Walter Spry fonds. — 1926-1946. — 1.5 cm of textual records.
Biographical Sketch
Walter Spry was born in Leskard, Ontario January 2, 1892. He made his first trip to the Peace Country with his cousin Cecil Carveth in 1912 when he was 20 years old. Walter filed on NE 1-74-5-W6 and began constructing a cabin.
In 1915 a recruiting officer arrived in the Peace region, and Walter and a few other boys joined the war efforts. Walter was wounded at Vimy Ridge and later lost his leg in the fighting at Passchendaele. Convalesing in Ontario, he renewed his aquaintence with Rosetta Keeber.
On Sept. 6, 1918 Rosetta and Walter were married and Walter left for Alberta with plans to get his house ready for his bride. This was not going to be an easy undertaking; while Walter was away his house had been used for grain storage. In December Rose arrived early surprising her husband just before Christmas. It was a happy reunion and the couple spent many years in the Sexsmith area. Five children were born to them: Walter, Jack, Violet, Olive and Edith.
Walter was involved with many local organizations including the Masonic Lodge, the Royal Arch, the Oldtimers’ Association; he was a Municipal Councillor as well. Walter passed away on October 26, 1951, his wife followed in June 26, 1986. Both are buried at the Emerson Trail Cemetery.
Custodial History
Walter Spry’s farm account ledger was donated to South Peace Regional Archives by granddaughter Sherida Rossol in 2013.
Scope and Content
Walter’s farm ledger records purchases made for the family farm from the early days till the 1950’s. There is a thorough list of expenses, e.g. tobacco purchases, telephone batteries, and transporting hogs. In 1942 a house was built on N.W. 6-74-4 W6th, and those expenses were also itemized. The ledger also lists employees and their expenses while employeed for Walter. Some of the people mentioned are Jim Glowsky, John Jantz, D. Morrison, W. Smith, Philip Dumas, Jim Martin, Ted Hanson, T. Rode, Ken Maxwell, Leonard Ostaszowski and Robert Hoffman.
Notes
Title based on the contents of the fonds.
Biographiphical Sketch notes taken from the books “Pioneers of the Peace” and “Wagon Trails Grown Over”.
Related Records: Jack Spry fonds 560