Remembering our roots ~ Benard & Dorothy Stinn
John Godsman
Times Contributor
Benard’s grandfather Frederick Stinn was born in Olpe, Germany in 1860. He emigrated to Pennsylvania with a brother in 1878, to join two other brothers already there, working in coal mines. From there he moved to Earling, Iowa where a sister lived. This sister, Elizabeth, married Herman Praeker and had a son, who came to Canada in 1911. The son, Herman, bought land near Gleichen, and today this land is still owned and farmed by the Praeker family.
In 1886, Frederick (known as Fred) moved to Milwaukee and worked on the railroad, as a Gandy Dancer! He was part of a section crew, checking and replacing rails, as required. He married Theresa Hendricks in the spring of 1886, and they rented land and farmed near Earling, Iowa. In 1892, they decided to move to Cottonwood, Idaho so with four children they set out by covered wagon to make the trek west. There were many hardships on this trip, namely the mountains, the Snake River canyon trail and bears! After eight months they returned to Earling, Iowa where they rented and farmed more land.
On Dec. 8, 1893 their house burnt down, and the only possession saved was a hand-made rolling pin, which is still treasured by members of the Stinn family. The exact year when Fred and Theresa came to Rockyford is unknown, but is estimated to be around the spring of 1919. They first farmed five miles west and 1.5 miles north, before buying land on the north side of the town limits, where they built a house which still stands today, and where they spent the rest of their lives.
In 1944, Pope Pius X11 awarded Fred the Beni Meranti Medal for his extra-ordinary generosity to Church and Country. It is on display at the Diocesan Pastoral Centre in Calgary.
Benard’s father Peter, was born in Earling, Iowa in 1892. Being born and raised on a farm, he started farming with his brother on land in Defiance, Iowa. In 1915, Peter married Johanna Schleier, and continued to farm there until 1923, when they moved into town where Peter became a carpenter. On April 13, 1931 they started the long journey by train to Rockyford with their three children, to farmland Peter had purchased, many years before. Benard was born on this farm on June 27, 1932 the youngest of four children. He has a sister and two brothers, and was educated at Layden School through Grade 8, then at St Rita’s School in Rockyford, until he graduated in 1951 and went farming with his Dad. During these years, Benard played baseball with the Rockyford team.
Dorothy’s family originated in Odessa, Russia and moved to North Dakota in 1892, where her father Anselm (Slim) Schmaltz was born in 1906. To take advantage of the ‘free’ land being offered by both the Canadian Government and CPR, they moved to Beiseker in 1908. Farmland in this area was available for both cattle and crops. Dorothy was born on this farm on Feb. 17, 1935, the fifth child of a family, which consisted of seven girls and three boys. She took all her schooling in Beiseker from Grade 1 to Grade 11, then worked for a year at the Royal Bank, before getting married. As a pastime, she played softball with the local team, and was a member of the Girl Guides.
When I asked how they met, Benard replied his two brothers were married to Dorothy’s two sisters! The wedding of Benard and Dorothy took place on Wednesday, Nov. 11, 1953, because most stores and businesses were closed on Wednesday afternoons. This meant everyone could attend the wedding! In the early 1950’s few marriages took place on a Saturday! Benard and Dorothy have a daughter, three sons, 12 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. After leaving school, Benard worked with his Dad on the farm, before buying it from him in 1968. He and Dorothy, lived and worked on this mixed farm until 1990, when their youngest son, Ivan, was married and moved into the house, but continued to farm with his Dad, while his parents to moved to Rockyford.
They lived here for the next 14 years, before moving to Strathmore in 2004. As with most seniors, they wanted to be closer to good medical facilities.
During these farming years, Dorothy joined the Catholic Women’s League, the same year she was married, 60 years ago. They traveled to Mesa, Arizona for 14 winters, initially with a trailer before buying a Park Model. It was while wintering in the south, that Benard took an interest in wood-working, an activity he still enjoys today. Dorothy took up quilting and still enjoys this activity. Their evenings were spent enjoying regular dancing like waltz, polka, foxtrot and quickstep.
As previously mentioned they have both lived a varied life when it comes to community activities. Benard has served as Secretary/Treasurer of the Rockyford Rural Fire Department, and the Rockyford Curling Club, was a member of the Rockyford Lions, the Rockyford Northeast Telephone Company, was Chairman of the Parish Council, and a Grand Knight of Knights of Columbus, as well as serving as District Deputy.
They both enjoyed curling, and are members of The Happy Gang, here in Strathmore. Last Nov. 11, they celebrated their Golden Wedding Anniversary, and look forward to the coming years.