Chapter 8 Industries

AGRICULTURE

Big Robert Ellis came to O’Leary in 1876. Here he was postmaster and magistrate for a number of years. Later he purchased a large tract of land, cleared it and started farming. To his four sons, he gave 100 acres each. He was married twice, first to Harriet Raynor. They had a family of five children. His second wife was Annie Waite. Six chil- dren were born from this union.

Garfield Ellis started farming in 1950 when his father, Bob, retired on February 23. Gar had 110 acres, a mixed farming opera- tion, grain, hay, milk cows, feeder cattle and pigs. On Dec. 9, 1964 he bought the Harry Ellis place containing another 110 acres. On Nov. 23, 1977 he stopped farming.

Harry Ellis Bob and Edna Ellis

Harry Ellis was an outstanding farmer in O’Leary. He had 110 acres on the south side of the O’Leary Road. Here he continued labouring on the land until 1946 when he sold his operation to

1 Clinton MacLeod who farmed for two years and then sold to Cyril Easter who tilled the soil until 1964 when he sold it to Garfield Ellis.

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