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Note: Both John and Minerva South are buried at Grande Prairie, Alberta, Canada . All of the graves were moved from Flying Shot Cemetery, in 1989, to Grande Prairie Cemetery. Page 1 Col 2 Grande Prairie Herald Newspaper dated 27 Dec 1917 - A party was given for Mr. & Mrs. J. M. South, and daughter Rena, who after 7years are moving back to the States. Photos, Obits, and Certificates are in possession of Merle Price (Grandson) This short biography on the John M. South family and their trips from the to Canada and back , along with many other biographies is taken from the "Along The Wapita" published by the Wapita Historical Society and printed 1981 by Ronalds Western Printing Ltd. 14425-118th Ave, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada John South was born in Waupaca, Waupaca Co.,Wisconsin, , as was his wife Minerva Ballard. Their "Honeymoon Trip"was a trip by covered wagon from Minnesota, to North Dakota, . In 1904 they homestead near Melfort, Saskatchewan , Canada. Mr South had itchy feet, so in 1910, the family went to Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. That year, South's son Floyd, and his son in law Selby McAusland,had went to the Grande Prairie area, and Floyd took a homestead near where Wembly is now. South decided to try the Peace River country also. On 22 Feb 1911, a large party left Edmonton for the north; Mr & Mrs J. M. South, their two daughters Minerva(Trix) and Rena, Floyd, Mr & Mrs Selby McAusland and baby, and Fred Smith. Mr McAusland had two teams of horses and Floyd had one yoke of oxen. Furniture which the Souths brought included three bedsteads, springs and mattresses,dining table and six chairs, several rocking chairs, a china cabinet and a full length mirror. (the only item damaged on the trail!) The South Caboose served the entire party. It was crowded at meal time so the travellers ate in relays, the men first. When not in use the table was hung against the wall. At night, Rena slept on the table , being 7 years old at the time. Mrs McAusland her baby and Trix on a mattress, and Mrs South on a small bed in the corner. The men always slept outdoors. After many adventures and mishaps the Souths arrived at Lake Saskatoon, Alberta, Canada April 1, 1911 The following summer South "worked out", to earn money to go to Edson, Alberta for provisions. As a fire ranger for the District, he patrolled his route(from Saskatoon Mountain to House River) once a month from April to October. He travelled with a "Buckboard" and would try to make the trip in a week. South also undertook to break 40 acres near Buffalo Lakes> He had just finished the first 10 acres , when one of the Oxen sickened and died. He sold the other Oxen and bought horses> He had a sulky plow and broke 20 acres on his own scrip with horses. During the winter of 1911-1912 South made two trips to Edson, Alberta, the 1st to haul in freight and the 2nd to haul in his own supplies. Each round trip took about 5 weeks. His family were living in house at Saskatoon Mountain which he rented from "Punch the Post" Patterson. In 1912 South built his own house of Spruce logs on his scrip. In 1917 Mr & Mrs South and Rena went back to the United States. The farm and equipment were sold. Sometime after 1923 Mr & Mrs South moved back to Grande Prairie, Alberta, Canada. Few years later they bought some land in the Flying Shot district and lived there until they retired, due to Mr South's ill health. They died in 1939
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