Oak River sledge ride to school A little snow in Manitoba

Posted earlier on Ancestry message board for Manitoba, and now updated with scans of photos:

An old family photo album came out for the first time (for me anyway) this Christmas, with a few snaps from our Neal relatives who had emigrated to Manitoba.

One photo was labelled ‘School-van Oak River’ – a sledge cart with high sides pulled by 2 horses, with Oak River (and some less legible writing) written on the side. On the same page of the album, the construction of a building which looks remarkably like Oak River United Church as shown on Oak River village webpage (but the link gone and we are told that it was built somewhat later, so no it isn’t the same).

One or two photos of snow puts our recent flurry in perspective – roads tunnelled through depths about the height of an adult.

I have only got a 1916 census for the family for there – the 1906 census, while still in the general area, seems to be a different place. Would be grateful for any suggestions of any sources of more info – for family data or Oak River history.

Bob Neal first went to Canada 1892, returning to England for marriage to Mary Earl in 1897. Offspring William, Harry, Stanley, Nellie, plus 3 boys who died very young in Norwich 1902/5: Earl, Frank, Archibald.

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Posted

28 Dec 2010

Canada, Census, family history, Living Conditions, Manitoba, Neal, Photos

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12 responses to “Oak River sledge ride to school A little snow in Manitoba”

ahcutlock

31 Dec 2010

I have since discovered a local history book held on the Our Roots archive site. Page 245 of ‘Proudly we speak : a history of the Rural Municipality of Woodworth’ mentions school sleighs with “canvas sides containing little wood heaters”.

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Keith Maitland

25 Jan 2011

The Bob Neal family lived on boundary between the Rural Municipalities (RM) of Daly and Blanshard. You may find more info in the Bradwardine and District History book (pub 2003). Our farm was next to that of Bob and Mary Neal and I was often at their home as a boy (1930’s). I knew all the others Bill, Harry, Stan, and Nellie. Descendants of Stan and Nellie still live in the district – family names of Neal and Gerrard. Contact me if interested in the book, may still be a few for sale.

Reply
1. ahcutlock
  
  25 Jan 2011
  
  Wonderful to hear from you, Keith. I’ll try to contact you by email, but yes certainly interested in the book.
  
  Reply
Keith Maitland

25 Jan 2011

Those were called school vans, drawn by two horses. A wooden box mounted on a sleigh.was covered by a heavy canvas top that let in light after sunrise. There were benches along two sides and a small wood burning stove about centre on one side. Wood was stored under the benches. Driver sat at front with reins to horses and was protected from cold by a door with a glass panel in order to see where he was going. I rode in one for several winters – very warm when stove was fired up.

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J.M. Bridgeman

1 Nov 2011

I found your Neal family pictures while searching for Bradwardine, Manitoba. I knew the Neal family; we had to drive past their houses (Granny Neal & Stan Neal) to get to my grandfather’s farm, Harry Bridgeman. The building you think could be the Oak River Church, I think not. The church as pictured was built in 1965. I know because our high school class was the second to hold graduation ceremonies in the new church. The photo of the snow and the railroad bridge would be the main line of the Canadian National Railroad, between Norman and Oakner stations. The line either bordered or ran through the Neal farm.

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ahcutlock

1 Nov 2011

Thanks very much for your comments, JM. It all helps to give a better picture of the place and times.

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Kate McMaster

8 Jan 2012

My mother, Elizabeth (Nellie’s oldest child, but as she was illegitimate, was raised by Nellie’s parents. I found this out by accident at the age of 10). Anyway…my mother told me a story about an accident she and Stan’s son, Jim were involved in while riding the horse drawn school van. Apparently, the horses got spooked by a train and ran, out of control across the tracks. The horses were killed and my mother grabbed hold of Jim and jumped from the van before it too was destroyed by the train.

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Glen

22 Dec 2014

Hi
I grew up with the neil family in Oak River Manitoba
Lived on next door farm.

Reply
1. Cutlock And Co
  
  22 Dec 2014
  
  Hi Glen, thanks for the message. I’ll drop you a note direct to your email address (I haven’t shown the address here due to possible spamming).
  
  Reply
Karen

13 Mar 2018

I am trying to trace my great great grandparents – Harry Lawrence Bowyer who married Emma Eyer in Oak River in 1888. Do you possibly have any information from this time?
They ended up in Hamiota where my great grandfather Kenneth was born. Other than Elaine, my grandmother, I can’t find any further record of other children Kenneth had. My grandmother died in Australia before I was born and no one ever spoke of her, but I would love to get to know this side of the family, so would appreciate any knowledge you might have to get me through my current walls.

Reply
1. Cutlock & Co
  
  13 Mar 2018
  
  Hi Karen
  Interestingly, the short history given on this website http://www.rmofblanshard.ca/community/history/ says that the current location of Oak River wasn’t established until 1889. Nothing of more use to your hunt on that site as far as I could see, and I’m afraid I don’t have any other info. Perhaps a Cutlock & Co visitor may be be able to help.
  
  Reply
  1. Karen
    
    13 Mar 2018
    
    I did see that. I found a record of their marriage on the Manitoba’s vital stats site and interestingly, there were two entries for same date (6 June 1888). One location was Oak River and one location was Arrowtown so not sure what that means.
    
    I have since found that Kenneth had two other children – Bruce Corbet Bowyer and Harry Bowyer, who are both deceased. Harry actually ended up in Australia too so now trying to work out how to trace this line. :)
    
    Reply