info (at) grannyfield.com
Yes it's true, we had a delagation, including a direct decendant of John Carmi Casselman, arrive at our place last Sunday (Feb, 4th) and ask if we would again host a family get together. With great pleasure Dorothy and I accepted the invitation. I do have a couple of commitments but will be home the first week of July and don't leave again until the 15th of August.
So the get together,
Here at the farm August 4, 5. and 6th, 2012. As you know we have plenty of room for camping and trailers. Limited power, enough if air conditioners aren't used. water and a fully equiped red neck washroom with modern facilities included a shower with hot water.
We have yet to work out some of the details but it should be similar to last time concerning meals etc. There is good river swimming a short drive away and the ever popular Dairy Farm tour as well as a host of sports and games. If the spring weather co-operates we should have seven acres of corn to view, and if the weather is really good we should have a few rows of it as sweet corn, the rest being cow corn (siliage corn)
If it rains, we can move into the big bunker building to enjoy the pitter patter on the tin roof.
Send your sugestion, ideas and anything you think will make this another great event.
We need a count so we know what to plan for, so let us know
Thanks, Fraser & Dorothy
THE JOHN CASSELMAN FAMILY
of
BOUNDARY FALLS B.C.
PART I
John went through the usual conventional courtship routine of the day. When Florence consented to marry him, he groomed his horse, shone up the buggy, donned his best suit and put on his derby hat, then proceeded to Midway to ask her parents for her hand in marriage.
A more unsuitable union could not be imagined than the one of these two people from vastly divergent backgrounds and lineage.
John was a sixth generation born in America, second generation in Canada.
The Burkmars had lived for generations in and around London, England, which was, at the time, the largest city in the world.
His background was in Agriculture and butter and cheese making although he could turn his hand to many trades and skills. He was brought up to be adept in adverse and capable in adverse circumstances.
Florence knew nothing about life in rural areas, much less about life on the frontier. She knew nothing about looking after a garden and it is doubtful if she knew chickens laid eggs. She certainly did not know all the chores a housewife, of a necessity, should know. Furthermore, she did not know how to cook. As she often said, "I did not know how to boil water".
John was raised a strict Presbyterian and had also attended many Methodist Camp-meetings.
Although Florence's mother was an Anglican, her father claimed to be an atheist. She never spoke much about the Church attendance of her family, but she did tell her children she, on her own, attended a Mission Sunday School regularly in London -and after coming to Canada she attended the United Church.
Aside from all else, the disparity in ages was a tremendous chasm to bridge. He was 36 and she was 18 years old. But marry, they did:
They were united in marriage on June 3rd, 1909 at the home of her sister and brother-in-law, Lila and Arthur Restell in Midway. The officiating Minister was the Reverend Hugh McKee.
This same Minister christened their youngest child 18 years later.
The couple made their first home in a three-room house on the bank above the Dam on Boundary Creek. A gravel road passed by a few yards from the front door and running parallel with the road, the Kettle Valley Railroad tracks were just beyond that.
John found work as an electrician at the Boundary Falls Power Plant, a quarter mile down stream.
The first thing he did was teach his wife how to cook. After much trial and error, she became adept at making tasty wholesome meals. He also taught her how to look after the garden and many other chores the housewives were expected to do in those days.
The first two children born to them were attended by a Doctor at home. Midwives attended the next seven. The six oldest children first saw the light of day in that little house beside the road.
Their names from the eldest down were as follows: Caroline Catherine, Annie Beatrice, Alice Edith, Helen May, Verdun Thomas, and Grace Elsie.
The family remembers with laughter and affection, some of Florence's "Famous remarks". The first the birth of Verdun, after looking at him for a few moments she said, "Isn't he ugly!"
At the time the sixth child, Grace was born the smelter was closed down. The majority of Boundary Falls residents had moved away. The mining boom was a thing of the past. Houses stood empty and windowless. There were several of these two and three story houses near their home and the children would race up and down the stairs and through the empty rooms, laughing and playing.
Among the people who stayed on at Boundary Falls were many old prospectors and miners. The children knew them all. Billy Jones who often visited with their parents and played the fiddle. He also spent many hours making fiddles.
There was old man McCarren whom McCarren Creek is named after. He lived in a shack directly across the road and railway tracks from their home. The two eldest would go hand in hand, cross the road and tracks, and clasping hands again would follow the short winding path to his door. He would give them a teaspoon full of sugar each and say in a croaky old voice, "Have some sugar. It's good for your colds:"
Mr. McCarren was very deaf. John sent away for a hearing aid, called a Morley Phone, thinking to make life pleasanter for the old man. He persuaded him to try it out on the flat near by. When McCarren heard the noise of grasshoppers and other insects buzzing, the gurgling of Boundary creek and the tree leaves rustling, he pushed it away saying, "No No, too much noise". Nothing could persuade him to use it.
Billy Bennett lived in a shack by the creek near Billy Jones. This location was called "Bachelors Row". He was seldom seen except when he went on a binge. The children would meet him staggering along the road, singing at the top of his voice, "Wait for the wagon and we'll all take a ride". They would watch him with great interest as they seldom saw anyone intoxicated. He would give them candy or, failing that, small change was handed out.
Another old prospector was Mr. McClaren who was not fond of children and would chase them away by making fearsome noises.
Billy Thompson was a miner who came visiting. Although he had snow-white hair, he was younger than the others. He was fairly well educated and very much a gentleman.
He was always dressed neatly. John used to tease his wife about Billy being her boyfriend.
The school had been closed for the lack of the required number of eight, which was needed to keep it open. It covered from primary to grade eight. One teacher taught all classes. The two eldest Casselman children filled this lack by starting school at the ages of five and four respectively. There were Casselmans in that little one room schoolhouse from then on until they moved to another location in 1929. At one point there were five Casselmans attending the school the same year.
John was one of the school Trustees and Chairman of the meetings. The parents often attended these meetings and sometimes they would end in fiery clashes. As Chairman, there were times he had to go out and ask people to pay up their taxes so the teacher’s salary could be paid. John was also MC at the school concerts.
In politics, the Casselmans were Conservative and John was no exception. His wife's people were Liberals but she became a Conservative after her marriage. John loved Election Day and was often a Returning Officer or a Scrutineer at the polling station.
The Lone Star mine was still in operation despite the closure of the smelter. Ore buckets came down on an overhead cable to an ore dump across the creek by the smelter. To the school children of the time, it was a common sight.
The Dewdney Trail passed their home on the other side of the creek. The children were quite familiar with it and often walked along it with their father when he was looking for trees for the winter's wood supply. The gravel road in front of their home was built after the Dewdney Trail was abandoned.
This gravel road provided much of interest to the children. Traveling along it were tramps, peddlers and Gypsies, besides neighbors and other traffic. On it they saw their first car. The tramps, invariably, came to the door, looking for a hand-out. The peddlers were welcome if one needed pins thread or needles. The backpack peddler carried these essentials as well as cheap jewelry, pocket watches and ribbons.
The horse and buggy peddler had all the above and much more. He carried pots and pans, cutlery, scissors and pocketknives, bolts of cloth, garden tools such as rakes and hoes, seeds and many more articles. One could get their knives sharpened and their pots mended if they so desired.
The Gypsies were the most exciting. They came in horse drawn caravans and camped on the flats nearby. Known for their thieving ways, everything was locked up as soon as they were seen coming around the bend in the road. The children were ordered inside the house for the duration of their stay. Sometimes they only stayed long enough to make a meal. Quite often they stayed for the night. Their swarthy skin, the flouncy dresses and bangles and beads of the women and the curly headed dark-eyed children fascinated the children.
When World War I broke out in 1914, Florence's parents were still living at Midway. Their eldest son, Thomas, had joined the Army. Samuel and his wife decided to move to Victoria. Lila and her husband were already in that city. Three of their children were still at home, Nellie, George, and Edward. They had a trunk full of belongings stored under the house at Tom and Eliza Clark's ranch. Tom refused to let them have it until an old debt was paid. Samuel did not have the money to pay and he wanted the trunk and it's contents before they left for Victoria. He discussed the situation with his son-in-law, John. John offered to help him. On a dark and rainy night they took off in a buggy and approached the Clark ranch. Tying up the horses a safe distance away, they crept warily up to the house, retrieved the trunk and quietly made their way back to the buggy and drove off. Tom Clark never knew for certain who had bested him. John chuckled over that many times.
Another story of the same nature was over a box of clothes belonging to Florence. After the Hotel closed down where she had worked before her marriage, she had not received all the wages due her. Her parents had taken all her wages while she was single and when she was finally paid after marrying John; they expected her to hand the money over to them. When they arrived to collect she told them her husband would have to be consulted. They waited until he came home. John refused them in no uncertain terms. They threatened not to let Florence have her box of clothes until they received the money. Tom Clark heard about it and the same stunt was pulled, this time on the Burkmars. One of these stories is true. Possibly both are.
They smoothed things over somehow for the Burkmars left for Victoria on good terms with their daughter and son-in-law.
They lived in Victoria until they passed away. Previous to their leaving, their daughter Edith married a miner, James Henderson. They moved to Deadwood, a small mining settlement northeast of Greenwood.
Samuel loved the limelight!
In 1931 the Earl of Bessborough was appointed Governor General of Canada. He made the usual sojourn across Canada to acquaint himself with the country. While in Victoria, he and his wife were in a parade through the downtown part of the city. Samuel, knowing that his wife's father had been Head Gardener at Lady Bessborough's childhood home, was in the crowd with his wife waiting for the approaching dignitaries. When they came opposite to where he stood, he started yelling out, "This way to Tolgage! This way to Tolgate!" What Samuel was hoping for happened. Lady Bessborough heard him and she recognized the place he was referring to. She spoke to her husband and the parade was stopped. An official was sent to find the man who was calling out the familiar words. Samuel stepped forth with his wife on his arm and was escorted to the limousine. What was said is lost to posterity but apparently she was delighted to speak with someone from the home of her youth. After a few minutes chatting the parade moved on. Samuel had made it to Front Stage Center!
The war ended on November 11, 1918. On June 1st of that year, John received a telegram from Ottawa. The following is an exact copy.
N/NS/JO/ Ottawa, Can.
John Casselman
Boundary Falls, B.C. May 31/18
8557 deeply regret inform you 633591 Private John Casselman infantry officially reported died of wounds 2 Canadian Stationary Hospital Boutogne May 28th nineteen eighteen
Director of Records
12.30 A.M. June Ist/18
This was a great sorrow to John. He had wanted, through the years, to have his sons live with him in British Columbia. Their maternal grandparents were against it.
Their reasons were understandable. The children were too young to be uprooted. They were in school and should not be disturbed in their studies. The west was too rough and an uncertain place to raise children.
All this would not have swayed John's thinking, but with a growing family in the west he found it impossible to save enough money to send for their fare, much less go for himself. And so, the years slipped by and he never saw again in his lifetime.
The second son, Gordan, also served in the 1st World War bur returned safely. He married Hattie Karl shortly after but his wife would not come West. Gordan worked for the Postal Department in Kingston, Ont. for many years. When he retired, Hattie finally consented to come West for a visit. Gordan had a serious heart condition and his one wish was to visit his half brothers and sisters. After returning to Ontario, he passed away.
PART II
The death of John's son, Pember, was the first of many trials and afflictions in the three years ahead.
The West Kootenay Power and Light Co. were extending their lines from Trail, B.C. to Keremeos in the Okanagan. The Power Plant at Boundary Falls was being phased out and they needed a man to keep it running until the new lines came through. Greenwood still relied on the old Plant for its power. John took the job. The pay was low; $75.00 a month for a 24 hour shift. The family moved to the cottage by the Power Plant in the spring of 1919.
With a growing family to support, it was necessary for John to find work elsewhere to supplement his income. He taught his wife to operate the switchboard and take the RPM on the main wheel. For a while she spent her time between the Plant and the house. Fortunately the older girls were there to look after the younger ones for the short periods she was away.
In September of 1919 the seventh child was born, a girl whom they named Florence Emmy.
The cottage was far too small to accommodate them all. John knew it was time to do something about it. He opened up the attic, laid a floor and papered the walls. Then he installed a window in each end and built a stairway up from the living room. Lastly, he put up a fire escape ladder to the back window for safety. There was room for four beds and the girls were delighted with their new bedroom.
In December of the same year John and Florence discovered their eldest daughter was losing her sight. The Doctor at Greenwood said an eye Specialist was needed and recommended they take her to Spokane, Washington. John lost no time and left with her immediately. She entered the Sacred Heart Hospital, as an operation was necessary. John left her there and returned home. The operation was successful but it was not until April 1st, 1920, she was able to return home. She wore glasses and her sight gradually came back to near normal. The other children were in the first stages of chicken pox when she left for Spokane. Caroline broke out in spots while at the Hospital and they thought she had Small Pox which prevalent at the time and moved to isolation.
The deadly Spanish Influenza epidemic started in 1918 sweeping Europe and England and then crossed over to America. People were dying by the thousands. It reached the Boundary Country in the winter of 1919-1920. News of deaths were reported nearly every day. Schools were closed and the cautious stayed home.
John kept working, as the money was desperately needed. He contacted the germ and brought it home. He was very ill for over a week to ten days and Florence nursed him through it. He recovered in time to help her nurse and care for the children. All of them came down with it at the same time. When they were back on their feet Florence succumbed and was very ill. John looked after her and cooked for the children until she recovered.
Two very good neighbors helped them through this epidemic, Charles Pasco, by milking the cows and caring for the livestock and bringing in firewood. Billy Jones, the old prospector, made trips to town for them and delivered the groceries to the door.
The West Kootenay Power and Light Co. had their lines completed to within a mile of Greenwood, by the spring of 1920. Boundary Creek slowed to a trickle and the old Plant was stopped for lack of waterpower. The lights flickered and went out. Florence tried her best to get the Plant going but had to give up. The phone jangled continuously. Greenwood residents were howling for power, in vain. When John arrived home and heard the bad news he told his wife she must have done something she shouldn't have done or, had omitted to do something she should have been doing. He tried to get the plant going but was unsuccessful. A day or so later Greenwood was hooked up to the new lines but the family cottage by the old plant was without electricity for the remainder of their occupancy. They became used to coal oil lamps as time went by. Within a short time the phone was disconnected as the owners no longer had to be in touch with the Plant. The Plant was locked up and John and Florence were caretakers for a small pittance. Eventually the machinery was removed and the pittance stopped.
John dug a well near the house for good clean drinking water. He installed a sink in the kitchen with a small pump at one end so they had water in the house. The rock pit for drainage was on the slope below the well. This lifted some of the burden from his wife's shoulders. Before that, all water for cooking, drinking, washing and bathing had to be packed from the creek in buckets.
The next blow fell in early July of 1920. Florence had a miscarriage. She was alone at home with the children at the time. Two days later she was feverish and then became delirious. John was alarmed and called in the Doctor. She was carried out in a makeshift stretcher. Because of the steep hill out of the valley, she was taken up on a stonebolt to the top of the hill where a car waited. John wired her parents immediately as she was not expected to live. When word came from the Hospital she was out of danger, the terrible anxiety was over and there was thanks-giving in the hearts of her family. Her Mother looked after the children and stayed on for a while after she came home froe the hospital. Samuel left for home as soon as he knew his daughter was safely out of danger. He worked for the Victoria Machinery Depot until he retired.
Florence came home in a weakened condition and it was decided she should accompany her mother to Victoria for a chance to recuperate and a much needed rest. The Doctor told her it would be wise not to have another child for at least two years.
Florence, her mother and the two youngest children left for Victoria and the rest of them were left on their own for the next few weeks except when their father came home on weekends. It was a happy family who greeted her when she returned home in good health.
All the tribulations the family went through those years must have prompted a local poet, when he wrote a poem on Boundary Creek, to include this verse:
And at the Falls descending
Where lives a faithful family man
With troubles never ending.
It was written after the fashion of "Tennyson's Brook” and was printed in the Greenwood Ledge.
Florence had heart problems after this, which slowly worsened as time went by. She also had a pronounced goiter. It was discovered Boundary Creek water lacked iodine. People using the water for internal use were advised to use iodized salt. Many people in the area had goiters and the discovery came too late for them.
Soon after Florence returned home from Victoria, John signed on with the West Kootenay Light and Power Co. to work on the power lines which were pushing steadily on to Keremeos. He was away from home for long stretches at a time. They reached Keremeos in the late spring of 1921. The couple was able to payoff some of their mounting bills, as the job paid well.
In January of 1922, Florence gave birth to her eighth child. John was home at the time and delivered the baby, another boy who was named John Pember. The baby entered the world with the cord wound tightly around his neck several times. He was blue in the face when his father managed to release it. John Pember gave a gasp and started choking. His father inserted his little finger down the child's throat and removed the obstruction. The baby gave another gasp and then let out a bellow of rage at his first encounter with life. He was a husky, strong baby and weighed 12 pounds at birth.
In the spring of the same year, John came to some agreement with his cousin Ida's husband, Robert Kerr, to take over the Kerr farm for the summer. Formerly, Robert Kerr had been leasing the property to Chinese truck gardeners. Now, he had grandiose plans about growing corn and sunflowers for silage. The farm was situated along the highway a few miles south of the Casselman home. John lost no time in plowing and planting.
In the meantime a silo was in the process of construction.
When school was out for the summer holidays, two of the older children were sent to join their father to cook for him and help out wherever needed. The rest of the family eventually moved down and camped in a dilapidated building on the property.
Fields of corn and sunflowers were growing rapidly and needed much cultivation. John also planted an acre of potatoes for himself.
There was an apple orchard of about 20 or 25 trees, two of which were Gravenstiens. The Gravenstien is a most delicious and juicy eating apple but will not keep over the winter. For the first time the children had all the apples they could eat.
By middle August the fields of sunflowers were a lovely sight with their huge round faces turned towards the sun. The corn with its silky tassels, rustled in every breeze.
Harvesting time came and the silo was ready. A crew arrived with a silage chopper and, as the corn and sunflowers were hauled in from the fields, they were gradually fed into the chopper and blown through a long feeder into the top of the silo.
The apples were picked and boxed and soon it was time for the children to return to school.
John harvested a bumper crop of potatoes, keeping only enough for home use and seed. He sold the rest. How much he earned for the months he worked on this farm is unknown. The children were never informed of the family finances. Still, the older children were beginning to realize, in part, the struggles their parents were undergoing to feed and clothe them.
In 1922 the country was in a recession. It dragged on into 1923. Another child was born in September of that year. The ninth child was a boy and they named him Russell Ezra. John had gone hunting in the morning and told his wife not to worry if he did not come home that night. Around midnight Florence knew her time had come. She awoke the three eldest girls, Caroline, Annie, and Alice. Caroline was told to light the kitchen fire and heat plenty of hot water. The two other girls were sent for the Midwife, Anna Boltz, who lived a good two miles away and all uphill. While they were gone, Caroline became frightened because she knew she could not cope with the situation. She dashed out the door and ran to the home of Mrs. Pasco who lived a short distance away.
While she was gone, the baby arrived. Florence calmly sat up and tied the umbilical cord, then lay back and waited. Mrs. Pasco had the baby washed and dressed and Florence lying comfortably in clean sheets when Alice and Annie arrived with the midwife.
The excitement was over by the time John arrived home the next day. Florence made another of her famous remarks when someone said they thought the baby was beautiful. In a disparaging tone, she said, "He looks like a skinned rabbit!"
Soon after Russell's birth, John started work at McArthur’s sawmill at Midway and the family coped with the work at home.
The livestock consisted of two milking cows, several calves, a heifer, two hogs, chickens and a team of horses. John had bought the horses separately at prices he could afford. The sorrel, Spanker, was a former racehorse that, for some reason or other had lost his value. He was skittish at times but on the whole, easy to handle. The other horse, Paddy was a black Cayuse of a different breed in more ways than one. It was rumored he had killed a man. Paddy could not be trusted. John tamed him down some but it was only after several days of hard work he could be handled with any degree of safety. Two of his bad habits was kicking and biting. He had a wicked look in his eye, and John told his children to be very careful when around him.
PART III
After the past few years of trial and troubles, the Casselman family settled down to a more or less routine life.
By the fall of 1922 there were five Casselmans attending school. They were all average students and their classmates were from neighboring farms and ranches, whose parents were all in the same financial category, more or less, as their own.
The school picnics and concerts were the highlights of school terms. The Casselman children were the "Stars" of the latter. They all had good singing voices and were not afraid to act in the skits and plays. Their father was always the Emcee at the concerts.
A Minister from the Greenwood Parish came intermittently, to hold Sunday School and Church services in the schoolhouse. The Casselmans attended. The children were taught at home to say prayers. Their parents taught them many fine old Hymns. Often on a Sunday evening the entire family sang these hymns, gathered around the heater in the living room. John knew many old rousing Methodist Camp meeting Hymns, which he taught to his children.
John believed strongly in discipline. He also had a fearsome temper when riled. The children not involved, kept out of sight, if possible, until he was over it. Florence was not the type of person who could readily enforce orders but, in the main, the children obeyed her, whereas John's word was law. From them both, they learned never to lie, steal or do a dishonest deed. They all learned responsibility. They also learned to work. Idleness was considered almost a sin.
But all was not work and discipline: Their mother and father did all they could to give them pleasurable times. Christmas, Easter and Birthdays were always celebrated as well as National holidays. Even April Fools Day in a small way.
John always wore a mustache but on April Fools Day, he would shave it off and come to the breakfast table after everyone else was seated. He would calmly sit down and wait for the comments and laughter. Then he would leave the table first and run outside shouting and yelling, pointing towards a stand of trees. The children were always fooled and ran out after him, peering and looking until he would shout, "April Fool!" followed by sidesplitting laughter.
Easter was the usual egg hunt with John along making pretense he was hunting too. Besides the colored eggs, the egg was the main course of the day.
School picnics and National holidays were celebrated in much the same way. Most of the people in the area attended. There were races and games for both young and old. All the families supplied food for the picnic supper. Sandwiches, cakes, pies, and best of all, the gallons of homemade ice cream, which was kept in the coolest spot surrounded with bags of ice.
Christmas was the most exciting of all. John loved Christmas: His enthusiasm was boundless and he built up such excitement in the youngsters, they could hardly wait for the day. By Christmas Eve he was in high good humor and every hour or so would exclaim, "Santa Claus is coming tonight:" Around ten o'clock that night he would be on the roof jingling the sleigh bells and shouting, "Ho there, Mrs. Casselman: Are the children asleep yet?" Florence would answer, "Not yet Santa, but they will be soon". If any of them were asleep, they were now wide-awake.
Florence always managed the finances of the family, as John knew she could handle the job better than he could. How she ever found enough money to buy Christmas presents for such a large family will never be known.
The children had one other pleasure, surpassing all the rest, the spot where they lived.
The valley where they lived was a child's paradise. Boundary Creek, rippling and splashing over the rocks, was willow edged. Maple and Birch and Aspens shaded the house and creek. From the first warm day of spring, to the first frost of autumn, they were seldom out of the water. The creek also afforded many pleasant hours spent fishing, from the bridge up to, the Falls. Secluded nooks and dells were thoroughly explored and visited often. Huge yellow and purple violets and Ladyslippers peeped out from secret places.
They roamed the hills where many species of flowers grew in profusion. They found strawberry patches and visited them in season. McCarren Creek entered the larger stream near the bridge, tumbling down creating it's own Falls. On the banks of this smaller creek they found wild raspberries, gooseberries and currants. Boundary Creek was a good place to sit and dream by. The gentle murmur of its song was soothing to a child who was sad or upset. Tourists sometimes found their way into the valley, looking for a good view of the beautiful Boundary Falls and the children would guide them the short distance upstream.
During all the time the children lived there, they knew little of what was going on in the outside world. And so, the weeks and the months rolled by.
A brief rundown on each of the children would not be amiss in this part of the Casselman story. Reviewing them by age thus:
Caroline: (or Carrie as she was called when young) was a steady and thoughtful girl. Because of her eye problem, she was not expected to work outside unless really needed. John was sympathetic of this and did not call on her often. She worked in the house with her mother and learned to cook and make cakes. In the latter, she surpassed her mother. She loved the outdoors and spent as much time as she could playing with the other children.
Annie and Alice: Alice was called Patsy when young. These two were inseparable so are in the same slot. They did the milking and looked after the animals while their father was away at work. They were called "Dad's boys". They worked with their father, falling trees, sawing them into blocks and hauling them home for winter’s wood. They also split the blocks into stove size for the heater and the kitchen stove. They were on hand during the slaughtering, helping to scald and scrape hogs and cut up the meat. They were in many escapades together, usually instigated by Annie who was more irresponsible than Alice. They both loved the outdoors and were satisfied with their lot.
Helen: While young, her hair was golden and curly. Her eyes were brown like her fathers. She was a thoughtful child and had a lovely smile. Not much else is remembered about her except her and the little ones tagged after the elder one when they went exploring.
Verdun: Verdun was his mother's pride and joy, being the first son. He was always trying to find out how things were done and why cogs went around. He has scars to prove it. He showed signs of determination at a young age and fought for his rights, if need be.
Grace: She was a chunky little girl, easy going and seldom made a fuss. She had blue eyes and slightly curling hair when small. She accepted what was given her and cherished it. She had a share of determination but would back down rather than insist, as she did not like altercations of any kind. She was well named.
Florence: She was a dear, fairy-like child, so much smaller than the others had been. This was attributed to the Influenza when she was a baby. Her hair never fully grew in until she was two years old.
John: John knew what he wanted right from the first and food was not the least of John's requirements. He was also an individualist and did things his own way despite efforts to change him.
Russell: Was born a happy child. Everyone else could be moaning about something but Russell always had that cherry grin. He loved to tinker with clocks and wrecked all the alarm clocks in the house. He never insisted on having his own way as he always had his brother John to take his side. They were inseparable.
Nettie: (known ever after as Betty) was not yet born at this period of the Casselman story. When she did arrive she was well loved and petted by the whole family.
All the children were welcomed and loved by their parents as they arrived and, as the younger ones came along, they were admired, petted and loved by their elder sisters and brothers.
Florence and John had fine singing voices due to their natural inherent abilities and home training. At social gatherings they were invariably asked to render such songs as "I'll take you home again Kathleen", and "Where the River Shannon flows". "My Wild Irish Rose" was another one they often sang. John was an excellent ballad singer. He was often asked to sing, "The Black Sheep", "The Cobblers Song", and many more. They both had a large repertoire of songs and the children learned them all.
John was also an excellent storyteller and told his children many tales about his childhood in Ontario. They would sit through them entranced and never tired of them although they were told time and again.
John at times, had to borrow farm implements from a neighbor. Sometimes these implements were not in good working order when he brought them home. His blacksmithing knowledge enabled him to repair them and, after using them they were returned in good condition. He always returned anything borrowed, such as a sack of wheat etc., in full measure and flowing over. His children observed these things and learned a valuable lesson in good neighborliness, which was to prove valuable to them in later years.
Florence imparted much to her children in the form of proverbs. "Do not cry over spilled milk". "Waste not, want not". "More haste, less speed". "More to be pitied than laughed at". "Forgive and forget". "Patience is a virtue", and "Do unto others as you would be done by".
There were many others too numerous to mention. According to the situation, these proverbs were used over and over again. They are fondly remembered by her children and are used, in turn, on their own children and grandchildren.
The following years were to bring many changes to this large family.
In 1924 Caroline finished grade school and went to Greenwood to work. The following year, 1925, Annie completed grade eight and also went to work in Greenwood.
In the Autumn of 1925 John and Florence decided to lease a ranch in McCarren creek, known as the Christianson Place. The move was made and John now had good land to work with and larger barns and buildings for livestock and farm implements. The old two-story house was large, with plenty of room for the eight children remaining at home. It was without plumbing and electricity, with an outside privy, as was their former home.
John gradually built up a larger dairy herd, and began to ship cream to the Curlew Creameries. Florence made butter for home use and for sale. Large vegetable gardens grew enough for home use. The potato crop always produced enough for home and sale. Three hundred fifty assorted fruit trees also brought in some money. With most of their food grown or raised at home, they became almost self-sufficient, purchasing only necessities such as salt, sugar, flour, etc. To achieve all this required long hours of hard work.
Alice was now his "right hand man". Helen and Verdun were old enough to do a fair share of the chores when they came .home from school. The lives of the family continued on in this manner until the spring of 1927.
In March of that year, Florence knew she was pregnant again. It was to be her last baby.
Her goiter had grown considerably and her heart palpitations were alarming. Arrangements were made for her have the baby in Victoria, under the care of a Doctor and, after she was strong enough, an operation to remove the goiter by a Throat Specialist. In early August, Florence left for Victoria and stayed with her parents until the baby was due. She entered the Royal Victorian Hospital on the 23rd of August and was put to bed in a ward. After examining her, the nurse departed. A short while after, Florence pressed the call button and a nurse came. "My baby is coming," she stated. "Oh no," the nurse answered, "You will be a long while yet". Florence tried to remonstrate with her, to no avail. The nurse left. A few minutes later the baby was born. Florence pressed the button and the nurse came back. "My baby is here," said Florence. The nurse took one look and bolted. Within seconds there was a flurry of consternated and bewildered nurses around her bed with a Doctor in tow. Nettie Elizabeth had arrived! Florence remarked afterwards, when telling about it, "After having nine children, you'd think those snippy nurses would have listened to me!" In the meantime, while this was happening, Annie had quit her job in Greenwood and returned home to cook and help look after the younger children. There was the canning to be done also, during her mother's absence.
She and Alice were together again. It was to be their last time together at home. They milked cows, dug potatoes and looked after the vegetable garden and laughed and talked the summer away.
Florence had her goiter operation and was recuperating at the home of her parents. She came home in September with the new baby. Her heart palpitations had been alleviated by the removal of the goiter but she would have them intermittently for the rest of her life.
Caroline left for Victoria to work and in November Annie had an offer to work in the Lardo Valley in the West Kootenays. The pay offered was more than she had been receiving in Greenwood and, she also left home. She had never been more than six miles from home before. John took her to the train. He kissed her good-bye and said, "Be a good girl Annie". As she boarded the coach he waved to her and the train moved out of the station.
In 1927-28 John started a new venture. He had always raised a pig or two for home consumption and now he planned to raise weener pigs for sale. He had breeder sows and by June of '28 he had two large litters of shoats about ready to wean. The market was good and the price for each would bring him in a fair sum of money for his efforts. The couple were in a position to payoff some of their debts and the future looked bright. But darkening clouds were hovering on their horizon.
John had enjoyed good health and had never consulted a Doctor. His only illness, other than the Spanish Influenza nine years before, was the odd cold. When he began to feel unwell, he thought it was something that would pass. Instead, it worsened. Florence was worried and after much persuasion, he went to the Doctor in Greenwood. After hearing the symptoms and making an examination, Dr. Woods sent him to a Specialist in Spokane. He was admitted to the Sacred Heart Hospital. When they operated, they found he was in an advanced state of cancer of the liver and stomach. Doing what they could to alleviate his condition, they sent him home. He had lost a lot of weight but he was feeling better.
The evening he arrived home he asked his wife, "Mother did they tell you what is wrong with me?" "Don't you know Jack," she asked with a heavy heart. She finally had to tell him. Florence said long afterwards, "It was the hardest moment of my life:"
Alice was out of school as the workload at the ranch was increasing each year. Now she had to take over the main burden of the work.
Caroline came home when she received word of her father's condition. Annie was married earlier in the year and by December she had a little son to look after.
John's main concern when he found he had not long to live was for his wife and children. What was to become of them? Florence did her best to console and lessen his worries. John's heart was heavy with sorrow at leaving his family and Florence was stricken with the thought of losing him. He became very gentle with the children and loving and grateful to his wife.
His brother Russell, whom he had not seen for many long years, came west from Manitoba to visit him. This was a source of great pleasure to John. His will power and fortitude over the suffering he was enduring was amazing. He spent the better part of his last days at the barns with the livestock to hide his sufferings from the family. The last three days he took to his bed.
John passed away on the 11th of February 1929. His daughter Annie arrived the day after he was gone.
The following is his obituary, printed in the February 14th edition of the Greenwood Ledge.
BOUNDARY FALLS RESIDENT DIES
A highly esteemed resident of Boundary Falls passed away on Monday morning Feb. 11th, in the person of John Carmi Casselman. For nearly a year he had suffered from a, fatal malady. He was taken to Spokane last summer and an operation was performed, which prolonged his life for several months. He bore his affliction with remarkable patience having always sought to avoid being a trouble to those nursing him.
The late Mr. Casselman was born on October 7th, 1872, in Dundela, Dundas County, Ontario. He was proud of the fact that he came of United Empire Loyalist stock. For many years he followed the butter making industry in Ontario and was an expert butter maker. Responding to the call of the far west, he came to this District in 1901. For ten years he was employed at the old Boundary Falls Power Plant and after it closed he went back to farming and for several years he had been working the old Christenson Ranch near Boundary Falls. Mr. Casselman always took a keen interest in the community in which he lived and was an active member of the Midway Farmers Institute.
He is survived by his widow and eleven children, four sons and seven daughters. One son was killed in the Great War. The children are: Gordan H. Casselman, Kingston, Ont., Caroline Catherine, at home, Mrs. J. Armstrong, Lardo, B.C., Alice Edith, Helen May, Verdun Thomas, Grace Elsie, Florence Emmy, John Pember, Russell Ezra, Nettie Elizabeth at home, also his father, E.M. Casselman aged 87 years, living in Ottawa, Onto Four brothers and sisters, viz: Russell Casselman, Eriksdale, Man., Mrs. J. Riddell, Morrisburg Ont., W. Casselman, Williamsburg, Ont., A. Casselman, Orleans, Ont., Stewart Casselman, Ottawa, Ont., Mrs. P. Beckstead, De Peyster, New York State, Mrs. J. Brisbois, Mimico, Ont., Mrs. E. Chevier, Casselman Ont., and three grandsons, two at Kingston Ont., and one at Lardo, B.C.
To the bereaved ones the deepest sympathy of the entire community is extended.
The funeral was held in Midway on Wednesday afternoon, services conducted by Rev. Andrew Walker in the Midway Church and at the graveside. A very large number of friends attended. The casket was covered with floral tributes. The pallbearers were: Messrs. E.F. Kerr, Geo. Hambly, F.J. White R. Folvik, and Joe Richter.
PART IV
In the midst of her sorrow Florence was fully aware the children remaining at home were looking to her for guidance and support. John had always made the important decisions for the family and now, the burden of decision making was hers. She realized they would never be able to keep running the ranch. The enormity of the labor involved was too much for Alice who was barely more than sixteen years ,of age. Everything would have to be sold.
An Auction sale was posted and everything went on the block except their personal belongings, kitchen utensils, dishes and cutlery, and a few cherished articles gathered over the years. Neighbors and friends were generous in their bids for this widow with so many fatherless children. Florence rented a house in Midway. She was receiving a small mother's pension from the Government, which enabled her to keep a roof over their heads and food to survive on. The children started school and Caroline obtained work in the cookhouse of McArther's sawmill. Alice went to work at Rock Creek.
Florence's parents wrote, urging her to move to Victoria. She had little contact with her family except for the few weeks in 1920 and at the time of Betty's birth in 1927. Her brothers and sisters had settled in and around Victoria and she longed to be near them.
The family moved to Victoria and the children soon adjusted to city life. The Great Depression was on. Rents were low and food cheap. Although her pension had been raised slightly, the money did not easily cover all their needs. Florence was experienced in making ends meet, but now, every dollar had to be stretched to the utmost.
During the following years Helen started High School and Verdun quit school at grade eight to work in a butcher shop. Caroline and Alice were married and lived in Victoria.
Florence met Frederick William Field in 1932. They were attracted to each other but when he proposed marriage, she refused him. There was concern in her mind about presenting her remaining children with a step-father.
The depression dragged on.
Frederick, (Fred) had a small place on Saturna Island. He offered the place to Florence while the depression lasted. She could grow a garden for home use and it would be cheaper to live there. She accepted the offer. It involved another move. Her sojourn on the island was, in the main, a pleasant one but the advantages did not live up to her hopes and expectations.
By 1936 Florence and her children were living in Penticton, in the Okanagan. Sons Jack and Russell were now in their teens and able to work in the orchards, in season, and at various other jobs. She went out to work at twenty-five cents an hour and also took in washing and ironing, desperately trying to keep the home together.
Verdun was away from home looking for work and her daughters He1en and Florence were now married. Grace was still at home, working at odd jobs whenever she could find any. Betty was still in school.
Fred Field had not given up hope of winning Florence. She finally consented and they were married in St. Andrews Presbyterian, the lovely old stone church, on Martin St. in Penticton, in 1939. Fred was ten years older than her.
The couple were well suited. He was born and raised in England, her own place of birth and upbringing. They enjoyed each other's company and were more than fond of each other. He was a widower with sons and daughters grown to maturity, most of them married with children of their own.
Ominous news of war was constantly in the news and on the radio. It started officially on the 3rd of September 1939. Florence and Fred moved back to Victoria almost immediately. Verdun, followed by Jack and Russell, joined the Army and eventually were sent overseas.
These were agonizing years for Florence but she tried to keep her anxiety hidden as she faithfully sent them parcels and wrote them letters.
Florence and Fred bought a large house in the James Bay area of Victoria and turned it into a rooming house. They operated this until 1944.
When the war ended in 1945, her sons came home unharmed and the fear in Florence's heart was lifted for the first time in five years.
Young Florence had married Fred Field's son and after the war they moved to Port Coquitlam on the lower mainland. Fred and Florence sold the rooming house and moved to Port Coquitlam to be near them.
Soon after this Russell married and within a short time, Betty also married. With Betty married, Florence's days of raising children were over. They had lasted 36 years. Although they were now all on their own, her sons and daughters remained Florence's deepest concern for the rest of her life.
The following years were happy ones for Fred and Florence. They bought p small cottage and worked together to make it comfortable. They planted trees and shrubs and flowers, which were a lovely riot of color in season. They were not well off but they owned their own home and both, in time, received the Senior Citizens pension. Fred had a small pension from the First World War.
As time went on Fred developed arthritis, which worsened until he was unable to look after himself. Florence was getting on in years. Her daughters were concerned as Florence had her own health problems as well as her long standing heart condition. They finally persuaded her to have him removed to an Extended Care Nursing Home. She never quite reconciled herself to this but had no alternative. For ten years she visited him regularly. He died in 1964 at the age of 83.
Florence was now 73. She sold the cottage and moved into a Duplex at Dogwood Manor in Port Coquitlam. She was still very active, going on trips to visit her children and attending Church Conventions. She knitted and crocheted, besides writing numerous letters. She did her own cooking and housework.
Two of her daughters passed away, Grace in 1969 and Florence in 1971. This was very hard on her. She mourned for them as 'only a mother can".
The time came when Florence could no longer live alone. Her heart problems and health were particularly disquieting.
She went to stay with her eldest daughter and then with her youngest daughter but after years of independence she could not adjust herself to living in someone else's household. She had always been Mistress in her own home.
She eventually moved into Hawthorne Lodge in Port Coquitlam. This was her last move. The Lodge was well staffed, with a nurse on duty and a Doctor on call. It had spacious rooms and halls, a large dining room and kitchens. All laundry was done on the premises. After living there for awhile, it became home to her. Her son Verdun had a phone installed in her room so she could get in touch with any of the family when she wanted to.
When her heart palpitations became so severe and more frequent, her Doctor had a heart pacer inserted which relieved much of her distress and prolonged her life. Although her body was failing her, her mind remained active and clear. Her daughters said she was born with a built in radar set, always on the alert. She seemed to know ahead of time if anything was wrong or if someone was keeping something from her. The radar picked it up immediately and the questions started. She was satisfied when she thought all the information was in the open. Then she would sit back and say, "All right. I knew there was something up". Her daughters fondly laugh about "Mother's Radar", to this day.
As her mind was active, so were her fingers. She knitted afghans for each of her children as well as crocheted bedspreads and tablecloths. She knitted numerous pairs of socks and mitts and sent them to sons and grandchildren.
One year she won first prize at the Pacific National Exhibition for a pair of men's knitted socks. Every grandchild, great grandchild and great great grandchild received a knitted baby outfit at birth, made by her busy fingers. The amount of doilies and other small crocheted articles she made are too numerous to mention.
Florence was painfully self-effacing, was not prideful in herself, but proud and happy if any of her children gained recognition or achievement. She was proud of them all, achievement or no. Her hand was ever in her purse if she thought anyone of her sons or daughters needed financial aid. Her needs were few and she had managed to save a little money. Because of the years of struggle and poverty, she had never been able to do for her children what she would have liked to do, and now, her hands were out-stretched, offering all she had.
In 1978 her mind was as clear as ever, a little forgetful at times. Her step was still quick but she couldn't walk far because of shortness of breath. Later on in the year she began to visibly fail. On November the 8th, 1978,she quietly passed away in the Royal Columbian Hospital in New Westminster. She was 87 years of age.
It was a sad time but her children knew she was weary of the struggle and wanted to go. Who could wish her back?
The following is her obituary, printed in the Columbian newspaper, New Westminster.
FIELD-Florence Lilian, passed away in the Royal Columbian Hospital, Nov. 8,1978, at the age of 87 years. Born in London, England in 1891, came to Canada in 1907. Predeceased by husband, John Casselman at Boundary Falls in 1929, and by late husband, Frederick Field in Port Coquitlam in 1964; and by two daughters, Grace Augustine, 100 Mile House, and Florence Field, Port Coquitlam. Survived by five daughters, Caroline Love, Penticton; Ann Paul, Keremeos; Alice Bjorn, Ta Ta Creek; Helen Albion, Lotus, California; Betty Crawford, New Westminster; 3 sons Verdun Casselman, Fort Steele; Jack Casselman, Alexis Creek; Russell Casselman, 100 Mile House; 28 grandchildren, 65 great grandchildren; 13 great great grandchildren; One sister, Nellie Pimlott, Courtney; One brother, Edward Burkmar, Victoria.
Mrs. Field was a lifetime member of the Women's Institute and was a long time member of the Women's Auxiliary to the Canadian Legion. Funeral services will be held in the Angus A. McLeod Chapel, 2235 Central Ave., Port Coquitlam, Tues., Nov. l4th, at 1:00 pm., with Mr. Earnest Nelson officiating. Interment: Forest Lawn Cemetery, Royal Oak, Burnaby. Donations may be made to the Heart Care Fund, c/o Royal Columbian Hospital, New Westminster.
The end
So ends the saga of the Casselman and Burkmar generations, down to Florence and John Casselman.
The lives and times of their sons and daughters is another story.
AFTERWORD
After reading over the finished manuscript, I am saddened at the tribulations and struggles, the poverty and doing without, our parents had to endure.
I have thought of those times individually, through the years, but never, until writing this story, fully realized the immensity of the troubles they had to go through.
In the end there was little to show for it in material wealth. Their children never expected to inherit worldly goods nor did they resent the lack.
What then, one may ask, did they accomplish after a lifetime of facing diversity?
They accomplished far more than the gold and silver of the world can ever buy. They bequeathed to their children, honesty, responsibility, a pride in work well done, ingenuity and a pride in our heritage, to sum it up, integrity.
We all have our faults. Our parents had theirs. The "Book of Life" tells us to; "Honor our father and mother'. In this manuscript I have tried to do just that.
Our parents endured because they loved us. They wanted us to take our place in the world as honest and upright citizens of society. God rest them both. They richly deserve it.
A.C.P.
