ROBERT ROBINSON
Robert Robinson of Bracebridge,
Ontario, applied for his homestead in 1911 and returned to homestead later
that year at 10-26-16. He went back to Ontario in 1913 to bring his wife
and children to Saskatchewan but while there he died. Mrs. Robinson moved
with her son Alf and two daughters, Mercy and Crystal, to the homestead
six miles west of Elrose. Older daughter, Jane Hillman, was already living
in the area. They endured many hardships to break their land, plant their
crops and build a home.
JANE ROBINSON (HILLMAN)
Jane Robinson married Bert Hillman
of Bracebridge in Purbrook, Muskoka, Ontario in 1911. In the fall of 1912
they came to the Elrose area and homesteaded on NE 34-25-16-W3 in the Wartime
district. Bert opened a blacksmith shop in Hughton in 1914, and one in
Wartime in 1915. In 1917 the Hillmans returned to Ontario for a short time,
and then came back to farm the homestead. They were allowed to purchase
the homestead for $10 provided they lived on it six months a year for three
years. Bert opened a blacksmith shop in Elrose in April of 1922. They leased
a house for a few months, and moved the original shack in from the homestead
in November. Because of the changing times Bert took on additional work.
He took over the janitorial duties of the school in 1925. He continued
at this job until his retirement in 1956 at the age of 75. Mr. Hillman
passed away in January, 1963, and Mrs. Hillman in December, 1978.
Bert Hillman ~ Jane Robinson age 17
The Hillmans had eight children:
Rupert, Gordon, Donald, Gerald, Doris, Lorne, Merna and Arthur.