Person Page - 1971

ASQUITH. Floyd Mitchell, a highly respected and popular young farmer of the Asquith district, passed away in Saskatoon, February 5, after a short illness. Mr. Mitchell was born in Clarksburg. Ont., In 1903. He came to Asquith with his parents in 1910. He went east in 1926 and was married, returning to Asquith, and locating on his father's farm south of Asquith. Mr. Mitchell is survived by his wife and baby; his father, T. Mitchell, of Clarksburg, Ont., a sister, Mrs. John Shaw, of Neelin, Ont., and two brothers, Cecil, of Asquith, and Clifford, of Rockhaven. Mr. Mitchell will be buried at his boyhood home in Ontario.³

Teacher Fined For Nazi Salute
SASKATOON, June 5.-The Saskatchewan department of education will check up on circumstances surrounding the conviction of 22-year-old Roy Laventure, school teacher near Glenside, Sask., under the defence of Canada regulations. He was fined $25 at Hanley, Friday. Laventure was charged with giving the Nazi salute and uttering the words "Heil Hitler" in a Hanley beer parlor. Jack Musgrove took the teacher to task for his action and Corp. J. Lunney of the Saskatoon Light Infantry at Dundurn, intervened to prevent any further trouble. Laventure said he apologized to Musgrove saying that be "didn't mean anything" by it. He added that he had a brother in the army and one in the Royal Canadian Mounted police. Laventure, whose home address is Asquith, Sask, has been teaching at Coulee Creek school near Glenside.⁴

Roy is probably the 28 year-old brother referenced in an article about his brother Nordwell's return after being wounded. It indicates he was an officer in the army.⁵

CHURCH FILLED FOR FUNERAL OF GIRL
All Ranks at Lanigan Join in Paying Final Tribute to Joyce Barclay, 11
LANIGAN. --Knox United Church was filled to capacity on Thursday afternoon with people of all ranks for the funeral service of Joyce Audrey Barclay, daughter of Postmaster and Mis. W. H. Barclay, who passed away in Saskatoon on Monday evening, having been removed to the city that day for treatment for pneumonia. She was born at Asquith on April 10, 1929 (sic), and leaves her mother and father, one sister, Shirley, 9, and one brother, Billy, 3. Four boys from the Lanigan School, of which Joyce was a pupil, acted as pallbearers, Frank Elliott, Donald Larmour, Ralph Howard and Jack Mitchell. A choir consisting of children of the United Sunday School were present, Vera Schopp sang a solo. Four little girls, Betty Mae Hindson, Audrey Cummings, June Larmour and Elaine Daeschel walked before the casket carrying wreaths as it left the church and again at the Lanigan cemetery, where interment was made. The Rev. W. Murdock officiated. Many beautiful tributes were received from Town Council, lodges, church associations, Canadian Legion, and citizens. W Robertson was in charge of funeral arrangements.

Note: either her birth year was in 1936 (not 1929) or she was not 11 years old.¹

Predeceased: William H. Barclay, Henrietta Barclay and Joyce Barclay.¹

Survivor(s): Hilton Laventure, Campbell Laventure and Roy Laventure. Her husband, Louis Duncan Laventure and Arnot Louis Laventure was referenced but not by name.⁵

LOUIS LAVENTURE
Louis Laventure, aged 60, of Asquith, died in a Saskatoon hospital Friday. Surviving relatives are his widow, and four sons, Nordwell, Hilton, Roy and Campbell, all at home. The funeral service will be held in the United Church at Asquith at 2 o'clock Sunday afternoon. Burial will be made in the , local cemetery with McKague's Limited in charge of arrangements.⁸

LIVED 25 YEARS IN ASQUITH AREA
Community Mourns Death of Louis Laventure ; Three Ministers at Service
ASQUITH.--Asquith lost another highly respected citizen and old-timer last week in the death of Louis Duncan Laventure, a resident here for 26 years, who passed away on Friday morning in the City Hospital, Saskatoon, following a serious operation. The funeral was held from the United Church, interment taking place in the local cemetery where he was laid to rest beside his son, Arnott, who lost his life by drowning six years ago, in Kootenay Lake, B.C., while employed by the C.P.R. Construction Company at that point. The ministers of the three local churches took part in the service which was largely attended despite Sub-zero weather. The Rev. W. Banks of Asquith and Kinley United Churches officiated, assisted by O. M. James of St. George's Anglican Church and the Rev. A. Cursors of Asquith Baptist Church. Mr. Banks also officiated at the cemetery. Pallbearers were, Jack Bowles, J. L. Millar, R. W. Badger, W. G. Buchanan, H. R. McNab and W. J. Adair.

Born at Castleford, Ont, in 1875, Mr. Laventure was the son of the late Duncan Laventure. He was married in 1909 to Ida Moore Arnott, daughter of the late Lamont Arnott of Arnprior, Ont. In 1910 they came west to Asquith where Mr. Laventure was the proprietor of the Pioneer livery barn and also engineer at the Badger flour and grist mill. Always of a quiet, unassuming and kindly nature he made many friends and will be greatly missed in the community. He leaves hie widow, and four sons, Nordwell, Hilton, Roy and Campbell; four sisters, Mrs. T. Bowes of McKague, Mrs. H. McLaren and Mrs. G. Gillen of Glasgow Station, Ont., and Mrs. H. Stuart of Sand Point, Ont; two brothers, James, living in the old home, and Leonard of Churchill.¹

He was probably a partner in the Bowes and Laventure livery business on Charles Street north in Asquith.⁹

COUNTRY HONORS PIONEER COUPLE
     Golden Wedding of Mr. and Mrs. Hurdman Celebrated By Asquith District
     ASQUITH.--Hurdman Lodge, the home of Mr. and Mrs. Charles G. Hurdman, was the scene of an event of wide local interest when many old friends and neighbors gathered to offer congratulations on the occasion of the golden wedding anniversary of Mr. and Mrs. Hurdman, who number among the first pioneers of the district. G. M. James Rice was chairman for the evening and a short program was arranged consisting of community singing, duet by Mrs. W. J. Rice and Mrs. G. Burwell and a solo by Mrs. George Switzer. The applause which followed an instrumental number by Mrs. Hurdman, who is a leading musician in the district, proved her musical ability is as much appreciated now as in the former days. Congratulatory speeches were made by J. J. Turner, John MacSorley, W. Lake, sr., and Harry Royce, and H. J. deWinton and F. Graves, sr., recalled many reminiscences of the old days and their long acquaintance with Mr. and Mrs. Hurdman, wishing them many more happy days in the district in which they are so highly respected and where their generous hospitality and kindliness, has become a tradition. Mrs. H. J. deWinton, life long friend of Mrs. Hurdman, read the presentation address expressing the esteem in which they are held in the community and Mrs. Roger Stack made the presentation of a case of beautiful silverware while a bouquet of carnations and fern was profered (sic) to Mrs. Hurdman by Mrs. W. J. McTavish. During the evening telephone congratulations were received from the Rev. T. W. Kirkbride and Mrs. Kirkbride of Biggar. The large wedding cake was cut by Mrs. George Switzer who was assisted in serving by the Misses Jessie Faichney, Helen and Edna McTavish. Mr. and Mrs. Hurdman came here in 1904 from Mattawa, Ont, where Mr. Hurdman was previously engaged in the lumber business. They settled at Hurdman Lodge, 12 miles northwest of Asquith, which soon became a land mark in the new country. Mr. Hurdman established a general store and post office at that point and in those days was compelled to travel 40 miles to Saskatoon for supplies and the mail, which was eagerly awaited by the new settlers who were fast coming into the district. Since then a rural mail service has been established through the influence of Mr. Hurdman.⁵

HURDMAN
     ... aged 83, for ... t at Hurdman... rthwest of As... hter there, died... day. Last year... his wife cele... wedding anni... widow, a daugh... The funeral at... Hurdman. this afternoon... Mr. James of... Kirkbride of... rlal was made... etery. Camp... as in charge
The original paper had a section of this page torn out, so this is all that is available of the obituary.⁸

C. G. HURDMAN
The funeral of C. G. Hurdman. veteran postmaster of Hurdman Lodge, 12 miles northwest of Asquith, was held at the family residence Monday afternoon. Many friends were present to pay respects to Mr. Hurdman's career of 30 years in that community. The pallbearers were: Alex. McTavish, John D. McTavish. W. J. McTavish, Peter McTavish, W. D, Quintz and J. E. Stack. The officiating ministers were the Reverend Mr. James and Canon Kirkbride. Interment took place in Eagle Creek Cemetery.⁷

HURDMAN
     At Hurdman's Lodge, Saskatchewan, on Tuesday (sic), October 26, 1935. G. Charles Hurdman beloved husband of Margaret Faichney, in his 83rd year, formerly of Ottawa and Mattawa. Fureral and interment took place at Hurdman's Lodge.⁹

In 1904, Charles Graham Hurdman and his wife, the former Margaret Ellen Faichney settled in the Eagle Creek district. She was a niece of Hugh McTavish, another early settler in the district. They purchased a house built by an earlier settler, Mr. Morrow. By October, 1905 they had established a post office at this house, which became known as Hurdman (or Hurdman's) Lodge. They also ran a store and offered hospitatlity to those traveling the Battleford Trail.

Charles travelled to Saskatoon to pick up the local mail and supplies. In summer he made the 40 mile trip by buggy and in the winter by sleigh.

The house was located a little west of present day Environ on the east bank of Eagle Creek.

In the years up to 1923, the United Grain Growers held an annual summer picnic on the Wheatley farm near the Lodge. It was the big event of the summer, with booth's, races and other events.

On March 10, 1943, the house, then occuppied by Mr. and Mrs. Harry McNab was destroyed by fire.^12,13,14,15

COUNTRY HONORS PIONEER COUPLE
     Golden Wedding of Mr. and Mrs. Hurdman Celebrated By Asquith District
     ASQUITH.--Hurdman Lodge, the home of Mr. and Mrs. Charles G. Hurdman, was the scene of an event of wide local interest when many old friends and neighbors gathered to offer congratulations on the occasion of the golden wedding anniversary of Mr. and Mrs. Hurdman, who number among the first pioneers of the district. G. M. James Rice was chairman for the evening and a short program was arranged consisting of community singing, duet by Mrs. W. J. Rice and Mrs. G. Burwell and a solo by Mrs. George Switzer. The applause which followed an instrumental number by Mrs. Hurdman, who is a leading musician in the district, proved her musical ability is as much appreciated now as in the former days. Congratulatory speeches were made by J. J. Turner, John MacSorley, W. Lake, sr., and Harry Royce, and H. J. deWinton and F. Graves, sr., recalled many reminiscences of the old days and their long acquaintance with Mr. and Mrs. Hurdman, wishing them many more happy days in the district in which they are so highly respected and where their generous hospitality and kindliness, has become a tradition. Mrs. H. J. deWinton, life long friend of Mrs. Hurdman, read the presentation address expressing the esteem in which they are held in the community and Mrs. Roger Stack made the presentation of a case of beautiful silverware while a bouquet of carnations and fern was profered (sic) to Mrs. Hurdman by Mrs. W. J. McTavish. During the evening telephone congratulations were received from the Rev. T. W. Kirkbride and Mrs. Kirkbride of Biggar. The large wedding cake was cut by Mrs. George Switzer who was assisted in serving by the Misses Jessie Faichney, Helen and Edna McTavish. Mr. and Mrs. Hurdman came here in 1904 from Mattawa, Ont, where Mr. Hurdman was previously engaged in the lumber business. They settled at Hurdman Lodge, 12 miles northwest of Asquith, which soon became a land mark in the new country. Mr. Hurdman established a general store and post office at that point and in those days was compelled to travel 40 miles to Saskatoon for supplies and the mail, which was eagerly awaited by the new settlers who were fast coming into the district. Since then a rural mail service has been established through the influence of Mr. Hurdman.⁶

HURDMAN
     THE DEATH OF Margaret Ellen Hurdman, aged 79 years, of Asquith, Sask., occurred in a local hospital on December 11, 1942. She is survived by one sister, Jessie Faichney of Asquith. Funeral services will be held on December 13, at 2.30 p.m. from her home eleven miles northwest of Asquith. The Rev. Mr. Reid of the Asquith United Church will officiate. Place of interment will be in the Eagle Creek Cemetery. The Saskatoon Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.¹

In 1904, Charles Graham Hurdman and his wife, the former Margaret Ellen Faichney settled in the Eagle Creek district. She was a niece of Hugh McTavish, another early settler in the district. They purchased a house built by an earlier settler, Mr. Morrow. By October, 1905 they had established a post office at this house, which became known as Hurdman (or Hurdman's) Lodge. They also ran a store and offered hospitatlity to those traveling the Battleford Trail.

Charles travelled to Saskatoon to pick up the local mail and supplies. In summer he made the 40 mile trip by buggy and in the winter by sleigh.

The house was located a little west of present day Environ on the east bank of Eagle Creek.

In the years up to 1923, the United Grain Growers held an annual summer picnic on the Wheatley farm near the Lodge. It was the big event of the summer, with booth's, races and other events.

On March 10, 1943, the house, then occuppied by Mr. and Mrs. Harry McNab was destroyed by fire.^10,11,12,13

Their adopted daughter Jessie Faichney aka Jessie Hurdman survived her mother yet she is not named in the obituary, unless she is the Jessie living at Asquith. Margaret also had a sister Jessie that lived with them in 1911. So the obitaury could be referring to either of them.¹⁰