The Ladder of Time, a History of Breton and District, 1980, pages 456-457
THE MATTHEWS STORY
I met Ray in 1944. In the fall of '46 we were married. In January, 1947 we piled everything we owned into a sleigh and moved out to N.E. 31-46-3-W5. A Model A car was the down payment – the balance to be paid later. The snow was chest deep on the horses as we came across the field to the house. -My brother, Walter Ing, came with us from his place where we had supper. He brought his gas lantern with him so we would have light to unload and he helped us set up the cook stove and unload everything. There was an airtight heater left in the house and enough wood for the night so we soon had the house warm. The log house had been built a couple of years before by Will Hatherley and was quite warm.
Ray hauled wood to Breton for $5.00 a load cut fence posts to sell. One time Marvin Burris and Ray were hauling a load of posts to Wetaskiwin north of Bill Collison's; the road was impassable they had to unload the posts and use them for corduroy and then load them up again and go on. They had to do this twice and then ended up selling for 15 cents a post.
We had a nice grey team of horses that was always running away. Several times they came home by themselves.
In the summer of 1949 Ordie Mockerman, Marvin Burris and Ray loaded sawdust into boxcars at Antross to be shipped to the prairie for grasshop-per poison. In the winter of '49, he worked at Car-roll Bros. planer mill in Winfield, piling lumber and running a fork lift; he worked there for about three years.
In the spring of 1953, he worked at Camrose and Leduc for Canadian Construction driving cat, scraper and dozer building leases and roads for oil sites.
In the fall Floyd Stenseth and Ray bought a sawmill and logged the canyon on Floyd's place. They sold the spruce lumber to Carrolls for $50 per M board feet and also did custom sawing.
He bought a well drill to drill ourselves a well and got work drilling for the neighbors including several wells in Winfield.
In the summer of '54 he worked at Alder Flats for Jake Tucker (Red Deer) building roads for oil companies. They got rained out that summer so came home and sawed lumber.
In 1955 Ray worked around Violet Grove and Drayton Valley, again building roads and leases.
In 1956 Ray worked putting up Butler Steel buildings for water injection plants for different oil companies from Buck Creek to the Pembina River. Ellis Hooks, Myles Carson, Frank Lyons, Gordon Levers, Don Freeson, Floyd Carson and Ralph Lev-ers worked with him.
After that, he started working for the County of Wetaskiwin for a number of years driving cat. He built the park roads at Twin Lakes.
In 1970 he had to quit because of his health and since has lived on the farm.
We have five children. Gary married Nancy Freeson and they live in Drayton Valley. They have three children, Sheryl, Shawna and Shelby.
Stan married Brenda Lindberg and they live on a farm near Warburg. They have a girl and a boy, Lisa and Darren.
Diane is single and works in Edmonton.
Darlene is married and has a little boy, Rhett Brink.
Harold is still single and works mostly on pipe lines so we are home alone again.
- VI MATTTHEWSMATTHEWS, Raymond John March 25, 1926 to March 18, 2005 Born in Ponoka, Ray grew up and resided in the Breton/Winfield areas where he farmed for 50 years. He also worked in the lumber, water well drilling, road and oilfield construction industries. He is survived by his loving wife Vi of 59 years; sons Gary (Rita), Stan (Brenda); daughters Diane, Darlene (Wade); daughter-in-law Sue (Ron); sisters Jean Levers and Verna Wall; 11 grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents Norman and Marie; and son Harold. Memorial Service will be held on March 23, 2005 at 2:00 p.m. in the Breton Community Hall with Pastor Dan Olsen officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Diabetes Association, Canadian Cancer Society or Breton Cemetery Fund. Tribute Funeral Services of Leduc in charge of arrangements 986-8777.
The Ladder of Time, a History of Breton and District, 1980, pages 456-457
THE MATTHEWS FAMILY
My father, Norman Cecil Matthews, was born on August 25, 1902, the eldest son of Thomas and Sarah [Mabel] Matthews of Treherne, Manitoba. My mother, Nora Marie Fitchett, the youngest child of Robert and Frances Fitchett, was born at Huntington County of Hastings on May 21, 1902.
Her family moved to Rama, Saskatchewan where she met and married Norman Matthews on February 14, 1923; later that year, they moved to Ponoka, Alberta where my father worked on a farm.
Three children, Jean (1924), Ray (1926) and Verna (1927) were all born while they lived at Ponoka. In 1928 we moved to Fern Creek where Dad had a homestead, N.W. 5-48-2-W5th. My father passed away two years later at the age of 28 years.
It was very hard for Mother trying to raise a family by herself. However, there was always help from the neighbors; the George Ladds and the Lars Hylands were two families who lived close by. We had a few chickens, a milk cow, some pigs and horses. We had to skid in long trees to be sawed for wood and haul water in a barrel on a stoneboat with a team of horses from a creek on the backside of the quarter. We always grew a garden and some grain. I can remember when the threshing crew came to do some of the grain.
There were happy times growing up with the neighboring families - George Ladds, Henry Hudsons, Lars Hylands, Charlie Ladds, Nemeths and McAllisters. We used to go to dances at Sunnybrook, Wenham Valley and Fern Creek. Most of our school years were spent at Fern Creek School; one year of schooling was taken at Lindale School.
In 1941 we moved to Breton. What a cold winter that was – with lots of snow! We lived in the front of Art Blair's house for some time. When the Ross Lumber Co. sold their houses, we bought one and moved it onto a lot on Main Street. It is still there today - next to Andresen's Automotive and Machine building.
Mother married Jack Ott in 1946; they separated after a short time. After having a stroke in 1953, she spent about two years in the nursing home at Stony Plain, Alberta. Then she returned to Breton and was able to stay at home as she had the assistance of Joe McGilvery who moved in with her after Fraser's planing mill closed down. Mother had to return to Stony Plain in 1971 as she was not strong enough to stay at home. Little Joe McGilvery passed away on June 12, 1974 in the Breton Hospital after a long illness. Mother passed away September 1, 1976.
Ray married Violet Ing and lives at Norbuck, Alberta. They have five children who are now are grown. Verna married Art Wahl and they live in Edmonton. They have four children who are also grown. I married Gordon Levers and we live at Breton. Our two children are also now young adults.
- JEAN LEVERSHello Bill,
My grandfather's uncle was Thomas Stanton Matthews b. 3 October 1870 in Glenelg Twp., Grey County, Ont.
He died 20 Apr 1951 in Ponoka, Al. Canada.. he was married to Mabel Ransom.
Would he fit into your tree anywhere, Could he be the father of your Norman Matthews?;
would love to hear from you,
Regards
Ric Matthews1881 Canadian Census
Name Marital Status Gender Ethnic Origin Age Birthplace Occupation Religion
George MATTHEWS M Male Irish 48 Ireland Farmer Methodist
Margaret MATTHEWS M Female Irish 44 Ireland Methodist
Robt John MATTHEWS Male Irish 21 O <Ontario> Farmer Methodist
George MATTHEWS Male Irish 19 O <Ontario> Farmer Methodist
Mary Jane MATTHEWS Female Irish 19 O <Ontario> Methodist
James MATTHEWS Male Irish 17 O <Ontario> Farmer Methodist
Andrew MATTHEWS Male Irish 15 O <Ontario> Methodist
Martha Ann MATTHEWS Female Irish 13 O <Ontario> Methodist
Thomas S MATTHEWS Male Irish 11 O <Ontario> Methodist
William A MATTHEWS Male Irish 8 O <Ontario> Methodist
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Source Information:
Census Place Glenelg, Grey South, Ontario Family History Library Film 1375896
NA Film Number C-13260 District 154 Sub-district D Division 2 Page Number 2 Household Number 9
Vi says this is Ray's grandfather.
Children:
Stanton
Thomas
NormanNorman's children:
Ray
Jean (Levers)
Verna (Wall)LAST NAME: MATTHEWS
FIRST NAME: NORMAN CECIL
DATE OF BIRTH: 08/25/1902
PLACE OF BIRTH: R.M. OF SOUTH NORFOLK SEX: M
REGISTRATION NUMBER: 1902,007035
MOTHER'S DETAILS Maiden Last Name: RANSOM Given Names: MABELborn Treherne, Manitoba, Canada
They moved to Ponoka, Alberta in 1923.[Obit from Vi Matthews]
Funeral of the late Norman Cecil Matthews
The funeral of the late Norman Matthews, of Breton, Alberta, who died in the University Hospital, Edmonton, on Monday December 29th, 1930, was held on Wednesday December 31st at 2:30 p.m.. Rev. J. Roskam officiating.
The late Mr. Matthews was born in Treherne, Manitoba, August 25th, 1902. At the age of seven he moved with his parents to Invermay, Saskatchewan, where he continued until reaching manhood.
He was married to Miss Marie Fitchett, of Roma, Saskatchewan February 14th, 1923 and in the fall of the same year came to Ponoka, making their home in this district until two years ago, when they moved to Breton Alberta, having purchased a farm there.
Norman was of a bright and cheerful nature, and made friends wherever he went, and his passing will mean not only a loss to his family and friends, but to the community in which he lived.
He had suffered for several months, but as he made few complaints was not thought seriously ill, up until about a month ago, when he was removed to the University of Alberta Hospital and given special care. He was found to be suffering from Addison's disease, and his doctors held no further hope for his recovery after some special serum had been tried, and to which he failed to respond.
Deceased leaves to mourn his death, his widow and three children: two girls and one boy aged 6, 4 and 3, living at Breton; his parents and two brothers, Jack and Stanton, at Ponoka; and a host of friends who extend their sympathy to the bereaved family.
The esteem in which the deceased was held was evident by the large attendance and beautiful floral tributes. Interment was made in the Forest Home Cemetery, Ponoka. Cline and Nelson had charge of the funeral arrangements.[Funeral card from Vi Matthews]
Died on Monday, December 29th, 1930
Norman Cecil Matthews
Age 28 years
Funeral from the Baptist Church, Ponoka.
On Wednesday December 31st
At 2:30 p.m.
Interment in Forest Home Cemetery, PonokaChildren of Norman and Marie Matthews
Jean Lenore 1924 born in Alberta, resides Breton
J. Raymond 1926 born in Alberta, reside near Winfield
Verna Louise 1927 born March 23rd in Alberta, resides in Edmonton
Carson family info can be found at http://www.phlomis.plus.com/f_125.htm#12
In the Breton book there was an article on Anthony Lumber Company and in it was "Clive Carson - and several of his sons were employees during the was years and right afterwards." There was also a write-up which I have scanned and it is attached also.
Shirley Smith
-
(From the Mirror, Alberta history book -Pioneers and Progress)
MR. AND MRS. CLEVE CARSON
SE 28-41-24. Mr. and Mrs. Cleve Carson came to the Mirror district from Battleford, Saskatchewan in 1926. They lived in the districts of Birch Lake and Westling from 1930 to 1936 and at present are living in Breton, Alberta.
Cleve was born at Cache Bay, Ontario and Bella was born in Aberdeen County, Scotland. They were married at North Battleford, Saskatchewan where Evans and Floyd were born. Reg and Fem were born at Mirror. Wayne and Miles were both born in the Westling district.
-
(From the Breton, Alberta history book)
CLEVE AND BELLE CARSON
Cleve was born in Cache Bay, Ontario on February 18, 1901 and came out west in 1919. Belle came from Buller's-O-Buchan, Scotland in 1921 at the age of 15 years. They were married in North Battleford, Saskatchewan and had a family of six children, five sons and one daughter.
They moved from Mirror, Alberta to Norbuck, Alberta in 1939. Cleve first worked at Burrows’ Lumber Co. as a tail-sawyer. In the summer of 1940, Cleve and Belle moved to Antross, Alberta and he worked for Anthony Brothers until there was no more lumber left to saw. The mill was closed in 1947 and so they moved to Breton where Cleve worked for McCartney Brothers" Hardware for the next four years.
Cleve and Belle were both employed as janitors of the Breton School for eighteen years until they retired in 1968. Cleve was on the Village Council for seventeen years as a councillor and mayor. He was one of the original councillors when the Village was incorporated in 1957.
Cleve and Belle had four of their sons serving in the Armed Forces during the war of 1939 - Evans, Floyd, Reg, and Wayne. Belle was an active member in the United Church Women and also the Royal Purple. They were also very active in community projects. They were instrumental in getting the Golden Age Club started. Cleve and Belle are now spending a quiet life in Breton.
- THE FAMILYFraspur 10-47-4-w5 Wetaskiwin Locality
Antross 22-47-4-w5 Vermilion River LocalityAlberta Genealogical Society Master Surname Index
Carson, Cleveland Feb 1901 - 3 Jan 1987 Breton
Carson, John Roy 1905 - 1 March 1984 Breton
Carson, Mary Bella 1905 - Bretron.
She came from Buller's-O-Buchan, Scotland.
Clive Carson [Cleveland Carson]
Spouse: Mary Bella Gauld Greig
b. 18 APR 1905
d. 25 SEP 1994
Father: Alexander Greig
Mother: Mary Scroggie Gauld
Children:
Carl Evans Carson
Floyd Thomas Alexander Carson
Reginald Carson
Shirley Fern Carson
Wayne Cleve Carson
Miles William Carson
IGI
Mary Ward Female
Birth: 17 JAN 1926 Pine Lake, Alberta, Alberta
Death: 15 JUL 1989
Father: Joseph Ward
Mother: Alice Heather FysonMary previously married Lawrence Boudreau.
Her brother's name is Edward Ward. He and Louella Torchiere (sp?) had a daughter Karen.
Donna Lonsdale's mother is their sister.Birth and death information is from her funeral program.
Alberta Genealogical Society Master Name Index
Ing, Mary 1926 - 15 July 1989 Age 63y Alto-Reste, Red Deer
Albert Lidgett's father lived with Albert and Marion for many years and spoke with a strong accent. He lost a brother, Edward in WWI. [I can't find any trace of him. - Bill] Albert Lidgett was a veteran of two world wars. He came to Canada in 1927.
Albert's father and his three brothers (or two brothers and a sister) came to Canada. One stayed in Saskatchewan, and the others came to Alberta. Denise Holm of St. Albert was editing a Lidgett family book in 1996.
Albert's brother Fred Lidgett had a son Colin and a daughter Rosemary.
We have seen the book. Rose is doing it as a photo album and a few newspaper clippings. In the past year, I have collected most of the Lidgett family history of James and Eliza Lidgett-Ernie's grandparents. Roberta, a cousin from England sent me a copy of James's parents marriage certificate that she obtained from the House of Records in Yorks.We have the James and Eliza's original marriage certificate in our family Bible.The only link I'm missing is Alfred and Peggy Hill's family tree. Peggy was Fred Lidgett's daughter from his first marriage.(in England) So far, all my information is only on paper and it's my winter project to get it on the computer. Thanks for any help you could give me.
Donna
Albert and Marion married 2 Oct but what year?Hi Bill:
I printed the family group sheets and have highlighted the family connections, from current family back in time to the early ancestors.A look at your Web site and ING connections on page 6 of 27 where you describe LIDGETT family, from the book "Freeway West". Note at the end of the first paragraph there is mention of Mr. and Mrs. P. Hoyle. These are my husband's grandparents Percy and Gertrude (Nutbrown) Hoyle.
Albert Lidgett worked for my father-in-law for years. My father-in-law owned Hoyle Construction, a ready mix concrete company. They also did curb and gutter work and laid sidewalks in the City of Wetaskiwin and surrounding areas. We have a photo of construction work in the Leduc in the 1950's (I think) showing the whole crew including Albert Lidgett. During the summers while still going to school my husband worked on his Dad's construction crew. He jokingly recalls that by the end of the summer he had a decidedly "English accent" after working with Albert Lidgett all summer!
Small world!
Alice Hoyle
Times were tough, so she had to go to work at age 15. Worked on Lidgett's farm and married Alfred, one of Lidgetts' sons.
Her funeral card says she was born at Whilemena. This is not a town, but a rural district. Ernie and Donna say she was born at Kirriemuir, Alberta. Apparently she was born in the country, not in town.
[OBITUARY]
LIDGETT Marion Louisa
On April 24, 1996 Marion Louisa Lidgett of Wetaskiwin, passed away after a brief illness at the age of 81 years.
She is survived by her loving family: daughter Rose (Jim) Sehlin of Kamloops: sons, Ernest (Donna) Lidgett, Edward Lidgett all of Edmonton; sisters, Dorothy Buchanan, Violet (Ray) Matthews, all of Breton, Myrtle (Evans)
Carson of Lacombe; brother, Charles Ing of Breton; grandchildren, Sherrie, Debbie, Patti, David, Daniel, Robert; great-grandchildren Erin, Murray, Amy, Tyler, Rory, Jillian;' great- great-grandsons, twins James and Nicolas; and
numerous nieces, nephews, and many friends.
Funeral service will be held Monday April 29, 1996 at 1:00 p.m. from Baker Funeral Chapel Wetaskiwin with Reverend Bert Moriartey officiating. Interment to follow in the Wetaskiwin Memorial Cemetery. If friends so desire, donations may be made to the Wetaskiwin Hospital Foundation - Care Cottage, or S.T.A.R.S. or to the charity of one's choice Baker Funeral Chapel Inc 5302-50 Avenue Wetaskiwin, Alberta 1-4-3-352-2501