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Family List
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Cover
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The following is from pages 158 to 162 of
McConnell Little Town Lost, 1982
(Click on Picture to Enlarge)
GEORGE N. McCONNELL
My grandfather, Andrew Delaney McConnell came west in 1881. He was a farmer in the McConnell
district, 9 miles north of Hamiota where the village was named after him. His homestead was 12-15-23.
He was of Scottish extraction and born in 1858 near St. Mary's, Ontario in the village of Granton in
Perth county. He was the eldest son of John and Catherine (Delaney) McConnell who came to Manitoba
in 1883. They had a family of six sons and one daughter.
In 1883 Andrew married Janet Keith of Granton, Ontario. She died in 1916. They had a family of four
daughters and two sons: Kate (Mrs. Joe Lindsay), Mary (Mrs. Hubert Pollock), Jennie (Mrs. George Simmie),
Violet (Mrs. John Cawsey), James Alymer and my father, George Newton Victor.
Andrew, (or A.D.) as he was often called married Mary J. Sutherland in 1920. He died in 1940 and his
widow in 1946.
In 1908 he had been instrumental in securing a railroad extension line from Neepawa to Beulah. My
father, George or G.N. as he was sometimes called, was the second youngest in his family. He was born
in July 15, 1894 and received his early education at Viola Dale where, as he grew older he was
responsible for lighting the school fire in the morning. One of his teachers, Mrs. George Short
(my husband's aunt) who is now in Fairview in Brandon remembers him as much bigger than she was and a
pupil who could have made it hard for her but with whom she never had any trouble.
Following his early schooling, George attended Manitoba Agricultural College and when he graduated
from there he returned to work on the home farm. In Jan. 1918 in Hamiota, he married Mary Allshire,
daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Allshire of Hamiota and the young couple began their life together.
The first World War was still in progress and he was called into Winnipeg to take training, leaving
his young wife on the farm where his father still lived. He was allowed to come home on harvest leave
and this stay was lengthened because of a severe outbreak of 'flu in the barracks. Before he could be
recalled for further training the Armistice was signed.
He was now free and able to begin his career of farming, an occupation in which most of his life was
spent. He was interested in agriculture and the welfare of the western farmer, and maintained a
life-long interest in farm organizational work.
He became secretary of McConnell Co-op Elevator Association in 1928. Then he was elected to the board
of directors of Manitoba Pool Elevators in 1931, became vice-president in 1940. In 1956 he moved to
Winnipeg when he was appointed to the Board of Grain Commissioners ers of Canada and later named
chairman of that board in 1961.
In the McConnell community he served on the church and school boards and for a time taught Sunday
School.
My mother's life was a busy one, besides her family and home and the extra help necessary in those
days to farm, she was involved and held offices in the women's organizations of Ladies' Aid and
Women's Institute. Often if there was a guest minister, he would come home with us to enjoy the
delicious meal mother had prepared while we were at church. Many times too, we would come home from
school for noon lunch to find an extra place set for a farmer who lived quite a distance from town or
one of Dad's Pool Elevator friends and sometimes the Rawleigh's man. She loved flowers, especially
peonies and I can remember some occasions when she would make wreaths of her peonies to take to
families who had lost a loved one. She was a "home" person who was missed greatly, not only by her
immediate family but many others who had known her, when she died Dec. 1955.
George and his wife had a family of three: Georgia Eleanor, Robert Keith and Alymer Donald. Georgia
married Fred Hyndman of Cardale in 1943 and have one son, Allan. Keith, who lives in Hamiota married
Phyllis Sparks of Miniota in 1961. They have five children, Cameron, Douglas, Lisa, Cathy and Craig.
Donald, who farms in the McConnell district married Eleanor Morton of Elphinstone in 1954. They had
three sons, Stuart, Dean and David. A tragic car accident took the life of David in May 1980.
In February 1957, George married Anne Cairns. They lived in Winnipeg until her death in October 1962
and his sudden death in November 1962. Father and mother are buried in the family plot, Hamiota
Cemetery, where so many of their friends and neighbours of the McConnell district also are at rest.
JAMES ALYMER McCONNELL FAMILY
James Alymer McConnell was born in October 1883 at McConnell on the NW 1/4 of Sec. 12, township 15,
range 23. This land was homesteaded by his father, Mr. A.D. McConnell. At this time there was no town
of McConnell.
Alymer lived and worked at home until 1909 when he and Viola Pollock of Viola Dale were married. They
moved across the road to the N.E. 1/4 11-15-23. This land had originally been crown land and was
purchased by A.D. McConnell. Alymer and Viola built the house and other buildings and farmed there
from 1909 until 1947 when they retired to Hamiota. In 1914, they added to their farm by purchasing the
SE 1/4 14-15-23. During this time they raised 4 children, Isobel, Ronald, Anita and Marion. Alymer and
Viola were always good supporters of their community, she was an active member in the church, working
in organizations, teaching Sunday School for many years and playing the church organ. Alymer served on
the School Board and Hall Board, managed the McConnell Livestock and Shipping Assn., as long as it was
active, served as Councillor for the R.M. of Hamiota, etc. Viola passed away in Hamiota in May 1961 and
Alymer in Jan. 1970.
Isobel was born in 1910, took her teacher's training in Brandon in 1929, taught at Killarney and
Alexander. She was married to Robert Thompson of Killarney in 1936 and they moved to reside at Spirit
River, Alberta.
Anita was born in August 1913, took her nurse's training in Brandon where she worked for several years
before moving to Vancouver, B.C.
Marion was born in November 1914. In 1935 she was married to Dahl Robinson of McConnell. They farmed
north of McConnell until 1941 when he joined the airforce and moved away.
Ronald was born in February 1912. He worked at home with his father until 1946 when he and Nora
Orchard of Miami, Man. were married. In 1940, Ronald bought the SE 1/4 2-15-23 known as the Grierson
Hill, from the A.D. McConnell estate. This quarter had been bought from Mr. Grierson in the late 1800's.
Ronald and Nora started renting the home farm in 1947 and continued renting until 1961 when he became
owner. He was also willed the N.W. 1/4 31-14-22 by his mother who had received the land from her
father in 1940.
Ronald and Nora are still residing in the original home built in 1909, and have been active members of
the community. Both have worked with youth groups, Sunday School, Church and Community Organizations
and Ron, for many years on the Pool Board. They have raised 5 children.
Marilyn Jean, born Dec. 1948 took her teacher's training in Manitoba and England, worked as a teacher
and stewardess in Canada and England. She and Geoff Turner of London, England were married in 1976,
reside in England and have one son, Mark born in 1980, and a daughter, Jessica, born in 1981.
Patricia Dawn, born July 1950, took her nurse's training in Winnipeg, worked in Manitoba and presently
in B.C. In 1976 she and Kevin Duncan of Hamiota were married. They have one son, Travis, born in 1977
and reside in B.C.
Elaine Mary, born Mar. 1953 worked at the Winnipeg Grain Exchange and in 1973 married Larry Hames of
Kenton. They live in Winnipeg and have 3 children, Melanie (1975), Claire (1977), and Michael (1980).
Robert Ryan was born Nov. 1955, took his training as an electronic technologist and presently employed
at Edmonton University Hospital. He and Wanda Sunley of Decker were married in 1976, reside in
Edmonton and have a son Jordon born in 1981.
Julia Anne was born in Oct. 1961 and is a student at the University of Winnipeg and resides in
Winnipeg, Manitoba.
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