AHOF Members archive

Hon. James Duncan McGregor, internationally known stock breeder, was born in Amherstburg, Ontario and educated in Windsor. He came west to Brandon in 1877 to pioneer in Aberdeen Angus breeding. McGregor was instrumental in removing Manitoba’s early concentration in wheat and the farther West’s concentration on range cattle and helped to make the new country a land of varied agriculture. McGregor never actively sought public office, but many times through the times it sought him. In 1915, he declined the offer of appointment as minister of agriculture for Manitoba. In 1917, during the stress of the Great War, he was appointed food controller for the four western provinces. In 1929, McGregor was accorded the highest distinction in the province; he...

Glen McDowell was born in Miami, Manitoba on November 5, 1936. As a young man, he returned to the farm when his help was needed and stayed, never considering it a sacrifice of his own personal goals. He and his wife, Joan, are proud to be farming the land homesteaded by his grandfather in 1888. He was one of the farmers whose vision it was to create the Deerwood Soil and Water Management Association, a vehicle to assist local farmers in addressing soil and water management concerns. In partnership with the Deerwood Association, Ducks Unlimited and Prairie Farm Rehabilitation Association, he built a dam on his property to control the run-off from the escarpment above. This provides good quality water...

James Clarke McCutcheon was born on May 1, 1935 at Homewood, Manitoba. He received his high school education in Carman and a Diploma in Agriculture at the University of Manitoba. In 1959 he married Frances Jean Kingdon. Their family of three children was involved in Scouts, 4-H Horse Club and Co-operative and Credit Union movements. After a short stint as a commercial bush pilot, Jim returned to the farm where he specialized in growing pedigreed seed of grains, oilseeds and grasses. He made a conscious effort to make his farm economically viable while preserving the soil and keeping the acreage relatively small. In 1973, Jim was inspired by Dr. Stobbe of the University of Manitoba to consider the merits of...

Dan McCuaig was born of Highland Scottish parents at Dalkeith, Glengarry County, Ontario, June 29, 1855. He moved to Manitoba in 1877 and took up farming in the West Oakland district of the Portage Plains, where he farmed until his death in 1928. A true pioneer was McCuaig, not only because he was one of the early settlers, but because he was always ready to adopt new, radical methods, if by their adoption the condition of the agriculturist might be improved. McCuaig was well known throughout the province for the interest which he took in all public affairs. He was associated with the U.F.M. and was one of the early pioneers of the movement. McCuaig was elected president of Manitoba...

George Newton McConnell was born on July 15, 1895 at McConnell, Manitoba and received his early education at Viola Dale School. He graduated from the Manitoba Agricultural College in 1912 and began his farming career on the “home” farm. In 1918 he married Mary Allshire of Hamiota, Manitoba. They had a family of one daughter and two sons. McConnell raised grain, Yorkshire pigs, Percheron horses, and Aberdeen Angus cattle. The cattle were of top quality and won prizes when shown at local fairs. Mr. McConnell showed an interest in agricultural problems and was active in farm and other organizations. He served as secretary of McConnell Cooperative Elevator Association; and was a Director of Manitoba Pool elevators, Canadian Cooperative Wheat Producers...

“People must know the past to understand the present, and to face the future;” a quote from the writings of Nellie McClung. So too must we know Nellie McClung to understand the political and social history of Canada. Born on a Grey County farm in Ontario, Nellie Mooney came to Manitoba in 1880. The family settled in a homestead community in the Souris Valley. At the age of 16 she enrolled in Manitoba Normal School, obtained her teaching certificate and later taught at Manitou. Here she met and married Wesley McClung. Nellie became a leading Canadian novelist, well known for her strong opinions on prohibition and social reform. In 1911 the McClungs moved to Winnipeg, here she began her long...

Ernest McCausland was born on November 8, 1902 to John and Clara McCausland at Boissevain, Manitoba. He received his education in the Fairburn District. He married Marjorie Pettypiece in 1925 and they farmed in the Fairburn District from 1925 – 1969. Both spent many years involved in community activities. They raised three sons, Keith, Earl and Grant, two of whom became farmers. In the spring of 1934, Ernie organized the Boys and Girls Swine Club. Under Ernie’s leadership the Boissevain Calf Club won the prestigious Winnipeg Grain Exchange Trophy twice. In 1963, Ernie founded and led the Boissevain and District PeeWee Calf Club. These young people (6 – 9 years) were taught: care of a young calf, showmanship, making scrapbooks/posters,...

Allen McCoag McCallister, one of the most colourful and successful Manitoba settlers, was the eldest son of George and Sarah (Watt) McCallister, pioneer immigrants from Glasgow, Scotland. Allen was born in the Township of Keppel, Grey North County, Ontario. He was 18, when he came west to Manitoba. He worked on a farm, and later as a fireman on the Grand Trunk Railway. He bought and successfully operated a dairy in Prairie Grove. In 1913, he sold it, and purchased a half section of land six miles north of Portage. This farm enabled him to put into practice those ideas that set his place apart as a “demonstration” farm. At first he ran a mixed farm, but in 1924, he...