Ernest Wilfred Littlejohn Genealogy and Family History Notes

1900 United States Federal Census - View Census
State: North Dakota
County: Pembina
Locale: Midland Township
ED# 116
Series: T623
Roll: 1230
Page: 147
Enumerated Fourth June 1900
1.
2.
3. Name: Littlejohn, Wilfred
4. Relationship to head: S Son
5. Color or race: W
6. Sex: M
7. Month and Year of Birth: Apr 1892
8. Age at last birthday: 8
9. Single or Married: S
10. Number of years married:
11. Mother of how many children:
12. Number of living children:
13. Place of birth: N Dakota
14: Fathers place of birth: Canada Eng
15: Mothers place of birth: Canada Eng
16. Year of immigration:
17. Number of years in the United States:
18. Naturalization:
19: Occupation:
20: Months not employed:
21: Attended school: 6
22. Can read:
23: Can write:
24. Can speak English:
25: Owned or rented:
26. Owned free or mortgaged:
27: Farm or home:
28: Number of farm schedule:

1906 Saskatchewan Census Have not found him - he is not with William and Minnie

1911 Census of Canada Have not found him - he is not with William and Minnie



Thanks to Irene for giving me this original photo of my Grandfather.

The Littlejohn/ Sinclair Family

In the late 19th Century, many people from eastern Canada and Europe were migrating to the western plains of North Dakota and the Northwest Territories to settle on homesteads of 160 acres and make new homes for themselves and their families.

In 1889, several families from Lindsay, Ontario moved to North Dakota and settled in the Glasston and Hamilton Districts, some twenty-five miles from the Canadian border and south of Winnipeg. Two families whose families intertwined down through the years were the Littlejohn's and the Sinclairs.

Humphrey and Harriett (Metheral) Littlejohn, who had ten sons and three daughters, moved to Glasston and settled there. Two sons later moved back to Canada - Albert and Thornley, who settled in Winnipeg.

Archie and Maryanne (Maunder) Sinclair, who had two sons and four daughters, settled in the Hamilton and later all moved to the Northwest Territories. In 1905, a portion of that territory was being divided into Alberta and Saskatchewan.

During the 1890's several families were married: Thomas Littlejohn married Minnie Budd. They had one son, Ernest Wilfred, who was a year old when his father died. Later his mother married Will Sinclair, eldest son of Archie and Maryanne Sinclair. In 1904 Albert Littlejohn married Ella Sinclair.

In 1903, Archie Sinclair and son Will, and Albert Littlejohn filed on a homestead each in the Northwest Territories, in the district now known as Browning, Saskatchewan.

In April, 1904 Albert Littlejohn, Will Sinclair and Earnest Wilfred Littlejohn loaded a freight car each with only necessities - four or five horses, two or three cows and calves and poultry with enough feed to do for the long journey to their homesteads - the household furniture was packed in, plus a cat and a dog; a corner of the car was reserved for the men. The journey to Winnipeg was slow, with the usual scrutiny of the Gretna Customs and Immigration Officers.

The settlers effects were unloaded at Alameda; the cattle were grouped together and Ernest Wilfred Littlejohn, on horseback, began the long slow trek to the homesteads, approximately thirty miles away. Darkness overcame him near a haystack, and he spent the night in the haystack, with the cattle and horse nearby - a real pioneering experience for a young boy of twelve years. The next day he and the animals arrived at the Archie Sinclair homestead, which was always the center of the community. A few days later the rest of the stock, implements , furniture and supplies arrived.

A week after Albert and Will left on the freight, Ella (Sinclair) Littlejohn, with Myrtle and Fledda; and Minnie (Budd Littlejohn) with Archie Jr. , Alma and Joe left by train for their new homes via Winnipeg, where they had to wait for a train running a day late because of spring floods - flat lands were lakes and bridges were washed out. The bridge over Moose Creek, between Oxbow and Alameda was gone so they were rerouted by Regina, Moose Jaw, Weyburn, Estevan and finally Alameda. They stayed in a hotel for several days waiting for someone to come and get them. There was no communication of any kind, so no one knew when they would arrive. Finally, Andrew Fornwald arrived in town for supplies. Whenever anyone when to town he stopped and got the mail for all the neighbors. After he had a load of lumber, shingles, groceries and any other conceivable necessity, they loaded on board his wagon also, along with suitcases and bags. They left about one o'clock in the afternoon, on the long tedious journey to their new homes. There was a prairie trail the first few miles. As they proceeded in the spring sunshine, the trail grew fainter, till only a faint wagon track was visible. It was after dark when they arrived at Archie Sinclairs's Homestead. They were tired and hungry - a good hot meal and a happy reunion took place.

"Poet's Corner" Lampman, Saskatchewan Page 727

Littlejohn: Ernest Wilfred & Minnie

Ernest Wilfred Littlejohn was the only son of Thomas and Minnie (Budd) Littlejohn. He was born in Glasston, North Dakota on April 21, 1892. On March 30, 1893 his father died. In 1896 his mother married Will Sinclair, eldest son of Archie and Maryanne (Maunder) Sinclair.

In 1904, Wilfred came to Canada with his step-father, Will Sinclair and Albert Sinclair. They came by rail to Winnipeg and on to Alameda. At Alameda their belongings were unloaded. Wilfred traveled the last thirty miles on horseback, herding the cattle. He spent one night sleeping in a haystack and arrived wt the Albert Littlejohn homestead the next day. Wilfred's mother, Archie Jr., Alma and Joe arrived several weeks later.

Will Sinclair homesteaded the NW 1/4 16-5-5. Here William Jr. and Thelma were born.

Will Sinclair moved to Bienfait the following year. Two more children: Fred and Vera were born here. Another son, Dan, was born after they moved back to Browning.

By now, Wilfred was on his own. He spent some time working at White's Hotel in Bienfait.

Wilfred married Minnie Caroline Peters, daughter of Henry and Teelka Peters, on November 13, 1917. They moved to Handsworth, Saskatchewan and farmed on Sec. 34, TP 10, RGE 7, W2 ND. Their eldest son, Elmer, was born there on August 19, 1919. In the fall of 1919, they moved to north of Browning, known as the Bill Bacon farm. They later moved to the Peter's farm about one-half mile east of Browning.

Six more children blessed this union: Carolyn, born December 2, 1921; Lorrain, Doris, Eileen and Wilfred.

Wilfred enjoyed playing the fiddle and needless to say was called upon to play for many dances held in the schoolhouse or hall.

Wilfred passed away at the early age of forty-four, after an operation for appendicitis, on September 2, 1936. His widow, Minnie, was left with a family of seven children to raise. This was done with a lot of hard work. The children were all educated at Yankee School, the younger ones also attended Lampman School.

Minnie passed away at the Regina General Hospital on March 24, 1986 at the age of eighty-six.

"Poet's Corner"
Page 726

Ernest Wilfred Littlejohn Dies At Lampman

Ernest Wilfred Littlejohn died at Lampman Hospital on Wednesday, September 2, 1936 at 3:30 P.M., after an operation for appendicitis. He had been in hospital about five days when he passed away.

The late Mr. Littlejohn was born in Glasston, North Dakota, April 12, 1892. He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. (Minnie Budd) Thomas Littlejohn of Victoria County, Ontario. His father died of the same illness at the age of 28.

He married on November 13, 1917, to Minnie Peters of Browning, Saskatchewan.

He leaves his wife Minnie and six children: Elmer, Carolyn, Lorraine, Doris, Eileen and Mildred; Mother and Step-father Mr. and Mrs. (Minnie Budd-Littlejohn) Will Sinclair; five half-brothers: Archie Sinclair, Browning, Saskatchewan; Joe Sinclair, Brookdale, Manitoba; Wm. Sinclair, Inglow, Manitoba; Fred Sinclair, Lewvan, Saskatchewan; Dan Sinclair at home. Three half-sisters (Alma) Mrs. R. Mitchell, Douglas, Manitoba; (Thelma) Mrs. Joe Wark, Nipawin, Saskatchewan; (Vera) Mrs. Dan McCurdy, Redlyn, Saskatchewan besides many other relations.

The funeral service was held at the Lampman United Church, the Rev. Arthur Krempin, pastor of the Lutheran Church officiating. Two hymns were sung at the church: "Nearer My God to Thee" and "Rock of Ages". Mrs. Frain presided at the organ. The remains were laid to rest at the Browning Cemetery.

The pallbearers were half-brothers: Joe, Fred, William and Dan Sinclair.

The large crowd and fine floral tributes showed the high esteem in which the deceased was held. Those coming from a distance were: Mr. and Mrs. Neil Littlejohn, North Dakota; Mr. and Mrs. Ed Sinclair, Roche Percee, Saskatchewan; Mr. and Mrs. James Edmunds and daughter Edith, Medicine Hat, Alberta; Mr. and Mrs. James Gordon and daughter Shirley, Wapella, Saskatchewan.

The Moose Mountain Star Standard
Wednesday, September 16, 1936
Info Film # R 1.29
Provincial Archives
Regina, Saskatchewan.



More About Ernest Wilfred Littlejohn:
Burial: Unknown, Browning Cemetery, Browning, Saskatchewan, Canada
Cause of Death: Appendiciates
Hobbies: Playing the fiddle
Immigration: 1904, From North Dakota to Saskatchewan
Known As: "Wilfred"
Occupation: Farmer

Census images and headstone photo sent by Myrna.

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