of the Jacques Cartier River. From a belt of woodland beside the stream sandy flats reached back some two miles to a tree-covered ridge rising abruptly a thousand feet above the valley. Occasional patches of swamp and timber intruded on the open fields of small farms, granted originally to British soldiers after the capture of Quebec. The transformation of this area in less than a month into an organized military establishment accommodating more than 30,000 men was a striking testimonial to the foresight and unbounded enthusiasm and driving power of the Minister of Militia - who having fathered the project personally saw it through to completion. In 1912 he had taken steps to acquire the site for a central training area for the Militia of the province; and his decision to concentrate the Canadian Expeditionary Force there necessitated the purchase of additional land after war broke out, the eventual area of the camp reaching 12,428 acres. Teams of lumberjacks at once began clearing the section by the river for the camp lines, and the central area for a parade ground. A contracting firm engaged in building the Connaught rifle range near Ottawa moved its full complement of men and equipment by special train to work on the new site. Progress was spectacular. Afterwards Colonel Hughes was able to point out with the pride of achievement: and waterworks were begun. By the 20th, three and a half miles of ranges were completed, and 1,500 targets were put in position. Up to the same date, 12 miles of water mains had been laid in, and 15 miles of drains, open and own training programme. They used as their basic manual a "Memorandum for Camps of Instruction, 1914". By 22 August 1500 targets were in position on the new ranges, which stretched for more than two and a half miles along the foot of the eastern ridge. Target practice using the Ross rifle began with seven battalions simultaneously on the ranges, and by 19 September practically all infantrymen had fired the prescribed classifications, which totalled 50 rounds at distances of up to 300 yards. Some repeated the course several times before qualifying. This range practice, carried out under the supervision of the Commandant of the School of Musketry, from Ottawa, and a staff of thirteen, was given priority in the training programme. "I want, first of all, men who can pink the enemy every time", Colonel Hughes told the troops at Valcartier. He was pleased with the standard which they attained, and he enthusiastically declared later that the men at Valcartier had been "trained to handle a rifle as no men had ever handled it before". There was little time for advanced or specialist training. Two barrel pier bridges thrown over the Jacques Cartier River by the engineers were put to practical use when units crossed to take part in field manoeuvres in the rough wooded area beyond. On two occasions the Governor General was an interested observer of these tactical schemes. His Royal Highness reviewed the troops three times during September, the marching columns being led past the saluting base by the Minister of Militia in uniform. To read more about these preparations see Militiaà http://www.cobwfa.ca/images/CEF_e. For information on the Automobile Machine Gun Corps, No. 1: 20n, 25-6, 40, 108; see Nicholson:1st Motor M.G. Brigade; Brutinel's Brigade: 432-3, 448, 451, 456, 458. For Chronology of the war see: The Canadian Forces in the Great War 1914 -1919 Ãwww.cmp-cpm.forces.gc.ca/dhh-dhp/his/docs/CFGW_VOL1Pt2 When soldiers enlisted for service with the Canadian Expeditionary Forces (CEF) to serve in WWI, they were required to complete and sign attestation papers. These papers can be accessed online through CEF WWI attestation papers which lists multiple entry points to the records. Bill Leary formally enlisted with the C.E.F. at Valcartier, Quebec where he signed his attestation papers on Sept. 24, 1914. Note for other reference purposes that his service number was 15337. à -'' QUESTIONS TO BE PUT BEFORE ATTESTATION.. ";"'ï ,. 1J l. Wha.tieyonrname? ÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃ. $~ .. ÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃ.. .. }'?. ~h~~n~~11..:.e;i;:!hito~?.~~~'. .. .. :'.'. Ã.. ï.ïïïïnïïïïïïïï*~ï~ï'::'.,~:ïïïïïï-ïï"ï 3. Whot ;g the 11a.me of your next-of-kin?ÃÃÃÃ.. .. ÃÃ. rJ :rt::pjr. Ã.. o(.~7"ïïïïïï+-ï7ïïïï Ã.. .. 4. ïwhat is the address of you.r next-of-kin?ÃÃÃ. . ÃÃà 1?.t.-:e,,~~ïïïïl.».'.:~~a,. Ãà .. 5. What is the date of your birth LÃÃà ÃÃÃÃ. à ÃÃÃÃà ./£ Ã.. .//2re.Z.:://:..,9.7-:. ÃÃÃÃÃÃ. . 6. WllatisyonrT111.deor Calling? ÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃ.. ÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃ. .. 7. Areyou mmiedLÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃà ..~ à à ha ÃÃÃÃÃ. .. 8. .Are you wming to be vaccinated or 1-e-vaccioated? ÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃ.. . 9. Do you uow belong to the Active Militia? ÃÃ. . ïï ïï Ã.. ÃÃ.. 4ïïï~~~ï à . Ã. ÃÃÃÃ. Ã.. ÃÃÃ.. . .. . .1.¢.~ Ãà L~;(l.tff: Ã.. à .. 10. Have you ever served in a.ny Milita.ry Force?., Ir ,o, $(.ate partioula.a of tormcr Sorvice. l 1. Do you understand the nature a.nd terms of you-. engagement? ÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃ.. . ÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃ. ÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃ. .. 12. Are yon willing to be atteete<l to serve in 1he} CANADIAN OvE!I-SEAs El-:>::PEDJTIONARY Foncll? ,(Signe.ture of Man). ~. . ÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃà : ÃÃ.. , do solemnly declare that the above answers ma.de, by me to the above qµbijons are ue, and tha.t I 1110 willing t.o fulfil the en~ement,s by me now ma.de, :md I hereby eug,,.ge and agree to 8erve in the Canadian Over-Seas Expeditionary Force, and to b6 Mtached to a.ny a.rm or tlie servioo therein, for the term of one year, or dnriug the war now existing between Great Britain and Germany should that war last longer than one year, and for six months after . the termh1Mion of that wa,r J)J'Ovided His Majesty should ao long req nire my servicl'.t!, or until legally diuharged. ï'ï ._/: /+ .£T ÃÃ. ~~-.(Bigna.tnre o( Re,;u!t) ~~~p?. ÃÃÃÃ. 19;1.4. .. Ã. .. (Signa.tnre of Witness) . ~.i.~. B~A~E: .. .. .. :~:o ::::~:~::~:;II be faithful and hear true AllPgianee to His Maj~rge the Fifth, IDs Heirs a.nd Successors, a.nd thfit I will as in duty bound honestly and faithfully defend His .Majesty, His l{elrs 9.11d Successor, in Person, Crown :md Diguity. ~gti,inst all 6Demiea, and will obse,ïve and owy all orders of His Ma.jesty, ffisl'J:elrs and Successors, 11nd of all the Generals and.Ofli.cers set over me. So help me God . Ã-?'.~..--" Ã.. :::.:,~~~ à , Ã.. (Signature ol :Recruit) ..~(Signo.ture of WitueB!I) ÃÃÃÃ.. 1914. CERTIFICATE OF MAGISTRATE. The Recruit above-named was cautioned l>y me that i1 he 10a.de e.ny false answer to any of the above questions he would be liable to be punished as provided i1l the .A.,my Act. The 11bove questions were then read to the Recruit in my presence. l bave taken care tJ,at he underHtands each question, and ~hat his answer to each queetion has heen :::;:e:t.~.~.:.~~:t\\:: .. :?.'i.~~~~~;l:f.~~d. tion .. Ã.. :.~: Ã.. ~:~7t \\ ï, . .. ï .. .. .. t;f; Ã. ~. . ÃÃÃ. (Signature of Justice) 6. Description oL~----~ ÃÃà on / Apparent Age Ã. / ÃÃà yeitrs ÃÃ. //, Ã. mo~ths. \\ I 'It Distinctive marks, and marks indica.ting conge,',,ite.1 peculiarities or previous disease. i'l'o be d~ter.znincd nceoNJl.i,g t.o the i1111t.:ructio11S h-iYOD t~ Riti'\\\\ lAtiOM for .Al"Dly Medical Smvlct,e,) (Should ths ?i{edloal OftLco-r be of oplnfot\\ th&t tt>o ni'tru.lt bA& ~I\\,&\\ !:~t:e,h:~ ~:1:i1i t~ :::e:f~tJ~~~~fwl: Appcrovh1a-Officer). 1(_ Height ÃÃÃÃÃ. ' ÃÃÃÃÃÃ.. 6.. .. rt à ./..Jua. 1h{Gi~a!i.~ .. .. . .1.7 .. ins. 0sa Range ofexpanaion ÃÃ.. , à ~.ius. ;;:~: : :::: Chm-ch ofEnglo.nd ÃÃ. X. ÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃà Ã. . P1~byterian ÃÃÃÃÃÃÃ.. ÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃà .. Wesleyan ÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃ.. .,../ ÃÃà 7ï ._ Baptist 01ï Congregationalist Ã. , Ã.. , .. ::":::: ÃÃ.. .. Other Protestant.~ ÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃ.. . (Deuomln&tioo to be 11la.t.cd.) Roman O,.tholic, Ã. , Ã. ,. ÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃà .. Jewi~ ÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃ.. .-ÃÃÃÃ.. . CERTIFICATE' OF ~rlICAL. EXAMINATION . . (;ï ' I bave en.minw the a.hove.named Recrru1,,and find tha,t he does not present any of tlre ca,u.ses <f~jeotion spooifled in the Rt>gwations for Army Medi"l'l Services. . He can see e.t tho required distance with either eye; his hen.rt e.nd lungs are healthy ; ho has the. . free nse ot hi.a join~ :A he declares tbe.t ~" is nut subject to lits o~ any description. . Date Ã. I .. :~ïïïïïïï?.~~~:~~:1e~:Canad:~.:.~.~~~~~ Place ÃÃÃÃÃÃÃ.. ÃÃÃÃÃ.. C~ Ã.. ,~:':::'.:::;:'.::".:. ÃÃà . Medi® Ofilcer. rmrert,Jtcre "fit" or "on.Rt." . '.h°OTE.--Shoold the l\\f..,Jical omcc?" cOlhlldar t.heoR~ti uofl~ h6 will fill in th@ toreg-o-lr,,e-Qel'tllo&te onlr in t4e cue ot tb.098 wbo be.Ye been at.tested, 6nd. wm briefly etn.tc below Ute ca.\\le& of uuflt,:ieaff :- --------ïïïïïï------------,------------------CERTIFICATE OF OFFICER COMMANDING UNiT. <o,,..,,;;-;;:; .;~;;ï~;;::;;;~::;;;;;,,'::;;::.::i,1;;;;::;::: h~?n r<>Mrrld . I t>.ertilv that I am satisfied with the correctness of this .A.tt.este.tion. t The 6th Battalion sailed for England on October 3, 1914, and trained on the Salisbury Plain throughout the remainder of the year under arduous weather conditions. Bills first Christmas overseas was spent at Salisbury. On Salisbury Plains, England. Photo: W.A. Leary albums May Fortune ..-1lh a Ktn'rous hand Your Life's lon2 Pathway strew And Friendship shed ILS b!llilhlnl ljllnm Thi Chrlstmuude on you. All Kind Thoughts and Best Wishes for a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. From Corporal W. Leary. H Company, 6th Battalion, 2nd Brigade. !st C.0.E.F., Salisbury, England. Perhaps as a result of his earlier service with the militia, Bill Leary is recorded from September 22 to October 31, 1914 on payroll as a Corporal with 16th Battalion. His pay during the course of service was between $1.00 and $1.35/day with additional 10 to 35 cents/day when serving in the field; of this amount, he assigned $15/month home in his fathers name. Bill Learys rise in the ranks was at this point short-lived. On December 7, 1914 he reverted to ranks from Provisional Corporal at West Downs, England. Details of the change are not entered on the service record, however, a surviving page of a letter to his parents makes it clear that Bill did not exactly agree with the action. And, much as one would expect a young man who had already served from 1910 to 1914 in the militia to be a heel-snapping, sharp-saluting, Aye, aye, Sir! military type, it seems that young Bill was far from being a cookie-cutter soldier. Unfortunately Page 1 of the letter with location and date are missing. Picking up at Page 2, the letter reads: Having been reduced to the ranks I have been raising a lot of trouble for the Capt. that reduced me. In the last week I only attended one parade & I skipped it before we had gone half a mile. The Capt. was going to have me put in the guard tent. I got kind of sore and told him where he got off at. Well it ended that he told me if I didnt want to attend parade he would transfer me to the Base company. I told him anything would be better than taking dirt from a man that didnt know anything. Well it wound up that he ordered me to be locked up and that demanded to see the Colonel. He finally had to give in as he had no grounds whatever to reduce me. That happened three days ago and nothing has turned up & I havent been on parade sinceÃ. You should have heard them laugh. No! Once back to Canada the contingent will fall out within ten hours. The only ones that will remain is a few of the 18M.R. boys and then only long enough to take a wallop at some of our present officers. How Leary is that?! It certainly conjures up a few cross-generational stories, doesnt it? In any event, it looks at this point like the army needed to get their soldiers into battle and the anger and hostility directed towards the enemy. The other side of the time the troops spent training in England was the opportunity during leave to see sights most prairie lads had only read about at school. Bill wrote: I was in London for another weekend and enjoyed myself very much. I walked along the Thames for about four hours Saturday night or just before dusk. Sunday was a very slow day - everything was dead. The lights are all out now and the trams all stopped because of an explosion in the power house. I was going to visit the wax works and museum but neglected to do so as I wanted to pay a visit to the barracks where some of the British soldiers are living. 1915. Whatever the full story was on what looks from these snippets of correspondence to be a case of insubordination, one can only guess that this experience influenced Bill Learys transfer on January 6, 1915 to the Auto Machine Gun Corps at Canterbury (see active service record; discharge papers). Six months later, in June, 1915, he proceeded to France with the 1st Canadian Motor Machine Gun Brigade. Canadian Automobile Machine Gun Brigade. According to the online encyclopaedia, Wikipedia: The Canadian Automobile Machine Gun Brigade, also known as Brutinel's Brigade or the Brutinel Brigade, was the first fully mechanized unit of the British Army. It was established on August 24, 1914 in Ottawa, Canada, as Automobile Machine Gun Brigade No. 1 by Canadian Brigadier-General Raymond Brutinel, who initiated the program and was the unit's first commander. The unit played a significant part in halting the major German offensive of March 1918. The Brigade was originally equipped with 8 Armoured Autocars mounting 2 Colt Model 1914 machine guns (later replaced with the standard British Vickers MG) manufactured by Autocar in Ardmore, Pennsylvania. Autocar also supplied 6 unarmoured support vehicles, 4 "roadsters" for the Brigade's officers, and an ambulance. In 1918 Brutinel's force consisted of the 1st and 2nd Canadian Motor MG Brigades (each of 5x8 gun batteries), Canadian Cyclist battalion, one section of medium trench-mortars mounted on lorries (plus an assumed wireless and medical support). This totalled 80 machine guns and about 300 cyclist infantry. For those of you who decide to check the War Diaries for WWI, [LAC, Images, 1st Motor Bde. until June 1918, when members from various units were restructured into the 2nd MMMG Bde. He served with the 2nd Brigade until the end of the war. The War Diaries record that the CMMG Bde. were inspected June 13,1915 by Brigadier General Carson and proceeded the following day to Southampton where they sailed on the HMT African Prince to Le Havre, France on June 17th where they were billeted in tents. From Le Havre, the brigade travelled overland though Abbeville where they were billeted in British army huts, then through a series of French towns to headquarters at Bailleul. From October 1914 to July 1917, when it was severely bombed and shelled, Ballieul was an important railhead, air depot, hospital centre, and Corps headquarters for the CMMG Bde. (War Diaries 1st CMMG Bde. June, 1915). Almost a year after first enlisting, Bill Leary was finally close to one of the major battlefields of WWI near Ypres, Belgium an area where fierce engagements occurred between 1914 and 1917. He and the rest of the brigade were finally in the trenches. Area around Bailleul with locations mentioned in war diaries ;:: langemark-Poelkapelle Bollezeele I-ï CMMG Bde armoured vehicle Photo: W. Leary album MIKAN 3395367: Cleaning armored cars, Canadian Motor Machine Gun Brigade. Sketches For Machine Gun Placements (War Diaries - 1st CMMG bde 1915) _ -i Fltx>., nf -,;,,, .. ,,._ ï ,., ,,,, ,,.. ,,.. //;'" // Ãà _,,,,;;ï"}---:-~/:t" à ,,r: Chateau La Hutte - Hill 63, Messine Photo: W.A. Leary albums The brigades assigned task was to occupy, organize defensively and HOLD their positions in the area of Chateau La Hutte, Rossignol, Messines Road and Dead Cow Farm. This was to be done silently, with no movement during the day; trench emplacements (see diagrams above) and anti-aircraft guns were to be set up at night with no fires, and no smoking unless allowed under cover; watches to be scheduled on hour on-4 off basis with batteries relieved every 3 days. Reports were communicated by telephone or cyclist. This was done in the face of apparent massing of German forces and regular bombardment. Among the communications from HQ are detailed instructions on rate, elevation and frequency of machine gun fire that is to be laid down to interfere with enemy trench construction, movements and communication. With enemy aircraft activity in the area, mobile units with two guns were assigned to concealed sites for anti-antiaircraft duty. Communiques give frequent reports of aircraft sightings but they are usually are out of range or no evidence of damage is reported. Although few hits are recorded, they seem to have served the purpose of keeping aircraft at a distance from the troops and preventing bombing or marking troop locations with flares for enemy artillery fire. Although the machine gunners seem well protected compared to the men in the open trenches, rain was still a deterrent to operations and comfort of the troops: The weather is very wet and we are experiencing a lot of trouble with water in the trenches and gun emplacements. No 10 emplacement is in very bad shape. (War Diaries, Sept.5/15) A new weapon was soon encountered in the form of gas. Gas alerts and close attention to wind force and direction were a regular part of War Diary communications. The direction and speed of the winds that would carry clouds of gas over Allied lines becomes another preoccupation of reports. Communiques include orders to ensure all ranks have their gas masks in order and can use them. One online comment suggested gas equipment was being handed out in the early stages of the war by officers with no training in gas management. For more on use of poison gas in WWI see: http://www.cs.mcgill.ca/~rwest/wikispeedia/wpcd/wp/p/Poison_gas_in_World_War_I.htm Figure 3 - Gas alerts were a feature of war diary communiques Gas being released from German lines Bill L. in gas mask The only other entry on Bill Learys 1915 service record is for the period 30/10/15-6/11/15 when he was on a one-week leave in England. ---W.tJl muaT Ã.,..,~_,, ÃÃà If you read the war diaries, you may notice that relying on this source to track our a soldiers location and activities during WWI provides a rather sterile, detached account of the war. The diaries rrecord orders from headquarters, the moves in the war game and the army units responses. This detachment seems particularly so for those first months near Ballieul when much of the firing is at night to deter enemy work on trenchs and troop movement, when few fatalities are reported, aircraft are generally out of range of fire, and, though frequent enemy barrages are reported, they seem to score little damage on machine gun emplacements. Communications at this point deal more with brigade rotations and firing patterns. One of the limitations of this approach - tracing the activirties of the CMMG Brigade from the perspective of orders from headquarters - is that it doesnt tap into any of the more colourful journalism that was part of the egular propaganda from the front lines. Many of the accounts you have heard this past year to mark the 100th anniversary of WWI are from the reports of war correspondents or from personal letters from the trenches, both pf which still evoke strong emotional responses a century later. Perhaps some of the sense of detachment also comes from the expectations we have in our era of instant multi-media coverage of global conflict. Can you imagine thosands of WWI soldiers facebooking or texting home messages and photos from the Somme or Vimy Ridge? Its also possible, of course, that the war experience was different for the infantry units on the front lines for whom the machine gunners were laying down protective fire. And least one source (which eludes me at the moment) suggests that fighting on this part of the battlefield was less intense in 1915 than some other areas, that it served as an initial front-line posting to acclimatize troops to real warfare and hone their battle skills. (Yes, I know, this is where I am expected to add the Leary dumb humour comment that, given the complaints of rain and flooded trenchs, this could be seen as the place where new troops got their feet wet! But you know I would never say anything like that!) 1916 The war diaries record a routine start to 1916 with the 1st CMMG Bde. still serving out of HQ at Ballieul. Soon, however, the brigade began the move to closer to heavy fighting. On March 28, 1916 they were transferred to Poperinghe [see account below of locationsWar diary reports continue in a similar vein to action at Ballieul, other than several reports of bombings at Poperinghe during which, at that time, billets remain untouched. By mid-July, troops were moved to new billets at Cambron Farm near Abeele. Then on September 5, they were marched onward to Contay. Having settled into billets, they began to drill and practice in preparation for a major offensive notably involving the first use of tanks and combined military forces in a major assault on Martinpuich and Courcellette. Courcellette was the main Canadian objective. On Sept. 15, A Battery, the group to which Bill Leary was attached, was moved up to join the other MG batteries, tanks and various units assembling at the town of Albert, France. From the subsequent barrage of orders and reports of casualties that begin to appear in battery reports, it is evident that the 1st CMMG bde. was now in the thick of the offensive. On Sept. 16, B battery reported 2 wounded, 2 missing and C battery reported 2 killed, 5 wounded, 2 shell shocked and 1 missing. The task of the CMMMG bde. was to cover the infantry advance and lay down barrages as ordered. The magnitude of the offensive is reflected in an order from the brigade on for 3 million rounds of ammunition. [This whole region must have been an urban miners paradise after the war!CMMG brigade was engaged in drills and maintenance activities until the end of 1916. The urgency of war diary communiques heightened as preparations took place for the assault on the area around Courcelette. An entry from the Canadian War Museum: http://www.warmuseum.ca/firstworldwar/history/battles-and-fighting/land-battles/courcelette gives a sense of the intensity of warfare in that sector: The Battle of the Somme raged for over four months and resulted in over a million casualties to Allied and German troops. The Canadians, originally in the Ypres sector, missed the first months of the fighting, but had moved to the Somme by early September Ã.In the fighting to come, the Canadians would benefit from two tactical innovations: a creeping artillery barrage, and the first employment of tanks in combat. Instead of trying to annihilate the enemy, the new creeping barrage resulted in thousands of shells slowly raking through the enemy lines, advancing 100 yards, or 91 metres, per lift. This barrage was not meant to destroy the enemy trench systems, although this sometimes happened, but to drive defenders into their protective dugouts. The infantry would closely follow the barrage, called leaning on the barrage, in order to cross No Mans Land before enemy troops could emerge from cover to fire at them. To assist with cutting barbed wire and silencing enemy machine-guns, seven tanks, or armoured land cruisers, accompanied the Canadians in their first major battle at Courcelette on 15 September. Mechanically unreliable and as slow as a walking person, tanks nonetheless struck fear into the enemy, many of whom surrendered when the tanks first appearedÃ.With the new artillery barrage, tanks, and a carefully prepared infantry attack, the Canadians captured the ruined village of Courcelette on 15 September. Despite thousands of casualties, it was a victory, one of the few for Allied forces on the Somme. Further attacks through September and October were just as costly, but less successful. Operations against Desire Trench and Regina Trench, to the north of Courcelette, were grinding affairs where soldiers attacked and counterattacked repeatedly over the same ground, and always under heavy enemy fire. In late October, the three battered divisions of the Canadian Corps limped off the Somme having suffered 20,000 casualties. The 4th Canadian Division, fighting with British troops, finally captured Regina Trench in November, as the offensive came to a halt in the mud all along the Somme frontÃ.The Somme battles cost the Canadian Corps 24,029 casualties. From the terrible bloodletting, the Canadians learned the need to improve infantry and artillery tactics, and to better coordinate how the various military arms worked together in battle. Communication would remain a problem throughout the war, but the Somme proved that if control was impossible from divisional, brigade, or even battalion headquarters, then soldiers at the front had to be empowered to fight their own battles. Training following the Somme would focus on these hard-won lessons. See the War Diary communication of Sept. 24, 1916 below for an overview of methods of communication available at the time and a reminder of how technology has changed since that time. Location of some of the CMMG Bde. HQ & 1st Battles on the Somme Poperinge Poperinge is situated about 8 miles west of Ypres on a direct road and railway link. Throughout WWI Poperinge was used by the Allied Forces as a gateway to the battlefields of the northern Ypres Salient. It was an important rail centre behind the front line and was used for the distribution of supplies, for billeting troops, for casualty clearing stations and for troops on leave from duty in the forward trench areas. Thousands of troops passed through the town at some time or other. The main square formed the hub of five main roads leading into the town and, therefore, was constantly bustling with military traffic, military personnel and those civilians who had stayed on in the town. Because of its importance to the military behind the front Allied lines, the town was frequently targeted by long range German artillery. Courcelette Courcelette lay to the north of the main road between Albert and Bapaume. At the beginning of the Somme Battles in July 1916 this village was well within German held territory, and it was not until mid-September that the Allies reached this far. At Courcelette, it was the Canadians who attacked. Notably, objectives were labelled Kenora and Regina Trench which would lend a home-based incentive to the assault. On the 15th of September 1916 the offensive known as the Battle of Flers-Courcelette was launched. It was carried out on a wide front and involved the first use of tanks. After its capture, Courcelette remained near the front lines until the Germans withdrew to the Hindenburg Line early in 1917, but it was taken again in their Spring Offensive on the 25th of March 1918. It was five months later before the Allies retook it as they advanced in the final few months of the War. Some key areas in the Battle of the Somme Methods of Communication (War Diaries, 1st CMMG Bde., Sept.24, 1916) Albert Albert was the main town behind the lines for the Allies nearest to the 1916 Somme battlefields. It lies on the main road that runs east to Bapaume across the Somme battlefields, and west to Amiens in the other direction. In terms of the history of the war, Albert came to be associated with the British Allies when their troops took over the lines here in the summer of 1915. In the centre of Albert is one of the most famous icons of the Great War - the Golden Virgin on top of the Basilica. The golden statue of the Madonna holding aloft her child was visible from far away, and was an excellent target for enemy artillery. It was damaged fairly early on, in January 1915, and the statue was knocked from its perch but stayed leaning at an angle before being secured by the French in that position. A superstition grew up that the war would end only when the statue finally fell. It remained, somewhat improbably, in the same position all the time that Albert was in French and then British hands. The Germans advanced into Albert during their Spring Offensive in 1918, and well aware that the tower could be used as an excellent observation point by the Germans, it was British artillery that then deliberately targeted it and the statue finally fell. Albert was retaken by the British four months later, but it was another three months after this until the Armistice. He statue has since been rebuilt. Not far from the Basilica is the Hotel de Ville, and on the wall by the entrance is a plaque commemorating the Machine Gun Corps. It was unveiled just before the Second World War, and commemorates the 13,791 of the Machine Gun Corps who died, and the 48,258 wounded or missing during the Great War. See plaque below: Map showing areas where battles took place Hebuterne Miraumont 8eaurnont ,melG Auchonvill1ers Thlepval Authuill Martinpuich Bazentin Fiers Lesboe! Longueval G' h .,ncy Contalmaison Montaub n I Above is a note from War Diaries (if you can read the above communication) that Corporal Leary is assigned August 11, 1916 to anti-aircraft duty. A lot of the war diary entries are hard to read but I will include any that refer to Bill Leary by name and you can go to the online versions for greater clarity. \\, ' ___ .. --ï ---Ã. ll'M I M.,81 . Ã. --à .. .. ---~ ÃÃ.. .. --ï-------ï a. ÃÃÃ. r,i:J à , . .. ' " --~ .. .,JI&.&.. Ãà ' WWI LETTERS FROM BILL LEARY TO PARENTS There is one other source of first-hand information from 1916 - a small packet of letters Bill Leary wrote home to his parents. With the exception of the letter quoted above from his earlier days in England, the letters that have survived are all from 1916, including the months on the Somme battle front. Letters from soldiers at the front have featured large in the contemporary accounts of WWI, in particular those that speak of the horrid conditions in the trenches or the soldiers poignant longing for home. However, in this packet of letters, there is scant information about conditions or other matters having to do with the war, other than Bills attempts to keep his parents up to date with the welfare of other soldiers from home. Letters to his father comment on the political situation in Manitoba. It was at this time that local politicians and contractors were being tried on charges of fraud associated with building of the Legislative Building. Other than the occasional anti-enemy comment, Bill could almost be writing home from the west coast of Canada rather than the Western Front. He is less bombastic than in the earlier letter and seems to have more respect for his officers; or maybe you just grow up fast on the battlefront. All the legible letters are included here - to read or skip as you choose - since they arent available through other sources. Heres what one of the better originals looks like: Belgium , 1913 - Dear Mother I must admit that I have been rather careless with my correspondence during the past two weeks but I will try to do a little better in future. I received two letters from you, one from Dad and a young novel from Pink (?) written in Brandon. The first installment of the Kelly-Roblin trial arrived today. It seems to me that they are going to put up a great fight. It certainly will be hard for R.P. if he doesnt win after obtaining such a high position in Canadian politics. You might tell Dad that Leavey is greatly interested in politics and is anxious to hear anything regarding them that he might say in his letters to me. I have found it quite impossible to look up Fred Roblin for a good long time. Lloyde was wounded in one of the recent scraps. Art Cook came through OK as far as I can find out. It makes it rather awkward having to lose the big order but things ought to turn out fine and dandy. I would like to hear from Ev and the rest once in a while but probably he is kept, along with the rest, too busy to write. We are having fine weather now. Hope it continues until we lick the turk out of these beastly Germans. Must close now. Will try and write again before the end of the week. Your Efft. Son- Bill France Jan 23/16 Dear Dad: Have been looking for a letter from you now for some time still it has not arrived, so I am just going to keep on looking. I would like very much to know whats going on about the Roblin affair. You see, we get practically no Wpg. papers here & therefore when an argument arises one is compelled to sit back and say nothing. When you were in the Land Titles Office did you know Ptolemy? His son is here and I would like to know something about him. Things here are more or less quiet, but there is no telling when something may crop up now that spring is coming on. Neil McDonald has gone to England for his officers uniform which makes it more or less impossible for me to look him up. Havent been able to see Art Cook for a good time now but am going to make an endeavor shortly to do so. No word has arrived concerning Binghams condition. The last I heard he was able to be up and around again. It seems his head wound was not serious after all. I made myself known to Fred Roblin the other day and at the same time saw Lloyde from Morden. I hear Havard is the possessor of a young daughter, but unfortunately I lost his address and am unable to send congratulations. The weather here is fine -rather foggy in the evening and morning but during the day a good warm sun. I received all the parcels and jolly well pleased I was with them. Am beginning to look forward to my leave, which will come due in about six weeks providing all goes well. How is my friend Andrews coming along? Hope he receives that money from Begg or whoever he was receiving it from. Havent heard anything from Uncle Wm. now for a long time. Hope he isnt in bad health. I must close now as I think I have given you all the news. With love to all, Your Efft. Son Bill Leary France, Feb. 21st/16 Dear Mother: Your letter arrived here yesterday. - would have written before but the fates were against me because every time I would start to write a bad spell of insomnia [? sleepinesstake hold of me and I would have to have a sleep. We have been having decent weather here lately. It is a bit foggy today but not enough to cause a layup in artillery operations. Hope Bingham arrived at the Byard safe and in due course. Cook, I think, is in England on leave but I am not sure and find it hard to make sure. King has wandered out of notice. I havent heard from him for a good long time. Well, Im not worrying very much. Fred Roblin passed by the other day but was with a bunch of officers & therefore I didnt bother chewing the rag with him. Neil MacDonald and Lloyde are both here. Am fixing to look them up shortly. Things here are certainly very quiet but there is little telling what the spring has in store. One thing certain - the Germans will find it much more agreeable in their own trenches than coming over on a visit to our lines. Hope Geo. is improving. Will write him in a day or so but there is so little news to give that one can hardly make a letter. Must close now with love, Your Efft son Bill The only other direct knowledge we have from the first half of 1916 are brief entries in Bills service record, two of which relate to an apparent habit of mislaying things: on 30/4/16 a stoppage of pay is recorded for loss of clasp knife and mess tin and on 21/6/16 the same for loss of a gas helmet. On May 15, he was appointed Provisional Corporal, followed by ten days leave in England. On his return to his unit, he was promoted to corporal and had once again started his way up the ranks. The next surviving letter is from July, 1916. Trenches July 15th/16 Dear Mother, I feel so ashamed of myself for being so slack in writing the past three weeks that I hardly know how to start this note. There is absolutely no excuse I can make so you can so you can just give me the dickens in your letter answering this scrawl. As I was closing a letter this morning it suddenly dawned on me that I hadn't written home for three weeks. How time flies, especially when there is something going on to keep one more or less busy. It only seems like yesterday that I last wrote Dad but there is my little notebook that says three weeks in black and white. It is a beautiful day out, no too hot and not too cold, a nice cool breeze blowing, everything is green. On the whole it is a day that just makes one want to sit down and write a good novel in which he can invent a hero, a heroine and a villain to his hearts content. I should think to make the story real and up to date -the villain should be a German with spiked helmet and a few more things thrown in. Well, this is not a letter so far, it is just a piece of sentimental trash but it is the way I feel and I and I dont much care who knows it. I have had no word from Art for a good long time. I always say I am going to look him up but never get further than idle talk. Neil MacDonald is returning to Canada in a few days to take up second in command of some Regt. I am sure he would be only too glad to look up Dad. I am going to see him before he leaves and have a good heart to heart talk with him. Lloyde is wounded that is all I can find out about him at the present time, but as soon as I can look up Fred Roblin I will be able to get all particulars of the wounds. I hope you received the photos OK. They are not very good but will have to do until I can get time and opportunity of getting better ones. You might tell Etta that I will do my best to get her the required souvenir. The great difficulty arises in getting it over to her. I am exceedingly glad that you are forwarding one of the pictures as I have been a good long time fulfilling a promise in that direction. Had a parcel arrive today with tob. (tobacco) and gum in it. I never chew gum to any extent but was very glad to receive the parcel. Beatrice sent one that arrived yesterday so on the whole I am not doing so awfully badly. It is nearly three months now since I last heard from Ev I guess it is my fault for not writing. Hope he makes the plant a success this summer. If we had more down draught kilns, things would have a different outlook to them. Havent heard from Leavey for a couple of weeks. He had to re enter the hospital on account of his arm becoming worse again. It is kind of hard on him , more so than an ordinary person such as myself, because he is ambitious. Well Mother, I must close now. Will certainly endeavor to do better in the future . Your Efft son Bill France July 28, 1916 Dear Mother; This will be only a note as it is getting late and I am rather tired tonight. We have been pretty buand therefore neglected to write before this. Received your letter acquainting me with the hard luck re the brick plant. Hope it comes out alright. I dont for one minute think that Ev could have done any better as he has been away from the plant for a couple of years which all went in conjunction with the machinery, against him. Have been unable to look up any of Dads friends. Neil McDonald was around a few nights ago but unfortunately I only had sufficient time to exchange a few words. Art Cook wrote me yesterday & he is getting along fine- am going to answer his letter tomorrow. Will endeavor to write Dad again in a day or so. In the meantime I am well, Fritz is getting all that is coming to him, and the weather is fine. With love to all Your Efft Son Bill France, Sept. 20, 1916 Dear Dad: Undoubtedly you will have given up all hope of ever hearing from me, but such is not going to be the case. During the past three weeks we have had considerable bad weather, including of course a good deal of -genuine B.C. winter rain, which thrown in with an occasional German shell, helped exceedingly in passing the time away. But I suppose now that I am here, you would like to have a little news. The Battalion that Cook is in passed here two days ago. Both Cook and Wm. Thompson are looking fine. Art is a corporal at present and believe me, it is certainly coming to him. Owen King is only a few miles away - was over to see him last week and who should I run into but one of my old College chums, McNeil. He is a Lt. in the cavalry. Well you can just bet I enjoyed talking over old time, of course as per usual I had the most to say so am quite unable to say just how much he enjoyed my little talk. Was speaking to Colonel Paterson- he would like to have e back with the old bunch but I am afraid there will be absolutely nothing doing. I told him of the letter you forwarded from Bob Rogers and Sam Hughes and he has promised to do all he could to help things along if I still wish to carry the deal through. Neil MacDonald is still in these parts but have not been able to locate him for some time. There are rumours he is back home but I hardly think there is very much in it. Dolphie Graham is in England at present, a commissioned officer. I was certainly glad as life in the army as a Private is pretty hard for an old man like he is. Fred Roblin as far as I know is with the C.M.R.s yet. Am going to look him up as soon as possible. So far, so good. Have been receiving the papers regularly and am beginning to think someone is going to get it in the neck. Sgt. Leavey is back with us again and has taken up the hard task of reforming me. According to him I am improving slow but surely. Am going to take up French, German, Chemistry and Shakespeare so I should be a learned personage before the close of the war, which will also be the utter downfall of the Boch and Kaiser Bill. I rather think the Germans are beginning to see their mistake and providing all goes well by this time next year they should be something of the past. No. 2 Crew in other words The Crew has been progressing very well indeed. Outside of a few slight casualties the crew is the same. I am going to introduce you to them in order of the position they are on the gum. Vickers (No.1) is a tall, fair-haired, good-looking ambitious Canadian -single. Edwards another tall but dark haired person always happy providing there is something to grouse at but when it comes to gun work is very good indeed. Hughs is a new man and I am not in a position to say any more than that he is a very likely looking lad. Harding newer still but shapes very well. I would like very much to introduce our Battery Commanders but hardly think I could do them justice so will refrain from expressing an opinion. [Thanks! - added in margin in different writingNow Dad I must close as it is late and you wont care about reading too much of this kind of rubbish. Love to all. Your Efft. son Bill Leary France, October 10th, 1916 Dear Dad, Its a good bit of time now since I last wrote you. The real reason for the delay being nothing to say of course. Im in no better a position now than had I written last week. Firstly, many hearty thanks for the remembrance (cigars) . At present I am enjoying one. It is I admit a little previous (?) but nonetheless just as enjoyable. Tetc. arrived also today so you can imagine how I am celebrating. Have eaten so much cake that some of the boys think it has gone to my head but I think the real cause is that it arrived from home. Am going to write Ev tonight and thank him for his share. I am sorry to hear that he didnt make things go a little better, but probably it will all turn out all right in the end. Re the Kelly and ex-ministers trial things in my opinion are not looking too bright for Roblin. Of course if Andrews can break down Bowmans final summing up of the case and prove Horwood a crook things might turn out different, but I have my doubts. Andrews in my opinion , up to this point, has put up a fine fight with the exception where he lost his temper and called a few ministers and the crown counsel liars. Little things like these in my opinion makes a guy think that he is fighting on the wrong side. Leavey and I went for a good long walk today and looked up a few of the old chums. I saw young Cook and a few of the B.C. boys. As to Fred and Charlie Roblin they seem to be exceedingly hard to locate. If you happen to think of those boots, I think they would be quite in order. Will write again in a few days. With love to all, Your efft. Son Bill Leary On October 20, Bills service record notes that he had been promoted Sergeant. He was now located in France with brigade HQ at Contay. The war diaries for October 20 record a day of routine drill for the brigade, however it is a time of regrouping after a major offensive around the town of Martinpuich between October 8th and 17th. Not that you would guess from these letters. Aside from the fact that any references to action would be censored out, you have to wonder whether this was the soldiers way of putting warfare out of mind and getting in touch with the normal world during relief from the front lines, and partly to reassure the folks back home. Whatever the reason, war experiences were as thoroughly kept inside then as they were after the soldiers return home after the war. France, Nov. 7, 1916 Dear Mother; Rain being the outstanding feature of the weather at present I am taking advantage of it and trying to get my correspondence in some kind of shape. I had a real nice letter from Uncle Will yesterday and although his writing in places is a little uneven, on the whole wonderful for a person of 83 years of age. He said he was feeling fine and expected to manage the winter with very little trouble. Val dropped me a card saying very little outside of that he was very disappointed to have to remain in Winnipeg for the winter, but it will be much nicer not to have the pleasure of spending one here. And then he will be near home. Ev hasnt written me since he left for Plumas, but I expect a letter any day now. Wolverton is in France now, but some way or other, I cant seem to be able to find him. Cook is getting along fine. Am going to look him up in the near future. Am rather disappointed in the results of the ex-ministers trial. I think its a shame the jury didnt agree one way or the other after two years of hunting evidence. It was a good trial though and Andrews did fairly well. He would have decided a few more in his favour if he had acted more of the gentleman at times. However, theres no use crying over spilt milk and on the whole they are lucky to get away with the decision they got. This is washday in the billet. The Landlady, 15 kids and a half doz. men are running a machine that looks something like a C.N.R. train in the winter time and not much faster. Still, if noise and the Parlez vousing help to speed things up any, they shouldnt have been more than a few minutes doing the lot. I am progressing quite rapidly with my French now and sometimes I can say as many as three words at a time. Of course, the people dont understand me, but what can you expect - they are not very good in perfect French and when I use it and they dont comprenez well what can I do but look at them and wish they had learned real French. I was going to give you an account of how we are preparing for Exmas, but I think I will delay it until the next letter as it wouldnt do to give all the news in this note or next time I wouldnt have a thing to talk about. Christmas will be rather lonesome at home this year. Still Val will be able to get home and on the whole it should fare pretty well. Mark Leavey is in England just now getting rigged out in his new uniform. He is a Lieut. now. Well I may be spoiling the game as he will be writing Dad from London. Im getting pretty sick of this Andrews affair and intend to do something from this end, if Dad will send me his address. I also want Ethels address. I wrote for it once before, but never got it. Its a shame because I promised to drop her a line once in a while and here it is over two years, and not even a card. She may not answer me now and I wouldnt blame her a bit. Well, it is just 17 months on the 20th of this month since we landed in France and started to live among the frog-eaters. And believe me I will respect the Mochalins when I get back - they are certainly clean people compared with some Ive met here. However our present place is not included, because it is just the reverse. The floors of the house are as clean can be and everything is spick and span. It seems strange to be looked after like a long lost brother and thats not saying too much for the people in these parts. Dr. Whidden (sp.?) wrote me a fine letter a few days ago. He would like to have got out here but it turned out that he was unable to make the grade. Something must have happened to me since I started to write this letter as it has developed into eight pages. With love to all Your Efft. Son, Bill Leary France, Dec. 2nd , 1916 Dear Mother As we are now in the trenches we have more time to get down to business along the letter writing line. Jasper is quite close at hand. I saw him today and tomorrow he is going to pay me a visit. I am stopping at the Hotel Metropole not in London but put here where everything has a more humorous name always given by the boys that enjoyed the pleasure of building. Cook [ is in the trenches at present. I was over to see him but as luck would have it, he was away at the time. Fred Roblins Batt. is in the line with us but up to present he hasnt been around. I will look him up and tell him you were talking with Lady Roblin and R.P. It was quite a fuss Bob Rogers started with Judge Galt wasnt it? I was discussing the whole thing with his nephew who is with us. We could only come to one conclusion and that was that it would take a pretty smart man to get him. For some time past the weather in these parts has been beastly - continual drizzle of rain but it has cleared up and now promises to stay fine for some time. Now that I have Bobs address I certainly will look him up. It must be lonely for Aunt and Daisy all by themselves in Chwk. [note: refers to Robert Sneyd Leary, son of John Jr. and Mary, brotheI wrote Val advising him to transfer to the Machine Gun section of his battalion and I would do my best to get him with me when he got to England. This pen I am using is ??? so must close unless I get a better one. Well here I am again. Am glad you saw Ethel Whyte. I would like very much to hear from her. I promised to write her when I left Wpg., but unfortunately lost her address and was unable to remember where she lived. Havent heard from the west for a long time now. I wrote Ev and addressed the letter to Plumas -hope he gets it all safe and sound or I will have to write again before he decides to write me. Must close this unnewsy letter with love to all. Your efft son, Bill Leary One of the striking things about these letters is their formal tone, which is not so strange when you read other family letters from that time period. That was how they all wrote. And we should recall that all those letters were read by the censor. The handwritten Thanks! that appears in the margin of one of Bill Learys letters suggests it was his commanding officer who did the censorship. So he was writing for a broader audience, likely realizing also that the letters home would be read - over and over - by all the immediate family then read aloud to friends and neighbours. It makes you wonder, if this was today, what the communication would look like. Not that the present-day military would permit access to modern-day devices - the internet, i-phones and the like. A news item this week reported that an ISIS camp was taken out when one of the soldiers sent a selfie with propaganda and a clear view of the camp in the background, probably with GPS location. And, as noted above, can you imagine what would appear on Facebook? We wont even go there. Christmas greetings 1916 ,I I st Canadian Motor Machine Gun Brig~de. ; .1. A.. BATTERY: B.-S.-M .. P. MI\)Tj 0.122 0.137 0.133 rg 4.8799 0 0 4.4001 210.4704 286.3783 Tm (TTHRWS à .. sa:t F. G. WALvRoN SGT, P.A. GREB°N SGT. w. LEi\\RY SGT, w. J. oïaRIKN B. BA'l'TERY: B.-S.-M. A. w. PAT&HSON SGT. E: B. SM1TH SG_T'. F. C. YouNG !:iGT. F. WAGHQRN SGT. A. E. MAcDoNAiD C. BATTKRY CBorden): B.-S.-M. G. G. LAWSON S.-M. M. HoEY Q.-M-.S. L. H. HOLLAND SGT, A. F. KENN'WG SGT. R. E. G. BURROUGHS SGT. R. G. H. McCARTHY SGT, H. ,v. MAUllli SGT, w. G. SEAMAN GREETINGS FROM D, BATTF.llY (Ee.too): B.-S.-M. w. HitRSEB "SOMEWHERE IN FRANCE." SGT. VI/. ALDCROFT SGT. J. D. Sta:TON SGT, j. ANJ>RlUlON SGT. R. S. f-IACKKTT HKi\\OQUARTEttS: THAIN: H.-S.-M. J. K. LAWSON Q.ïM.-S. C. H. FE SGT. K. N. MALCOLM. S,-M .. T. G. HINDS Christmas, 1916. New Year, 1917. Soldiers returning to bivouac from the First Battle of the Somme - 1916. Taken near Potieres. Photo appeared on the cover of the Graphic, October 14, 1916. Bill Leary at back (arrow) waving helmet. After a long period of steady fighting, September of 1916 was spent in drills, training and relieving batteries on duty at Empire Redoubt, Sausage Redoubt and Ecurie Defences. This pattern continued to end of year. 1917 Between January1, and January 27, 1917 Bill Leary was attached to the Canadian Corps Training School. His service records dont give a location or other information about the posting, but you can learn more about the training school online at IMAGES of a Forgotten War - Canadian Training School in Bexhill under the Canadian War Records Office. The entry includes photos from Bexhill-on-Sea, Sussex, a camp established in 1917 to train junior officers for the Canadian Corps. This source notes that Although volunteers were plentiful at the outset of the war, the permanent Canadian army was quite small, and there were very few well-trained officers. In Britain, officers traditionally emerged from the countrys universities and so-called public schools - which in fact were private establishments where the privileged classes were educated. In Canada there was no equivalent source for officer material. Early in the war it was deliberately decided that non-commissioned officers, from Canadian units serving at the front, would be selected for training. The system proved to be a success, providing Canada with the best army in its history. Each battalion would have about 30 officers, and the military hierarchy generally reflected social divisions, with most officers coming from the educated middle classes, and most soldiers from the working classÃ. (all cadets were) front-line veterans who had displayed the leadership skills necessary to become commissioned officers. While Bill Leary was in Officer Training camp, the brigade continued routine activities with the addition of assignments to guard ammunition dumps from aircraft strikes and intensive drilling for an inspection visits from the Field Marshall Commander-in-Chief, Sir Douglas Haig and the French Commander-in-Chief for the North & North-East, General Nivelle. This was also a time of preparation for the assault on Vimy Ridge which began on April 9, 1917. Bill Leary was promoted Temporary Lieutenant and posted back to the 1st CMMG Bde. April 7, 1917, two days before the Vimy assault began. Relying on the war diaries from the following days provides the thinnest of views of the major assault on their Vimy objectives, reporting only the number of casualties in the various CMMG batteries (A, B, Borden, Eaton and Yukon). During this time, the CMMG Brigade HQ moved from Divion to St. Eloi. The War Museum online coverage of Vimy Ridge sums up the battle as follows: [http://www.warmuseum.ca/firstworldwar/history/battles-and-fighting/land-battles/vimy The victory at Vimy was a defining event for Canada, considered by many contemporaries and later scholars to be a significant event in Canadas progress to full independence from BritainÃ. The seven-kilometre long Vimy Ridge in northern France, near Arras, held a commanding view over the surrounding countryside. Previous unsuccessful French and British attacks had suffered over 150,000 casualties. In early 1917, British High Command ordered the Canadian Corps to capture the position as part of a larger spring offensive in the Arras area. In the coming campaign, British forces to the south would have limited success, and the French would fail badly, with many of their units reduced to mutiny. The Canadian attack against Vimy Ridge would be spectacular by comparisonÃ. Lieutenant-General Sir Julian Byng, the Canadian Corps commander, ordered new tactics for the coming assault. Having learned from the Battle of the Somme, intense training better prepared soldiers for what they might find on the battlefield, and helped them to make quick decisions on their own that were still in keeping with the overall plan. Small units and individual soldiers were given much more information about the battle, and were expected to exercise initiative in keeping the advance moving, even if their officers were killed or wounded. A tremendous artillery barrage, which included improved techniques for counter-battery fire against enemy guns, would smash German positions and isolate enemy troops in their dugouts. At 5:30 a.m. on 9 April 1917, Easter Monday, nearly 1,000 guns opened fire on the German positions. An estimated 15,000 Canadians rose from the trenches and advanced towards the ridge in the first wave, with thousands more behind them. Despite hard fighting all across the front, the Canadians captured most of the ridge on the 9th, and the remaining portions of it by the 12thÃ.Over four days of bloody fighting, the Canadians had overrun Vimy Ridge at the cost of more than 10,600 killed and wounded. The battle has since become an important symbol for Canada, the place where Canadians from across the country delivered an unprecedented victory, all four divisions of the Canadian Corps fighting together for the first time in the war. Vimy Ridge Photo: W.A. Leary albums The 1st CMMMG bde. was assigned to fight under the 2nd. Canadian Division which was newly arrived from England. As fighting progressed, their billets were moved from Poperinghe to the area near Abeele and HQ moved to St. Eloy. Lengthy reports from the field contrast with those from earlier months and speak to the ferocity and immediacy of the conflict, heavy loss of officers and men and a more personal satisfaction in destroying the enemy. The following report from the Borden battery, one of the other CMMG batteries, gives a notion of conditions under which they were fighting: During the whole of this action there was a fierce blizzard raging and the wind was driving from N.W. to S.E. which favoured our men, and must have been terribly against the Enemy. Lengthy and frequent entries in the war diaries from April and May document steady action as the army pressed forward to consolidate and press forward with their gains in the area. In June, 1917, there was a break from the front lines and A battery was sent to Camiers to the General HQ School to take part in experimental firing on the seashore and demonstrations to officers and staff (WD appendix 2, June 3, 1917). From war diary records we can place Bill Leary in charge of the right half of A battery on August 17/18, 1917 in the area of Loos. Another report from the field from his relief, Lieut. Brotherton, contains three references to Lieut. Leary and gives a detailed report of the action the brigade was engaged in at that time. ------------515,-,-1'1. hoa Ottioor Co IIIIM41ns, 1.l't Canft41 nn otor Maohino Oun Brigade. To Corr,11 U11oh ï1no Oa.n Ottioor, CP.n11.4.1"'n C o~a. lat n!.rlei onal Groun book up thsir J'oa1t1ona during tho nigtl, l?/ 1.8-,,_17 tollowe ,-. Rist,t 1/2 e Bsttory Li oat. Tron oh -T.ert. 1/2 a Mac':1nnon, Right 1/2 A Lea<7. Lcitt 1/2 A!' W'alllron, 2. Oan l'Oaiti one o't 2nd lll.GroaJ'I aro ,_ Lott l/2 8ston Bty. Right. 1/2 Takon Bty. Lott. l/2 Yak on Bty Right 1/2 Bat on Bty. :r. 2n4 Dh.Orou~ tiro4 <lllring tho night 17/VJ-?l?. Oua Poaition, Target. Thoe 111.'e. a, 21', ts. tl"0211 11','2. o,98ï to !102'.b.09001!,. 10;00.p.m. 3-3n',a. e. tro11 1t.1.4.,o;es. i.nn a. 111 to n'.2,e~ei,.oo. 3.3t'I a.mï, M\\'~2. bi 30,815 from 1';2', a.2 12_ï4e ,.. to e. b:,o.ss 3-30 &'.a. 11'.'te. o':es.eo tr011 11.,.4.4'.08 10.30 p .. ,, .. to tr,a, o~es.,o to tron n~ l", a.~e .. ~c, 4.00 à to ll. l; d_O. 1. ~ Canaltioe'. On ean woundo 4 by shell tiro, Rownde, :,)00 = t2SO 90"(1 ------14.,so 2 1---On cast 10tta I rooe1Hd to proc..a to tt.be t.enoll to -relbH Littt';L .. 17 taklfll w11tb N11et tor aoet ot theï lo~l gunners. re baraeainc tire were had-.! onr to -tbeee b-tla.g oan1.e4 owt datdng 111oooeUn1 4,qJJ .lapwt 13th obtu111 1n. tbo tlao tor tile t1r1ag ..,, tonrardt4 to h'oW -,or 8oott ïat 1n 1nONaee4 tte ot tS.Nr. ' . fte 14tb Aaiaet ne ï't 4q -baraasia.g tire being tialob.o« by 4 p~'r, by A91atter.y~ I lH.rtlo4 tr. a.jor 8oottwt:to bt-4 taten ,,st poeltlon. at ta4 9r1c« lteadqaartoro that Z.ro by ..,à tbe l&tb and Z.ro tue c;'25 a-:_.~ aloo. that battle politlon, "" to be taken ap on the nlsht ot: tho 1,u-~ I toot op bn.t'tle poa1t-1ono witb the S'lnnore a.boat 10 -,,t1.. the pollitlone bad.ag boea looatea aa4 aplaoata 4111 pl'fftcnaat:, an4er tlnt'.'Learr between 1asnn ncs -£ooa dllsge. At -,taoeaoat no 10:000 N11nd1 of Ã.,nlt.s.oa 1n bllU u4 1a n1ae4 oeuar olo1e to tbe pod.tlone U belts per gan ae4 2 oao, ot water per p.n': tble Ãanit1on wae oan-ie4 to tbo aplaoaent: road~ tor Zero boari.4 TIie .-plaoe.eot tor lo~ 3 gun ba4 att.,..4 troa a 41rot blt belt the 4&1 waaïrepdrld. N4 t:or oooapation DenltoQ Nllin1 ot LOOS no tllltlq plaoe .. a tew abort., talllq: oloH to tbe pn poe!;t~oa.e &leo tbe beok areae flN Mini to' p, tbe wli4 oarr,-1ng b&ot taint or c to fl'I" 'POl1t1oae -bat onlj: "11st,t Ã. oaa~ D:lnotloa etetH b'-'4 been eet tor ob. can wit:b oroe, p.1eo,e tbat tar1ete oq1114 be o1:lu.ge4 &D4 0DPC"4 wlth..at lHe ot t.i.J.' Hlatla.::1$ tboee nro obeolr,4 and foa.n4 oorreot'!' At C:20 a."-154-1'1 tile artille17 boabA.rdllont OO.HH4 -at the Ã. eapgo4 tb.t t1ret tarpt -tin boia..g on thie poo1Uon for 59 at tbe rate of <:noo rp11nde per gun per hoar':. !beï em1 barnae opne4 et'Y eoon atteir our and 'a,ppHre4 to be eoae '715 Jr4 1,n troat of oar poe1t:1one'!' -' '1r1na of O'llr surus oont1nae4 on Tarioa, tarcet being oree,1.ec tliarr:a.1 tor 90 1.natee at the rate ot .000 N,11nde per ho11r and the n.nal tft,rget nss"-tor 3() lna.t.o at the rato ot 3000 rolla4o i>er hoaz': Tbeïgwne were then o-leau4,'.on, pn at t:1.lle aa4 relaid on the «;.ii;,Lt target'. ~ring the latter pfti"t c>f the operation tlae en-, bt.rrego ba4 1ength,u4 alichtl.J, ON1d.ng 11e eoae 1nooHïen1en~ ball no 41reot nn eatter..a bf or pt>laoeaeate; , I S pae .,.r, put nt ot aotlon t:llroagb 1>ieoH or ab.ell .. eaetratlat water ,1aoltet~ in eaob oue: !bH cu wre r-,,laoe4 at tt&e uwoarJ "'11.ob had tlieen pl'ffS.ovel,1 UTeC.a', Wt 4111"1ag the t.Sà tt&e WN ot or aot1011 tile r--1.n-der ftre adJ111st.t ae to oorer tbe ll"OD4 lett O])ee to' th gade out or aot1on, r à 2-OPDAnOW JIBPOft (Continued) Darin's the d-.,. en-,, artill.111ï-y -& er., aoti -ehe11in8 et 011r poe!.tlon bel.ngï KY 'l)ereietent -Ca111111l:t;iee being Pte':19t9"'ene and Pte. r.:r';Parlc, both being ïe..-aoaated': llwlero11a rr.:ri. tt. oaU.e Ca boat .,,. ) .-re reepondad to 41:lring the i!a-r.' Shortage ot -,an1.tlon-. reported to Uajor Soott and an aap1e eapp1y -e broaeht 11p at 4aa1c~ Jloan4e fired tro Zeroï to HI pl11a 1210 oi s.o-.&oaU.a. ~000 ,yt;ooo Owing to a al.i.ght 1.njury owinc to oontaot w1 th a nat pieoe ot ehe11 "'11ob rend .. ed ltOT-nt by r"J' d1ttioa1t -Li«at!!LIIU'7 'lln4er order trDIII Major 8oot;t reJ.!.eTed abollt 9 (15-8-1'1':) and :I prooeeded baolc to c..p~ '!he rl:f!:oa and orewe and gane worked exoeedlngly wel1 4ur1ng the tiae :i: _., Id.th the batter., and the battl.e poe1,t1one were pro'beb1y ~ bairtl that oou1d haTe ltean tek-11p, bat oontlmaect azietanoe ot n~ o;Pe at nJIOLBS oaaeed 11e to reoei oone14ere ble attention tro eneay gane. llapp1y ot -S.tj.on -e exoa11ent a -nioation wae kept up by rnnnere te1epbone wir being oat in the early etacee ot th operatio~ (8g4l 'J!.Brotherton'.'ïLit': a Battery,1et C:V-.M'.'lf:~ I Bill Leary is among those gassed and evacuated near Loos - War Diaries, August 18, 1917 On August 18, 1917, while in the area of Loos, Bill Leary and a number of others from the brigade were to mustard gas fired from the German trenches. He was evacuated to Camiers Hospital then transferred back to England where he was admitted to the General Hospital at Manchester suffering from laryngitis, blistering on the back, wrist and other areas of the body as well as conjunctivitis that became infected. None of the injuries were deemed permanent when he was examined on Sept. 20, 1917. On October 15 he reported to the Canadian Machine Gun Depot at Seaford and remained away from his unit for 4 months. Following is a report from a local newspaper in Canada which listed a full page of casualties, promotions and other information regarding Canadian soldiers at the front. The newspaper was found in the scrapbook of a local family. à -WAR DIA.BY -, Family Herald & Weekly Star, Sept.5, 1917 Casualty List from Battle of Lenz Gas Polaonlng. A. P. Black, Vancouver; G. Thompson, Sprlft4:; Water, ~a.sk.; R. A. Ha.n nan, H.ouleau. Sask.; E. H,unt, \\'lctoria, D.C.; J. Edwards, Vancouver; J. Wright, England; W. P. Smith, Treherne, MH.n.; H. Bergman, Chicago: K. Duva.I, MorrlburgaJ, Ont.; Lieut. C. E. Trask, Yarmouth, N.!::>.; ,v. G. Chatt, 1\\-lontrea.J; Lieut. H. E. Frapp, Toronto;ï Lieut. A .. r. Rankin, Edmonton; Capt. H. 1'~. Goodman, Warm&n, Sask.; ,,ï .. r. ,vncox, England; C. Godwin. England; M. D~Jelko, Russia; T. Barr, 8cotland; T. II. Cahoon, Ireland; Cc4,pt. F.. H. Holland (M.C.), Ottawa; Lieut. W. J~ary, Leary, Man.; L. ~Iontetth, Montreal; P. D. Helm, Chelsea, N.S.; Lieut. V. V, Beck, East van. Sask.; Lieut. A. Capt. H. \\V. Johnston, Rossburn: 1\)Tj 0.49 g 0 Tc 13.8 0 0 13.8 217.3383 415.56 Tm (fan.: Lteut. n. A. '\\\\'eir, !~~gland; ,v. J. Bunna.1re, Eng1und; J. A. Hartman. Big Car Creek, H.C.; J. Tonkin, England; J. Knowles, Jl'ernf0.. B. C.: C. Doyle, England; 1''. Dryhurst, ?\\loose Jaw. Suk.; H. C. Steele. Victoria; t..:. Roon, Moos~ Jaw, Sask.: F. Daly, J<~ngland; Y. F. Ransvold, NorWRY; 0. F. Graham, Victoria.; E. Woods. '\\\)Tj 0.18 g 0 Tc 14.7 0 0 14.7 236.6683 308.41 Tm ('ates: liaJor T. E. 'Taylor, Vancouver: J. A. :Burrows, Montreal; Lt. G. F. Douglas. England: Lt. R. ~I. L. Gladney_ England; H. Campbell, 'l'oront.o; A. C. :Masters. Deseronto, Ont.; E. G. Reeves, l'ort Hope, Ont.: V. R. Wickett. \\Vlnnlpeg-; A. T. Adams, Ottawa; S. H. McFadden, ?.-!agog, Que.: H. B. Kirk. Arrow Head, B.C.; J. C. Smith, Montl"eal: P. Abraham. Westford, Ont.; E. R. G. Adye, Ancaster, Ont. Praise for the CMMG brigade from the Commander of the Canadian Corps C 8 P Y ~ ~--=----~~'IN£ Gilli~-CllfADIAN CORPS lmADQIJART8R!f." PRARC!, 30th Augaet Ul'7. The Corps aobine Oun Ottioer, !low that the b11.ttle ot RILL '70 is praotioal.ly oer,? 4ee1re to coney to you wy appreoiation ot the moat exoellent won done by you pereanally, 111\\d by the aobi.ne Oun Co à anies under your oontrol in connection w1 tll these S11oes11~l operation ? b,.ye hear'II nothing bat the ery higbeet praise concerning the co-operation by the gane in the attaot:, and in the repe1ling ot the n-~oae hoetile oountei-attaoks'; The liaison seemed to hae been er,, good indee~ I &leo know tliat the 11aobine gun tire was largely responsible in preenting the en-,, troa repairing the d-age oaeed by our Suooees euob a11 wa hao had 111 o~ poeaible when eaoh branch ot tbe aenioe pulls ite own riigbt, ooney to the Machine <Jannera un4er ynr Comaand and control 1111 appreo:lation ot the in wtiioh they pertorwed the taa>ce alloted to them'. Lieat': General. eo-&nding Can1141&n Corpe!' November 19, 1917 Bill Leary was awarded the Military Cross: For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. Under a very violent bombardment by hostile batteries be brought his machine guns into action in answer to an S.O.S. call. His prompt action and splendid courage gave effective and timely support to the infantry. He returned to France March 23, 1918 after leave. His battery at the time he returned was building machine gun emplacements and defences on Vimy Ridge and in ongoing drill and training in preparation for ongoing action. Headquarters for the brigade was still at Verdrel, however , on March 23 they received orders to proceed through Amiens to Villiers-Bretonneux where the brigade came under the orders of the 5th Army and batteries were distributed in support of various military units. Casualties in the ensuing Arras battles were high with loss of officers and men who had been with the brigade throughout the conflict. Why losses were so high is clear from a news report of the action at Arras, including an item on the contribution of the Motor Machine Gun brigade. Reports for the rest of the month detail losses from each of the batteries. Cambrai-Arras Road with Canadian dugouts Photo: W.A. Leary album Devastation of War Photos: W.A. Leary Albums o/7uÃ_,U..,c,. z. 'f tiT by Capt.R.C.Clarlce. On Ito.rob 26th I .. Ã, "n up o 7ILI.Kllll BRJ,~O!Jll'BOX wt th eeon nn:,oaz,cd oaro ot and.8 Battor1eo to report to the 19th CoJ'J>a. and rooeiod 1natruot1one to got in touch nth tho one1Q7 on ov"ry oo,alble ocoaoion and rooort their poeitione. Co=:mnioatione re errotio and reliable infon:iation waa 4ltt1oult to got. We w&re ablo to cJo e good 4eo.l in the of l!"tting lntomation aa to onelll)' loo .. uon, otreuph and oonoontroUon: 8D.d. woro told th11t thi no tho neat Toluable work WO oonld do. ~o oara had been aeot out under Liout.W.H.5':aith, on tho rood tro VILL~BS B~O!lllBUX to ILUD:L. Juet 'boJ.o RUIBL thoy o&upj,t lli"ht ot the onOJ:W. tryln~ to oroee the 3010(8 in 10-rgo r:u1.m\)Tj 0.173 g 0.05 Tc 10.8047 0 0 9.1 374.1895 565.9113 Tm (n,ra. ~h gun.a w-er turned on thoCJ and for throe or fo12r houra al&'2jlhtored tho1:1. ~hoJ' woro ohool<e4. and our own rntantry getting d\\18 in. the cars returned. On tho~ day I had two oera on tlie .U.lK!IS -ROYS Road, unc!.or Liollt. <;reen. ~heoe 110t in toaoh with the :Boche wbilo Ito 11'88 :ooaaln, for an ottaol< on the ;>ronoh, an4 exoeJ.lont ohooUng was obtosne4. IUD artll-lory aua turno4 on w,d tho guns were =nd baolt, When tho new p0altion "88 located b;y hie gunner we IDOTad forward again; w,d tor a lon1>; t!Jl!e we .:ere lllOT!~ baol(,,:arde and torY,ar4e, dod11tn1t hle ehell-tira. on4 doing good execution the whUe. I.lout .Croon, ,.1th tho obJoot of looatizig the ene<17'a exact 1>0oit1on. jt()t on o aotor-070lc ..,,., r<l4o to~orde tho tront. ~ottin~ oloae onollgh to t!ro fi.,.e or el.:I: allota 1rom hla reolTer at thom. <:urnin.g, he redo baolc a1tain end re tamed eatol,. I.8.t.Or iu Uhl C:ay h1c i:o~or-oyolo bro.ko d01Y%1. ~1.rtit o drlor and o14o-ot,.r llo roj.de olong the main road (TILLERS B~UUBtlX -'If.AB.PUS!& ABAIIC017RS:I on4 saa ebot thl"ODK!> the lung. ~ho Sor119ent .,.,.. alee throuf<h tho ar,n. 7ha;y eturtod to rotu.rn, oooh ot thel'l using one hnnd to the otoorlDA aot~oon th.,.. they 9ut tho oor into Jitoh. A eolooyolo wuo oont ottor thom, rl44on by Pte.l.!oXans:io, ,,ho volunteorod tor tho Job. l'c 1'O11nd tbOQ In the <litoh, lllld ba,r1115 ROt Lieut .r.roen OD tho l>ool< ot the oyol brought hi.al 111. \\'hie woa th.rou,th G baU ct '"6 and an11>in.."' tiro, but ho .ont bnok ogoin tu>ll broa,:ht tho Sor"'eont 111. "Poro k or ~oro wo otu-rlo4 on in th1R way. using aolo-cyoloe ~or irothorlnR intonaotion. and froo tir,e tot~ gotting good targ,oto tor tho 'tQ.tls. About tho l'>lat llaroh ono of our orcouro4 oar:,. r<>t1>rn!n11 from a 4ach dom> tho AIUBJl:I -ROYII Bot1d. ft(>t caught 1D O Tory hoavy uhellJ.na Juet s. of l!OUBCBS, ond WllO Utobod. OD4 bOICF ln :l'ltll à 1 Ã. lwd to bo to0nom-rll7 ,,ban4on.e4. Ro1,arol.nA to try an.6 raaouo tbo oc..r o.t duak, It ~oo found to haTO rooo1ve4 tbroo 4lroot bite nnd to h(i,ro boon burnod 'QJ>. On tbo ~th April rour oraourod ooro on duty 1n front of VlIJ..ill!S 81Ul'.'O!IIJRUX, unoer L1outo. -: .A. s,.s. th ond ?hoapeon, .. ore joinod by Lint. L.u.,uoolc. of tho Yull:on &ttorJ. I.Uut.814411: ha<! i'our gunc dug in in front oi' tho toÃu and wOJJ "1a1tiruf ro1nforooooontu. l!oum,bilo tblnge were elool< for hita and ho thoui,ht ho .,-ould Ulco to tey w, ospor ionoo / fro., the cue. .:rust boforo dc.olt tho ooro pull.od for,;o.r4 ol.=ot to r ehoQP'O l.1088 ot I A.'!J'US&E -~S,UlCOIJlli', 004 re Bblo to ont!lodo aoO. al>eoluto}J l>roolr op to Booho , ttool<a, dtrootod ut 8018 40 !IAUl'.L, ~7 41<1 ;;root oxooution, end Offioero ot the Autral1on lntontr,-c,,d 17th Lonoors tel4 uo later thot tho ono<Q" 4ou4 woro Juet pflod up. In a report on March 27, 1918, (4 days after Bill Learys return to the unit) Lt.-Col. Walker CO of the CMMG Bde. gives a sense of the conflict at that time: A Battery has been heavily engaged at Cerisy (on the Somme 6 miles east of Corbie). The enemy commenced to cross the canal in large numbers but were held up for a considerable time under our fire. The guns were taken off the armoured cars for this purpose. Altogether 15,000 rounds were pumped into the advancing Huns, inflicting many casualties. After these intense engagements, the brigade was drawn into reserve at Verdrel April 11 where they were engaged in cleaning and overhauling vehicles and equipment and ongoing drill and training. Choose your battleÃall roads lead to one Photo: W.A. Leary albums Bill Leary was promoted to Acting Captain on May 5. In June 1918, the brigade was reorganized. He was transferred to the 2nd. Motor Machine Gun brigade on June 6, 1918 when that brigade was formed from machine gun personnel from various batteries with HQ at Divion. The patch for the 2nd CMMG bde. was a maroon arrow over a blue bar. The brigade was under the command of Major H. Meurling. PP 0.A)!Al>Ull JfO'l'OR__JIACHDIB GtJJI BRIGADE, r WOIWIAL ROLL 01' OFFIORR8 'rA!OlN N S'JlRIQZGTR WITH EP-l'ROt JROW 70-llt. :r.;.::rn --= KOor, We J. A, J,alor, M. c. lat O,ll.G,Battn. (At'tAoh-4 17th O.K,G,Go) &Jor, fl, F. ~. Ueurllng, M,O, O.M.K.G,Bde.(Att.a0l\\ed,17th O,M,G,Oo) blor, .J,R. Bro,wnlee, 19th Gdn. G, 1Joy. Oaptaln J K. CJ:u,nmlng, Ueut: Iii a Anderaon, R,mnte, Uoi'WioJc, J1ao1nt1re1 1'1'711, Buok, Oapta1n Blaclc. G, Oa-ptaln HU1me G, o-. G. 0, S, G. J, n. .,, A, H, F. J, à --+ Lleut.J Leary, p Gbiplll&n Mdt'oJ'd Ooodw1n n. w. w. o. . , c. K&elennan J. F, Lieut '1ho11paon P, w. l,leut Monnnon, BlaOk Robert, A/Oaptaln 0-.pbell, LlntJ Dolg, I,andriau, 0 Seton J, D, 19t.h Odn. >r. G. Coy. II II II II . " II II " " i, " II II II ti ti II J.'1,tb. Odn. u. G. Coy:. 11 11 fl II n ff ti II n .. " . .. ti II " 18th Odn K, G, Oo7 Y\\lkon IIOtor .Maohlne Gun Battery 11 ti II II ,, \\on llotor KaOhlno Gun Battery. & ti " " O,K.o-.o.R,D. (Int. Bob.) Attached 171.b o.-,o.eom,any O,11.G,O-,R,D (llotor Bl'Moh,,) IIOOftO!IIO: 0~~0-0-0-0~ Occasionally there was a short break from war - in this case for competitions, based of course on training : 2llD 0ANADIA1i U01'0R l4ACl!IIIJ;: GUii BBlOADE. 00th July, 1918. Bef'ore.noe 8DcJ. O.M&.G.llde'e lotter 09-908 ot yeotorda.J' c!ate re eporta to bo hol<I 11-8-18 horoUllder plMae !'1Dd 1'tlea S<>Ytt""1ng tho f'irat 1'1Ye ovents1 ï rto, 1 ovont. Men wUl take 01'1' boots, putteee, eqw.pment, twll.oe, lie down 1n two ""'1b. At the aound ot tlio wbietlo men Will Uld t'all 1.n, be nuaber&d off and _proved by 80.ttoey so.i,gt. llaJor o.nd rahod to & g1 VSl po1nt, hal t&II d.roaaed &1111 D.s ..:., will report moïveoent COtaplt,to ott'ioer JU4gi.Dg ,1n the p:ropor aumtn. ( 4ll other ) o. 8 Bl'ent. '1'111 bo a 15enoral. of'1'10'1ency oontoot, 1nollllling appearance, CloanUnooo of rit'lea, droao and oqu1paent and ema.rtneeo o1" SUO,rd. rue ovent will bo JU<lgo,l by a. s. u Mo. 8 l!Yent. 'l.O.ll.T., contoet botwoon CODlplote gun 0rfte aa th"7 at&lld on duty rooter. It muot l>o Wlderotood tll&t aon oal>nOt be ror th1e OY&nt. Btani!IU'd o:mru.no.t1oo rulea to gover11 aotton, unload, diDOWlt gun. tio 4 ll'Von t. l!on oan be p10lcO(I 1'01 thie event wbiab Will i:,ou,gou,g 1.nto action with a. g1von target And a given ""6 1J11f throe IDOD trom -oh Battery ma.y bo Cboeoc tor thie event. 3tGJi<1an1 xam.1nll.t1on ruloa to gov&t'fl. on.a s.c.o in Char-go. a.u.aa to bo worn. Kos e bont. 1 p1cJcod orow 1'rola battery with n.c.o., in ahargo oaoh man nia trip and aaenblo gun waar1.ng hl 11~8 On July 22-23, 1918 the brigade moved to the Arras-Cambrai Road. For action while in the area near Arras, Lt. (A. Capt.) William Leary, M.C. 2nd MBde Can.MG Corps, was awarded a bar to his earlier Military Cross (M.C.): While in action east of Arras on August 29th, 1918,at Jig-Saw Wood he was in command of a battery of eight guns, advanced his line from Jig-Saw Wood to Victoria Trench under very heavy shell and machine gun fire. He handled his forces with great personal courage and devotion to duty, engaging and silencing enemy machine gun nests, and through his fire enabling the left flank to advance to Piccadilly trench and Victoria trench. One article is included with the war diaries. It appeared in an unnamed Paris newspaper under the heading Heroic Defence of Arras sub-titled Canadians Good Work - Precious Hours Gained with Motor Machine-guns. The article is the only item from journalists who covered the war that I have included in this account. It is too difficult to read as a reprint so is written out in full below. When the full glory is told of this encounter of this encounter of the giant forces and the successful withdrawal of the British Army in the face of immensely superior German strength, a very glowing page of it will have to be devoted to the splendidly gallant and useful part played by the Canadian motor machine-guns. The other day, it was the day before Albert fell, I was on the other side of town and saw some of their grey armoured cars come roaring down the roads in clouds of dust, evidently going into action hot foot. A little later I heard a tremendous tap-tap-tapping and knew they were engaged. They held up the German advance there, as they did in a number of other places. They gained precious time for the getting away of all kinds of precious things that would otherwise have fallen into the hands of the enemy. Everywhere they went, they steadied the line; they gave the infantry fresh hope and courage. If we had had a dozen times as many as we had, I believe we could have kept the Boche back, a very able Canadian officer said to me yesterday. It was at nine oclock on the evening of March 21, the opening day pf the battle, that a telegram was received at their headquarters asking how quickly the armoured machine-gun cars could be ready to leave for the front. They were on the road by 5 a.m. Before night that same day, march 22, they were n action. From that time until Saturday, they were, in the words of the commanding officer, in constant demand. Their duty was to assist wherever our line was particularly pressed. Every time they were given a line to defend, they held it for the necessary period. At Villiers Carbonnel they held 2,500 yards of line. AT Lamotie, they attacked the German cavalry and dispersed them, proving to quote their brigadier again that cavalry against machine guns with Canadians firing them is useless. The gunners have been hoping to meet the cavalry again but apparently the Ublan has had his lesson. Nothing has since been seen of him when the cars have been anywhere near. Three Unwounded Here are a few episodes that illustrate the value of this new arm. Some cars ordered to stem the advance of large bodies of the enemy at Maricourt, north-west of Peronne, collected some 150 infantry stragglers and kept and kept the Germans back while our artillery and tanks were got away. Finding wire I front of their positions obstructed their view, the Canadians put their guns out in front of it. Here they kept them until they began to find themselves outflanked. Then they withdrew behind the wire. Unfortunately, the passage through which they had to go was narrow and they suffered in the withdrawal. At last only one sergeant and two privates were left unwounded. One of the privates, luckily a motor-cyclist, was sent to fetch up more cars. And when these came, the wounded were picked up, including the captain who had one arm blown off and the whole caravan got safely away. Sometimes the guns were left on their mountings in cars, and the cars were manoeuvred with skilful daring. At one stage of the retreat the Germans were known to be massing for attack on dead ground. That means ground where they are shielded from our fire. Two of the cars were ordered to make an attempt to get at them. In a very short time, the Germans found they were being enfiladed. A hot fire was poured in on hem from one of their flanks. They died in heaps. Of course their field guns got on to the cars pretty quickly, and one unfortunately, was knocked out. The crew of the other tried to tow it away but this was not possible. The fact that they tried, however, shows what coolness and courage they displayed. One car was defending a village. Gradually the Germans got in the place. All the crew of the car were casualties except the driver and one gunner. The gunner got the gun out and set it at a street corner and worked it while the driver got the car turned and got ready to start. The gunner pitched the gun in, jumped in and off they went Another battery in action was dismounted and ran out of ammunition. The Germans by this time were so close the soldiers were throwing bombs and the officers firing with revolvers. The Canadians were so enraged they made no effort to get away. They took the spare barrels of their guns and charged the enemy on foot. From the 22nd to Saturday last some of the men had had no more than twenty hours sleep yet the commander could report that every man was cheerful and full of fight. They knew they were doing valuable work. At times the enemy, like sheep without a shepherd, walked blindly into and were literally mown down. This article gives a sense of what soldiers had to try to forget and why they didnt talk about it after the war. W.A. LEARY MEDALS WWI The MC-c:.adeclb acts cf es.aaplay g I IIJ doling acme opeaatioas -4 the earmy .AtOlal Clf3.727Miilary Cross Awsds haw: gone to C-awlws .324baw: n!aMld aba(siw:m .,,_.. Clt'MC) One report that Captain Leary sent from the field was found in the ward diary records. Note that his signature didnt change over the years. Given that he didnt talk about his war experiences, this is the closest well get to knowing the type of action he was engaged in during WWI. r V ' ,, Officer Commanding, 2nd Canadian Uotor Lia.chine Gun Bde. I have the honour to e.ttach herewith rerort on part taken by "E" Battery and one Armoured oar a.ttaoh'9dï toï the Jlth O.I,BDE. during the oper:1tiona 19-10-18 to 22-10-18. I have the honour to be, Sir, You.r obedient serv.a.nt, Carta.in, oo. "E" Ba.ttery. ff C . Deyo l\\oaa IIDllO to 0000 18t..'1 to 10th,, . ------ In November, the brigade moved on to Valenciennes and on Nov. 11, 1918, armistice was declared. The following note authorizes Bill Leary to go with major Trench and another officer to examine war materials being turned over by the Germans. ( c. , 21ot to Slhd1-Ill oooordnnoo I'll.th vOl'b:l.l ordwo !ran o,o,o, lltb O,I,Bllil, Lioat, t,ualll m.tb right llOll.' 011 ~ anttory 1""'0 .:ithdra:m to BAVEWr ""4 rOl)l<M::oll I>,' Lioat, ll Int:,ro <11th lOi't bolt llntt<n.-y tt,o b,w. UOt tollen part in t..'10 p>'OViOWl dcy'o oporationo ~110 relief' Q>a oO<Jplotod l>Oi'or~ dnr:,,, ,,t 07,< o ho\\lra tbo ohnoboa onginooro ror,02.tod. t'O o? :ma ropu.!.rocl n!.no or4te in v. m.a.. I thon pudl oa tor'10.rd to rof\\d jilnotion in TI.lD.o. but ocul,4 not got on to tlio ""1n ro:w. o"1.n,i to tho on""'¥ hOl<ling :i,o,.,,.o oncl or AIIZDI ,4 tb tl®llim a,ma, I t.llc,n oont Jll'llOUl'Od Our fl>rÃ.-d to ,:. lii.o.B.o. but it oOUld not got tbrouth om.na to n1no orato4 1.n road, I thon or3G1.'lizod "'"' i.ni'nnt.17 :r>nt.l)ol ~oh pumod throllsh oqu.a.roo n.9.6.cJ.. end B.1.b, tbonoo on to tlQ1.n ro:.4 in &2-<h 11to tu-:nourod ccr Q.GoiDUno on Dai."l rood u.liJ.o. to n.e.u. UJ.on tho cno..-ay ffllO oJ.00,t-i"ro:: thic Cl"oo. I ordo~O<l tho ft):TIOUrod Ccr to ontor BllllVIW}ES ,:.-id r::,port on ai tui1t1011 ;.'<>r\\t:ll'Y , l:hou ropO<'tGII onom:y n.oo in w. m.o, orul r.,16,u, I thon pu!1hod fOrQl.r d to . BtlEVII/IOllS nl th llOlf' battor;-,._.,4 OJ,&t.nowa and aont =ow.'Otl Oar to ropor-t o.?1 mo.in roc.d tro::2 tJ, m,d, to hru>:ix~ nioy onaOGod onom;y !l,O'n tlll'<>Ugbout t.'loir t:,vl: l:1.ll1na e iloullO OttiOOl' and cloor1na t.llo t'Oc.d, thi :ulo"'3<l tllo l.n!';ntry to =~ OOOUJ>Y tho l\\U>in rood a.lO"IJ tho ia,010 !Jr1t1nda 1/l'Ollt bol/Oro <lil.ok "1t.llout turthor MB1ctur.oo l>u:01:til thin cJl\\Oli OOl'J'Ol'nl Mt:.!lon; e;roa.tly d1Bt111JJUinllOd h:!.r.wolf' by ,-::.lld.ni; :l.n :!'l"<mt o!' Ilia oar ''"" at6oring H I>,' hand to e plooo of: cu~ty uru.tor "'wbino sun ftro, '11on tho atoering rod ""° woJ:on, 01111ll! to a.:,..-i:nooo I \\'11tildrot: ,\\m<>urod oo.r and lorrioo to ,WBRX 1':>r tho r.1&11t, lo11V1ns l;!.Out, IUloint:,%'0 aith tour guno in dGf'ono1vo poot.tiono on :net Oi" tr.~ i.l\\ u. 9:>.b. ela1d ta Z'lrd1-In 0.00014Moo ,atll vor~..l ordo.ïc 1~oe, 11,0,u, lltli O,?,DJJ::, .t.iout. Bu.cl; ,-4. til !"1ght hol.t "li'' Datto y 1011ov0d llc-.. ,t. Uuointyro liltb lott hel!' bo.ttor,, ut os.oo houra, 1.1.ou.t, tlncXntyr? and OOllO<llld rDtu1'110d to Wllitt, S:0 OJl61noOl'O a.ttaol!Od ÃÃ. dot<>l.lod to ropair bloc oulvorji: 1.'li'\\ n.1:s.o. aucl 3) :::10ro to noo1ot lot o.u.u o.oDt. to r-opAir ?:lino 01.aton L'"'l ,1. m.b.oo.oo. Ar.!Ilourod. co.if . tmo thon aoopatol.toa to patrol m.n.!n 1,011:l tro.:i BRU.\\X to u. ZI Cl Md r~ort on briCl(Jo, oroo:ango and d.1c1 ()oi t10,, 1.>f' <r..u.ï Infantry. l'hoy l'Ol)ort'ld illC'lntr.Y on r1gl\)Tj 0.329 g 0 Tc 2.16 0 Td (t h~ltl up by !I.a. at c?."Oon roo.dn " 2'1' .o.o.o. Mel vioinit:,. I then puoho<l to1~v.11ïd '171.ti.l llQJ.f butt.Or"/ to J'lt\\in rood 1n u~ 'if1 .a. Wor-o I di::i.n:D"mtod cmd oont Azoi!OU&"OJ. Caro to clollr on0:::ly u.«. rra::i oronu roo.do. J.n .c.o.o. ? tilon ot"d.oro d. I1out. Buak t1l. th tw i;uno to puoh tllrouilh to OAll!!L and took too guno 1:2yoblf to oroïoa ro~o in w.m.o.o.&. 'they ooio1r..lioh!Jd tfloooolvoo 1n Dine aratop 011 oornQ!' (l!l\\l. <m9no<l nro on ono,ay u.o. :t.n oornar hou.no E.S.e..So.oo> libilo in~try uon and ao!f p:iouod dor.ot otroot cJ.on.g 0(1,co ot Cono to f'irut 01<10 0~4ot to right ,'8)lo oof wro ona<l6od by on00,1 ll,O, Abo'~t f'if'ty yc.rdo ,up tho road. 110 on503ocl tbom 'lt onoo \\i'i.th r1tlo1::1cond rovolvor-o Ot\\Uning hill to tlrop J\\ln sun, Gild ono mGl'l ~romloroct, r.Jl.ilo onothor UWJ ;.:111..,4 «.1a the tld.rd. oooopoa,. rho priooner en.a oont to Dutt.olion u. l)y lf'0I'cC:i, and oa.ytur .. 4 u.u. tU1'TlCd on en.or.,g nt r;.:s.,b.1.0. oc.wJlng h:lm to ovo.ounto,, tlbon tba lino <IM .oat"bliOhOd al.On/I tho 0,U!Al, o.nG toaoh obto:!.nod "1th tl>O llth 0,I,Ollll, on tho Jott I "1tllcl10,:.,., i,,nll to Blll,'llV\\Ollll a.lld thonoo to <lOBltlr ta ol.'foot ropc.Un, rOpltmioll =utton 01.ll)ply, an.4 to el ocn guno. The brigade is now ordered to Bonn as part of the occupation; Lt. Col. Meurling instructs his men on appropriate behaviour: Ã.. , 1111Ã., Ã.. ,,, 8M ÃÃ.. 1-,,,,.l.,..l..-l à -+-~:-it--i .. __ .,_ ÃÃÃà --ff/"'~.,,,e..~--;-----"" -- ---------------,----------------~tor,JI, S.F~UO 11.0 . OOIOW,!II\\IO 19D O.wptAJ IW'l'<Ja lllQlm.: ~i lllU~AlS, II' ID Altltll I. cmD, LCA.e., r-n1hl OnMd1on cerpe. --. .. r Ã. , -UA--1 oee~CtAIIJ)W'"ome: , ., .. . . Ã. ' .. Ã.. . ,. ' ,. , .. ~ïï J \\ !KAN 2004852: War diaries -2nd Canadian Motor Item 2 of 24 In preparation for move down Rhine, soldiers had a bath and were issued with clean clothes. Units are at this point being reduced in number. A reminder of other effects of war is in the note that because of a small-pox epidemic in St. Vith the brigade is unable to stop there and they move on along roads that are in very bad condition. On December 13, 1918 the brigade arrived at the cavalry barracks on the outskirts of Bonn where they were to be quartered. A few images document this time in Bonn. Cover of Christmas card from Bonn, Germany - no doubt the most celebratory Christmas of WWI. -Ã..----ÃÃ..__ ÃÃÃ.. a ÃÃ.. n. ÃÃÃÃÃà ,,. Ã. Ã. __ _ -,. ,., ,., WAB DUBY . Army llOl"DI c. IC,. ., Oll.lDlil mma 11f.OUD -181:&&lla. Ilft'SLLIGJINOB S1JKKABY . 2"" CANADIAN MoTOft MAOHINI. OuN BftlOADI. XMAS 1918. Officers mess, Bonn, Germany Bill Leary at back Beethovens house - a look around W. A. is still smoking up a storm Photos from Bonn: W.A. Leary albums New Years Card 1918. Note the 2nd CMMG bde insignia (navy bar and maroon arrow) Note also the chief engagements the 2nd CMMG bde. took part in during the year: Somme, Amiens, Arras, Monchy, Jig-Saw Wood, Bourlon Wood, Cambrai, Valenciennes & Mons. . . . 6 . .. .. . 0 I?~rous NEW YEAR. .. --Ã. Chief Bngagements 1918 1 SOMME AMIENS ARRAS ï MONCHY J1IG;;.£A W WOOD BQURLON WOOD CAMBRAI VALENCIENNES MONS OFFICERS u.t.-cai.a Major Capllla Ll1 I at I I I I I I I AffACIIID. H. P. V, Mturlllll, MC. W, T. Tnldl, MC. A. 8. Illar, MC. w. aÃ. ac. 0.0.11111N. ), Mc:IIIIC P, W. TllIIIOll,MC.aa. D, R. va111.., O.P,Adl-.MC. L.M.--c. ,., Ã. T, I, Qan. lUL 0.1.eo.-. P, I. Cowa, L. w. D1111t, M. H.~ ac. ). A. I. fli!p, I. I. lhzt1:S 0. H. Liu. J, P. MIrl1 0. A. a. ÃÃ.. w,aÃ..,_ ÃÃÃ. J. D. --MC; I. W,Mw W,W,"""-P, D. ""ïï a.w--. A. H. WWUe, IC, A. a. C.I I Cap? 11 I. C. Wlldol, MC. U.n:1 w. H.a!l:i_ IL A. D.D. à DITACIIID. ÃÃ.. ,. fc Ã. l .. 'Sf C. a. & & T, C.,1 II &I. Lffll,U. Ã.. '"' Q.. C. .. a. C.t 1919 Following a period of planning and mobilization, the brigade finally sailed back to England May 7, 1919 on the SS Dieppe. Photo of officers of 2nd. CMMG Bde back at Seaford. Capt. W.A. Leary 2nd from left, 2nd row. W.A. Leary and colleague, location. not known. Homeward bound to Canada May 6, 1919; boarding SS Scotian from Liverpool for Canada W.A. Leary albums After discharge, Capt. W.A. Leary, MC continued to serve from 20/5/19 as a reserve officer. ~d /o ceufJ ,,//la/: .. : .. <tta,p:hiht Ã. ,::-. ., . . ~.La.r~ .~ Ã. ~no .,.o.(M'/1/Cd -#Mi, ~U . i .. ~.(auiwia1\\'$f)ki.oJl.~,._c}Ji. .. ,n J»1'.-, I F':"6~:June."' .-/jfS.. ~O .. ~-\\",il,-, 1'9/j. . ,#/{;///,, 1Jft.onour anb lh_gflntTfi.on. 1Jfie lOta,.s .e.enl~onouraMAIJDi~arge~, l!.~v, t, -L ff\\ (, ).! C, <, ÃÃ. &..~ Ãà . 1',,,,.v,,1u~'y4't"'IW/. a,,,,,_.,,,1 ,11. t;. e Ã. ,.,.. . . #..~~.::/. .. .. ~f:.ef:j: L,4.,,:~Ccl. C.,,<l,?,L,I 1.tti;.;~6,,., à ~un 'bp .,.A\\t.911,-(i. ,1S.~.llL$ adi_.191 'Z \\\)Tj 0.314 0.29 0.223 rg 0.0# Tc 9.3 0 0 9.3 218.39 239.28 Tm (ran) µ\\ilifï 1: <!~o J mm)-~"'-"'ï Arrival home at the Valley. School children from Leary School come to the Leary home to welcome him back. In the next section of his life story, we will follow Bill Leary through the post-WWI years, marriage and early family days. 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Learys of Roseisle Manitoba
A genealogy and memoir of the Leary family of Roseisle, Manitoba.
PMA_2024_074547
Fond: Pembina Manitou Archive