Desjarlais, Alex

Alex Desjarlais was born near Regina thirty years ago, afterward living at Swift Current in pioneer days, freighting with the now almost forgotten Red River carts between Swift Current and Battleford. Mr. Desjarlais later moved to Battleford and engaged in farming, and selling out there began ranching operations in the Sixty Mile Bush country a few miles from the site of Biggar. He also placed in stock at his ranch a general line of necessities for farmers and conducted a general store. Mr. Desjarlais bought lots and built in Biggar in May (c1909) of this year and at once bought and placed in stock his general line of groceries, dry goods, etc. and has no reason since to regret this fortunate venture.

Drummond, R.M.

R.M. Drummond, carpenter and builder, is a native of Ontario, being born at Ashton, Carleton, Co, where he received his education and later followed farming for some years. Mr. Drummond learned his trade early in life and is a thorough workman, and worked in Ottawa and other points east for years and came west last September and after working near Saskatoon for some time heard of Biggar and wisely came here and made entry for a homestead and pre-emption during May and has since enjoyed a good patronage in his business as builder.

Elmgren, A.N.

A.N. Elmgren, native of Minn., has been here a week as helper.

Erickson, Ed. H.

Ed. H. Erickson, hardware merchant, was born in Norway forty-four years ago and came to America, Madison, Wis., at the age of nine years. After receiving a public school education Mr. Erickson moved to Deul County, North Dakota, and homesteaded. Later he returned to Wisconsin (Eau Claire) and clerked in the Mill Supply dept. of a hardware store and afterward was in retail hardware business for five year. At La Crosse Wis., and at Winona, Man. Mr. Erickson had charge of sporting goods department in large wholesale concerns and has a thorough knowledge of the hardware business in its different branches. In his capacity as manager of departments in the last named places Mr. Erickson was much on the road calling on the retail trade in the interests of his houses. Later he was engaged for four years in a retail hardware store leaving this situation to seek for a location for a business venture of his own. Mr. Erickson came to Biggar last April and being pleased with prospects for business here he at once bought lots and built his fine store building and installed a good stock and commenced business the middle of May. Mr. Erickson is doing a thriving and ever increasing trade here and has unbounded faith in Biggar, first, last and always.

Findlay, Alex

Alex Findlay, assist machinist, is a native of Edinburgh, Scotland, and been in Biggar two and a half months.

Fisher, J.

J. Fisher, a partner in the above firm (Fisher Bros., bowling alley and pool room), was born at Ayton, Gray County, Ont., March 27th, 1881, and was educated in the east. Mr. Fisher followed farming till twenty years of age. He came to Brandon in 1898 and did carpenter work at different points in western Canada and became proficient in this trade. He holidayed in the east for two years and then the lure of the west brought him to Saskatchewan last spring when he entered into partnership with his brother, E.W. Fisher, in their present business.

Fisher, E.W.

E.W. Fisher, of Fisher Bros., bowling alley and pool room, was born July 3rd, 1897 and lived the earlier portion of his life at Hanover, Gray county, ONT., where he was educated. Mr. Fisher later was connected with lumber milling interests in the east and also acquired a thorough knowledge of carpentering and worked as carpenter and builder in eastern Canada. He came west to Brandon in 1898, working in that vicinity as a bridge builder, and later went to British Columbia and engaged in saw mill work. Mr. Fisher's first venture into business for himself was at Lanigan, Sask., in the pool and bowling alley business, and he later came to Biggar, and in conjunction with his brother, J. Fisher, bought lots here and built a building and installed their very complete bowling alley and pool room outfit.

Fitzgerald, H.

H. Fitzgerald, manager for D. McPhee in the Biggar Trading Company, is from Ireland near the Lakes of Killarney, and came to Canada at the age of eleven years, being educated in Orangeville, Dufferin county, Ont. He went to the States at the age of sixteen years and apprenticed himself to cooking aboard the U.S. battleship Olympia for four years, afterward learning the baking trade at a cost of $500. Mr. Fitzgerald held the position of chef of James J. Hill's private car for four years and afterward came to Canada and cooked for the R.N.W.M.P. in the Yukon. Mr. Fitzgerald afterward went into the restaurant business for himself at Crookston, Minn., and later at North Battleford. He has had a varied and valuable business experience and has gained much useful knowledge of humanity in his wide travels. Mr. Fitzgerald came to Biggar a few months since to take the management of The Biggar Trading Co.'s general store for D. McPhee.

Frease, E.S.

E.S. Frease is the genial and obliging station master (G.T.P) at Biggar. Mr. Frease was born in Ohio, U.S.A. and after finishing his education railroaded on the Wabash, and afterward on different lines in the States. He came to Canada within the last year and was appointed agent here last February. He is a highly capable man in his position and is a most obliging good fellow and is popular with hosts of friends. Mr. Frease is a veritable book worm and is up to the minute in discussing best books and authors and has an inexhaustible fund of anecdotes and as a raconteur is most entertaining.

Fulton, S.

S. Fulton, native of Manitoba, has been in Biggar three months engaged as wiper.