Biggar World Volume 1, No. 1, August 19th, 1909

Baiden, A.E.

A.E. Baiden, of the firm of Baiden and McGillvray, contractors and builders, was born in Southampton, England, thirty-five years ago and received his education there. He learned his trade early in life and later followed the calling of sailor for several years. Mr. Baiden worked at different points in the Old Country at his trade and afterward on the Panama Canal and at Kingston, Jamaica, later returning to England and then coming to Canada eight years ago and came to Biggar three months since and formed his present business association. Mr. Baiden is an experienced and capable man and the firm are doing their share of contracting here.

Ballantyne, Alex

Alex Ballantyne, born in Sask. near Battleford, has been here since July engaged as general helper.

Baron, A.L.E.

Proprietor of the Biggar Hotel, is a native of France and was born in the town of St. Laurent, department of Vendee, coming to Montreal, Canada, with his parents when nine years of age. Mr. Baron received an education at the Montreal public schools and later at McGill college. On leaving McGill he went into the general store business in Megantic, Que., and continued in this business for ten years. He later came west to Calgary, prospecting a business location and rumour of the fame of Biggar reaching him he came here last spring and built and furnished the Biggar Hotel. The hotel is well appointed in every particular and is a most comfortable inn - it is a three story building and Mr. Baron proposes to build an addition to his already roomy building for the accommodation of the rapidly increasing business.

Bartley, G.H.

G.H. Bartley, day operator, was born in McLeod, Alberta, twenty years ago and educated there. He commenced to learn operating in 1904 and worked first at McLeod for the C.P.R. and later at Calgary and Cranbrook. He then went across the line and entered the employ of Great Northern at Everett, State of Washington. Mr. Bartley entered on his duties with the G.T.P. at Melville, July 1st, 1908, and in Nov., 1908 came here to his present position. Mr. Bartley is a first-class operator and generally obliging good fellow.

Bates, Wallace E.

Wallace E. Bates is a native of USA and came to this country about three years ago. Up till only a short time ago he was employed with Cunningham and Langstaff. On leaving this position took a position was wipe in the GTP round house.

Bernier, J.

J. Bernier, machinist's helper, came to Biggar May 1909; besides being a first class man as a workman ...?...the best of any ball pitcher in the west and is an all round ball player and good fellow.

Bethel, S.

S. Bethel, of the firm of Bethel, Traviss & Black is a valued member of the business staff of the Rat Portage Lumber Co., Winnipeg, and is at present resident in that city, but is expected here at an early date to take an active part in the Bethel, Traviss & Black stores' business.

Black, E.

R. Black, manager of the drug and general store, of Bethel, Traviss & Black, is a native of Ireland. Mr. Black studied pharmacy at the celebrated Dublin Pharmaceutical College and received his diploma therefrom, passing the qualifying examinations with high honors. On coming to Canada, Winnipeg, six years ago he connected himself with the Thornton Andrew Drug Co., and after three years with them associated himself with Messrs. Bethel and Traviss with a view to the establishment of a business venture in the west, and as a representative of the new firm of Bethel, Traviss & Black, came to Biggar with Mr. Bethel (having heard of it rosy possibilities,) in search of business opening, and they on looking over the field here, and after matured consideration, were led to buy lots and build their present stores, Mr Bethel returning to Winnipeg and Mr. Black superintended the building operations, and he, immediately on completion of buildings, putting in complete stocks of drugs and general store lines. Mr. Black is also postmaster of Biggar (the post office being located in the drug store) and is one of this flourishing town's most progressive business men.

Bone, Wm.

Wm. Bone, car repairer, from Scotland some years since - started work here six weeks ago.

Bredl, George A.

George A. Bredl, the clerk at the Biggar hotel, was born in London, England, twenty-seven years ago. He received a public school education in London and afterward finished his education in Germany. After finishing studies he clerked with the Colonial Brokers, London, for ten years and also had experience of one year and a half on the London Stock Exchange. Mr. Bredl came out to Canada in 1907 and engaged in farming at Thornbury, Ont., for a short time, afterward coming west to Crystal city, Manitoba, and later to Winnipeg and thence to Battleford where he filed on a homestead and pre-emption four miles north of Senlac. Mr. Bredl visited all the towns on the G.T.P. and came to the conclusion that this was the town on this railroad. Mr. Bredl started his duties at the Biggar hotel on the 2nd of August, 1909.

Briggs, J.

J. Briggs has been in this country seven years employed in Fort William on G.T.P. as lineman, from there to here last month and is at present employed as lineman between Allan and Landis.