Person Page - 117

     
Elmer David "Al or Sonny" Groleau was born in April 1921. He was the son of Pubilius Charles Groleau and Clara Emma "Rose" Longhurst.
Elmer David "Al or Sonny" Groleau died in 1962.

     Baby Alessandro is the daughter of Tony Alessandro and Gloria Jeffries.

     Daniel Hauser is the son of Barnet Hauser and Barbara (?).

     
William John Torrance was born on 8 February 1855, at Ashton, Ontario (from Mar. Reg.). He was the son of Robert Torrance and Margaret Sykes.
William John Torrance married Sophie Johnston, daughter of James S. Johnston and Jane Baillie, on 15 February 1879, at # 001769, Bank St. Pres. Church, NW corner Bank and Slater, , Carleton, . Bank St. Pres. Church, Ottawa, Located N.W. cornerof Bank and Slater.
Reel #1, 9DCH, Dominion Chalmers, records, Ottawa Archives.
Sophia Johnston b: Gloucester, age: 21 b c1858
Father: James Johnston Mother: Jane Baillie
marries
William John Torrance age: 23 b: Ashton
Father: Robert Torrance, Mother: Margaret Sykes
Date: 13 Feb 1879, Carleton, County:
Carleton Archives of Ontario Microfilm: MS932_29.^1,2
From the 1881 Census, at, Russell, ,:
Wm. TORRANCE M Male Scottish 25 O C. Presbyterian Laborer
Sophia TORRANCE M Female Scottish 24 O C. Presbyterian
Mary TORRANCE Female Scottish 1 O C. Presbyterian
TORRANCE Male Scottish --- Born: Mar; O C. Presbyterian

Census Place New Edinburg, Russell, Ontario
NA Film Number C-13229 District 104 Sub-district F Page Number 7.³ William John Torrance witnessed the marriage of Allan John Langstaff and Mary Anne Johnston on 16 December 1886 at Bank St. Presb. Church, , Carleton, ; 1886, #002204 at LDS Church in Ottawa, Oct. 29, 1998.

Name: John Langstaff; Mary Johnston
Age, status,
Occupation: 25, Bach., Blacksmith; 22, Spinster;
Born, from reg.: Augusta, Genville Co. 1860 Gloucester, Ontario; 1864
Living: Ottawa, Ontario Ottawa, Ont.
Parents: John Langstaff, James Johnston
Eliza Ackland Jane Bailey.

Religion: Ch. of Eng. (Episcopalian) Presbyterian

Witnesses: William J. Torrance,
Mrs. Wm. J. Torrance, Ottawa, Ont.

Date, location, etc.: 16 Dec. 1886, Ottawa (probable family problems as married on Thursday and no parents of either listed in church records. Found records under Chalmers United, but Bank St Pres. was the same Church and Rev. Wm. Moore the same person who married William John Torrance and Sophie Johnston.
Licence.¹
William John Torrance was Ran a hotel in Rat Portage in early 1900's, but later moved to Transcona, Man., date of move unknown. in 1893, at, Algome, .⁴
William John Torrance waslisted on the 1901 census for at, Algoma, , on 31 March 1901.
12 24 119 Torrance William M Head M Feb 8 1855 46
12 25 119 Torrance Sophie F Wife M Mar 1 1851 40
12 26 119 Torrance Roberts M Son S Mar 28 1881 20
12 27 119 Torrance Victor M Son S Dec 18 1882 18
12 28 119 Torrance Charly M Son S Jul 8 1893 7
12 29 119 Torrance Jenny F Daughter S Dec 15 1895 5

Rat Portage (Town), ALGOMA, ON
Dist: 44, Subdist: n(2)-7, T-6458.⁴
William John Torrance The North-West Gazateer Directory, Part 2 from 1905 (Vol. XXIV) still has them in Norman, Ontario and running a hotel. Nothing else was indicated in the entry.

The 1901 census (Roll # T-6458) states the family lived in Norman (Rat Portage or Kenora) in a 1 family wood home having 10 rooms with 3 extra outbuildings. His occupation was a sawmill filer and he had earned $600 in the past year (twice as much as his sons who were only sawmill labourers).

The North-West Gazateer Directory, Part 2 from 1905 (Vol. XXIV) still has them in Norman, Ontario and running a hotel. Nothing else was indicated in the entery.

1881 census:
Birth Year <1856>
Birthplace O
Age 25
Occupation Laborer
Marital Status M
Ethnic Origin Scottish
Head of Household Wm. TORRANCE
Religion C. Presbyterian
Census Place New Edinburg, Russell, Ontario
NA Film Number C-13229, District 104, Sub-district F, Page Number 7, Household Number 31
in 1905.
William John Torrance waslisted on the 1901 census for at page 12, District 123, Rainy River, , , in 1911.
Torrance, W. J. head b: February 1856 age 54, works hotel 52 weeks last year, Presb.
Torrance, Sophie wife b: March 1860 agr 50, no job, no other data, Presb.
Torrance, Charlie son b: June 1893 age 17, no job, no other data, Presb.
Torrance, Jemie daug b: Dec1896 age 15, 6 months in school 1910, Pres. looks like 10 months in school 1910
Langstaff, John lodger, b: 1898 age 12, no job, no other data, Presb. John is actually Jack, son of Allan John*
Layun, Anne lodger, b: Gelicen 1893 age 17, no job, no other data, she is Roman Catholic.
Since it is a hotel, 14 other guests from N.B, Quebec, Sweden, Austria and USA.
Son Victor is family above,
son R. J is on previous page.

* can not read the months in school (looks like empty, too black), John is probably working in the hotel as well.⁵
William John Torrance died on 27 March 1922, at #1922-010368, at age 68., , .⁶

     Victor Torrance is the son of William John Torrance and Sophie Johnston.

     Charles Torrance is the son of William John Torrance and Sophie Johnston.

     
Charlotta "Arlotta" Langstaff was born circa 1852, at, Russell, . At from 1861 census.¹ She was the daughter of Andrew Langstaff and Jane Hollywood. Charlotta "Arlotta" Langstaff witnessed the marriage of Isabella Jane "Jennie" Langstaff and William John Deeley on 23 November 1888 at #001111, could have lied about age, , ; Husband: William John Deeley
Age, status: 22, bachelor
Occupation, residence: Locomotive Fireman, Sudbury, ON.
Place of birth: Haygreen, Worcestershire, England
Religious denomination: Church of England
Parents: Edwin and Marie Duley

Wife: Isabella Jane Langstaff
Age, status: 19, spinster
Residence, place of birth: Sudbury, ONt; Sand Point, Carleton Co, Ont;
Parents: Francis and Maria Langstaff
Religious denomination: Church of England

Location: Sudbury, Ont.
Date: 23 Nov. 1888
Witnesses: John (?), North Bay, ON
Charlotta F. Langstaff, Sudbury.
Service performed by: Rev. Gowan Gillman
Banns or licence: Licence.²

     
Francis "Frank" Langstaff was born in May 1840, at, Rusell, . At 1861 census would be 1850, she has no source; Would fit with age when married.
Eileen Williams has c1840.¹ He was the son of Andrew Langstaff and Jane Hollywood.
Francis "Frank" Langstaff married Maria Carmichael, daughter of Robert Carmichael and Jane "LeBoa" Lebow, on 26 July 1871, at No number but have copy see Documents folder., , Renfrew, . Francis Langstaff,
age 23, born and residing in Gloucester, bachelor, lumberer,
son of Andrew Langstaff and Jane Hallowell now Jane Langstaff
married
Maria Carmichael,
age 18, born and residing in Horton, Ontario, spinster;
daughter of Robert Carmichael and Jane LeBoa

Marriage took place: Town of Renfrew, Ontario
Date: 26 July, 1871.
Witnesses were: John Wilson Fox of Horton
Annie Gorby of Renfrew
Officiating was Rev. Wm. Raney.^2,3
Francis "Frank" Langstaff died before 1881, at does not appear 1881 census, , .

     Eric Ronald Gibson is the son of Ronald Walker Ron" Gibson and Mary May Stocks.

     Amanda Sluman is the daughter of Gilbert Sluman and Philenia Lucinda Sherman.

     Sarah "Emrie" Imrie is the daughter of John Emrie and Marion (?).

     
Catherine Jane Watson married Silas Hauser, son of Daniel Hauser and Maria "Mary" Longhurst.
Catherine Jane Watson was born in 1877.
Catherine Jane Watson died on 5 November 1945, at In her 68th year..

     
Michael Juchatz was born on 21 January 1808, at Radczicz, , Posen, Prussia. At #7, bap. 7 February; Father George is an Einwöhner and mother is Rosina geb Krienke.
GP: Stephan Krienke Baüer, Michael Tabbat Baüersohn, jgfer Maria Tabbat Baüertochter all from Radczicz.¹ He was the son of George Juchatz and Rosina Krienke.

     
Ida Knießsler was born circa 1874, at Coloma, Washara, WI. At From 1880 census.¹ She was the daughter of Georg Nicolaus Christian Knießsler and Auguste Elisabeth Karnath.

     Diana Barbara Eichmann is the daughter of William George Eichmann and Janaan Dorothea Hoefflin.

     
Norman Earhardt Krienke was born on 7 February 1910, at Southey, Sask.. He was the son of Carl Ferdinand Krienke and Karolina "Murzufka" Martin.
Norman Earhardt Krienke married Gladys Brenna on 19 November 1930, at San Diego, Calf., USA.
Norman Earhardt Krienke married Rose Sulutisky after 1947, Divorced.¹ Norman Earhardt Krienke was Fact 1 on 7 July 1989 at, ; MY LIFE by Norman Krienke

     I was the fifth child of Caroline and Carl Krienke. I was born February 7, 1910, at Southey, Saskatchewan. It was 40 below when Bill Anderson drove 15 miles with horses for a doctor.

     I had two brothers and two sisters who passed away before I was born. Otto died at Davenport, Washington, while Dad and Mother were visiting my Grandpa Krienke. Otto is buried at Bethlehem Church near Southey.

     (My Grandmother Krienke is also buried at Davenport. My brother, Arthur, and my Dad are buried at Bethlehem Church. Grandfather Krienke and Grandfather Martin are buried side by side at Southey Lutheran Cemetery. My mother and Grandmother Martin are buried at Green lawn Cemetery in San Diego. My beloved wife is buried at memorial Gardens in Regina.)

     One brother and three sisters - Agnes, Arthur, Laura, and Winnie - were born after me.

     My earliest memory is of 1916 when I dropped lighted wooden matches from an upstairs window and started a grass fire. I hid under the steam engine until I was promised there would be no spanking. I also remember eating corn flakes with farm cream. They don't taste as good now. My love for cars started when I was six years old. I drove my mother five miles to town until the Mounted Police stopped me and told Mother I was too young to drive. I continued taking lunch out to the fields and drove around the farm. I still remember the train ride from Southey to San Diego and the nice railroad station and good weather in San Diego. I also remember moving into a new home at 3058 Juniper Street in San Diego.

     In 1917 I started school. Most of the time, I walked ten blocks. On January 20, 1918, my sister, Win, was born.

     There were two disasters in 1918: I remember putting out the fire on Arthur's clothes with a garden hose while Dad and Mother were shopping. Arthur was in hospital for two years with third degree burns. I also remember Mother coming home from the hospital when she had the flu. She had a relapse and died a short time later. Going to the cemetery seems like yesterday. It was a sad day for us all.

     In 1919, Grandma Martin came to stay with us. (She stayed with us till we moved to Southey in 1931 when she returned to her daughter, Mary, and son-in-law, Albert.) We helped with some of the work. I learned to cook and became very good at washing dishes.

     In 1922 Dad took me to Southey since Uncle Eddy didn't want to farm and Dad took over. I walked three and a half miles to school. During vacation, I ploughed with four horses. After threshing, five families took all their belongings and some cattle to Durango, Mexico, to buy cheap land and get away from the cold. Dad and Uncle Otto acted as guides. After looking at the land, they decided it wasn't for them and returned to Canada. The Mexicans put on a number of parties. It was fun. Dad went to Mexico City. I went back to San Diego with one of Dad's friends.

     In 1923, I went to Canada with Dad on the train. More chores and school. I stayed with Uncle Otto in Southey for the summer. He had four boys and one more didn't matter. I learned to smoke. I returned to San Diego for the winter.

     In the spring of 1924, I came back to the farm. I drove the Model T and in the summer I broke my wrist while cranking it. In the fall, I returned to San Diego.

     I stayed in San Diego in 1925 and went to school. I decided that smoking wasn't too much fun and haven't smoked since. Dad gave me a '24 Oakland. (Since then, I have owned 30 different cars, 14 trucks, and three V.W. vans.) I leaned more about cooking and helping with the housework.

     In 1926, I got my first driving licence. I've kept it all these years. In July, I drove to Canada with Uncle Albert, his son-in-law, and cousins, Bill and Ernie, to help on their farm. 1800 miles was a long trip in those days.

     When I was sixteen years old, I overhauled my first car. From then on, I was putting extras on my cars like a four-note horn, exhaust whistle, and coloured lights. I was always happy working on a car or tractor.

     Now, the highlights of my life so far: While visiting Uncle Otto at Southey, I met the most beautiful girl in the world and fell in love at first sight. It was the beginning of a beautiful friendship and love that lasted for 45 years. Uncle Otto brought her from Naicam for the week-end. Her name was Gladys Brenna.

     I returned to San Diego for the winter and more school.

     In 1927, Dad bought a half section of land 15 miles west of Naicam. We drove back to Canada by car in the spring. Dad bought a 17-30 horsepower tractor from the Minneapolis Company. (He worked for Minneapolis as a salesman.) He also bought a 24-inch brush breaker. We stayed at neighbours while building two granaries to live in. Later, we built a small house. Dad hired two men to clear brush. I ran the tractor and broke land. I also had to cook since Dad was gone from Monday to Friday night. I learned more about cooking. I visited Gladys some week-ends. She and her mother would bring out some cooking and baking once in a while. I was glad when they came. I also bought a team of white horses which I drove to Southey late in the fall. It took four days to drive the 120 miles. I returned to San Diego for more school. Also more letter writing.

     I took the boat from San Diego to Victoria, British Columbia, in 1928. Then I took the train to Southey and the team of horses to the farm. It was a cold trip, especially since I had no warm clothing. I returned to Regina and bought a one-ton truck so that I would have transportation. Dad came up later. We seeded the land which had been broken the year before and had a good crop. Dad also hired two men to continue breaking land. I visited Naicam often. In the fall, I left the horses with neighbours and returned to San Diego. I got a job driving a lady's big Cadillac. One time, when I took the car for fuel, Cousin Bill and I took it on the highway. I drove 80 miles per hour, the fastest I had ever driven.

     In 1929, Dad and I drove to the farm. He started work as a salesman. I seeded all the land. We hired two men to break land. I would play ball on Sundays or visit Gladys. I learned to dance. After harvest, I stayed with Uncle Otto in Regina while Cousin Clifford returned with Dad to San Diego. I worked for General Motors in an assembly plant until it was time to go farming.

     1930 saw more farming and breaking land. I played ball on Sundays. Gladys and I were engaged. After harvest, we sold the farm and truck. Dad, I, Gladys, and Miss Munroe (who was visiting Southey) returned to San Diego. A highlight of my life was getting married on November 19, 1930. Gladys and I were married at the Fox Theatre with 1500 people in the audience.

     In January 1931, Gladys had a breast removed. It was a real shock, but thank goodness there was no cancer. In June 1931, Dad sold our house in San Diego and we lived for a time in a two-room house on Uncle Albert's ranch. We traded our Model T coupe for a 1927 Model T coupe with ruxtill axel which was good for travelling over the mountain roads. Another highlight of my life was the birth of our first child, Carol, on July 26. Six weeks later, we put all our belongings in a two-wheeled trailer and set off for Southey, 1800 miles away. We had some car trouble and were glad when the trip was over. We stayed at the farm for a few days and then moved to town for the winter. We played a lot of cards and pool as we had no chores to do. It was a very mild winter.

     In 1932, we moved to the farm. Since there was very little crop to harvest, we moved the tractor and thresher to Naicam. We threshed for 30 days and made a little money to buy groceries. During the winter, I hauled wood with horses from the south side of the valley. Two or three nieghbours would go together since it was too much for two horses to get up the north side of the valley hill. We started at 4:00 a.m. and if the roads were good could be back by 9:00 p.m.

     It took us seven hours to drive the tractor to Naicam. Since the wild oats were eight inches high, we decided to work all the land with the one-way. Dad burnt all the wild oat patches, and I worked the land. It didn't look as if it had been worked after I finished. We were able to catch a ride home, and two weeks later I returned and did it again.

     Alex and Laura were farming with Dad. Alex liked the night shift as we worked night and day doing custom work and working the land at Naicam.

     I also bought an old car so that I had transportation. In October, Dad, Alex, Laura, Calvin, and our family, took a trip to Whitewood to visit Brother Arthur who was in hospital. It was the last we saw him alive. He passed away a short time later. Since the crop was so poor, we sold the farm. We moved to Spalding for the winter and decided that farming at Naicam would be better.

     After we had seeded Dad's land in the spring of 1941, we loaded the drill on a trailer (with another trailer behind it) and moved to the Naicam farm. We finished the seeding there and also seeded a half section of rented land at Spalding. After the seeding and some summerfallowing, we returned the tractor and drill to Southey. Cousin Clifford got me a job at Tisdal since there was no farm work until harvest time. After the harvest at the Southey farm, I drove the tractor to Quill Lake where I rented a combine from Cousin Herb. I took the combine to the Naicam farm and Herb's son helped take off the crop. After all the wild oats in '38 and '39, we had only 2% dockage in 1941. (This was due to effective summerfallowing in 1940.) After the harvest, we moved to Naicam where I worked in a garage until December. Then I worked at a saw mill at Hudson Bay Junction where I drove snowmobile and fired a steam engine until spring.

     In the spring of 1942, we returned to Naicam and rented a house. I drove to the farm and stayed there alone till seeding was finished. Then I went back to Naicam where I worked as a mechanic until harvest since there was no farm work to do. Dad and I bought an eight-foot combine. After harvesting at Southey, I moved it to Naicam and took off a good crop. We moved to Prince Albert after the harvest, and I found work. We bought our first new furniture--chesterfield and cook stove--and a new sewing machine for Gladys. I traded our car for a better one.

     We moved back to the farm at Southey in the spring of 1943, and there was an excellent crop. I cut the crop with the binder expecting the neighbours to thresh it. (However, due to the shortage of men during the war, we were unable to thresh until the next spring.) I spent the winter in a saw-mill near Hudson Bay, firing a steam engine. Gladys and the kids stayed in Naicam.

     In the spring of 1944, we were able to thresh the last year's crop. By then, the mice had eaten most of the crop It was very disappointing so I quit farming. I returned to Naicam and worked as a mechanic--something which I liked to do. In the summer, I was offered a garage in Pleasantdale rent-free. We rented a house in Pleasantdale and moved in. Business was good and I made twice as much as I would working for someone else. Carol and Lorraine got their first bicycles. We were a very happy family. Alex and Laura left the Southey farm and Dad wanted me to return, but I had had enough of farming and was doing very well where I was. So Dad hired a married couple to do the farming.

     1945 was a very good year in Pleasantdale. I sold a tractor or two and several cars and made a little extra money. We were very happy.

     Early in the spring of 1946, Dad came to see us, wanting us to farm. I was happy doing the things I liked to do, but we talked it over and decided to give it one more try. Another highlight in my life occurred on September 24, 1946, when our son, Brian, was born. We were very pleased to have a normal, healthy boy. 1946 was also noted for a lot of snow. We kept our car at Freeman Coult's as he lived on the highway. We drove with horses to his place and went on from there with the car.

     We felt good about farming in the years 1946 to 1950 because the crops were good. In fact, the crop of 1950 was the best crop at Southey for 20 years. We had hail in 1947 and 1949, but hail insurance gave us a good income.

     Late in the fall of 1950, I decided to go into business and bought the Massey-Harris dealership at Wishart, Saskatchewan. We moved there for Christmas. We hired a married couple to do the farming at Southey.

     In the years 1951 to 1954, I sold machinery, did repair work, and sold cars. We bought our first hi-fi record player.

     In the early spring of 1955, Massey-Harris closed all their small-town dealers, and we moved back to the farm at Southey. We celebrated our twenty-fifth wedding anniversary that fall.

     We had a good crop in 1956. We sold part of the cattle and the neighbours took the milk cows, and Brian, Gladys, and I moved to Port Alberni, British Columbia, for the winter. I worked as a mechanic.

     We went back to the farm in spring 1957. After seeding, we broke 40 acres of pasture and seeded it. It produced a fair crop and brought in more money than cattle would bring in. After the harvest, we sold the balance of the cattle and moved to Regina for the winter. More mechanic work.

     After seeding in 1958, we broke the rest of the pasture. During the harvest, Dad passed away and was buried at Bethlehem Church with his children. We took in a good crop and moved to Vancouver for the winter.

     1959 brought a fair crop. Hail insurance helped to give us extra money. We decided to stay on the farm for the winter, and I commuted to a job in Regina.

     After harvesting a good crop in 1960, Gladys and I took a trip to Ontario, Michigan, Minnesota, Niagara Falls, and Buffalo, New York, to visit our relatives. Some I hadn't seen for 30 years. We had a good visit. We celebrated our thirtieth wedding anniversary and stayed home for the winter.

     We had a poor crop in 1961. I was offered a job in Regina but had to refuse as I had hurt my finger. It was in a cast so I couldn't work.

     During the years 1962 to 1964, crops were fair to good. We spent the winters in Edmonton, where Brian was going to school, or in Calgary, where Rosemarie lived.

     In the spring of 1965, I sold the farm and we moved to a suite in Southey. In the fall, we moved to an apartment in Regina. I found a good job with the Regina School Board, repairing audio-visual equipment. We bought a house in 1968.

     At Christmas, 1969, we took a trip to San Diego. On the way, we stopped at Bryce Canyon and Grand Canyon. We were gone five weeks. On the way home, Gladys told me she might have cancer of the breast. Very shortly, she had her breast removed since there was cancer. She had many radiation treatments and her condition seemed to improve.

     In the spring of 1971, Winnie's husband, Ken, passed away. Early in the fall, Gladys had her six-month check up. She told me she had bad news--for me, not for her. The cancer had returned. She flew to Ottawa for a few days. The last week in October, we drove to Elrose to see Jude, Brian and Louise's first-born. In November, Gladys went to hospital. She returned home for the last time for Jude's baptism. On November 19, we spent our forty-first wedding anniversary in the hospital. On December 18, she passed away--a very sad day for all of us. She never once complained of pain or being sick.

     In 1972, Lorraine drove me to Minot, and I took a plane to San Diego. I visited with Uncle Albert, Aunt Mary, and Cousin Edith. Then I went to Santa Barbara to visit Uncle Walter. Then I flew to Alaska, back to Denver, over to Florida, up to New York and over to Ottawa. I stayed with Carol for several days. Carol took Blaine and me to New York. Then I returned to Minot where Lorraine picked me up.



     days later, he hired me back at $25 more a month and only nine hours a day instead of 10 - 12. I have always been able to find a job when I needed one.

     During my lifetime, I have seen tremendous changes--things like horses being replaced with large tractors, radio and television coming into our homes, travel at high speed in jet aircraft becoming commonplace, and steady improvement in automobiles.

     With a loving wife to help me, I was able to get through the bad times. When times got better, we enjoyed helping our family. I am happy to be in Ottawa with all my children and many of my grandchildren and great-grandchildren to celebrate my eightieth birthday. I thank everyone who helped in the planning and everyone for coming here. It is so nice to be together.

With love,


Norman E. Krienke
July 7, 1989.²
Norman Earhardt Krienke died on 12 October 1999, at, . Buried in the Luthern Cemetary, Regina, SK.³

     
Elias Edge was born circa 1836, at, Lanark, .¹ He was the son of John Robson Edge and Ann Blake.