County of Ponoka GenWeb Project - Local Government History


Munici pal Government Formation	Small Improvement Districts
Municipal District of Water Glen #428	Municipal District of the Blindman #430
Municipal District of Fertile Valley #429	Municipal District of Last West #431

The Municipal Government Formation of the County of Ponoka
The amalgamation of several inprovement districts created the County of Ponoka
In and around 1903, the Small Improvement Districts of 22-S-4, 21-T-4, 21-W-4 & 22-W-4 were established and covered the areas of Townships 42, 43 & 44 and Ranges 25, 26 & 27, West of the 4th Meridian.
On December 23, 1912 Improvement District #429 was established from the amalgamation of the Small Improvement Districts of 22-S-4, 21-T-4, 21-W-4 & 22-W-4.
On March 1, 1918, Improvement District #429 was incorporated and became known as the Municipal District of Fertile Valley #429
On January 1, 1944, the Municipal District of Ponoka #66 was formed from the amalgamation of the Municipal Districts of Water Glen #428 & Fertile Valley #429
On January 1, 1952, the County of Ponoka #3 was created.

Municipal district of Water Glen #428
January 23, 1915	First elected Councillors were: Mr. P.R. Stewart, Mr. J.B. Wilcox, Mr. F.J. Bullock, and Mr. Ed G. Boddy. Two names submitted for Secretary-Treasurer; Mr. Charles A. Johnson and Mr. J.E. Jeffries. In a lot selection, Mr. Johnson appointed Secretary-Treasurer at $150 per annum.
1916	No changes in Council.
1917	Name changed to Municipal District of Water Glen #428. Elected Councillors were: Mr. P.R. Stewart, Mr. R. Donaldson, Mr. H. Boman, and Mr. F.J. Bullock.
1918	Councillors were: Mr. P.R. Stewart, Mr. H. Boman and Mr. F.J. Bullock.
1919	Elected Councillors were: Mr. Martin Hagglund, Mr. Henry Boman (2 year terms). Mr. Elias Jenkins and Mr. B.R. Headley (1 year terms). (see Section 29, Page 10, M.D. Act) A vote on a herd law by-law was held and passed, but was lost on a technicality in wording. Mr. A.G. Lindbloom was the Returning Officer. Labour wage rates were set at 37 1/2¢/hour and 62 1/2¢/hour for man and team respectively.
1920	Mr. F.S. James replaced Mr. B.R. Headley.
1921	Mr. Otto W. Nelson replaced Mr. Martin Hagglund.
1922	No changes in Council.
1923	Mr. B.R. Headley replaced Mr. F.S. James.
1924	No changes in Council.
1925	Mr. Proctor Paulsen became Secretary-Treasurer.
1926	Mr. Roy Vold replaced Mr. B.R. Headley.
1927	Elected Councillors: Mr. O.W. Nelson, Mr. R.E. Williams, Mr. Roy Vold and Mr. H.J. Boman.
1928	Mr. T.L. Jenkins replaced Mr. R.E. Williams.
1929	Mr. Gustav Riske replaced Mr. O.W. Nelson
1930 - 33	No changes in Council.
1934	Mr. R.E. Williams replaced Mr. R.L. Jenkins.
1935 - 42	No changes in Council.
1943	Elected Councillors: Mr. George Sharp, Mr. R.E. Williams, Mr. Roy Vold, and Mr. H.J. Boman.
1944	Amalgamation of Water Glen #428 and Fertile Valley #429 created the Municipal District of Ponoka #66.
1944	Elected Councillors were: Mr. Roy Vold, Mr. Andrew Liddle, Mr. Paul Baker, Mr. Marcus Crandall, and Mr. Jerome Donnelly. Mr. Peter McDonald appointed Secretary-Treasurer.
1945	No changes in Council.
1946	Mr. H.J. Boman replaced Mr. Roy Vold.
1947-48	No changes in Council.
1949	Councillors were: Mr. H.J. Boman, Mr. Ivor E. Davies, Mr. Paul Baker, Mr. Marcus Crandall, and Mr. Jerome Donnelly.
1950	Mr. Peter Fraser and Mr. Henry Nagel joined the Council.

Muncipal District of Fertile Valley #429
This Improvement District was established December 23, 1912 and consisted of townships 42, 43 & 44, and ranges 25, 26 & 27, west of the 4th meridian. Prior to this time, the area was split up into 4 smaller Improvement Districts known only by numbers, and formed in 1903 and later. Improvement District #429 was incorporated March 1, 1918 and became the Municipal District of Fertile Valley #429
1915	First elected Councillors were: Mr. Ed Hinkley, Mr. C.O. Cunningham, Mr. Marcus Crandall, Mr. Anton Lux, Mr. L.V. Bailey and Mr. James Grierson.
1916	Mr. J.W. Kinley replaced Mr. James Grierson. The Secretary-Treasurer's name was not recorded.
1917	Mr. William Gee replaced Mr. Ed Hinkley
1918	Improvement District was incorporated and became the Municipal District of Fertile Valley #429. Councillors were: Mr. William Gee, Mr. A. Lux (Reeve), Mr. N.B. Curl, Mr. L.V. Bailey, Mr. M. Crandall, and Mr. Edgar Williams. Mr. T.W. Hutchinson appointed as Secretary-Treasurer at $450 per annum. Land assessment rate was set at 7.5¢ per acre. Labour rate was set at 35¢ per hour and 12.5¢ per horse.
1919	Mr. Wm. Hoar replaced Mr. L.V. Bailey.
1920	Elected Councillors were: Mr. Anton Lux, Mr. Ed Williams, Mr. W.J. Hoar, Mr. P.E. Iverson, Mr. B. Auten, and Mr. M. Crandall.
1921	No changes in Council. Mr. Dan Bush appointed Secretary-Treasurer.
1922 - 23	No changes in Council.
1924	Elected Councillors were: Mr. E.J. Williams, Mr. A. Lux, Mr. W.J. Hoar, Mr. P.O. Iverson, Mr. B. Auten, and Mr. M. Crandall.
1925	Mr. C.W. Merrill replaced Mr. Anton Lux. Mr. A.B. Baadsgaard appointed Secretary-Treasurer.
1927	Elected Councillors were: Mr. H. Zimmerman, Mr. E.J. Williams, Mr. W.J. Hoar, Mr. Wm. Gee, Mr. M.B. Auten and Mr. Phillip Palecheck. Mr. Peter McDonald appointed Secretary-Treasurer.
1928	Mr. L.V. Bailey replaced Mr. W.J. Hoar
1929	Mr. Howard Russell replaced Mr. H. Zimmerman.
1930	Mr. R. Tilgen replaced Mr. L.V. Bailey. Mr. W.H. Stretch replaced Mr. William Gee.
1931	Mr. Zimmerman replaced Mr. H. Russell. Mr. Frank Kroll replaced Mr. W.J. Williams
1932	No changes in Council.
1933	Elected Councillors were: Mr. H. Zimmerman, Mr. F. Kroll, Mr. R. Tilgen, Mr. W.H. Stretch, Mr. M.B. Auten, and Mr. John Leidenius.
1934	No changes in Council.
1935	Mr. Arthur Sweet replaced Mr. F. Kroll.
1936	Elected Councillors were: Mr. H. Zimmerman, Mr. A. Sweet, Mr. E.W. Hemeyer, Mr. W.H. Stretch, Mr. M.B. Auten, and Mr. John Leidenius.
1937	Mr. Emil Tilgen replaced Mr. E. Heymeyer.
1938	Mr. W.H. Sheppard replaced Mr. A. Sweet. Mr. M. Crandall replaced Mr. J. Leidenius.
1939	No changes in Council.
1940	Elected Councillors were: Mr. James Paterson, Mr. W.H. Sheppard, Mr. E.W. Tilgen (Reeve), Mr. W.H. Stretch, Mr. A.W. Mattern and Mr. M. Crandall.
1941 - 42	No changes in Council.
1943	Mr. A.C. Bowie replaced Mr. J. Paterson.
1944	Amalgamated with District #428 to become the Municipal District of Ponoka #66.

Muncipal District of the Blindman #430
January 23, 1918	First meeting held at the home of Clyde Eley. Elected Councillors were: Mr. John Eadie, Mr. Henry Watts, Mr. James Jeffrison, Mr. Paul Edinger, Mr. Charles Bishop, and Mr. James E. Dye. Mr. M.C. Platt appointed Secretary-Treasurer at $300 per annum. At that time, 4,300 boardfeet of bridge plank was purchased at $6
1919	Name changed to Municipal District of the Blindman #430. Councillors were: Mr. J. Eadie, Mr. Fred Pickette, Mr. Tapley Bunch, Mr. George Betts, Mr. Charles Bishop, and Mr. John Alexander. Secretary-Treasurer's salary set at $500 per annum.
1920	Mr. H.W. Hunting replaced Mr. Fred Pickette. Mr. Bishop's division was left vacant. Councillor Alexander was appointed Reeve. Secretary-Treasurer's salary set at $600 per annum.
1921	Mr. C. Bishop returned to Council. Mr. Alvin J. Hewitt replaced Mr. J.E. Dye. Mr. Josph Renshaw appointed Secretary-Treasurer.
1921	A petition went to the Minister of Health for the establishment of a Hospital District.
1922	Elected Councillors were: Mr. J. Alexander, Mr. Henry Watts, Mr. D.W. Ford, Mr. A.J. Hewitt, Mr. Josephy Hodsden and Mr. J.C.Lee.
1923	Mr. J.E. Dye replaced Mr. J. Alexander.
1924	Elected Councillors were: Mr. D.W. Ford, Mr. D.A. Whitesell, Mr. A.J. Hewitt, Mr. Wm. Han, Mr. J.C. Lee and Mr. J.E. Dye.
1925 - 26	No changes in Council.
1927	Mr. W. Archibald replaced Mr. D.W. Ford.
1928	No changes in Council.
1929	Mr. E.E. McDowell replaced Mr. J.C. Lee. Mr. W.A. Saunders appointed Secretary-Treasurer.
1930	Mr. G.S. Twiss replaced Mr. William Hann.
1931	Elected Councillors were: Mr. Wesley Wiles, Mr. W.F. Jersey, Mr. J. Donnelly, Mr. George S. Twiss, Mr. E.E. McDowell, and Mr. J.E. Dye.
1932	Mr. William Hann replaced Mr. G. Twiss. Mr. R.W. Burns replaced Mr. E.E. McDowell.
1933	No changes in Council.
1934	The Councillors were: Mr. W. Wiles, Mr. W.F. Jersey, Mr.J. Donnelly, Mr. Alex McKenzie, Mr. Richard Stewart, and Mr. J. Dye.
1935	No changes in Council.
1936	Mr. George Henderson replaced Mr. A. McKenzie. Mr. Carl Lee replaced Mr. Richard Stewart.
1937	No changes in Council.
1938	Councillors were: Mr. W. Wiles, Mr. W.F. Jersey, Mr. J. Donnelly, Mr. George Henderson, Mr. Carl Lee and Mr. J. Roy Burns.
1939	Mr. L.A. Gurnell replaced Mr. W.F. Jersey.
1940 - 43	No changes in Council.
1944	Municipal District of the Blindman #430 amalgamated with Muncipal District of Last West #431 to become Muncipal District of Last West #67.
1944	Elected Councillors were: Mr. D.J. Myers, Mr. P. Fraser, Mr. J.A. Givin, Mr. Charles Campbell, Mr. D. Vanse, and Mr. V. Dersch.

Municipal District of Last West #431
February 8, 1913	First meeting held at Potter Creek Elected Councillors were: Mr. William Connors, Mr. J.H. Lawyer, Mr. John Dixon, Mr. Leo Benson, Mr. John Hull, and Mr. H. Nicholson. Mr. M.C. Platt appointed Secretary-Treasurer at $100 per annum.
1914	Elected Councillors were: Mr. S.W. Eastburn, Mr. H.B. Belt, Mr. John Bargen, Mr. Ed. Capling, Mr. John Hull, and Mr. Hugo Liska. Secretary-Treasurer Platt's salary set at $200 per annum. The rate of land tax was set at 71/2¢ per acre.
1915	Elected Councillors were: Mr. S.W. Eastburn, Mr. H.B. Belt, Mr. Ed. Capling, Mr. Wm. Hicks, Mr. H.F. Liska, and Mr. John Bargen.
1916	Councillors were: Mr. S.W. Eastburne, Mr. J.H. Belt, Mr. E. Capling, Mr. M. Donovan, Mr. H.F. Liska, and Mr. J.J. Bell. Ratepayers were permitted to work for the District to pay off their taxes (up to $10 maximum); the balance was to be paid in cash.
1917	Mr. L.H. Chabotte replaced Mr. H.J. Belt.
1918	Mr. Wm. Sayles replaced Mr. E. Capling. Mr. H.F. Liska appointed Secretary-Treasurer at $200 per annum.
1919	Mr. Wm. Becker replaced Mr. S.W. Eastburne.
1920	Councillors were: Mr. Joe Lamb, Mr. L.H. Chabotte, Mr. J.J. Bell, Mr. Wm. Sayles, Mr. John Haggarth, and Mr. Ed. Stern.
1921	Mr. John Barwick replaced Mr. Joe Lamb.
1922	Councillors were: Mr. Wm Becker, Mr. J.A. Barwick, Mr. J.J. Bell, Mr. John Dixon, Mr. John Haggarth and Mr. E. Stearn.
1923	No changes in Council.
1924	Council remained the same. Mr. W.S. Thompson was appointed Secretary-Treasurer.
1925	Mr. John Barwick replaced Mr. Fred Rattone.
1926	No changes in Council.
1927	Councillors were: Mr. W.H. Becker, Mr. Fred Rattone, Mr. Ted Jensen, Mr. Victor Owens, Mr. John Haggarth, and Mr. E. Stearn.
1928	Mr. E.O. Peterson replaced Mr. E. Stearn.
1929	Councillors were: Mr. W.H. Becker, Mr. J.J. Bell, Mr. A.J. Clayton, Mr. Victor Owens, Mr. John Haggarth and Mr. E. O. Peterson.
1930	Mr. R.E. Hayward replaced Mr. Peterson. Mr. D. Vance replaced Mr. Haggarth.
1931 - 32	No changes in Council.
1933	Councillors were: Mr. R.E. Hayward, Mr. Fred Rattone, Mr. A.J. Clayton, Mr. Victor Owens, Mr. D. Vance and Mr. A. Torgenson.
1934	No changes in Council. Mr. A. Bird appointed Secretary-Treasurer.;
1935	Mr. C. Wilson replaced Mr. Clayton.
1936	Mr. Arthur Craig replaced Mr. Torgenson.
1937 - 39	No changes in Council.
1940	Councillors were: Mr. R.E. Hayward, Mr. Peter Fraser, Mr. A.E. Fox, Mr. Victor Owens, Mr. D. Vance and Mr. A.C. Craig.
1941	Mr. D.J. Myers replaced Mr. Hayward.
1942	Mr. Clyde Wilson replaced Mr. Fox.
1943	Councillors were: Mr. D.J. Myhers, Mr. P. Fraser, Mr. J.A. Given, Mr. V. Owen, Mr. D. Vance, and Mr. V. Dersch.
1944	Amalgamated with Last West #67.
1945	Councillors were: Mr. D.J. Meyers, Mr. P. Fraser, Mr. J.A. Given, Mr. C. Campbell, Mr. J. Schweiger, and Mr. L.H. Slack. Mr. Victor Owen appointed Secretary-Treasurer.
1946	Mr. A.L. Stout replaced Mr. C. Campbell. Mr. J.G. Anderson replaced Mr. L.H. Slack.
1947 - 48	No changes in Council.
1949	Councillors were: Mr. D.J. Meyers, Mr. P. Fraser, Mr. T. Jensen, Mr. A.R. Stout, Mr. J.B Schweiger, and Mr. J.G. Anderson.

Small Improvement Districts
Prior to the formation of Improvement District #429 in 1912, the area was divided into 4, numbered, small improvement districts which were formed in/or around 1903. Below, some of the councillors are listed, along with the land descriptions of the districts.
22-S-4	Contained in part: Township 43 & 44, in Ranges 25 & 26, West of the Fourth meridian
1901 - 1910	W.M.Fuller
1911 - 1912	Robert Dick (chairman)
1909 - 1910	C.O. Cunningham (chairman)
1911 - 1912	C.O. Cunningham
1909 - 1910	J. Hagerman
1911	J. Hagerman (chairman)
1912	C.P. Kay
1909 - 1912	F.W. Hutchinson (secretary-treasurer)
21-T-4	Contained in part: Township 42, in Ranges 25 & 26, West of the Fourth meridian
1909 - 1910	P. O'Donnell
1909 - 1910	John Cole (chairman)
1911	John Cole
1912	M.L. Haley
1909 - 1912	J.H. Webster (secretary-treasurer)
21-W-4	Contained in part: Township 42, Range 27, West of the Fourth meridian
1909 - 1910	H. Zelie
1911 - 1912	Levi Hurley
1909 - 1912	James Kinley (secretary-treasurer)
22-W-4	Contained in part: Township 43 & 44, Range 27, West of the Fourth meridian
1909 - 1911	Charles Hemeyer
1909 - 1910	G.W. Field
1911 - 1912	L.S. McLeod
1912	S.W. Bailey
1909 - 1912	James D. Stewart (secretary-treasurer)

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All articles & graphics were developed, compiled or created by D.A. Owens. © 1997 - 2003. All Rights Reserved. The information provided is for research purposes only, and it's accuracy is subject to confirmation. Commercial use of this information is prohibited.