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Esplanade Archives

Zorn, Frank

  • med
  • Person

Frank Joseph Zorn was born in Castleton, North Dakota. He then moved to Winnifred, Alberta in 1909, presumably with his family, where he was raised and educated. On January 30, 1931, Frank married Beulah (nee Popel-Patterson) in Medicine Hat, and continued to farm at Winnifred. At the same time, he operated "Frank's Radio and T.V." in Bow Island from 1955 until 1976. Frank had been a HAM radio operator since 1924, and had received his pilot's license in 1929. At the time of the opening of the Bow Island airport, he was publicly recognized as the oldest active licensed pilot in Southern Alberta. During World War II, Frank was well-known among R.C.A.F. radar personnel. Frank and Beulah had five children, Ernest K., Ethel (Mrs. George Begg), Hazel (Mrs. M. Drader), Grace, (Mrs. C. Drafer), and Janet (Mrs. R. Clarke). Mr. Zorn was a member of the Lion's Club. Beulah passed away July 3, 1969, and Frank passed away in Bow Island on December 21, 1978, at the age of 76.

Zehren, Dorothy H.

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  • Person

Dorothy H. Heald was born in Chislehurst, Kent, England on May 29, 1901 to Alice and Ernest (Ernie) Heald. The family immigrated to Orangeville, Ontario in 1904 and arrived in Medicine Hat in 1907. Mr. Heald, a gardener by trade, became Parks Superintendent and was instrumental in creating Riverside Park. Upon his return from service in the war overseas, Ernie purchased a farm along the South Saskatchewan River. He later served on City Council as Alderman. Dorothy attended Alexandra High School to Grade 10 and then continued at Garbutt's Business College. She worked as a secretary for Black's Hardware and as teller for the Bank of Commerce before she married Paul Edward Zehren of Milwaulkee on December 28, 1926. The couple moved to Youngstown, Alberta and lived there until returning to Medicine Hat in 1931. They had one son, David, who died of polio on the first day of school in 1949. Paul started up his own business, Zehren's Grocery, on Aberdeen Street in 1946. He suffered a stroke and passed away a few years later in 1967. Dorothy became an agent for Manufacturer's Life Insurance and served the company for approximately 10 years. She was very active in church activities being past president of the C.W.L. at St. Patrick's Church. Dorothy Zehren passed away on January 14, 1992 at age 90.

Yuill, Joseph Harlan

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  • Person
  • 1897-1971

Joseph Harlan "Hop" Yuill was the second son of Harry Clinton (H.C) and Elizabeth Marjorie (nee Price) and was born December 28, 1897 in Medicine Hat. He had three siblings: John Woodman, Willard Clinton, and Marjorie Amelia. Joseph attended school in Medicine Hat and then went to St. Andrew's college in Toronto and also studied at the University of Alberta. His family was originally from Scotland, which came to America in 1850 and in 1860 moved to Truro, Nova Scotia. The family then moved west on the CPR in 1884 to Medicine Hat. Harry Yuill died September 23, 1944, his wife Elizabeth passing December 5, 1929.

While his brothers and sister explored their lives and professions outside Medicine Hat, Joseph remained in the city and took part in his families many business ventures. Joseph founded the Alberta Clay Products Company in 1921 and later became president and manager of the Clay Products as well as of Medicine Hat Potteries Ltd., Alberta Potteries Ltd., Alberta Linseed Oil Co. Ltd., Ceramic Sales Ltd. of Montreal, Monarch Investments Ltd., and Caltana Safflower Products Co. Ltd. He was the owner of Burnside Farms and H.H Ranches Ltd. and was a major shareholder in the Medicine Hat News before it was sold to Southam Press. Joseph Yuill was an early owner of the Monarch Theatre and Roxy Theatres and during World War One and Two he served as lieutenant with the Royal Flying Corps and was the chairman of the Medicine Hat and District National War Finance Committee, responsible for selling victory bonds, during World War Two. He was a past president of the Medicine Hat Chamber of Commerce and a member of the Canadian Manufacturers Association. In 1946 Joseph began CHAT Radio, and in 1957 went on air with CHAT-TV through his company Monarch Broadcasting. When CableVision came through Medicine Hat, Joseph became a partner, through an early association with Famous Players. Joseph Yuill later bought out the shares of CableVision in 1969.

Joseph Yuill married Margery Elizabeth (nee Van Buskirk) on January 27, 1932 and had three children: Harry Harlan (June 17, 1934), Willard H. (Bill) (January 22, 1938), and Susan Carol (Gifford) (February 17, 1941). Joseph passed away July 3, 1971 and was predeceased by his wife August 16, 1965.

After the death of Joseph Yuill, his son Willard Yuill was made President of Whycom Holdings, which encompasses all the various business interests of the Yuill family.

Yuill, Harry Clinton

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  • Person

The Yuill family history is well documented as the family played an prominent role in the political, industrial and commercial development of the city of Medicine Hat. Harry Clinton Yuill was born in Truro, Nova Scotia, on July 16, 1863, the son of Joseph M. and Charlotte Amelia (nee Corbet) Yuill. Harry received his education there before apprenticing as a carpenter. In 1885, Harry came west to Medicine Hat where his brother Silas B. Yuill, had previously established a jewelry business. A sister, Elta J. Yuill, also came to Medicine Hat and became a well known school teacher. Harry was contracted, for a brief time, by the CPR to build CPR homes here. Later, he entered the local building trade as a self employed contractor, constructing some of Medicine Hat's most well known landmarks. His efforts as builder, were only to be surpassed by his astute business sense and his accomplishments in helping to establish and locate numerous industrial and commercial developments here. In 1900, Harry built the Medicine Hat Milling Company and served as the company's Vice President with owner and President John McNeeley, until it was sold to the Lake of the Woods Milling Company. He was also instrumental in helping to establish the Alberta Clay Products Limited, where he served as President, the Alberta Linseed Oil Company, where he acted as Director and the Alberta Foundry and Machine Company, of which he became part owner and President. He is also credited in encouraging the building of the Medicine Hat Brewery, the Monarch Theatre Company and the Medicine Hat Potteries. In 1915, Mr. Yuill acquired large tracts of agricultural land, an estimated 10,000 acres leased from the Canada Wheat Lands were cultivated in that same year. As well, Mr. Yuill owned a significant portion of city land. Harry Yuill served on Medicine Hat's first City Council for two terms from 1899-1901. He was a dedicated Mason, a member of the I.O.O.F., and helped to establish the Al Azhar Temple in Calgary. Mr. Yuill was a staunch Liberal, but did not extend his political interests beyond the city. Mr. Yuill was also instrumental in establishing the Elkwater area as a recreational spot, being among the first to develop personal vacation property there. He and his family were members of St. John's Presbyterian Church. Harry Yuill was married to Elizabeth M. Yuill (nee Price), at Everett, Mass., in 1892. Elizabeth was the daughter of John Price, formerly of St. John, New Brunswick. Her family had later relocated to Boston. The Yuill's had four children: John Woodman, Joseph Harlan, Willard Clinton and Marjorie Amelia. John Woodman Yuill was trained as a Chemist and later practiced in Chicago and Los Angeles. Joseph Harlan or "Hop" Yuill stayed in the Medicine Hat area and was employed in many of the families business ventures. He was married to Margery Elizabeth (nee Van Buskirk), on January 27, 1932. The couple had three children: Harry Harlan, Willard and Susan Carol (Mrs. Gifford of Vancouver). "Hop" Yuill passed away on July 3, 1971, at Medicine Hat. He was predeceased by his wife Margery, on August 16, 1965. Sons, Harry and Bill continued to reside in Medicine Hat, actively involved in the established family businesses created by their Grandfather and Father, but the brothers also established new businesses, particularly in the broadcasting and sports fields. Son Harry passed away in July 24, 1990. Bill continues to act as General Manager of Monarch Broadcasting and other broadcasting companies throughout the province. He is also the Company President of Consolidated Sports Holdings Ltd. who holds the franchise of a number of minor league baseball teams and has interests in the World Basketball League and the Western Hockey League.

Young, Mary Scott

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  • Person

Mary Scott Young was born on December 31, 1899, in Scotland. About 1913, she immigrated to Canada with her parents and siblings. Although Mary never married, she and her brother Bill continued to operate the Fairfield Dairy, located near the #3 Highway, following the deaths of her father (1938), and mother (1954). Other siblings include Robert, Margaret, Garthorne, Agnes (Mrs. Callis), Helen (Mrs. Bennett), Lavina (Mrs. Horton), Thomas S. and William John. Mary was also active as a volunteer for the Medicine Hat Retarded Children's school from 1955, and became a full time teacher in 1961, despite not having the benefit of formalized training. Mary retired from teaching in 1966. She passed away April 19, 1971, and is buried at Hillside Cemetery in Medicine Hat.

Young Women's Christian Association

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  • Corporate body
  • 1912-

The Young Women's Christian Association was formed locally, around 1912. The associations' first meeting place was located at 503 1st Street, a small house located directly behind St. John's Presbyterian Church, which was rented for $40.00 per month. Room and board for women was offered for $6.00 per week. In August 1914, the association moved to Dr. Calder's former residence at 569 4th Street, adjacent to present day 6th Avenue. An earlier meeting in 1912, suggested a rental fee of $120.00 per month, but it is not clear what financial agreement was made. Here the association met, offered room and board and physical culture classes, until 1924. In 1924, the YWCA moved again to 409 1st Street, a site directly across from the present day Public Library. In 1951, a brick gymnasium was added to the rear of the original structure. As membership grew and with the formation of the Young Men's Christian Association, the two groups were amalgamated in 1959, to become the YM/YWCA. With the growth of the association and its membership, and the aging of their facility which had been used for close to 50 years, came the desire to establish a new modernized facility. A fund raising campaign initiated in 1970, eventually lead to the construction and official opening of the present building at 150 Ash Avenue S.E., in the spring of 1973. During the war years, the YWCA was instrumental in serving hundreds of girls and women who travelled across the country with the armed forces, and sponsored many social events for war brides. Classes and instruction in handicrafts, home nursing and health talks, and local sponsorship of High School dances were some other community activities undertaken by the "Y". The underlying philosophy of both of the associations is to provide basic educational and recreational activities for its members and the community, in the hopes of instilling leadership skills for young and old alike, through programs and activities based on Christian principles. Medicine Hat's present "Y" continues to do so.

York, Marguerite

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  • Person

Miss Marguerite York began her elementary school teaching career in Medicine Hat ca. 1968, at River Heights School. She later held teaching and administrative postitions at Herald, Riverside and Central Park schools. In ca. 1980, Marguerite married Mr. Albin Edward Pols, also a local educator. Mr. Pols retired from teaching in June 1992; Mrs. Pols continues to teach and administer on the local scene.

Wylie, David James

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  • Person

David James "Joe" Wylie was born in England in 1859, and came to Canada in 1880, with a degree in Civil Engineering. He homesteaded in Manitoba for a year and a half, sold this homestead and moved to Medicine Hat in 1882. D.J. Wylie served with the Rocky Mountain Rangers during the Riel Rebellion and earned a medal and a grant for land. Joe Wylie married Rachel (nee Botterill), of Medicine Hat, on October 17, 1889. She was the first organist at St. Barnabas Church. They had 7 children: David Montague "Monty", Irving Cameron "Chappie", Frank "Babe", twins Barbara Kathleen "Peggy" and Dorothy May "Dot", Elsie "Happy", and Jessie who died in infancy. Joe engaged in farming in the Lethbridge area and then accepted an offer to become Manager of the Sir Lister Kaye Ranch near Maple Creek. He held this position for 7 years before establishing himself as Manager of the Maple Creek (Canada) Cattle Co. in 1897, when the British based company purchased the former Michael Oxarart Ranch located 35 miles south of Maple Creek. In the summer of 1898, Joe went to Montana where he purchased 250 brood mares. Eventually the herd numbered 1,700. Cattle were also purchased and eventually grew to 1,500 head. With the influx of homesteaders to the area, came an end to the open range and ranching as was previously known. Although the Wylie ranch was relatively isolated and the stock was eventually fenced, a good market for horses continued as homesteaders continually needed power for their early farming operations. Later, as farming became more mechanized and tractors became common, horses were harder to dispose of, and nearly 1,000 head were eventually trailed across the border and sold to a packing plant in Montana. From then on, the Wylie ranch relied entirely on cattle. Wylie bought out the interests of the Maple Creek Cattle Company in ca. 1905. The ranch prospered throughout the years, and at the time of Joe Wylie's death in 1932, it was considered one of the most valuable properties in Saskatchewan. The ranch was taken over by Joe's sons Monty and Babe, until Babe's death in 1948. It was then sold to Skelton and Mitchells. Joe Wylie was a member of the Church of England, the Odd Fellows, as well as being a Mason. He entered politics and ran as a Conservative candidate in 1905, just after the formation of the province of Alberta. He was elected to the Legislative Assembly, and held the position through 3 subsequent elections until he was defeated in 1917. David James passed away in September 1932, and Rachel Mary died in November of 1944.

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