1
Charles and Nellie Estell moved from Minnesota, USA, to our area with their daughter, Mabel, two sons, Ross and Earl and Charlie's brother, Giles around 1903. Both Charles and Giles had been butchers in Minnesota.Charles and his family began on Hill Crest Ranch, 4 miles south and 2 miles east of Mirror.
Giles took up farming first in the Ripley district, later buying Henry Neis' farm.
In 1913 Charles and Nellie moved to Mirror, and ran the Imperial Hotel for about a year. After that, they moved to a large house, turning it into a boarding house. It was one of two in town.
Charlie also ran a butcher shop in this building.
They lived in this house for the rest of their lives.
The Estell boarding house is still here, in good shape, and Jim McKenzie now owns and lives in it.
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Nellie Estell Being Driven1907
Mirror, Alberta
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Nellie Estell, Charles' wife is shown here around 1907, being driven in a car by Roy Hopkins, who owned one of the livery stables in town.4
Estell's Breaking Land1903
Near Mirror, Alberta
5
A 1903 photo of Giles and Ross Estell, breaking land, most likely on Giles's farm, close to Mirror.Giles, who first lived in the Ripley district, later bought the Henry Neis farm. He was a good farmer, who's motto was "Up with the sun, to bed with the chickens". Giles was really happy with his life here, appreciating the peace and hard work of the wild land he helped tame.
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Giles Estell Butchering in the Fall1920
Near Mirror, Alberta
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Giles Estell butchering pigs in the Fall of 1920.8
Ross Estell Hauling Wild Hay1904
Near Mirror, Alberta
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Ross Estell is hauling wild hay with a horse drawn wagon in 1904.Ross took a homestead in the early 1900's, farmed for most of his life and was a successful rancher. He also worked with his brother, Earl in his garage on main street, until Earl retired in 1945. The Estell garage was the main one in Mirror for many years.
Ross was a quiet man, with a wry sense of humour, He also played the fiddle, and was well-liked. He remained a bachelor until 1930, when he married Ethel Hoffman Walters.
10
Estell Interim Homestead Receipt1902
Near Lamerton, Alberta
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Here is one of the documents Ross needed to obtain a homestead under the homestead act.12
Ross Estell's Certificate of Recommendation for Homestead Patent1906
Near Lamerton, Alberta
13
And here is another required document Ross had to have to obtain ownership of his homestead.14
Estell Farming1912
Near Mirror, Alberta
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