1
Jacob Shantz, Founder of Didsbury & Dominion Government Immigration AgentCirca 1890
Credits:Didsbury Museum Archives
2
Didsbury Alberta was founded in 1894 as a direct result of Sir. John AMacDonald's wish to establish settlements and develop growth in western
Canada. Sir John (who was then Prime Minister of Canada) commissioned
Jacob Y. Shantz, a Dominion Government Immigration agent, to relocate
immigrants to Manitoba and Alberta.
3
The first settlers brought to the area by Jacob Y. ShantzCirca 1894
Immigration Shed, Didsbury, Alberta, Canada
Credits:Didsbury Museum Archives
4
Immigration ShedCirca 1896
Didsbury, Alberta, Canada
Credits:Didsbury Museum Archives
5
Didsbury Founding FamilyCirca 1896
Credits:Didsbury Museum Archives
6
Jacob Y Shantz & Grandchildren (Mary & Arnott Shantz, Children of Dilma B. Shantz)Circa early 1905
Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
Credits:Didsbury Museum Archives
7
Mr. Shantz brought to Alberta, by train, a group of 34 Mennonitesettlers to establish a town and develop the rich farm lands in this
area. Included in this group of settlers were his two married daughters,
Harriet Shantz Detwiler, (1844-1908), Veronica Shantz Weber,
(1846-1928) and his son Ephriam B Shantz, (1850-1921). The Cornelius
Hiebert family moved to Didsbury in 1900.
8
B.J. Smith Dry Goods and GrocriesCirca early 1900s
Didsbury, Alberta, Canada
Credits:Didsbury Museum Archives
9
Settlement in the area was sparse, and this in part explains the slowdevelopment of the town site as a service centre. Though development of
Didsbury was slow during the 1890's by 1901 there were three general
stores, a hardware store, a hotel, a boarding house, and a full
complement of the services necessary in the era of horses. Along with
the retail outlets and service centers, the town supported a surprising
number of processing and manufacturing plants. A creamery was
established in 1905, a pork packing plant in l907, and a government
operated poultry fattening station. A brick yard opened in 1907 and
another in l911. Grain Elevators were built and The Maple Leaf Flour
Mills began operation in l906.
10
McCormick & Cockshutt ImplementsCirca early 1900s
Didsbury, Alberta, Canada
Credits:Didsbury Museum Archives
11
Liesmer & Studer StoreCirca Early 1900s
Didsbury, Alberta, Canada
Credits:Didsbury Museum Archives
12
Over the years many businesses changed owners, some closed, and firenearly wiped out the town twice. But, through perseverance, dedication
and faith the town of Didsbury continued to survive and prosper. How did
the children and grandchildren of these early settlers contribute to the
development of the town and district and to society in general? Let's
trace the Cornelius Hiebert family from their arrival to the present time.
13
In 1862, at the age of 13, Cornelius Hiebert moved with his parents fromRussia to Manitoba, Canada. He was one of 12 children born to Johann
Hiebert (1829-1904) and Helena Toews Hiebert, (1830-1896).
Cornelius married Aganetha Dyck in l888 and they moved with their
children from Manitoba to Didsbury in 1900.
Their children were: Aganetha (1889 - 1894), Anna Helen (1891-1966),
John Cornelius (1894 - 1964), & Meta Hiebert (1896-1980).
14
Cornelius and Aganetha HiebertCirca late 1890s
Credits:Didsbury Museum Archives
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