 The Hunt story is an example of the many and varied ways that people settled in the Woodrow area. Such settlements are an important part of Woodrow history and by reconstructing the generous, much cherished family pictures, letters and notes offered by Alice Plonka (nee Hunt), this family history is offered here on the World Wide Web -- as an example of a Woodrow Pioneering family. (entered November 11, 1999) Alice Plonka 1915 -2004
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 On January 30, 1874 at St. Mary's Church in the County of Surry, England, friends and relations gathered to witness a double wedding ceremony of special significance. Two hunt brothers were marrying two Lake sisters. Grandfather John William Hunt married Emma Lake while George William Hunt married Mary Lake. Brothers John and George were sons of Harry Hunt and the two sisters, Emma and Mary were daughters of John Lake. The sisters' Grandfather was William Lake, their grandmother, Sarah Berry Lake. Sarah Berry Lake was formerly married to Robert Berry who was Emma and Marys' Grandfather. After Robert Berry died, Sarah married John Lake. George and Mary had two daughters: Florence Lee married Charles
Trenillyan (they had one son named Chas Lake). To be recognized
locally from his father, Chas (Charles) was commonly called "Lake". John and Emma made their home at 111 Speke Road, Batersea,
County of Surry, England. In this home three The two couples remained close and emigrated to Canada together. The exact date of the journey is not known, but the date is estimated to be sometime between December 28th, 1880 and April 2, 1883. John and Emma settled in Thornbury, Ontario, Canada. Three more sons were born: Thomas R. was born on April 2, 1883, George Edward was born on October 26th 1885 and Albert James came into the world on November 26th 1888. |
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Charles was born on August 8, 1875. He was the first son of
John and Emma Hunt of Battersea, County of Surry However, Charles boarded ship and was well out to sea when he discovered that the ship he had boarded was going to Canada! Just before reaching Canadian shores, a storm came up and Charles' ship was driven onto the rocks in the Strait of Bell Isle. Fortunately all passengers were saved by rescuers placing planks from the shore to the rocks.
The "call of the west" and the promise of land brought Charles Hunt to Saskatchewan in 1909. He filed under the Homestead Act on the S. E. Quarter of Section 20-Township 8-Range 6-West of the 3rd in the R.M. #74 (the Woodrow area). It cost Charles $10.00 to register his claim, and he was given three years to prove it up. After three years, the land became his own, and he was given an option on another quarter for a very good price. For the first few winters in the Woodrow area, he worked at his bricklaying and stone masonry trade in both Manitoba and Saskatchewan. The T. Eaton building in Moose Jaw, still in use, is one of Charles' buildings. He returned east to Ontario in the fall of 1913. In the spring of that year, Charles loaded a freight car with a team of horses, a cow, a collie pup, and other articles and made his way back to Woodrow. |
 "I can well remember the time in Paris Ontario that Uncle Charlie was loading his freight car for the west. I think we were there because Uncle Charlie considered it his great adventure and he seemed to enjoy packing the car, getting his team of horses in, entirely surrounded with the hay. I remember we all felt pretty lonesome the night before he left for the west". |
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In the spring of 1914, Charles Hunt was joined by his wife Lily and their two daughters (Mable & Beatice) on the first passenger train into Woodrow. Mable still remembers the trip across the Pinto Creek as it flowed during the spring flood. Lily's new home was a one-room shack - Johnny and Alice Plonka nee Hunt's present kitchen. Lily had little furniture and none of the comforts to which she was accustom. Only today as we sift through the old pictures do we begin to understand and appreciate the sacrifice mother made for us. On September 21, 1915 Alice May Hunt was born. Six years later John William Hunt was born on November 24th 1921. Both children were born on the farm, John with the help of Aunt Carrie. |
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Dad (Charles Hunt) enjoyed farming, he made a well laid plan
for the yard, planted many trees, (both shelter and fruit), one
of which is still producing fruit today. He loved gardening,
when the house was enlarged, lumber was hauled from Morse by
horses and wagon. Horses were used for all the farm work. Implements
were small (so We had good neighbors, we visited often, and receiving or
giving help was a way of life. Dad was an active Mason and also
organized and started the Meyronne Chapter of the Eastern Star.
We always looked forward to the annual Masonic picnics and in
the fall their yearly dance and entertainment. Dad was instrumental
and helped to build the Anglican Church in Woodrow. Beatrice
was the first to be married in that church and her grandson was
the last to be baptized before the church was closed. The building
is now used as the Woodrow town hall. Dad was also active in
helping to keep the Pinto Valley School cared for. One teacher
taught from grades one through to grade eight.. There was no
school bus to pick us up, and we were lucky to have a buggy and
quiet horse to take us to school, many of the children had to
walk for miles. To keep us in school, mother moved into Woodrow
and kept boarders. The Woodrow high school, at first, only taught to grade eleven, but later, included grade twelve. The old school is gone now, and all the children go to Lafleche School by bus. Time has changed things in so many ways. Today, most of the small towns and villages like Woodrow are lucky if they have a Post Office. The nearby town of Lafleche has grocery stores, but for farm repairs it means a trip to Assiniboia or a larger city. Farming, as we have known it, has changed a great deal. Oh for the good old days! Fond memories, good friends and hard work made for some very happy times around Woodrow. |
sons
were born. Charles John was born on August 8, 1875, William Harry
was born on November 1, 1877 and Harry George came into the world
on Mar. 28th, 1880.
,
England. The family came to Canada sometime between December
1880 and April 1883 to settle in Thornbury Ontario, Canada. Charles
was between five and eight years of age when he landed in Canada.
His father was a bricklayer (the first four sons worked under
him to learn the trade as well). When Charles finished school
he took a course in architecture and on November 26, 1900 Charles
received a certificate and a scholarship to go to England - to
study stone masonry and bricklaying. On completion of his courses
in England he applied successfully to work on the Panama Canal
project.
Charles returned
to Thornbury Ontario on Dec. 24th, 1902 and married Lily Gertrude,
daughter of Dave and Agnes Fleming in St. George Church, Clarksburg
Ontario. Lily and Charles moved to Collingwood, Ontario and here
two daughters were born; Gwendolyn Beatrice on October 18th,
1905 and Mable Doris on December 2nd, 1909.
were
the farms), and we depended on supplying our own food, fowl,
pigs, cattle and vegetables from a big garden. The cream cheque
gave us some cash, but our needs were few and we were happy and
contented with what we had. Later Dad went into the pure bred
Holstein cattle business. The holsteins were his pride and joy,
he milked them three times a day. All milk was weighed, tested
and recorded for each cow and records were sent monthly, his
herd was top in Saskatchewan. How well I remember this, as I
was his main helper, I enjoyed the outside work then and I still
do today.
