THE JAMES JACKSON FAMILY -  by Martha Jackson

James and Anne Jackson with their five children, ranging in age from ten years to six months, arrived in Canada after a two week journey from Ireland in April, 1898, and spent the first year with a brother, Thomas Jackson in the Endcliffe district.

The following year they purchased a farm from John Rea in the Municipality of Boulton twelve- miles north of Rus sell where they lived until they retired to live in Russell in 1927.

The house which became their new Canadian home was in such poor condition that when it rained outside it also rained inside.

With a new baby girl to look after, they started building a new house which they moved into in 1905. The kitchen of the new house was twenty feet square which was ideal for dancing but not for housework.

In those days doctors usually arrived much later than the stork. On many occasion the family found Mother and her white apron missing in the morning and Daddy trying to make breakfast.

Besides farming, Mr. Jackson was a stone mason by trade and was called upon to build the foundations for the neighbors houses and barns as well as his own. The trowel which he brought
from Ireland is now a prized possession of his son Thomas who used it recently to build the stone pillars at the entrance to Russell Memorial Gardens.

Social life was usually a combination of work and play - wood sawing, barn raising, threshing and hauling grain were times for jolly get-togethers with the ladies supplying food and perhaps
having a Quilting Bee.

A half section of land was not sufficient for a family of nine so the Leonardfarm located one mile north of the home place was purchased and later became the home of John Jackson.

Land west of the home farm was purchased for pasture. It with the home farm eventually became the home of the youngest son, James.

In June, 1909, the eldest daughter, Minnie, married Harold Hembroff who lived in the same district. In 1919 they sold their farm and moved to Russell where they lived until 1946 when they
moved to Winnipeg where Mrs. Hembroff still lives. Their eldest daughter, May Hart lives in Shoal Lake, Mattie Setter in Atikoken, Tom in Vancouver, Olive Nelson in Atikoken, Agnes Newsham in Winnipeg, Lloyd in Roblin, Jack in Winnipeg, Walter in Davidson, Sask., and Bill in Flin Flon.

In January, 1925, John married Ada Coutre. Their only daughter Margaret Ostapowich lives on a farm near Russell. Bill farms land which originally belonged to the Armstrong family and Earl lives on the farm which John and Ada left when they retired to live in Russell. John passed away in April, 1964.

Tom married Agnes McLennan in February, 1921. They have two boys and two girls. Donalda Lamont of Killarney, Clifford in Russell, Catharine Ziprick of Winnipeg and Bob who lives on the farm where Tom and Agnes lived until they retired to live in Russell.

Jim married Bessie Cordea of Miami, Man. in March, 1927. They had five children . Mildred Galatiuk who lives near Inglis, Stanley who lives on the home farm, Patricia Rodnunski of
Los Angeles. Winston in St. Louis and Betty Case of Winnipeg. Jim and Bessie moved to
Winnipeg in 1953. Jim passed away in 1959.

Sarah is a graduate of the Winnipeg Children’s Hospital. In December, 1927. she married Thomas Marsland. They now reside in Winnipeg. Their eldest daughter, Beryl Anderson, lives in Saskatoon and Jean Champion in Montreal.

Annie, who was a teacher, married Franklin Matheson in March, 1925 and lived in the Russell district and town until she moved to Winnipeg in 1948. They had two girls and two boys. Doreen McNeil of Yorkton, Leslie of Winnipeg, Anita Matthews of Fort Garry
and Lynn of Calgary. Annie resides in Fort Garry.

Martha who lived at home moved with her parents to Russell in 1927. Mr. Jackson passed away at the age of 80 in 1932. Mrs.Jackson passed away in 1941. The following year Martha joined
the Air Force. After the war she joined the staff of the Hudson’s Bay Co. and resides in Winnipeg.

James and Annie left seven children, twenty-seven grandchildren and seventy-four great grandchildren.

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