Ernest Geddes

Ernest Geddes was born February 13, 1881, in Belgrave, Morris Twp., Huron Co., Ontario, Canada, and died October 31, 1965, in Seaforth, Huron Co., Ontario, Canada, at age 84. Buried in Brandon Cemetery, Belgrave, Huron Co., Ontario, Canada. He is the presumed son of Lewis Abbey of Clarke Twp., Durham Co., Canada West, and Isabella Geddes of Morris Twp., Northumberland Co., Ontario, Canada.

Mary Kathleen Porterfield was born August 19, 1883, in East Wawanosh Twp., Huron Co., Ontario, Canada, and died April 1, 1971, in Seaforth, Huron Co., Ontario, Canada, at age 87. Buried in Brandon Cemetery, Belgrave, Huron Co., Ontario, Canada. She is the daughter of Peter Porterfield of Kilmarnock, East Ayr Co., Scotland, and Mary Stevenson of London, Canada West.

Ernest Geddes and Mary Kathleen Porterfield were married September 27, 1910, in Belgrave, Huron Co., Ontario, Canada.

Ontario was known as: "Upper Canada" from December 26, 1791, to February 10, 1841; "Canada West" from February 10, 1841, to July 1, 1867; and "Ontario" after July 1, 1867.

Ernest Geddes was born February 13, 1881, in Belgrave, Morris Twp., Huron Co., Ontario, Canada.

Mary Kathleen Porterfield was born August 19, 1883, in East Wawanosh Twp., Huron Co., Ontario, Canada.

Ernest Geddes and Mary Kathleen Porterfield were married September 27, 1910, in Belgrave, Huron Co., Ontario, Canada.

In 1879 the Illustrated Historical Atlas of the County of Huron, Ontario shows Oliver Abbey is living in Morris Twp., Huron Co., Ontario, Canada.

The 1881 Census of Morris, Huron North, Canada West shows Olivar Abby (age 53) born 1828 in Ontario is a farmer living of Irish origin and a C. Methodist. Living with him are his wife Elizabeth Abby (age 52) born 1829 in Ontario and of Irish origin and a C. Methodist. Also living there are their children, all C. Methodist and born in Ontario, Canada: Lewis Abby (age 22) a Lawyer; Linda Abby (age 19); Martha Abby (age 18); and Hattie Abby (age 13).

Lewis Abbey and Isabella Geddes may have had a child out of wedlock, as proven through Abbey Y-DNA analysis:

Ernest Geddes was born February 13, 1881, in Belgrave, Morris Twp., Huron Co., Ontario, Canada.

Lewis Abbey and Esther Emily "Hester" Armstrong were married June 19, 1883, in London, Middlesex Co., Ontario, Canada.

Miles Garfield "Miley" Coleman was born February 16, 1883, near Brantford, Brandt Co., Ontario, Canada.

Vera E. Abbey was born May 26, 1884, in Moose Jaw, NWT (Saskatchewan), Canada.

The 1891 Canadian Census dated April 24, 1891, shows Lewis Abbey (age 32) born in Ontario to Ontario-born parents, is a Stationary Engineer, and is living in Moose Jaw District, Assiniboia West, North West Territories. Living with him is his wife, Hester Abbey (age 28) born in Ontario to Irish and Ontario-born parents. Also living there are his four children, all born in the North West Territories to Ontario-born parents: Vera E. Abbey (age 6); Frank Abbey (age 5); Lester K. Abbey (age 2); and Harley Abbey (age 10/12).

Lewis Abbey died July 18, 1893, in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada, at age 35. Cause of death was accidental drowning in Moose Jaw Creek.

Gertrude Victoria Quinney was born December 16, 1898, at 67 Frank Street, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.

The Ottawa Evening Journal, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, Friday, December 16, 1898

BIRTH.

QUINNEY - At 67 Frank street, on the 16th inst, the wife of J. Quinney, (Public school drill instructor) of a daughter. Both well.

The 1901 Canadian Census shows John Quinney (age 32) born August 22, 1868, in England, and having immigrated in 1876, and a Canadian citizen, is a married Drill Instructor, and is living in Ottawa City, Ontario, Canada. Living with him are: his wife, Emma Quinney (age 28) born April 21, 1873, in Ontario, Canada; his son, Walter Quinney (age 3) born October 14, 1897, in Ontario, Canada; and his daughter, Gertrude Quinney (age 2) born December 16, 1898, in Ontario, Canada.

The John Quinney 1901 Canadian Census Record Excerpt.

After Lewis' death, Hester returned to her family in Brussels, Huron Co., Ontario, Canada, to raise her children, but returned to the West in 1909 with her family to take up homesteads south of Glidden, Saskatchewan, Canada.

Ernest Geddes and Mary Kathleen Porterfield were married September 27, 1910, in Huron Co., Ontario, Canada.

Ernest Geddes and Mary Kathleen Porterfield Marriage Record.

Emeline Carstairs (age 22) and Mary Carstairs (age 24) arrived at Quebec City, Quebec, Canada, in May, 1911, aboard the SS Royal George. Their final destination is Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada.

The 1911 Canadian Census shows Hyster Abbey (age 48) born August 28, 1863, in Ontario, Canada, is a widowed Farmer, and is living in Moose Jaw District, Saskatchewan, Canada. Living with her is her son, Lester Nath. Abbey (age 22) born October 6, 1888, in Saskatchewan, Canada, a Farmer.

The 1911 Canadian Census shows Emaline Carstairs (age 25) born 1884 in Scotland, and having immigrated in 1911, is an unmarried Domestic, and is living in the Lark Darrow household, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada.

Miles Garfield "Miley" Coleman and Vera E. Abbey were married 1913 in Canada.

The 1916 Canadian Census shows Hester Abey (age 54) born 1862, in Ontario, Canada, is a widowed Farmer, and is living in Kindersley, Newcombe Municipality, Saskatchewan, Canada. Living with her are: her unmarried son, Frank Abey (age 30) born 1886 in Saskatchewan, Canada, a Farm Labourer; her unmarried son, Lester K. Abey (age 27) born 1889 in Saskatchewan, Canada, a Farm Labourer; her unmarried son, Louis H. Abey (age 26) born 1890 in Saskatchewan, Canada, a Farm Labourer; her unmarried son, Merton Abey (age 23) born 1893 in Saskatchewan, Canada, a Farm Labourer; and an unmarried Servant, Emmaline Carstairs (age 29) born 1887 in Scotland, and having immigrated in 1909.

The 1916 Canadian Census shows Miles Coleman (age 33) born 1883, in Ontario, Canada, is a married Farmer, and is living in Kindersley, Prairiedale Municipality, Saskatchewan, Canada. Living with him are: his wife, Vera E. Coleman (age 32) born 1884, in Saskatchewan, Canada; his daughter, Laura Coleman (age 3/12) born 1916, in Saskatchewan, Canada; an unmarried Servant, Roy Isacee (age 18) born 1898 in Ontario, Canada, a Laborer; and an unmarried Boarder, Mary Walker (age 22) born 1894 in Ontario, Canada, a School Teacher at a Public School.

Stewart Porterfield "Stew" Geddes was born November 30, 1919, in Belgrave, Huron Co., Ontario, Canada.

Mary Isabel Geddes was born May 1, 1921, in Belgrave, Huron Co., Ontario, Canada.

The 1921 Canadian Census shows Lester Abbey (age 32) born 1867 in Saskatchewan, Canada, to Ontario-born parents, is an unmarried Farmer, and is living in Kindersley, Newcombe Municipality, Saskatchewan, Canada. Living with him is his widowed mother, Hester Abbey (age 54) born 1867 in Ontario, Canada to Ontario-born parents; and an unmarried Labourer, Harry Currie (age 18) born 1903 in Quebec, Canada, to Quebec-born parents, a Manual Labourer.

The 1921 Canadian Census shows Frank Abbey (age 34) born 1887 in Saskatchewan, Canada, to Ontario-born parents, is a married Farmer, and is living in Kindersley, Newcombe Municipality, Saskatchewan, Canada. Living with him is his wife, Emmalin Abbey (age 34) born 1887 in Scotland to Scotland and England-born parents.

The 1921 Canadian Census shows Louis Abbey (age 30) born 1891 in Saskatchewan, Canada, to Ontario-born parents, is a married Farmer, and is living in Kindersley, Newcombe Municipality, Saskatchewan, Canada. Living with him are: his wife, Sarah Abbey (age 34) born 1896 in England to England-born parents; his son, Grant Abbey (age 1) born 1920 in Saskatchewan, Canada, to Saskatchewan and England-born parents; and his unmarried brother-in-law, Francis Woods (age 16) born 1905 in England to England-born parents, a Farm Labourer.

Esther Emily "Hester" (Armstrong) Abbey died October 31, 1938, in a local hospital, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada, at age 75. Buried in Woodlawn Cemetery, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada.

Miles Garfield "Miley" Coleman and Vera E. (Abbey) Coleman celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in 1963.

Eleanor (Abbey) Whyley provided the following information from the book "Along the Buffalo Coulee: History of Driver, Victory, Teo Lake." (1978), which includes the reminiscences of Vera E. (Abbey) Coleman.

COLEMAN, MILES G. - by Vera Coleman

Miles Coleman was born near Brantford, Ontario and first came west to Manitoba on a harvest excursion. Finding that he liked the west, he came to Saskatchewan about 1906 to file on a homestead located on the NW1/4 14-32-25-W3rd. Later he bought the east half of Section 22 and the NE1/₄ of Section 2.

His first trip out to the area was on foot from Saskatoon, accompanied by David Best, who filed on an adjoining quarter NE 14. When Miles moved out to his newly acquired homestead, he drove a pair of oxen hitched to a wagon with a few implements and things that he thought he would need. It was a long, slow journey behind the oxen. One night was spent with another homesteader along the way who had invited him to stay. During the night it got quite cool and Mr. Coleman reached for the blanket on the bed. He found one and in the process of pulling it up, he heard quite a thud, but had no idea what it was. In the morning he was quite dismayed to find that the blanket belonged to a pan of bread that had been wrapped up and set near the bed for overnight rising. It was then on the floor.

Soon Battleford became the nearest point on the railroad. It was quite a jaunt to "town" in those days for mail and groceries. Sometime later with another railroad going through, Scott became the nearest point. Still later, Howiedale Post Office was opened in a farm house, just southwest of where Superb now stands.

In 1911, Miles' parents, Mr. and Mrs. John Coleman filed on the SW1/2 14. They spent only the summer months on the homestead, returning to their home near Brantford, Ontario each fall. In 1914 they rented the quarter to their son, Miles.

In 1913, Frank Coleman, a brother of Miles, filed on a homestead, SE1/4 of Section 16. In February 1915 he enlisted in World War I. Though he came back from the war, he did not return to the land.

In 1913, Miles Coleman married Vera Abbey and they spent the first summer of their married life, in a sod shack, which was certainly a new experience for Vera. It became their kitchen, with a granary nearby partitioned off to give them a living room and a bedroom. The sod shack was nice and cool in the heat of the summer. However, it became rather sodden and leaky, after the occasion of a three day rain. Only one corner of the table remained dry. That fall, they moved into a frame house that Miles Coleman had helped to build. In 1926 an addition was built to part of the old house. This was the Coleman home, until they left the farm.

One day soon after Vera and Miles were married, Miles was doing some carpenter work out in the yard. A neighbor passing by, stopped and asked him what he was doing. Miles replied, "Building cupboards for the Missus. Come in and meet my wife." The neighbor, not having heard of the recent wedding thought he was joking and told Miles he didn't believe him. There was a bit of embarrassment on the part of the neighbor when Mrs. Coleman appeared at the door.

One evening as the sun was setting, a friend and Mrs. Coleman were on their way home with a horse and buggy. As they jogged along they noticed another horse and buggy with an occupant at some distance behind them but gradually catching up. As the outfit came nearer they recognized it and realized the horse was making its own way, as the driver seemed quite incapable of doing any driving. He was noted for his occasional intoxicated state. Mrs. Coleman drove slowly through the yard and noted that the other horse had stopped at the house. The sound of wheels had brought the lady of the house to the door. Mrs. Coleman and her friend lost no time in clearing out of there, but they could not help but hear the loud welcome he received, berating his condition.

In 1945, Colemans left the farm and moved into Kindersley. The farm was rented until 1953 when it was sold to Norman Good. The Colemans then moved to Edmonton to be near their daughter Velma, and her husband, Bill Russell and family.

Miles Coleman died In March 1965, and Velma's husband Bill Russel, passed away in 1973.

Velma's family Linda, Dianne and Wayne are living in Edmonton. Linda married Ken Dreger. They have two boys, Darryl and Colin. Dianne and Lloyd Whitehouse have one son, Andrew, and a daughter, Caroline. Wayne and Louanne MacMillan were married in September, 1977.

Mrs. Vera Coleman has been living with her daughter, Velma since her daughter, Irene went into a nursing home in 1973.

Mr. and Mrs. Miles Coleman on their Golden Wedding Anniversary, 1963.

Bill and Velma Russell - 25th Wedding Anniversary with Dianne, Linda and son.

Gertrude Victoria (Quinney) Abbey died November 22, 1959, at 8905 Scott Road, 120th Street, Kennedy, British Columbia, Canada, at age 50. Buried in Valley View Memorial Gardens, Surrey, British Columbia, Canada.

Miles Garfield "Miley" Coleman died March 22, 1965, in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, at age 82. Buried in Evergreen Memorial Gardens, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

Merton Vernon "Verne" Abbey died June 6, 1978, at Surrey Memorial Hospital, Surrey, British Columbia, Canada, at age 84. Buried in Valley View Memorial Gardens, Surrey, British Columbia, Canada.

Vera Elizabeth (Abbey) Coleman died October 15, 1982, at Good Samaritan Auxiliary Hospital, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada (age 98). Buried in Evergreen Memorial Gardens, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.