I'm excited, it's Friday. There is a ton of exciting events going on in Cochrane this weekend and did I mention it's time for another Friday Find from Stockmen's Memorial Foundation.
This week why not stay in the hat department and tell you the story of Mr. Mervyn (Merv) D. Giles.
On May 5, 1935, Merv Giles was born in Calgary. Coming from a family of seven siblings, Merv was the youngest son. His father, Jack, landed in Calgary from Ireland at just 18-years-old. One of his father's first jobs, before purchasing land where he would eventually raise his growing family, was building the Centre Street Bridge, handling 18 head of horses on a grader.
Soon to follow, his father purchased land west of the village of Shepard and this would be where the growing family would settle. When Merv was just four, his mother Jessie would pass away leaving his sister, Thora, with the important role of assisting her father in the upbringing of the family. A few months after the family was met with another devastating tragedy as their house would burn down while they were at the Stampede Parade. This proved to be a rather troubling year for young Merv, and he was forever grateful to his older sister after the episodes of trauma that year.
During these earlier times school was almost unheard of for most. Time was allotted to helping out on the farm and education was a rarity. Merv did attend school until the end of Grade 8 and with approval from his father, the 14-year-old would drive (without a license) to take Grade 9 at Colonel Walker School. This soon backfired on him when he was pulled over and given a speeding ticket. To his father's surprise, Jack would have to appear before a judge and bat his eyelashes. Jack was fined $2.50 - a fine most of us wish still existed today.
Merv never did have much time for hobbies or play growing up. There was always something that needed to be done on the farm which resulted in him developing a strong work ethic. He did get around to playing some hockey and was pretty decent at it, minus the four teeth that ended up on the ice on one occasion.
In 1957 the family bought land in Cochrane near the Big Hill Creek area. After purchasing the land from Walter Hutchinson, Merv and his father moved their entire operation. This took some time and effort and upon arrival they never looked back to Shepard. The family continued to buy land in surrounding areas and the entire family would share the work load. His father's brand was read Circle J which he instated during the 1940's. Merv continued to use this brand for many years to follow.
At 21, Merv laid eyes on a pretty little lady known as Claudia Indergard. They would marry and have three children and one day have six grandchildren. A fun fact about Merv and Claudia, on their 25th anniversary they stumbled upon some miniature horses on a trip back from the United States. They purchased three, and that was the beginning of their love for miniature horses. I guess its safe to say that after all those years of hard work on the farm, Merv was finally able to enjoy a hobby. This hobby carried on to his daughters and eventually their children.
The Giles family is well known in Cochrane. On Saturday (Nov. 23) Merv's nephew Marty Giles, and owner of Northstar Ford Cochrane, will be opening their new barn and the town is invited. The first 500 bums through the door will get beef on a bun and there will be live music, face painting, steer roping, prizes and much more.
Drop in anytime between 12 p.m. and 3 p.m. with a cash donation that will go toward funding mental health at the Alberta Children's Hospital. Northstar Ford will match all donations.
