There have been a variety of people come and gone through Stettler over the years. Some were with the community only a short while, and others stayed for years, and even have descendents in the area to this day. The page is my efforts to track some of those people. Many from in town, and many from surrounding towns.
I've attempted to gather as much information on as many people as I could over the years. Some have been easy to research, while others have come in little bits at a time, so check back often as I will be adding to the biographies as I find more information and photos on the people.
JOHN EWING
John Ewing was born in the Paisley area of Bruce County Ontario on March 10 of 1856. His wife Kate McKay was born in the Paisley area as well. They married either in the late 1870’s or early 1880’s. The information I have read, states there was no known record of the date. Mr & Mrs. Ewing farmed near where they grew up until 1892, when they decided to move their 4 boys and one girl west in hopes of settling on a free homestead. They came to Alberta in 1893 and spent some time near Olds. By the time they had relocated to the Pine Lake district, they had 5 boys and 2 girls. They had also amassed a rather large herd, which left them very few options in the Pine Lake area.
A friend of Mr. Ewing’s named Mr. Pastil had been attempting to operate a ranch on the east side of Tail Creek. He offered to sell his property to Mr. Ewing, and after the two men traveled out to the property for an inspection of the property, they agreed on a price of $250. The partially developed property had 2 springs a log structure roughly 16’ X 24 with a partition to separate the sleeping area from the living area. It had a sod roof and plank floor. The property also included stables and corral. This property would become known as Ewing ranch and the family officially moved there in the spring of 1896. It also allowed John and his family to register their brand. B&N (Whole Animal) was allotted to them in May of 1898. At this time, their post office address was listed as being Pine Lake which would have been a day’s ride.
Supply runs from Ewing Ranch to either Red Deer or Lacombe, were a four day venture. The Ewings would stockpile butter to trade on these supply runs. One time, they had stored so much butter they were able to buy a new mower costing $60. This mower was completely destroyed by a partially broke team of Clyde Stallions the first time John tried to use it. Another mower was bought to replace it.
The Ewing’s second source of income was from selling steers. Mr Bill Puffer was an agent out of Lacombe, and he represented Mr. Pat Burns. Mr. Puffer would use the Ewing Ranch as his headquarters when he came to the area. When Mr. Puffer won the election for the newly formed provincial Government, John Ewing was credited as a major driving force behind his win. The Ewings were noted as being part of the first Presbyterian congregation in Olds. They would also board ministry students at their ranch. One student owned a camera during his stay, and was able to take pictures of the Ewing home. After Kate Ewing died in the spring of 1925 at the age of 70, John went to live with his son-in-law Les Legg. The two men eventually moved to Stettler when Les retired. John Ewing passed away on April 18, 1945 at the age of 90.
Dr. JAMES KELSO CREIGHTON
On May 23, 1924 the Methodist church, which sat where the Royal Bank now sits, was the site of a large gathering of people from all around the district. Businesses in Stettler, as well as Botha and Red Willow were closed, and people had traveled from miles around, their cars and rigs lining the streets. The crowds not only filled the church but were gathered out in the street as well. The large gathering was an opportunity for people to pay their respects to Dr. James Creighton. When the funeral procession moved on to the local cemetery, it was comprised of over 75 cars. A large truck was used to transport the stunning number of wreaths and flower arrangements that had been contributed.
Dr. Creighton was born in Middlesex County, Ontario in 1868. He was married in December of 1894. He and his wife Lavinia would have a son who was born in 1898. The Creightons came westward after Dr. Creighton sold his Dorchester practice in 1906. Arriving in Red Willow in 1907, a bit before the railway had even come through.
Regarded as a very quiet man, he was a dedicated physician who was always ready to help regardless of the weather. If you consider a great deal of the area was untouched at the time, it’s interesting to think of how many miles he must have walked with few fences or roads to guide him. An even more impressive feat if you consider some of the blizzards, and rain storms he must have faced. Even if he was able to catch a ride or later drive. It could not have been easy. Despite this; he was never known Dr. Creighton out for a driveto take vacations, although was rather fond of taking long drives around the district to sort of recharge himself.
Dr. Creighton moved into Stettler in 1910. In that year he ran against R.L Shaw on the conservative ticket. Mr. Shaw would win. Dr. Creighton, ran a private hospital in the town for a while.
In his obituary printed in the Red Deer News in 1924, it was noted: “ There probably never has been a man in this district who was any wider known or who utterly disregarded his own welfare as much as the late doctor did in order to serve the people, and his memory will always be fresh in the midst of the people of this district who only too keenly feel that they have lost a friend whose place can never be filled.” Dr. Creighton’s pallbearers were all doctors. This included all five of Stettler’s practicing physicians at the time and a Dr. Allen from Edmonton.
N.B McGILLIVRAY/ 100 YEARS OF FURNITURE
In 1905 N.B McGillivray, who would become the town of Stettler's first mayor, as well as sit on many of the early boards of the town, opened a furniture store in the fledgling community. His first store was less than a block north of it's current locaton. The first freight train into Stettler, was carrying furniture for McGillivray's store. A few years later, N.B would relocate to a more centeral location on the town's main drag. Over 100 years later, a furniture store still sits in that exact same spot. In March of 1958 a fire would start in the building, and would spread to the neighbouring bakery owned by Mr. Dick Webster. The fire caused some damage to the neighbouring Co-operative grocery (now John's Clothing) and the Builder's hardware on the other side of the bakery. A new building was erected, but the business was sold and renamed as Sim's Furniture. Mr. George Sinclair was the general manager and president of Sim's. Sim's Furniture would remain in business until it was sold again, and renamed Wells' Furniture in 1972 when it was bought by Mr. Dick Wells who operated it until 1991, when he then sold it to Mr. Calvin Blauel. Mr. Blauel kept the name Wells Furniture, up until he sold the company in 1996 to it's current owner Bernadette (Bernie) Jackson, who has run the store for twenty years, often times with members of her family working alongside her.
JOHN BURLEY (J.B) GRIFFITH
Mr. John Burley Griffith was born on July 31, 1870 in Caradac Township, Middlesex County, Ontario. After finishing school and business courses, he then returned to the family farm in 1890. Mr. Griffith came to Manitoba in 1902 and took up farming there. However he moved to Red Deer Alberta after only 2 years, and took the position of Dominion Land instructor on the government farm.
Although I don't have a date, Mr Griffith eventually came to Stettler where he operated J.B. Griffith's Flour and Feed. He also sold buggies, harnesses, and eventually even dealt in ag equipment. He ran his business out of a 2 story building that was approximately 60x60. This building was also commonly used as a classroom. Students were taught in the upper floor. However since the middle of the second floor was open to the lower floor, a railing was erected to prevent students from falling.
J.B served as Chairman of the Board of Public works, and spent several years on town council.
Mr. Griffith was married to a Sarah McKerecher of Chatham Ontario in 1893. Together the had several children. Granton Eli Griffith was born in 1896, Pendlton Price Griffith, was born in 1900, and Mabel Dorothea Griffith was born in 1903. The Griffith's other daugther, Alma Stettler Griffith, was born in June of 1906 and is noted as being the first white girl born in Stettler. The family farmed 9 quarter sections near Stettler.
J.B. Griffith died on November 21, 1918.
HARRY THEODORE HARDING
H.T. Harding was born in 1849 in Windsor Nova Scotia. After graduating from King's College in 1870, he worked in the law office of W.H. Blanchard, before going to work in the law office of the Honourable James McDonald. He worked there until he was admitted to the bar in 1875.
During his 8 years as a resident of Maitland Nova Scotia, Mr. Harding organized the Maitland Marine Insurance Company, where he acted as the Secretary & Treasurer. Although the company was successful, it was discontinued when wooden ships of the era, were quickly becoming replaced with more modern steel vessels. Mr. Harding then moved his practice to Truro where he helped to organize the local Electric Light Company. During this time he also acquired large interests in mining operations in Guysboro County. These lucarative investments, would lead Mr. Harding to once again move his firm to Sherbrooke.
In 1905, Harry Harding would sell his interests in the mining business which had consumed most of his focus. He was noted as selling below their original value. Mr. Harding came to Stettler that year, and would be the town's first solicitor from its inception until he resigned the post in 1909. He was also on retainer for Trader's Bank, and similar institutions in the area.
Mr. Harding married Anna Robinson Fisk in 1876. Together they would have four children: Henry, George, Louis, and Eloise.
Harry Theodore Harding passed away on December 26, 1925.
JOSEPH NELSON TICE
J.N. Tice was a community-minded man who served on the early town councils of 2 Alberta communities. He was born on August 27, 1853 in Erie County New York, where he attended public school until he turned 16. At that time, he went to work on the family farm. Mr. Tice's father died when Joseph was 18, and he would stay on until the estated was properly divided amongst the heirs 2 years later. At that time he continued to farm on his own until he sold everything in 1882, and began farming in South Dakota, where he spent the next 14 years. During this time, he was also the proprietor of a hotel.
Mr. Tice came to Lacombe in 1895 and lived there for 10 years. During his residence in Lacombe, he sat on the first town council, and acted as the C.P. Lands guide/agent. In addition to this, he operated a Livery business, before coming to Stettler in 1905.
Joseph's time in Stettler was very busy, and rather successful. He was appointed the government land guide and also owned/operated the Bon Ton Livery stable in Stettler. I have read in some sources that he still had an investment in his Livery business in Lacombe at the time. Mr. Tice also owned 3 houses in the community, 2 of which he rented out. Tice was on Stettler's first town council for two years, before becoming the town's second Mayor, replacing Mr. N.B McGillivray.
Mr. Tice and his wife Mabel were married in 1904, and had a daughter named Cecelia. The Tice family owned 30 acres of orange groves in San Bernadino County in the U.S. They were often known for giving away oranges from their grove. This may not sound like much these days, but back then it would have been quite the treat. Eventually they moved down to their orange grove, and spent several years there.
WHIP WILBRO SHARPE
Whip Wilbro (W.W) Sharpe was born on October 30, 1881 in New Brunswick. While in P.E.I, he left school at age 15, and entered into the General Merchandise business in Summerside. He would be there for just over four years.
Mr. Sharpe would spend 2 years working for John West at his store in Wetaskiwin, before becoming a member of McLaughlin, Sharpe & Price. During that time, he would by out John Price's operation. However in 1909, he would sell his interests in the firm, and move to Stettler.
W.W. Sharpe's first Stettler venture would be a men's furnishings store. However shortly after, he would start a general store. Whip would partner with ____ Page and the two would buy out pioneering Stettler businessmen Riggs & White who had been in operation from the very begininng. This would be the start of a long-running business, which operated primarily out of a Main Street store where Homespun Seasons now sits. However the firm would eventually build a connecting building on Alberta (50th) Avenue.
While in Stettler, Mr. Sharpe would sit on town council as well as serve as mayor. He also held the position as president of the local Board of Trade, and was a member of the IOOF's Stettler branch.
Whip's first wife would sadly pass away in 1910. Nettie Sharpe would come down with tuberculosis. The couple were traveling through Seattle at the time on their way to California. Mr. Sharpe would later marry a woman named Emma.
In addition to being a local business man for many years, the Sharpe's would also shape the community through several generous donations. When the Sharpe's lost both their sons during the Second World War, the family would donate a large plot of land near the school grounds, to be used as a memorial park. The memorial Cenotaph would be moved from the courthouse property to Sharpe Memorial park, where it still stands today. The family would also start a memorial scholarship for local students, which was awarded for many years.
Whip would pass away at 74 years old in Vancouver British Columbia. The family had moved there years before. His body was then transported to Calgary Alberta.
RICHARD "DICK" RICHARDS
Richard Bentley Richards, commonly known as Dick, was a huge community supporter and active member both of and in many groups over the years.
Born in May 1967 at Canadian Air Force base Downsview in Ontario, he and his siblings would grow up in Stettler.
Dick attended the University of Calgary where he earned a Bachelors in Political Science. Afterwards, he would join the Co-Operators Insurance agency which he would not only be a part of, but a well respected, and recognized member for many many years.
Dick's long-standing service on town council began in 2002, when he first won as eat on council. He would remain as a councillor until 2009. In 2009, he begin to serve as mayor until 2017. Some of the major projects he oversaw in that time, would include the Stettler Skate Park. He would also help to make sure dyalysis was available in Stettler. In 2012, Mayor Richards would recieve the Queen Eliabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal. A prestigious honor, and one rather deserving for such a person.
Dick was also a huge community supporter both as a resident of the community and as a business owner. He was a huge supporter of the Heartland Youth Center, as well as several sports leagues. He served for a time on the local Kinsmen club where he was able to focus his community support through club activities.
He was also a huge proponent of family. He kept on top of his many children and their countless activities, and had no problems saying: "Sorry. Can't make it. My kid has a thing." He put family first whenever he possibly could.
Sadly Richard Richards would pass away in 2020, after a bout of poor health. An energetic, outgoing, caring and friendly individual, who would be notably missed throughout the commuity.
EDWARD WILLIAM BARNETT
Born in Almonte Ontarion in 1858, Edward "Ed" Barnett would leave home at the age of 19. His early travels would take him south to the Sierre Nevada Mountians. During that time, he would travel by foot, and by rail, as well as finding work on a river boat on the Mississippi River. Afterwards, Ed Barnett would make his way north again, coming through St. Paul Minnesota before ending up in Winnipeg. While in Winnipeg, Ed would meet 3 members of the Royal North West Mounted Police who were transporting prisoners from Fort Walsh. His interaction with the mounties, motivated him towards the next chapter in his life, and he would join the three officers on their 850 mile journey back to Forth Walsh.
Edward Barnett became a constable in the RNWMP on August 17, 1878. Wages at the time were roughly 50-cents per day for the first year. Afterwards, he would earn around 75-cents per day, but that was due to more dangerous duties, and assignments. During his time in the RNWMP, Ed would be part of the escort group that would travel with Chief Sitting Bull along the Edmonton-Montana trail, in the process of handing the tribal leader over to American authorities. His memoirs of the time would also tell of the mounties who would help to build corrals on goverment issued farms that indigenous people would later be located onto.
After being discharged from the RNWMP force in August of 1881, Barnett was convinced by Colonel McLeod to use his experiences and skills to help open the Central Alberta frontier. Barnett would travel north, finding work in Calgary, and eventually ending up at the former Red Deer River crossing in 1882. While there, he partnered with Messers. Robert McLelland and Bill Buchannan. The two gentlemen had arrived from Edmonton shortly before Barnett's arrival. The three men secured a contract to build a mercantile store for Mr. G.C King of Calgary. The store would later be run by Gaetz. It was also considered the first permanent business built in Central Alberta. After some time in the Red Deer area, Barnett would carry on north.
Some people would state early on, that Barnett had taken squatters rights in undeveloped land north of the Red Deer area. However. RCMP records would show that he had, in fact started his homestead with the land grant that had been awarded to him for his 3 years in the police force. Land grants for services in the Mounted Police, had been a part of the recruiting strategy since the force was first created. A member of the lower ranks who had a record that was deemed 'satisfactory' would recieve a government land grant shortly after being discharged. This practice would stop roughly a year after Barnett signed up, however he had joined while it was still in practice, and his service record met the requirements.
Barnett would travel north of the Red Deer region with both his land grant from the Mounted Police, as well as the Dominion Homesteader's act. Both parcels of land that Barnett would be entitled to under the acts, were roughly 160 acres each, and he was able to put them side by side, and start his new life in the undeveloped area that the government surveyors had yet to come through. One portion of the twin land grants which were situated along the Calgary and Edmonton trail, would serve as a stopping house for people making their way through. While Barnett would also start a ranch on the property. During the Riel Rebellion of 1885, Ed Barnett was believed to be the only white man in Central Alberta. He would later tell the story of how he had spotted a group of Indigenous Braves drawing closer to his isolated property. Barnett grabbed his horses from the barn and brought them inside. The plan was to make enough noise that the approaching group would assume he was far from alone. The plan appeared to work, as there was never an actual conflict, and the group of warriors just went about their business, giving Barnett's a wide berth. They might also have avoided the property altogether, since Barnett was a well-respected person in the area. Several indigenous groups spent time at his stopping house, and anyone who had a problem with the self-sufficient young man, tended to avoid his property.
In 1888, Ed's brother Jack would come out and work with Ed on the Barnett Ranch. Jack would also take up squatters rights on the shore of Barnett Lake. In 1894, Ed would marry Elvie Green who came from Nova Scotia. Green was the first teacher in the Lacombe area, and a cairn would later be erected along hiway 12, in her honour.
Since the area Edward Barnett settled in, hadn't been officially surveyed, his land claim wasn't officially registered for nearly ten years. To give some persepective on this. Hiram Adams had come to the area in 1887, and his claim to his homestead was only officially noted 1 month after Barnett's. When the surveyors did come through, they were followed quickly by the Calgary and Edmonton Railway Company. A small corporation that had been granted permission to build a north-south rail line through the province, when Canadian Pacific had failed to secure the rights. Even though, they would eventually buy the rail line, as they did with many smaller rail companies at the time. When the C&E Railway came through Barnett's property, depositing a boxcar train station on his land, it was officially recorded in the books as Siding #12. However the locals around the boxcar were quick to start calling it Barnett's siding.
Although Barnett was considered a loner, he was not an isolated man. He enjoyed his space, and didn't take very well to large centers. However as homesteaders began coming to the area, the first person they would often meet, would be Ed. Ed was often the one to pick new arrivals up at the siding, or meet them along the trail, and help them to their homestead. He would then help them erect a temporary camp of sorts, and in the morning would make the new arrivals breakfast, before carrying on his way. Although a large percentage of early settlers were men who would come out ahead of their families to get things started, when a pioneering family did show up, Barnett would loan them some of his cattle or oxen so the children could have milk, until the family could acquire their own cattle. Ed's ability to bring people to the new settlement, and his willingness to help people who were hoping to start a life there, would later have him unofficially considered the original member of the Lacombe Chamber of Commerce, for helping to grow the community.

In 1893 the Canadian Pacific decided to call the new settlment Lacombe, after Father Lacombe. The well-known priest who had traveled through the area, working with the native population, and working to keep many of them from joining the 1885 rebellion. Around this time, Ed would commission the first land survey of his property, and begin to have it subdivided. Working with Augustus Meredith Nanton, and John Henry Munson, he would divide and sell his early homesteading property. What is now 50th Avenue, was originally called Barnett Avenue, and was a part of his property. His land would also stretch north between 53rd and 45th Street. He and his partners divided his land, selling much of it as residential lots. Barnett would keep fifty percent of the proceeds, witht he rest being split amongst his partners.
As the town grew, Barnett felt it was time to move on to more open spaces. In the early 1900's, he sold his shares in his Lacombe holdings, and moved to the Lamerton area. The Barnetts operated a ranch in the Lamerton region for some time, before venturing on, and winding up east of Botha. Although their Botha-area home was well suited to them, they were wanting their 4 children(Pearl, Bill, Agnes and Ralph) to recieve a good education. So the Barnetts picked up one more time, and moved to the west side of Stettler, settling roughly 1 mile north of the Liberal Church.
The Barnett children attended the Liberal school, and both Elvie, and Ed would sit on the boards of both the church and the school. Their four children, would eventually all become teachers like their pioneering mother.
Adventurer-turned-Mounty-turned-homesteader Edward Barnett, would pass away in August of 1939. . In addition to funeral services performed by Rev. T.R. Davies, the local Masonic Lodge organized the graveside services, which was done by the Stettler Canadian Legion branch. The Legion performed a small service, and then sounded last post for the former Mounted Police officer. Pallbearers at the pioneer’s funeral included Messers Colley, and McIvor. Elvie would run the Liberal area ranch for about 10 years before selling and moving to Kelowna. She sold the Barnett home to the Anderson family, who would tear down the Barnett house, and use the wood for other buildings. She would pass away in 1963. Both her and her husband are buried at the Liberal Cemetery.
GEORGE RICHARD FARMER
Mr. Farmer was born in Salem New England on November 21, 1873. His family relocated to Michigan when he was younger and when he turned 19 he spent the next five years, working with his father in farming and lumber. After that, he spent 2 years working in the lumber industry in Minnesota.
In 1899, Mr. Farmer came to what would eventually become Alberta. First settling in calgary, before relocating to Lacombe where he owned/operated a ranch. He also married his wife Anna while in Lacombe in January of 1902. Their first child was named Ella Alberta, who was born in 1903, and Florence Pearl followed in 1905. After six years of operation, George Farmer sold all his cattle, but retained ownership of the land. He opened his hardware store in Stettler in January of 1906, arriving only a few months after the rail road. Their daughter Dorothy Olive was born in December of 1906. Bernice Luciel was born in 1909, and followed a little later by Lawrence George. George sat on the Stettler's first Town council as well as other boards over his time in Stettler. In May of 1909, Mr. Farmer would open a branch of his store in the newly developing community of Castor. Between the two stores, Mr. Farmer would employ roughly 12 people.
George Farmer's house was one of the earlier homes in the community. It was built on the south-west corner of Hill(48)Avenue and Niblock(49)Street. Over the history of the town, the house has been used for many things including a private hospital, a church manse, and a hair salon.
HARRY POON
Harry Poon was a