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

Neil, C.

C. Neil, proprietor of the Empire hotel, was born in Quebec and followed lumbering interests in his early days, afterward farming in the province of Quebec, and came to Manitoba in 1899. Mr. Neil acquired big farming interests near Boissevan, having at that point a section of land under cultivation. Before coming to Biggar, Mr. Neil bought and installed bowling alley and pool room fixtures at Prince Albert where he lived for a year, coming here and buying Fisher Bros' interest in the Empire hotel and entering into partnership with Mr. Heather, later buying the latter out. Mr. Neil has made many improvements to the hotel since coming here and The Empire is an up-to-date and well appointed hostelry and is a credit to the town of Biggar.

Nicholson, W.

W. Nicholson, native of Paisley Scotland, came to Biggar eighteen months ago and engaged as blacksmith helper.

Ormrod, J.G.

J.G. Ormrod, proprietor of the Ontario house, was born near Ottawa, Ont., fifty years ago and received his education there. He farmed in the Ottawa Valley many years and also sailed on lake vessels between Sarnia and Duluth for four years. Mr Ormrod was in the agency business for some little time for musical instruments and sewing machines and later came west to Biggar in Aug., 1908 and made entry for homestead and pre-emptions six miles south-west of town. Mr. Ormrod is a member of the council of the Board of Trade and secretary of the school committee and one of the pioneers of Biggar and is active in all public affairs for the town's betterment. Mrs. Ormrod was the first women to honour Biggar with her presence.

Osborne, J.S.

J.S. Osborne, carpenter and builder was born at Woodstock, Ont, and lived there sixteen years, receiving his education there. He afterward went to Hamilton and managed a farm there for two years, thence going west to Gladstone, Man., where he engaged in farming operations. Mr. Osborne returned to Ontario after three years in the west and worked as cabinet maker in a large pipe organ manufactory and afterward three years in the east at general carpenter work, acquiring a thorough knowledge of the trade. He then again came west to Medicine Hat, Alta., working at the trade there for five months, when, hearing of the valuable lands available at Biggar for homestead entry, came here the 22nd of September 1908, filing on a half section of choice land near town and now is prospering here greatly in the contracting and building business.

Pambrun, Fred

Fred Pambrun, of the Biggar Meat Market, was born in Saskatchewan at Lac Le Bische twenty eight years ago. Mr. Pamburn followed the avocation of farming for seven years near Battleford, afterward coming to the sixty Mile Bush near Biggar, and followed ranching (horses and cattle) for the past five years, doing exceedingly well. About two months ago he purchased the butcher business of Louis O'Dette and is doing an excellent trade and is satisfied with his investment.

Peeling, H.

H. Peeling, manger for Alex Desjarlais, in his general store, was born and educated in London, England. He learned the silversmith trade and later was in the retail liquor business at different points in England. Mr. Peeling came to Manitoba seven years ago and after farming there a year went west to Battleford six years since and homesteaded there, coming here last May to take his present position as manager for Alex Desjarlais.

Porteous, Geo. C.

Geo. C. Porteous, house painter and decorator, is from Edinburgh, Scotland. Mr. Porteous, after attending school some years in his native town, apprenticed with James Kitchen, one of Edinburgh's foremost decorators, and served six years with the master, assimilating a thorough knowledge of every detail of the painting trade. Mr. Porteous, after working at his trade in the old world for a couple of years, emigrated to Canada - coming to Eastern Canada (Hamilton, Ont.) afterward coming west to Saskatoon, and arriving in Biggar the 31st of March and established himself as its pioneer houses painter and decorator.

Rea, C.E.B.

C.E.B. Rea the assistant agent at this point, was born in Londonderry, Ireland on April 5th, 1880. He was educated there and later learned the trade of electrical engineer. He came to Edmonton May 24th, 1902 from Ireland and travelled extensively in the north in the capacity of fur buyer for two years and later came to his present situation here July 1st, 1909. Mr. Rea's Irish extraction endows him with a ready wit and good nature which are valuable adjuncts to the successful discharge of his duties.

Redfern, Harvey M.

Harvey M. Redfern, a native of eastern Canada, came here from Collingwood last August and has since been engaged as night store keeper.

Robinson, Ben

Ben Robinson, native of York, England, came to Biggar from Saskatoon last November and engaged as blacksmith.,

Rothwell, Jack

Jack Rothwell, proprietor of the Biggar bakery, was born in Ontario twenty-six years ago, where he was also educated. Mr. Rothwell started to learn the baking business in Toronto and worked there two years and came to Biggar about two months since and established his present prosperous business here.