Barker Atkinson Family Tree

As told by Bessie Barker-Best-Penner

Written by Her Grandson Patrick Best

In 1879, Robert Furniss Atkinson, came with his eldest son Robert, west to Clearwater, Manitoba. The following year, the rest of the family came west and took up homesteads.

Robert and Helen followed their family from Clearwater in 1886. In October 1886, father Robert died at the age of 69, being the first death in township one, and mother Helen died in 1888. They were buried on their son Robert’s farm (W28-1-27). Their remains were later moved to the Coultervale Cemetery, after it was established in 1897 (NW22-1-27), it having been donated by Angus Bell. Angus’ was the first death there after he had donated the land but he had donated the land but he was buried in the Melita Cemetery, (Plot 28, Block 6).

The Robert Atkinson family who stayed in Arthur, Ontario were: John, born 1850; Abraham born 1851; William born 1845; Robert born 1859; Jennie born 1863; Alice Jane born 1865.

The three sisters who did not remain in the community were: Mary Fish McKinnon born 1846; Elizabeth Ann Duck born 1848; and Margaret Ellen Elliot born 1857.

Janet (Jennie) Atkinson married John McLaren and he died before his son Robert McLaren was born in 1890 on 16-1-27. In 1896, Jennie married Duncan Day (1862-1928) (SEE DUNCAN DAY HISTORY.)

Alice Jane Atkinson married Thomas James barker and moved to the glen ewen, Saskatchewan area and had seven children: Percy Barker, Mabel Atkinson, hazel wood born 1899, Vera (hill) Harrison born1897; Clara Best, Irene Dunn and Bessie (Best) Penner. Bessie was the last of these pioneers to pass away. She died on March 7, 2000 in Lloydminster, Saskatchewan and is buried at the marwayne Cemetery, beside her husband, John Penner. (See Bessie Barker History)

John Furniss Atkinson, of Bentink town, County Gray, Ontario was born in 1850 and died in 1922. On December 25, 1871 he married Elizabeth Ann Brown, born 1848 and died in 1919 in Owen Sound, Ontario. In 1881, John Furniss Atkinson came to Clearwater, Manitoba to join his father and moved in the spring of 1882 with his wife, Bessie to (NE34-1-27) where he built a house of logs, the first house to be constructed in township 1-range 27.

They raised a family of eight, who all remained in Coulter but their descendants are scattered across Canada. The children were: Winona Elizabeth Maud; Robert John Cromwell; Agnes Jane; Helen Neilson; James Antler; Vernon Harcourt; Jennie Alice and Leila Edna.

Winona Elizabeth Maud was born on December 20, 1872 in chesley, Gray County, Ontario. She came west with her parents, arriving at Coulter by covered wagon in 1882. She took Nurse’s training in Winnipeg and practised there until 1933, when due to ill health, she returned to Coulter, to live with her brother, Jim and sister, Helen, until her death on November 19, 1942.

Agnes Jane was born in Ontario on September 23, 1877. She came west with her parents in 1882 and married William McKague (SEE WILLIAM MCKAGUE HISTORY)

Helen Neilson was born in Ontario on August 15, 1880. She never married and lived most of her life with her brother Jim. She took care of her sister Winnie until her death and looked after her brother Vern’s family after the death of his wife, Carrie, who died in 1956.

Jennie Alice (Jean) was born on February 25, 1889. She married in December 1918 to William Andrews (SEE ANDREW’S HISTORY)

Leila (Ida) Edna was born on February 7, 1891. In 1922 she married Albert (Bert) E. Andrews. (SEE ALBERT EDWARD ANDREW’S HISTORY). Albert E. Andrew was born on July 9, 1896 at Red Bay, Ontario, at Bruce Peninsula. He lived in the Arthur district, went overseas in 1917. He was married on December 13, 1922 to Leila (Ida) Atkinson and they had three children: Evelyn born on April 24, 1925; Brown was born June 7, 1926 and Donald was born on September 7, 1930. Ida passed away, following a lengthy illness on February 23, 1944. She was buried in the Coultervale Cemetery. Evelyn kept house for her dad (Bert) and brother. Evelyn continues to live in Melita, Saskatchewan.

Robert John Cromwell Atkinson was born on April 7, 1874 in Ontario and came west with his parents in 1882. On March 21, 1905 he married Isabelle E. Day, who was born on December 28, 1875 in Orilla, Ontario. Isabelle was a sister to Duncan Day, who married Janet (Jennie) Atkinson-McLaren, aunt of Robert John Cromwell Atkinson.

Robert and Belle farmed 15-1-27 and 10-2-27 where the ridge of Indian burial mounds exists. They raised three daughters, Calista, Mary and Wanda. Robert and Belle had four other babies who died in infancy.

Robert and Belle retired to Melita, Manitoba in November 1943, where they passed away and laid to rest in Melita Cemetery.

Calista Helen was born on October 17, 1909 and died in 1962. On October 17, 1944, she married James W. Brown. (SEE JAMES W. BROWN HISTORY)

Mary Elizabeth was born on September 9, 1911, the second daughter of Robert and Belle. She worked for Mary Dunbar in her dress shop until Mary Dunbar’s marriage to Mr. Howlett. Norman Gould needed help in his dress shop so Mary worked there until leaving to work in the grocery store for Mr. Jobbins. In 1957, she left the store to look after her ailing mother. On September 13, 1960 Mrs. Atkinson passed away leaving Mary alone. She then rented out her home until 1977. On October 6, 1979 she married Robert James Pearce, who was born on December 6, 1909 and they are still living in their home in Melita. (This was submitted by Mary Pearce.)

Wanda Juletta, the third daughter of Robert and Belle, was born on October 9, 1916 on 15-1-27. On January 20, 1945, she married Walter Kenneth Fraser (SEE KENNETH FRASER HISTORY). They had seven children: Iona Elizabeth born October 4, 1945 and married Arthur Godfrey in 1962, they had three children and live in Selkirk. Eugene Kenneth born July 14, 1947; married Margaret Ritchey in 1970 and they had two children. Juletta Helen May; born June 6, 1951; married Harold McKay in 1971 and they had two children. Melanie Joyce born on May 17, 1955; married Robert Meredith and they had three children.

William Andrews; born October 20, 1885, married Jennie (Jean) Atkinson. They had five children; Grant, Lydia (lives in Calgary), Beth Bambridge (lives in Coulter), Mimia Speare (lives in Melita) and Blanche McKnight (lives in Edmonton).

James (Jim) Antler Atkinson; born January 6, 1884, the first white child born in township 1-27. Fifth child born, to John Furniss and Elizabeth (Aunt Lizzie) Ann Atkinson. Jim farmed with his brother Vern on the home farm (34-1-27). He never married and died in 1956.

Vernon Harcourt Atkinson was born on December 5, 1885, the sixth child of John Furniss and Elizabeth Atkinson. He was married in 1927 to Caroline Marie Mott; who was born in 1894, and taught Coulter School. They had three children; Basil, Lois and John (Jack). Caroline died in 1938 and Vern in 1962. Basil Vernon Berton; born on March 26, 1929; married on February 9, 1957 to Mary Sophie. They lived on the old Atkinson Family farm.

Lois Marie; born March 8, 1931 and married Bill Olsen of Peirson in 1953. They have a family of ten children; Lydia Marie born on November 26, 1953, married in May 1973 to Ken Mills. They have two children. John Vernon was born on November 14, 1951; married in 1980 to Rose Marie White. Lynda Louise was born on December 15, 1955; Daniel Edward born august 4, 1957; Sylvia Jeannette born January 22, 1960. Lois (Bunny) Elaine was born on December 11, 1960. Francis Donalda was born on February 16, 1962. Timothy William was born on March 3, 1964. Wendy Elizabeth was born on June 23, 1965. Diane Florence was born on October 4, 1968. John (Jack) Harcourt was born on March 6, 1933 and was married in 1960 to Jay Francis Glanville. They live in Duncan, BC and have four children; Philip Vernon born on May 31, 1961. Carrie Joyce was born on May 20, 1962. Lynnette Marie was born on September 19, 1963. Edward James was born on February 19, 1968.

Abraham Neilson Atkinson was born in 1851 and died in 1917. He married Mary McFadyen. She was born in 1852 and died in 1927. Abraham and Mary settled on 20-1-27 and had twelve children. Robert was born in 1876. Neilson was born in 1878. John was born in 1881. Abe was born in 1882. Ida McIimoyll was born in 1882. Ida McIimoyll was born in 1879. Herb was born in 1885. Belle Benedict was born in 1888. Ross was born in 1891. Jean (Jennie) Rennie was born in 1896. Gideon was born in 1894; died in 1894. Archie was born in 1898. Abraham and Mary moved to Saskatchewan in 1900’s. Ida is still living at Beinfeit (1982).

William J. Skirrow Atkinson was born in 1854. He married Ester Brown, sister of John’s wife. They settled in E28-1-27. They had Ethel (Riach) who was born in 1883, the first wife female child in township 1-range 27. Etta (King), Skirrow and Ida. They later moved to Melita, Manitoba then to Vancouver, BC.

Robert George Atkinson was born in 1859. Married to Minnie Ducker in 1881. They have four children. Laura Burgess, Wilfred Roy, Vivian and Velma Marten. They moved to Gainsbourgh, Russel, Gladstone and finally Winnipeg. No descendants living of Roberts.

In 1982, there were six generations of Atkinson’s in township 1 Range 27. Many more live in Arthur district.

James Brown married Calista Helen Atkinson, daughter of Robert and Isabella (Day) Atkinson. They had seven children; Gwenda Annabella was born on august 12, 1945; married Stephen Dunning in Calgary; Penelope Mary Ethel was born on September 8, 1946; married Terry Downey, who was later killed in a car accident. They have two children; Calvin was born in January 1966 and Vicky was born in November 1966. Penny married Mel Edwards; they have one daughter, who was born in June 1976. They farm at Pipestone.

Judith Calista was born on December 16, 1948; married Barry Downey of Coulter. They have Neil, who born in 1973 and Mark who was born in 1976.

Jackolene Wanda was born on December 19, 1948; married Reverend Jim Brown and they have Wendy, who was born in 1972; Christy, who was born in 1975. (Judith and Jackolene were twins, born three days apart, in Brandon, Manitoba.)

Robert James Calvin was born on April 3, 1951 at Melita; married to Donna Wishart. They have Lindsay, born in 1979 and Stacey, born in 1989. They live at Coulter on 15-1-27.

Lois Irene was born on May 24, 1952; married to Dennis McKenzie and they have Christa, born in 1976; Mary, born in 1969 and Ian, born in 1982. They live at Langley, BC.

Thomas Lowell (twin of Lois Irene) married Linda Luky and they have, David Vincent, born in 1980 in Africa. They live in Gilbert Plains.

After Calista’s death in 1962, Jim married Dorothy Cooper Day in 1964 (she was the widow of Arnott Day, son of Duncan and Jennie Day) they have Bill, Janice and Murray. Jim and Dorothy retired to Melita in 1972.

Duncan Day was born in 1862; married Janet (Jennie) Atkinson-McLaren (sister of John Furniss Atkinson and Alice Jane Atkinson) in 1896.

Duncan and Jennie had three children; Cecil, Bruce and Arnott. Robert McLaren, son of Jennie Atkinson-McLaren-Day; married Elsie Stitt Deroway. They have two children; Alex and Joyce at Calgary, Alberta.

In 1917, Jennie passes away and in 1919, Duncan married Henrietta Fanny Pridgeon, born 1870 and died in 1947. They had three children; Roy, Lily (Dunning) and Cora (McKague). Duncan died in 1928. Sydney and Lily Dunning lived on the farm where Will Atkinson and Duncan Day families had lived (E28-1-27).

Cecil Isaac Day was born in 1898; died in 1957. He married Elsie Scheels, born 1896, died in 1974; in 1922. They have four children, Lloyd, born in 1924; married Jessie and had five boys, (Robert, James, Calvin, Brian and Richard). Vivian was born in 1928; married Thor Wilken. They had no children. Marjorie was born in 1930; married Stan Taylor and they had Wayne, Cheryl, Karen and Roxanne (1957-1980). Marjorie is now Mrs. Al Blinston. Marion was born in 1932; married Murray Davidson and they had four boys; Blair, Mark, Kent and Scott. Cecil was a farmer and a customs officer.

Bruce J. Day was born in 1902; died in 1955; married Greta Harvey of Lyleton. Their son Reverend Barry Day married Lilia Eylands. They have three children; Duncan, Kathryn and Lorna.

Bruce and Greta’s daughters are: Doreen, Mrs. J. Lowe with Maureen, Donald, William, Robert and Leona (Mrs. Al Palynchuk) with Wendy, Barry, Alan, Mark and Bruce.

Arnott Day was born in 1904; died in 1957; married Dorothy Cooper. They had bill; married Michelle Parson and they have Carmen and Alex. Janice married Conrad Hoddinot. They have a daughter, Gail Murray; married Bonnie Schults, born in 1950 and died in 1978. She was killed in a car accident. Murray married Susan Fehr in 1980; they have one daughter, Delilah.

Bessie Barker was born on April 13, 1909; died March 7, 2000, was married to John Best, born July 30, 1904; died November 4, 1989; in 1926. They had four children. (1) Bessie Alice (2) Caroline Belle (Twins).

(1) Bessie Alice died of pneumonia in 1929.

(2) Caroline Belle married Louis Poitra and they divorced in 1977. They had no family. Belle resided in a nursing home in Saskatoon for a number of years, due to poor health and has since passed away.

(3) Percy John Terence, born on January 23, 1930; married Lorna Revilla Howard on June 10, 1952 in Frenchman Butte, Saskatchewan. They have four boys and are retired and live near Heinsberg, Alberta (a) Ezra Larry was born on March 24, 1953; died April 24, 1953. (b) Terry Ronald was born on May 17, 1954; married Loris Ruth Pynten on August 18, 1972, divorced in 1989. They had two children: (b-1) Kimberley Dawn was born on February 28, 1973 and (b-2) Cameron Jon Leif (CJ) was born on March 18, 1979. (b) Terry Ronald Best later married Tina McLeod, they had a family of two boys and one girl; (b-3) Sean Allen was born on December 19, 1995, (b-4) Tanner Percy was born on July 9, 1998 and Tyra Jane was born in 2000. (b) Terry and Tina have since divorced and he lives in Bonnyville, Alberta. (c) Patrick Kelly was born on December 9, 1956 in Oxbow, Saskatchewan and he never married and lives in Edmonton, Alberta. (d) Jonathon Percy Robin was born on March 8, 1973; married Melanie Christine Lebrie, born April 9, 1974. They have two children; (d-1) Karisa Christine, born April 5, 1995 and (d-2) Jaydon Patrick, born October 7, 1998. They live near Bonnyville, Alberta (b-1) Kimberley Dawn married Brent Greig in 1996 and they have a family of three girls: (b-1-1) Paige, born in 1997 (b-1-2) Kelly, born September, 1998 and (b-1-3) Jillian, born November 16, 2000. (b- 2) Cameron Jon Leif (CJ) married Yvette Laux in 1997 and they have one boy (b-2-1) Devon Jared, born February 26, 1998.

(4) Bessie Jane was born on August 1, 1933; married Walter Ernest White on June 16, 1957. They have a family of three: (4-a) Gladys Margaret, born June 9, 1960 in Oxbow, Saskatchewan. (4-b) Owen Walter White born December 14, 1961 in Oxbow, Saskatchewan (4-c) Bruce Edward White, born October 4, 1971 in Eston, Saskatchewan.

(4-a) Gladys Margaret White married Fredrick Craig Cheguis on June 6, 1980 in Weyburn, Saskatchewan. Craig was born on March 12, 1959 in Brandon, Manitoba. Their children are (4-a1) Pamela Rose Cheguis born on October 15, 1980 in Weyburn, Saskatchewan (4-a2) Caleb Richard Cheguis born on June 29, 1983 in Weyburn, Saskatchewan. Gladys had a son born to her before she and Craig were married. He is Anthony John White, who was born on February 25, 1977 in Weyburn, Saskatchewan.

(4-b) Owen Walter White married (1) Kimberley Ashick in 1985 in Pembroke, Ontario. She was born in 1963 in Moncton, NB:

(2) Delaine Cheryl Bill; on August 20, 1994 in Weyburn, Saskatchewan. She was born on October 8, 1972 in Weyburn, Saskatchewan. (3) Teena Bailey in August 1999 in Souris, Manitoba. Teena was born on August 19, 1962 in Souris, Manitoba.

(4-b1) Children of Owen and Kimberley White;

1. Trista Leah White was born on January 4, 1987

(4-b3) Children of Owen and Teena White;

1. Arren Bailey born 1985. Stepdaughter to Owen

2. Nikita Bailey born 1987 in Souris, Manitoba. Stepdaughter to Owen.

(4-a1) Pamela Rose Cheguis has a daughter; Daphne Mae Cheguis was born on December 26, 1996 in Weyburn, Saskatchewan.