AHOF Members archive

Selma Maendel was the eighth daughter of Sarah (nee Wurtz) and Peter Maendel of Fairholme Hutterite Colony. Selma has been described as a staunchly proud member of the Hutterite community who exhibited all of the qualities often associated with this background – those being unique, distinctive, industrious, humble, caring, deeply religious and very private. Selma has been noted to combine these traditional characteristics with an enhanced leadership style, respectful nature, courage of conviction, tolerance of others and inquisitiveness, which made her stand out and allowed her influence to extend well beyond the borders of colony life. It was Selma’s hard work and determination that contributed to the colony and, as most are aware, it is these colonies that have contributed...

A.E. (Bert) Hall was born in 1920, and was raised on a farm near Manitou. In partnership with his brother, he established the first registered turkey hatchery in Manitoba, under the name Hall Bros.. During the war years, he served in the R.C.A.F., and was married to his wife, Clara. They raised three sons, Derryl, Walter, and Ray. Prior to the war, with his brother, there was the establishment of the first registered turkey hatchery in Manitoba under the name Hall Bros. In 1956, Bert assumed the position of General Manager and director of Manitou Broiler Farms Ltd.. He participated in the organization of the Manitoba Broiler Industry Association, and was chairman. During 1968, the Manitoba Government established the Manitoba...

Born near Neustadt, Grey County, Upper Canada, Valentine Winkler moved to southern Manitoba in 1879 following the death of his father. He worked in his brother’s lumberyard until opening his own grain and lumber operation at Morden in 1883. Winkler began farming in 1888 and was elected the first reeve of the Rural Municipality of Stanley, serving from 1890-92. In 1892, the village of Winkler was established, named for him. Here he owned and operated a grain elevator and lumber business. During that year, he was elected to the Manitoba Legislature and was a member until his death, serving five years as the minister of agriculture and immigration from 1915-20. He was always interested in the improvement of farming and...

William Whitelock, a native of Glasgow, Scotland, emigrated to Manitoba in 1903. Following a brief stay at Minnedosa, Whitelock moved to the Roskeen district near Kelwood. He farmed in this area for nearly 60 years and during that time received worldwide recognition for his cereal grain crops. In 1919, Whitelock grew his first registered Marquis wheat and by 1922 it was chosen as the best Marquis wheat in Western Canada. From that time forward he received provincial, national and international acclaim. In his early years as a seed grower, Whitelock received orders for seed from Czechoslovakia, Germany and Russia, as well as throughout Canada. In total, Whitelock won eight world championships for his wheat, oats and barley. He served as...

Ralph Jacob (Clint) Whetter was born June 20, 1919, in the R.M. of Winchester. He attended both public and high school in Dand. In 1938, Clint enrolled in Agriculture at the University of Manitoba. In 1942, following graduation, he enlisted and went overseas with the RCAF. In 1945, after flying 55 bombing missions, Clint returned home to Manitoba. Later that year he married Dorothy Keeler. Together they raised four children: Dale, Glen, Ellen and Bernie. The Whetter home, yard and farming operation reflected Clint’s progressive agricultural practices. He was particularly proud of, and known for, his excellent herd of purebred Herefords. Clint’s interest in researching and adopting new farming methods resulted in the Whetter farm always being on the forefront...

In 1892, a young woman in her early 20s, Mary Jane (Jennie) Watt, came west from Woodstock, Ontario, with her husband, David Watt, to settle on a farm eight miles from Birtle. Those who write of Watt tell of her courage, her loyalty, her gracious personality and of her record of devoted public service which places her among Canada’s most distinguished pioneer citizens. Watt was most active in the Women’s Institute movement. Started in 1910 as “Home Economics Societies” these groups were designed to act as channels through which the Agricultural College might reach the women of the province with lectures on various phases of homemaking. Birtle was one of the first to organize in 1910 with Watt as secretary....