THE ROBERT HENRY PRITCHARD FAMILY
by M rs. W. M . Cochrane (Catherine Pritchard) - 1967
Mr Robert Henry Pritchard was born in London, England,
in January, 1874. He worked as a carpenter until 1903 when he came to Canada with the Barr
Colonists intending to homestead in Lloydminster. On arriving at Winnipeg he was advised
to spend time in Manitoba to gain experience and capital before going on west. He came to
the Snake Creek District where he did carpenter work. His first job was building the barn
on John McIntosh's farm now owned by Mr. Pritchard's son-in-law, William Murray
(Dick) Cochrane and grandson Jim.
In 1904 he worked on Edward Minshull's farm and in June, 1905 married
the youngest daughter Isabella. She was born in Stratford, Ontario, in
1876 and in 1882 her family had moved to Manitoba and settled and farmed on section
18-20-26 in the Snake Creek District.
Robert and Isabella continued farming and living with her brother,
Thomas Minshull, until 1911 when they bought the S.E. l,; Sec. 12-20-27. They built a
two-storey frame house and with a few cows and two oxen they began farming on their own.
In their early years of marriage he spent several winters working in Crerar's lumber camp.
They retired in Silverton in 1942. Mr. Pritchard died November 1 st, 1961 and his wife
December 1st, 1963.
They had two children - Robert Edward and Catherine
Isabel . After obtaining his Grade XI Bob went to Agricultural College for two
years and then farmed with his father. In 1935 he married Gladys Saunders,
daughter of Rev. and Mrs. W. W. Saunders, formerly of Angusville. In 1951 he moved to
Angusville. The continued to farm and also took up electrical work. He and family lived a
short time in Russell and now live in Rossburn. They have four children.
- Betty, who nursed and married Wayne Devins of Carman
in May, 1959 and with four children live in Regina, Saskatchewan.
- Doris, also a nurse, married Ken Caldwell, Jan., 1964
of Rossburn where they are farming. They have two children. Arthur
married Roberta Cossar in April, 1966. He is with the RCMP in B.C.
Donald lives in Portage.
Catherine received her Grade XI education in St. Mary's and
Angusville schools and in April, 1931 married William Murray (Dick) Cochrane,
fifth son of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Cochrane of Silverton. They farmed for six years on Sec.
12-21-27 where their son and two daughters were born. In 1937 they moved to the farm of
Mr. and Mrs. John McIntosh of Silverton and in 1957, their son Jim, after
six years of teaching, returned to the farm in partnership with his father.
- Jim married a teachers Barbara Lee, of Winnipeg in
July 7 and they have three children.
- Roberta, a stenographer moved to Los Angeles and in February, 1963
married Warren Ranck of Ventura where they operate an ice cream business.
They have three children.
- Doris, after nursing for four years, married Ken Mathison in
November, 1958. They have four daughters and farm at Hamiota, Manitoba.
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