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Note: Sanderson, Edward and Tellie An extract from a book by T.C. Currelly who was a Methodist Missionary in this area in 1899 reads: "I found a settlement on the Mossey River of Sandisons, Scotch halfbreeds, descendants of the first Orkney Hudson Bay people". If the name Sanderson is said quickly without moving your jaws, the typical stoic expression of those days, it sounds like Sandison. The names are one and the same. Currelly describes them as accurate observers of nature, and comments on their prowess as hunters and fishermen. He mentions their easy laughter and beautiful singing. Another quote states: "Nobody made anything of them and they took nothing from anybody as they were scrupulously honest and deeply religious in the most real sense. It would have been hard to find a group of people who were kinder; and those who were capable took it for granted that they must help those who were weaker". A homestead patent stamped May 4, 1904 and countersigned June 4 1904, shows the acquisition of a title to NE quarter section 34 Township 30 Range 18 west of the first meridian signed to William Sanderson Esquire, Winnipegosis. this would be ed's father, although Ed's grandfather was also Wm. Sanderson. records show that Wm. Sanderson Jr. was born in St. Boniface to Wm. Sanderson Sr.; mother Mary McGrab (McNab). Ed's mother Matilda, was born in Poplar Point; her maiden name Howse, father's name Henry, mother Elizabeth Inkster, a name often seen in the records of the Red River Settlers. Ed's grandparents moved to this area in the late 1800's bringing their families with them. They "ran cattle" for the Hudson's Bay Company. the cattle roamed the meadows along the lake. The boys in the families looked after the herds along with other local people. Ed was born on March 16, 1898, the third youngest of the children born to Wm. Jr. and Matilda Sanderson. He lost his older brother Robert in World War I, and his younger brother Walter to the cold waters of Lake Winnipegosis after he had broken through the ice with a dog team. This accident took place near Birch Island. His sisters Mary, Flora, Nellie, Sarah, Bertha and Kate married and went their separate ways to live in Toronto, Winnipeg, Brandon and Meadow Portage. As a young man Ed worked in McArthur's mill; for a farmer named Sam Reed, freighting fish in the winter, and helping pick stones on his farm near Fork River in the summer; on the 'Manitou' which brought fish to Winnipegosis which was then packed and sent on the train to Winnipeg; as a fire fighter at some of the forest fires up the lake; as a night watchman when the first Crerar Hospital was being built; and at various other jobs. He met Tellie Syrnyk while working at George Syrnyk's bush camp. Tellie was the cook for her brother. Ed and tellie were married August 1, 1927; witnesses named on the certificate were Wm. sanderson and George Syrnyk. The wedding celebration took place in George Syrnyk's house. For a short time they lived where Hrihorow's house is now, and soon bought some land beside George's land and lived there until 1937 when they moved out to farm to look after Matilda, Ed's mother. Ed's pride was a team of "drivers", two well matched fast trotting horses. He was often commissioned to drive fur buyers, cattle buyers and Mounties to the outlying posts such as Duck Bay and Meadow Portage. One story about one such trip in a cutter was about a fur buyer, who, after a trip to Duck Bay attempted to pay only half of the agreed price. Mr. Whale interceded and said "You pay him what you agreed on". This same buyer came a few months later asking to be driven out to Meadowlands to buy some cattle. After much negotiation and an advance, Ed hitched his team to a jumper, a homemade smaller version of a bob sleigh, but bigger than a cutter. When the buyer asked why he didn't use the faster cutter Ed's reply was that a cheap guy got a cheap ride. Ed and Tellie had four children: William, Mae, John and Anne. John died shortly after birth and William succumbed to whooping cough when he was two years old. Mae now lives in Swan River, Manitoba, with her husband Wilfred Sherrer; they are the proud parents of seven children. Anne lives in Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta, with her husband Howard Sigurdson; they had two girls. Ed and Tellie had a mixed farming operation. A second quarter had been acquired and they raised cattle pigs, chickens, turkeys, sheep, had a big garden, and did their best to make a living. Summers were spent putting up hay for the winter. Because of his stature Ed was often called upon to intercede in many an altercation. Although he never raised his fists his presence seemed to quell any aggressive feelings anyone might have. His reputation as a keen hunter was well known, however he saved his hunting trips for his best friends Ross Paddock and Mike Bobinski. He passed away in 1959 (1960) after several years of battling with diabetes. Source: Reflections from Little Muddy Water: A History of Winnipegosis, (Winnipegosis History Book Committee, 1990). p. 417-419.
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