It’s important that we delve a little deeper into our area history from time to time, so that our very early pioneers are never forgotten.
Living in our fast-paced world containing all the daily conveniences, we may not often think of our forefathers who paved the way for us. This is why the Cochrane Eagle takes pride in its monthly history column and I am honoured to bring these stories to you.
Elizabeth Winchell was born in Diamond Bluff, Wisconsin in 1865. When she was only 16 years old, she married Judd Williams. They had five children: four daughters and a son. After Judd passed away, Elizabeth married Frank Winchell and they moved to Alberta in 1904 to homestead some land. Mrs. Winchell brought three of her children with her: Harriet (Hattie), May and Vern; her two oldest daughters wanted to stay in Wisconsin. Frank and Elizabeth had one son, Eugene (Gene); two daughters died at birth.
After living in Crossfield for a while, they decided to homestead three miles south of Water Valley. As they travelled the road between Crossfield and Water Valley, they could only see four houses during the entire trip. That is how sparsely the country was settled during this time. First they had a little log cabin, however, around 1910, they build a large two-storey log home on the corner of their homestead between Winchell Lake and Water Valley. This area is now called the Winchell Coulee and the road has recently been renamed ‘Jack Eby Trail’ to honor another long-time Water Valley resident.
Frank Winchell was a logger in Wisconsin, so he continued his profession in Alberta. Mrs. Winchell cooked at the Silver Creek Coal Mine and at local sawmills, and soon became known to everyone as ‘Grandma Winchell’. The Winchells always attended the Dogpound Rodeos, dances and social evenings. In those days, a family would drive 10 miles in a democrat or sleigh to get to an event. Their large home became known as “Winchell’s Stopping House” and the door was always open to friends and weary travellers; many First Nations people stopped by to visit, as well. Unfortunately this house can no longer be seen at the roadside, as it burned down many years after their death.
Grandma Winchell was quite the artist. In 1910 she was awarded second prize at the Canadian National Exhibition for her drawing of “The Stag” – using the medium French chalk. She painted landscapes in oils and entered many art showings. Her children and friends are also proud owners of her work.
Elizabeth also studied taxidermy by correspondence and mounted different birds and animals. She did everything from a snowy ptarmigan to the head of a bull moose. Hunters were always pleased with their precious trophies.
There was a huge celebration Nov. 11, 1965 for Grandma Winchell’s 100th birthday. Many congratulatory letters were received: Lester B. Pearson, John Diefenbaker, Hon. Percy Page, Hon. E. C. Manning, even the Queen. Norman MacLeod of the Calgary Highlanders piped in local dignitaries and there was a three-tier cake with a banner reading ‘1865-1965.’
One of the best gifts of all was received the day prior to her birthday when she could light her house with a flick of the switch. After living in her home for 61 years, electricity had finally come.
The Grade 6 students from Cremona School gave her a lamp for her birthday, Grandma’s first electrical fixture.
Grandma Winchell lived to be 101 years old, and what a grand lady she was! People who knew her would say, “We have never known her to be angry or to say an unkind word about anyone.”
She was predeceased by her husband Frank in 1956, by her son Eugene in 1959 and by her elder son, Vern Williams in 1962.
