Showing 7911 results

Harry Willsmer was born in 1864 at Sturmer, Essex, England to William and Charlotte (Finch) Willsmer. Upon completion of his education, Willsmer held occupations including clerk, collector and farmer. He immmigrated to Canada in April 1902 and settled briefly in Regina, North-West Territories (after September 1905, Saskatchewan). Between 1902 and 1906, he lived in various locations before settling permanently in Regina.

Willsmer was employed with the Government of Saskatchewan as its first chief clerk of the Department of Railways, Telegraphs and Telephones (ca. 1906-1913) and as an inspector of rural telephones with the Department of Telephones (ca. 1913-1917). He left the employ of the government briefly and was a representative for O'Hara & Co. bond brokers (ca. 1917). Subsequently, he was re-employed with the Government as an accountant with the Local Government Board, a position he held until his retirement in 1931. He was a founding member of the Saskatchewan Civil Service Association (what was later to become the SGEU) and served as its first president in 1913.

Willsmer was active in several secret and benevolent societies. He was a past grand patron of the Grand Chapter of Saskatchewan, Order of the Eastern Star; a charter member of Floreat Lodge No. 64, I.O.O.F.; and held life membership to Wascana Lodge No. 2, A.F. & A.M.; Wascana chapter, Royal Arch Masons; Shepherds of Gabriel's White Shrine of Jerusalem; and the Scottish Rite. Among Willsmer's other hobbies were tennis (being active in the Civil Service Tennis Club); and sketching, cartooning and illustrating - particularly on programmes, certificates, and greeting cards.

Harry Willsmer died in Regina on January 1, 1950. He was interred at Regina Cemetery.

Wilson Brothers Financial & Insurance Agents was established in Limerick, Saskatchewan in 1912. It was operated by Charles and John Thomas (Tom) Wilson, brothers who emigrated from County Wicklow, Ireland to Canada in 1905 and 1907, respectively. Prior to moving to Limerick, the brothers held homesteads in the Dana district at SE and SW 22-38-26 W2.

The business originated with Charles Wilson establishing a real estate and insurance office along with a collection agency for the M. Rumley Company, a manufacturer of farm machinery. Tom Wilson moved to Limerick in 1913 and Charles and Tom established Wilson Brothers Financial & Insurance Agents. The business offered insurance surety bonds and real estate loans for area residents. In 1915, Charles Wilson was also appointed as General Agent for the Victoria Trust and Savings Company, with the Wilson Brothers business managing its accounts. Tom Wilson served in the First World War from 1916 to 1918. In 1921, he sold his interest in the business to Charles Wilson and moved to Saskatoon. He continued as an agent for the Canada Life Insurance Company and operated a pig farm in the Pleasantvale district. Tom Wilson moved to Vancouver in the 1950s where he died.

Along with continuing to operate the Wilson Brothers business, Charles Wilson was also appointed in 1922 as Provincial Manager for the Victoria Trust and Savings Company (later the Victoria and Grey Trust Company). He managed the company's accounts throughout Saskatchewan. From 1936 to 1943, Charles Wilson was appointed as the Farmers' Representative on the Board of Review for the federal Farmers' Creditors Arrangement Act, 1934. In his absence during this period, the Wilson Brothers business was run by his son Kevin (1936 to 1941) and later J.H. Grundy (1941 to 1943.)

Wilson Brothers Financial & Insurance Agents remained in operation until December 31, 1963 upon the retirement of Charles Wilson. Wilson sold the business to George Darrah, who established Darrah Agencies. Charles Wilson died in Limerick on April 14, 1970.