...back toHOMESTEADING IN CANADA
forward to next page... 3) Harold and Julie Wilson on the Homestead before and after WW1
4) The Belchers and the Wilsons in the 20's and Thirties
5) Harold Wilson on the Ranch near Shaunavon, Sask., in the 20s and30's
6) Harold Belchers at Bield, Manitoba during World War Two
7) Harold Wilsons return to the Saskatchewan Ranch during World War 2
8) Tom Belcher Pioneers on the Veterans Land Project, Birch River , Manitoba, from 1949-54
9) Tom with Irene continue on the Project 1954-64
10) John and Wilma Belcher meet the Challenges on their Bield farm
11) Nell and George Rusk pioneer on Veterans Land Project, Birch River, MB. after WW2
12) Bill and Winifred Belcher farm at Bield, , Manitoba from 1946 to 56
13) Rose Marie and Cor Dykstra establish a Dairy at Balmoral, MB, in the Fifties
14) Tom and Irene farm Grasslands at Glenella, Manitoba
15) Memories of Farm Life in Poetry and Picture
16) Wilson Family Tree
17) Hannah History Album
18) Belcher Family Tree
SASKATCHEWAN HOMESTEADING continues...
The Five Wilson Brothers
Harold Wilson was introduced to Canadian farming, working near Pense, Saskatchewan, in 1907.
The threshing outfit at Pense, Saskatchewan in 1908 when Harold was part of the crew.
(Most of the following information is derived from the Hazlet History book.)
William and Thomas Wilson arrived in Canada in the spring of 1906. They worked for Mr.W Thompson at Pense, Saskatchewan, and when Harold arrived from England in 1907 the three brothers filed on three quarters in 16-16-19.
Harold Dutton writes that his Uncle William Wilson homesteaded the NE half of 16-16-19, which would have given the brothers all of 16-16-19 He continues "Their homesteads were located 20 miles North of Gull Lake, the nearest town at the time.They used oxen to haul water from Harrison Springs, 2 1/2 miles to the NE, using barrels on a stoneboat." The next year Tom Wilson pre-empted the SW quarter of 21-16-19. Harold Wilson pre-empted the the NE quarter of 9-16-19. According to information provided by Duncan Wilson's family, the youngest brother, Duncan arrived in 1908 and filed on SE17-16-19 which was near his brothers.
According to the Edwin Wilson history, Edwin arrived in 1910 and homesteaded the NW quarter of 3-16-19.
Tom Wilson breaking the first sod with oxen and mule.
The oxen were also used for transportation to neighbours and the Post Office.
In the beginning the four brothers shared a shack at the center of their quarter sections in order to satisfy their residency requirements. The following is a picture of the building they shared until a somewhat better house was built. On the treeless prairie every board had to be imported. By 1912 when the following picture was taken it was serving as a granary. The Hazlet Shack
Harold Wilson is pictured on the horse.
In the early days a great deal of sociability and success resulted from the farmers working together. Friendships were formed that lasted a lifetime. In 1913 the community shared in the purchase of a new Romely tractor for their threshing outfit. The new land was good, grain prices equally so, and the great drought of the thirties had not yet begun. During those years many prospered enough to live more comfortably and to make choices for their future. 
Hazlet threshing outfit with Romely tractor.
According to research by George Wilson...
The secretary of the threshing group was William Wilson . Records show that William, Thomas and Harold were liable for payment of the equipment and succeeded in making full payment over three years, 1913, 1915 and 1917, to Romely Products Company totalling $5764.11. Sometime after the war Harold acquired the outfit and while the records may not be complete,it was operated by him in the years 1922 and 1923. The old engine was sold for scrap in 1942.
During the period 1919-1923 Harold sold wheat for 80 cents to $1.80 per bushel,
butter for 50 to 60 cents per pound,
and eggs for 35 cents per dozen.
In 1920 gas by the barrel cost 44 cents per gallon, and about 55 cents per gallon at the pump.
A car license cost $12.00,
twine was 13 cents per pound.
On October 14th, 1919 Harold acquired his first Model T car.. The entry in the records on that date show "traded four horses plus cheque for car--$300.00"
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Wilson Homestead World War One