Western Irrigation District Memories – Slim (Justin) and Heather Wilson

By John Godsman Times Contributor

The earliest records for the Wilson family begin with the birth of John Hugh Wilson, in County Antrim, Northern Ireland in 1856. He immigrated to Canada in 1887, landing in Halifax, before making his way to Gleichen.
From 1888 to 1901, he worked as a fireman for the CPR before returning to Ireland to reunite with Sarah Hayes, whom he married in 1902. The young couple homesteaded just north of Gleichen and had four children. They continued to farm until 1934, when John Hugh passed.
One of the four children was Hugh John born in 1918, who married Georgina McPhee of Gleichen in 1947, and they had four sons. The four sons – Smoky (Kenneth), Rocky (Allan), Timothy and David, were instrumental in running Wilson Ranches, and the family was also known for its involvement in chuckwagon racing, rough stock events and stock contracting.
In the 1950s and 1960s, pigs were the main source of income, and at one time Wilson Ranches had 2,000 free ranging pigs. In the 1970s, the ranch transitioned from hogs to cattle, running 450 cow/calf pairs, as well as 250 horses. An operation of this size required reliable pasture, and the Prairies without rain made it very hard. So, they turned to flood irrigation, and at one time were flood irrigating around 700 acres.
In 1974, Justin (Slim) Wilson was born to Smoky and Shirley, and as he grew, he helped his grandparents run the ranch when he wasn’t helping his father on the chuckwagon circuit.
In the early 1980s they purchased their first wheel move systems, which made irrigating much more efficient. In 2009, Rocky and Slim installed their first pivot, and since 2012 have added three more, with further expansion on the horizon.
In April 1997, Slim married Heather Brown, the daughter of Don and Dianne Brown. They have two children Jason and Layne who are fifth generation Wilsons, already planning to preserve the family name and traditions.
The Wilsons believe irrigation is a vital aspect of their life in agriculture, and they would never be where they are without it.
“If it weren’t for the generations before us, taking risks and building on to the family legacy, Wilson Ranches wouldn’t exist, nor be able to continue.”