When the Two Families Moved in to Canada

Meanwhile, Rudolf’s father in 1911, had bought a homestead in the Seven Sisters area. The area was known as “the homestead”, located on the edge of Whiteshell Park. In 1912, enough money was earned to bring mother and the rest of the family to Canada. The farm was much too far from town and school (by Tirschmann’s creek) for the children to attend so old Mr. Ed Boesem (Art Boesem’s grandfather) sold a 60 acre farm to father for $500.00. Rudolf paid $100.00 down, and $400.00 by installments. That land was slowly cleared with axes and grub hoes. Transportation and land cultivation was with oxen.

Henry and Molly Tittlemier’s family: Rudolf, Paulina, Henry, Olga, Millie (Mrs. Ed. Kretchmer), Otto, Roy, Ewald, and Clara (Mrs. Tony Frantz). Father passed away in 1926, on the farm. Mother remained on the farm, and Roy took over its operation. Mother passed away around 1940.

Julius and Emma Honke came to Canada from Russia in the late 1890’s, to Winnipeg, Manitoba. In 1900, the family moved to Oldenburg. Their homestead was 80 acres, where the old Oldenburg school still stands. The family built a two storey log house on the yard where John Broek now lives. The house was later moved across the Whitemouth River where it still stands today. The farm was all bush; the family, including the children spent many hours at back breaking labour in order to clear a few acres for garden and crops. Lena remembers working with oxen, and either walking or riding in a sleigh or wagon pulled by oxen to Whitemouth for groceries. There was no bridge at Oldenburg, one crossed the ice, or forded the river at lower water levels. Recreation consisted of going to church at Oldenburg, attending Sunday School picnics or just going for a ride with a horse and buggy or sleigh. Lena worked as a housekeeper in Whitemouth when she was 13 and 14 years old. She also milked the cows; wages were $8M0 per month plus room and board. Whitemouth was very small at that time, but had several stores.

Father then bought a farm closer to River Hills in 1912, and moved away from Oldenburg. The farm is presently owned by Edmund Wittenberg, located east of Fred Wittenberg’s farm. Charlie Honke lived there many years after dad passed away.

Julius and Emma Honke’s family: Gust, Lena (Mrs. Rudolf Tittlemier), Charlie, Gusta (Mrs. Julius Kuhn), Edward, and Tithe (Vincent). Both father and Gust died in the flu epidemic of 1918. Mother died around 1943.

Rudolf was brought down to the Honke farm by a friend, Louis Berntt. Here he met Lena and they were married on November 28th, 1915 at Old enburg Church. They drove there with a horse and sleigh. Gus Honke was the best man, and Emma Steiner was the brides maid. They received no wedding gifts that they can remember.

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