From Sod Shacks and Wagon Tracks

 

Edward was born to Ephriam and Mary Jane McAllister on August 23, 1901 on the homestead, seventh of nine children, where he grew up helping his father on the farm. He married Phyllis Fear on July 19, 1930 in Edmonton. Phyllis had been teaching at Antler Hill School prior to their marriage. They lived on the homestead, SE 18-36-27-W4, with Ed's parents.

 

Phyllis was born on July 11, 1906 near London, England and emigrated to Canada in 1907, where her parents homesteaded near Rocky Mountain House on Prairie Creek. She received her education in Rocky Mountain House, Red Deer and Edmonton, then graduated from Normal school in Calgary, following which she taught for four years.

 

The great depression started in 1929 and continued until 1939 when World War II broke out. Ed was still farming with horses at that time. During the depression, every possible way of saving and cutting down expenses was used. They ground their own wheat for breakfast cereal and had it ground for flour at the mill in Innisfail. They milked cows and raised pigs and chickens, selling the eggs at this time for five cents a dozen.

 

Their son, Arthur Leslie was born July 3, 1932 and daughter Merrydell Eileen (Dell) was born Jun 28, 1936.

 

Both children took their nine grades at Antler Hill school, after which they attended the Composite High School in Red Deer. Art graduated in 1951 and Dell in 1954.

 

Ed bought their first tractor, a W30 International in 1937, then a second hand threshing machine and finally in 1942, because of the shortage of labour due to the war, he bought a combine, the first in the Antler Hill disctrict. In 1945 they built a fully modern house with indoor plumbing, on the homestead, across the lane from the old farmhouse. On November 11, 1945 Mr. Stevenett Sr. and Jack helped them move into their new home.

 

Ed's mother, Grandma (Mary Jane) McAllister passed away February 21, 1945 and his dad, Grandpa (Ephriam) passed away in September 1948.

 

Their son Art, married Margery Johannson on April 10, 1954 at Markerville. Their daughter Dell, married Sam Bergen on August 31, 1957.

 

Ed sold his herd of purebred Herefords in 1965 and continued to farm with his son Art, until he retired from active farming in the late 1970's.

 

Ed was a life member of the Loyal Orange Lodge. He was an active community man, always willing to lend a hand. He served on the school board and was on the maintenance committee for the Antler Hill Community Centre for a number of years.

 

Phyllis was an active member of the Order of Eastern Star for many years taking the office of Worthy Matron on the Innisfail Capter No. 37, in 1969. She also was a keen golfer and won the Churchill Cup in 1969.

 

Ed and Phyllis were both enthusiastic curlers, both having been on winning rinks at the Red Deer Farmers' Bonspiels. In 1971 they spent their first winter in Arizona, where they spent each winter until January 25, 1984.

 

Ed passed away September 16, 1986. Burial was in the Innisfail Cememtery.