Alice McDowell

1844 - 1928  (84 years)

• Name	Alice McDowell
  Born	12 Jan 1844	Upper Canada
  Gender	Female
  Died	25 Dec 1928	Regina, Saskatchewan
  Person ID	I05333	All
  Last Modified	18 Mar 2009

  
  

  Father	Samuel McDowell,   b. 1801, Clonagonnel, Kilmore, Cavan County, Ireland ,   d. 19 Nov 1886, Melancthon Township, Dufferin County, Ontario  (Age 85 years)
  Mother	Mary Ann Stephens
  Married	14 Aug 1823	Kildrumferton, Cavan County, Ireland
  Family ID	F1283	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

  Family	Adam Hastings,   b. 17 Nov 1827, near Belfast, Ireland ,   d. 9 May 1910, Rouleau, Saskatchewan  (Age 82 years)
  Married	10 Apr 1860	Dundalk, Grey County, Ontario
  Notes	Adam Hastings was raised on his father’s homestead in Whitchurch Township. His meagre education would have been in the village school at Lemonville, and would have comprised reading, writing and arithmetic. He followed his father as a yeoman or farmer and remained with the father until the latter’s death. While he had purchased the homestead (west half of Lot 12, Concession 6) in 1851 and 1854, his father bequeathed it to him in his will. In addition Adam purchased the west half of Lot 15, Concession 6 November 22, 1854 from John Stickley. It is said his marriage was “arranged” by his twin sister Mary Anne who married John McDowell of Dundalk. The bride to be was Jane McDowell, John’s sister; however, on meeting Adam, she declined the offer. Adam, not to be deterred and, in view of the long expensive trip from Lemonville to Dundalk, simply turned his affection to her younger sister Alice who consented. The marriage would last 50 years and be blessed with 15 offspring. The young bride was never accepted by his mother, which led to unhappy times since the home had to be shared. The mother regarded the bride as a “mere child”. He sold his land holdings in 1870 and became a merchant operating a general store in the village of Lemonville. He was postmaster of Lemonville from 1870 to 1873. The “Old Lemonville Store” still stands as a private residence on the 6th Concession, Whitchurch Township. He turned his efforts to lumbering in 1874 in Laxton Township, Victoria County at Elliott’s Falls on the Ghost River two miles north of Norland. By crown grant he acquired 21 acres on the west side of the Ghost River and 102 acres on the east side and established a sawmill and shingle mill, both power operated by the falls. The sawmill represented an investment of over $4,000, a considerable amount at this date. In November 1886, he retired to Norland and rented the mills to Jos. McLaughlin. The Victoria Recorder dutifully reported: “Mr. Hastings is to become a citizen of Norland. Happy to have Mr. Hastings and family amongst us”. While residing in Elliott’s Falls and Norland he played an active part in local and public affairs. In 1874 he was elected councillor, Laxton Township Council. The same year the swamps were corduroyed on the tenth line north of the Cameron Road with Adam Hastings in charge of the work. He assisted in establishing S.S. No. 2 Beech Lake School which his children attended. In 1880 he contested the government’s right to lengthen a timber slide on the west side of the river and forced construction on the east side. On October 10, 1876 we won first prize for “sawn shingles” in the manufacturer’s section, Laxton and Digby Fall Show. Town records indicate Adam Hastings supplied 100 4x12 13R. maple planks for deck on bridge at Norland for $36 or $7/m. He believed in total abstinence from alcohol. It is interesting to note that he, Charlie, James, Jennie and Samuel were all members of Crystal Fountain Lodge No. 215, British American Order of Good Templars, a fraternal order advocating temperance. It held regular meetings with regalia at which spelling matches, debates, religion and prayer were the order. A true Ulsterman, he was a member of the Loyal Orange Lodge, playing dues of .10 cents per month. A devout Methodist, Sunday evenings were occupied with the traditional family hymn-sing around the organ. A strict disciplinarian, he was at the same time a kind, considerate father and husband, but he did demand instant obedience and respect. He was always respectfully referred to as “father” by family members. From his wedding picture of 1860 one is immediately impressed by his most notable feature; his determined cold eyes – slightly crossed. Combined with his height, moustache which droops downward and goatee, he seems to portray a pragmatic man not easy to know nor easy to cross. In September 1888 a fire roared out of control north of Norland resulting in the complete destruction of the mill, leaving the family without income. It was quickly decided that the West offered the best prospect with available land “for the boys”. On October 1, 1888 he bid farewell to the family and departed for the great North West to seek the fortune that awaited all who would face the ordeal of homesteading on the prairies. He would send for the family when he was established. He would have taken the narrow-gauge Toronto & Nippissing Railway for the 87 mile – 10 hour trip to Toronto from Coboconk. In Toronto he transferred to the C.P.R.’s “Pacific Limited” for the three day journey to Troy. On the trip westward he joined other eager settlers making their way to the “promised land” all crowded into the famous colonial cars with their uncomfortable wooden seats and wooden berths. Designed specially by CPR president Van Horne, these cars would transport thousands to the North West along with their meagre belongings. The mill was never reconstructed. The land was abandoned and seized for non tax payment in 1899 by the county. A power plant was later constructed at the Falls but is now abandoned. Today, there is a provincial government campground on the 20 acre site which offers a place to rest beside the river and Falls for highway travellers. In 1888 the prairies of Western Canada were known as a great lone land. Alberta and Saskatchewan had not been established and settlers were slowly commencing to move westward from the newly organized province of Manitoba. The Canadian Pacific Railway had been completed in 1885. It triggered the greatest wheat rush ever known. Land, land without end, to be had for the asking – rich land that would grow forty bushels to the acre. The Adam Hastings family would be one of those families that flooded the prairies from Eastern Canada, the U.S.A. and Europe. Adam Hastings arrived in Troy (Qu’Appelle) in October 1888 to be met by his nephew George Senze Davidson who owned and operated the Queens Hotel. He would stay with him while searching for a homestead. He walked the Regina plains but was unimpressed by the area, flat as a table with its rich black earth, because he observed “it took one extra ox to pull a plow”. Fourteen years later he would realize his error and eagerly accept homesteads on the plain. He filed an application for homestead on NE 24-18-12-W2 on October 11, 1888 and immediately sent for his son Samuel Thomas to join him. During the winter of 1888-89 they constructed a house on the land. On May 9, 1889 he wrote: “My dear alice spring has finally arrived in the North West, the crocuses are in bloom the house is __ so please make haste Sam and i are fine love Adam” (sic). “Make haste” she did for on June 9, 1889 the family left Norland to join him. The homestead was located in the Rose Valley district about seven miles north east of Indian Head just above the Qu’Appelle Valley. A small coulee and creek cross the land so he maintained the objective of always seeking land with water. Rose Valley was described by the Winnipeg Free Press on October 25, 1901 as being “one of the best in the Territories for farming purposes” and listed Adam Hastings as “following that pursuit in the region”. Adam Hastings established Rose Valley Protestant Public School No. 191 on an acre of his land for the benefit of his children and in 1901 his son Hugh A. Hastings is recorded as being secretary. He and the family proved the homestead by construction of a 12’ x 18’ house with a 14’ x 18’ kitchen valued at $400, along with a pole straw stable and a log granary. He cleared over 50 acres. In 1892 he owned four cows and three horses. On February 27, 1892 Patent was issued. The land was sold and transferred to William John Orchard on March 21, 1902 in consideration of $2,000. Early in 1902 with some interesting help from his friend William J. Bulyea, Liberal member of the N.W.T. Legislative Council, Adam Hastings was successful in obtaining five homesteads on the Regina Plains for his five sons: Samuel Thomas, Adam Luther, Clarence Beverly, Hugh Alexander and Robert William Gordon. The family moved to the homesteads located north of the town of Rouleau in April, 1902 and established the family home on the NE 20-15-21-W2, being the homestead of Adam Luther who was otherwise occupied as a grain buyer at Balgonie. Politically, Adam Hastings was a Liberal; of this there is not the slightest doubt. As a young man he was nurtured in the Clear Grit Methodist tradition of Ontario. A reform movement advocating simple, responsible government and fervently opposed to political or religious privilege. In the North West he revered Sir Wilfrid Laurier with the chieftain’s picture occupying a place of honour in the living room. He and his sons were “Clifford Sifton Men” and later “Jimmy Gardiner Men” and were organizers for both. So strongly did he inculcate his political Liberal beliefs in his children that every son, many grandsons and grandchildren actively organized and supported the part in Western Canada. Clarence, his son, travelled by horse and buggy throughout South Saskatchewan in 1905 spreading the message. Clarence would summarily discharge a deputy returning officer who was doubtful about his wife’s vote with the comment “any man who cannot control his wife’s vote is unqualified to be a DRO”. In 1935 his daughter, Mary Ann, in congratulating her nephew, Gordon Hastings, on his marriage “hoped his bride was a Liberal and not Roman Catholic”. His son, Adam, would “deliver” a Liberal nomination to James G. Gardiner in Cupar, Saskatchewan in 1912 and his youngest son, Hugh, in his retiring years would faithfully and regularly canvass Regina city on behalf of the party. His granddaughter, Marjorie Pearl Hastings Guy was secretary of the Saskatchewan Liberal Association and served as executive assistant to the part leader and late premier, W. Ross Thatcher. Adam and Alice Hastings celebrated their golden wedding anniversary April 10, 1910. The family presented father with a gold-headed walking cane from Ireland on the occasion. He executed his last will and testament on April 23, 1910 in which he bequeathed his personal estate to his beloved wife of 50 years. Adam Hastings died at Rouleau, Saskatchewan May 9, 1910. His funeral was held in the family residence with five sons and son-in-law Thomas Matchett acting as pallbearers. Because of his build – 6’4”, 250 lbs. – an oversized coffin had to be used which would not go through the doorway. The bay windows had to be removed from the house to permit the coffin to be taken in and out. The undertaker attempted to collect interest on the price of the coffin. He had specially ordered it three years in advance of Adam’s death. The interest was not paid. On his demise, his wife Alice moved to Sintaluta to live with her daughter, Mary Ann, who was employed as an accountant by her older brother James McDowell Hastings. Mother and daughter later moved to Regina and resided at 2130 Broad Street, 2277 Hamilton Street and 19 Crescent Annex Apartments. Alice McDowell Hastings died December 25, 1928 at Regina and was buried December 27, 1928 beside her husband Adam and their son Robert Andrew Gordon in the Rouleau Cemetery.
  Children	1. Jennett "Janet" Hastings,   b. 7 Apr 1861, Lemonville, Whitchurch Township, York County, Ontario ,   d. 10 Jun 1955, Vancouver, British Columbia  (Age 94 years)   2. James McDowell Hastings,   b. 20 Sep 1862, Lemonville, Whitchurch Township, York County, Ontario ,   d. 11 Jan 1955, Regina General Hospital, Regina, Saskatchewan  (Age 92 years)   3. Samuel Thomas Hastings,   b. 25 Jan 1865, Lemonville, Whitchurch Township, York County, Ontario ,   d. 23 Jan 1953, North Battleford, Saskatchewan  (Age 87 years)   4. Charles John Hastings,   b. 4 Jan 1867, Lemonville, Whitchurch Township, York County, Ontario ,   d. 29 Jan 1924, Grande Prairie, Alberta  (Age 57 years)   5. Carrie Hastings,   b. May 1868, Lemonville, Whitchurch Township, York County, Ontario ,   d. 1868, Lemonville, Whitchurch Township, York County, Ontario   6. Mary Ann "Minnie" Hastings,   b. 5 Nov 1869, Lemonville, Whitchurch Township, York County, Ontario ,   d. 7 Mar 1946, Toronto, York County, Ontario  (Age 76 years)   7. Adam Hastings,   b. Nov 1870, Lemonville, Whitchurch Township, York County, Ontario ,   d. Feb 1871, Lemonville, Whitchurch Township, York County, Ontario  (Age ~ 0 years)   8. Sarah "Sadie" Elizabeth Hastings,   b. 6 Jan 1872, Lemonville, Whitchurch Township, York County, Ontario ,   d. 12 Jan 1944, Regina, Saskatchewan  (Age 72 years)   9. Adam Luther Hastings,   b. 8 Apr 1874, Norland, Ontario ,   d. 14 Nov 1921, Regina, Saskatchewan  (Age 47 years)   10. Herbert DeVere Hastings,   b. 16 Apr 1877, Elliots Falls, Laxton Township, Victoria County, Ontario ,   d. Abt 1877, Elliots Falls, Laxton Township, Victoria County, Ontario   11. Clarence Beverley Hastings,   b. 19 Jul 1879, Elliots Falls, Laxton Township, Victoria County, Ontario ,   d. 13 Jul 1937, Rochester, Olmstead County, Minnesota  (Age 57 years)   12. Hugh Alexander Hastings,   b. 24 Aug 1881, Elliots Falls, Laxton Township, Victoria County, Ontario ,   d. 13 Jan 1968, Regina, Saskatchewan  (Age 86 years)   13. Alice Hastings,   b. 31 Dec 1883, Elliots Falls, Laxton Township, Victoria County, Ontario ,   d. 15 Mar 1884, Elliots Falls, Laxton Township, Victoria County, Ontario  (Age 0 years)   14. Robert Andrew GORDON Hastings,   b. 24 Feb 1885, Elliots Falls, Laxton Township, Victoria County, Ontario ,   d. 17 Sep 1906, Moose Jaw Creek, west of Rouleau, Saskatchewan  (Age 21 years)   15. William Earl Hastings,   b. 4 May 1887, Elliots Falls, Laxton Township, Victoria County, Ontario ,   d. 18 Nov 1889, Indian Head, Saskatchewan  (Age 2 years)
  Last Modified	18 Mar 2009
  Family ID	F1159	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

• Event Map		Married - 10 Apr 1860 - Dundalk, Grey County, Ontario Died - 25 Dec 1928 - Regina, Saskatchewan  = Link to Google Earth
  Pin Legend	: Address       : Location       : City/Town       : County/Shire       : State/Province       : Country       : Not Set

  
  

• Photos » Slide Show		Family of Adam Hastings and Alice McDowell, Rouleau, Saskatchewan 1906 Standing: Adam Hastings & Wife Alice (McDowell) Hastings Left to Right: Clarence Hastings & Eva P. Winter, R.A. Gordon Hastings & Mary A. Hastings, Sarah E. Hastings, Hugh Hastings & Elenore Reichert at Rouleau, Saskatchewan in 1906
  		Adam Hastings and Alice McDowell on their wedding day, April 10, 1860, Dundalk, Ontario
  		Alice McDowell 1860

  
  

  Documents

  Letter from Adam Hastings to wife, Alice indian head, nwt May 3, 1889 my dear Alice spring has finaly arrived in the northwest. the crocuses are in bloom. the house is nearly finished so bring the family west. i love you and have missed you and children __ceeding so please make haste. sam and i fine love Adam dont go to quppelle come to indian head

  
  

  Headstones		HASTINGS, Adam and Alice McDOWELL
  		Obituary of Alice McDowell Hastings As printed in the Leader, Regina, Saskatchewan on Wednesday, December 26, 1928 DEATH REAPS WIDE SWATH IN PAST FEW DAYS 13 Deaths in City and District Reported Over Christmas Holiday Many deaths occurred in the city and surrounding districts over the Christmas holiday and in the few preceding days, thirteen in all having been reported up to a late hour last night. MRS. ALICE HASTINGS Death yesterday morning deprived Southern Saskatchewan and Regina of one of the oldest of pioneer women in the west when Mrs. Alice Hastings, formerly of Roulou, but for the past 17 years a resident of Regina, passed away. Mrs. Hastings was in her 85th year, and during her residence in this city stopped with her daughter, Miss M. C. Hastings, Crescent Annex, where she died. She will be buried in the family plot at Rouleou, where he husband already rests, after a funeral ceremony which will take place on Thursday in the Rouleou United church. This service will be preceded by another, briefer one at J. A. Wright's funeral establishment, when Rev. McElroy Thompson will officiate. This will take place at noon on Thursday before the remains are sent to Rouleou. Many friends and relatives, living in the west, will mourn the death of Mrs. Hastings. Besides her daughter in the city, with whom she was living, Mrs. Hastings leaves six other children and one brother. They are S. E. Hastings, Dinsmore; J. K. Hastings, Craven; C. B. Hastings, Regina; Hugh Hastings, Rouleou; Mrs T. A. Matchett, Lumsden, and Mrs. Janet McLoughlin, Vancouver. A brother, S. T. McDowell, lives in Dundalk, Ont.