Eureka Coal and Brick Company

Eureka Coal and Brick Company

aka: Eureka Coal Mining Company
aka: Estevan Coal and Brick Co. Ltd.
aka: Estevan Brick and Coal Company
aka: Estevan Brick Company Ltd.
aka: International Clay Products
aka: Estevan Brick Ltd.

Underground Coal Mine and Estevan Coal and Brick Co Kilns, ca 1914

Natural Formation
Clay pit of the Estevan Coal and Brick Co, ca 1914
2 Photos above from 1914 Booklet

This is a great old photo of the early Estevan Brickyard, ca 1913

left- D. Ambrasus, shown in caption on photo
I think this was David Ambrazas shown in 1916 census in Estevan
David Ambrazas
b- 1870, age 46 in Prussia (Germany),
d- ?
Immigrated in 1911 per 1916 census, but think it was Mar 25, 1912 on board the ship “Willehad”, to St, John NB, heading to Estevan, shown as a farmer
Name in a 1914 passenger list shown as David Ambrasar shown age 45
Name in Mar 25, 1912 Passenger list, David Ambrasus shown age 43

right- Henry Borchart
b- Aug 1880 Germany
d- ?
He Immigrated in 1911

You can see the Round Brick Kilns in the background. Duane Bill told me there is still 1 kiln standing and I just looked in Google Earth and they can be clearly seen,
but not in the location as described above but rather quite a bit further west than I originally thought.
Go west of the Estevan Water Treatment Plant on the old original Highway 18.
co-ordinates per Google Earth-
49 deg-06-56.54 N
103 deg-00-03.69 W

As far as I can figure out, this was Section 10, Township 2, Range 8, W2

4 photos above courtesy Duane Bill, Calgary AB

This is part of my Dad's 1927 map of this area

Eureka Coal Mine Near Estevan Postcard
photographer E. R. Davis
courtesy Grant Walker, CA

July 29, 1902 the land was acquired by Frank James Musgrave, Peter Cuthbert Duncan, and John McTaggert, (McTaggart, see below)
under the name of Eureka Coal Mining Company,

Frank James Musgrave owned a store in Estevan in 1908, Hastings and Musgrave, Hardware and General Merchants
Early days there was a Musgrave Hall on 4th St., became McCready's Block.

Frank James Musgrave
b- Jan 1, 1869 possibly in Ball's Creek, Cape Breton, NS,
(age 37,in 1901, in Estevan)
d- Mar 3, 1938 in Vancouver BC, age 69
wife- Ida Musgrave, nee Hastings,
b- ON, age 29, in 1901
daughter Estella “Stella” Marie,
b- Apr 13, 1900, in Estevan, SK, age 6 in 1901
brother James G. E. Musgrave, b- NS, age 25, in 1901
father- George Edward Musgrave
mother- Sarah Dunlap

Peter Cuthbert Duncan

John McTaggert (Taggart should be right spelling)
b- July 24, 1857 in ON
d- ?
married Annie C. McTaggert, nee Horne,
b- July 14, 1869 in England
daughter Mabel O. McTaggert,
b- Apr 2, 1889 in ON
In 1893 Mr. and Mrs. McTaggart lived in the C.P.R Section House on Sixth St. West.
He was the C.P.R. Roadmaster on the Soo line.
Mr. McTaggart's brother-in-law, Billy Horne, was Section Foreman from Estevan to Hitchcock
1901 still living in Estevan
1911 living in Weyburn, retired,
with wife and daughter Edna McTaggert, b- July 1909 in SK

The Brick portion of this business, was started in 1902 by an American, Nels Mickelson, just south-west of the Hwy 47, and Torquay highway corner.
They found good quality clay digging for Coal.
Dec 29, 1904 article says, one of the best mines in the district, This mine is worked by an American company. In Connection with this mine are extensive Brickyards.

Apr 24, 1903 Eureka Coal and Brick Company. Willmar Minn USA bought part of NE Section 14, 40 acres for $10/acre from the CPR

July 27, 1903, Pottery clay found

Company sold in 1906 to Jonas Gustaf Peterson

Considered the Founder of the Hamlet of Shand.

In 1910 the wages were 20 cents per hour, 10 hour days.

Peterson sold to Fredrick (Fred) W. Newcombe in 1912, who operated it until 1928.

• Secretary- H. F. Dailey, Minneapolis MN, USA
• Treasurer, Manager- F. W. Newcombe (see above)

• President- William “Sanford” Evans, Winnipeg MB
• Vice-President- H. L. Archer, Minneapolis MN, USA
• H. F. Dailey,
• F. W. Newcombe

William Sanford Evans
b- Dec 18, 1869 in Spencerville ON
d- June 27, 1949, at Winnipeg, age 80
Mayor of Winnipeg, 1909-1911

Colonel Henry “Lester” Archer
b- Aug 18, 1875, in Rock Island, Illinois, USA
d- Jan 20, 1955 in Sacramento, Sacramento Co, CA, USA
Buried Jan 25, 1955, in San Francisco National Cemetery
Headstone shows AGC-RES, then SAW & WWI for his military service
Shown as a Colonel in US Army in WWI
Simple military headstone for such an obvious rich man
son of George L. Archer, and Augusta L. Whitehead
Lester married Bertha Dudley, Oct 8, 1913 in Oakland Methodist Church, Chicago IL. where her father was Pastor
b- Aug 25, 1876, in Iowa
d- Mar 5, 1952 in Sacramento, Sacramento Co, CA
daughter of Rev. Dr. Charles S. Dudley and Elizabeth Dudley
Here we see the Dudley family connection for a lot of his real estate dealings.
Jan 1909 the Archers lost their 4 year old son, Howard Archer, to a 70ft fall from an apartment window in Kansas City.
Howard was the oldest of their 3 children at that time.

Col Archer arrives in Estevan June 21, 1913
Vice-President of the Estevan Coal and Brick Company, for the annual meeting of the Company
Colonel Archer was involved in Sept. 1903 with a big mine merger in BC, with 3 other Minneapolis Capitalists.
Dr. Charles S. Dudley, his son, Howard S. Dudley, and M. C. Miller
Lardeau-Duncan Mines were amalgamtated under the Kootenay Consolidated Mining Company
Nov 1903 he was Treasurer of Miller-Dudley Surety Company, with the same partners as in BC Merger.
1911 lived at 2011 Girard Ave. South in Minneapolis, MN
1911 he is shown as President Dudley-Archer & Co. in Minneapolis
His family lived in Beatrice Nebraska at one time, where he served in the military there, and invested in real estate.

Henry F. Dailey
b- 1862, (age 45 in 1910), in Illinois, USA
d- Apr 18, 1935 Seattle, King co, WA, USA, age 73
Father- Philip H. Dailey, Mother- Jane Dailey, nee Hushaw
both parents born in Virginia
1- married Nellie L. Coots Dec 4, 1899 in Douglas Co, Nebraska, USA
2- married Emma C. L. Jones June 1, 1902 Lincoln, Nebraska, USA
b- age 40 in 1910, in Illinois, USA
d- ?
Henry shown as Secretary of Estevan Coal & Brick Company in 1910 Minneapolis Directory, Res- Flat 7, 1762 Hennepin Ave.

2nd location -Section 14, Township 2, Range 8, W2

The brickyard was operating for sure in 1917.

Sold again July 1925, it became International Clay Products, owners Dave Bannatyne and C.C. Smith and other men from Regina area mostly.
They built the new Brick Plant just south-east of Estevan, on the road to ole Woodlawn Swimming Pool, Soccer fields, and baseball diamonds.
Township 2, Range 8, W2

Company formed in July 1925, capitalized at $150,000.00, in 15,000 shares at $10 ea.
Aug 1925 they bought the plant of the Eureka Brick and Coal Co. Ltd, and 200 acres of coal bearing land
The Company owned half a section at Redlyn (Readlyn Saskatchewan?), a hamlet in Excel Rural Municipality No. 71, Lat: 49.44896° N, Long: 105.4355° W
and 820 acres at Knollys, Unincorporated area, Lat: 49°29' N and Long: 108°56' W, Eastern Cypress Hills area,
which reported in the newspapers, contained quantities of the finest clays.

- Milton “Milt” Leslie Moyer
Manager of Regina Tile and Marble Co.
826 Dewdney Ave. Regina
b- Jan 29, 1879 in Lincoln Co., ON, Canada
d- Oct 18, 1960 New Cumberland, Cumberland, Pennsylvania, USA
father- Freeman M. Moyer, a farmer
mother- Mary Hansberger (alt-Honsberger)
married- Lydia Clara Sack, Feb 25, 1903, York, ON
daughter of Ferdinand Sack, and Frederika Kapherin?
1903 Milton was a commercial traveller in Warsaw, NY, USA
1905 he came to Regina
He had 4 children

- George Arthur Calvert
(see bio below)
Manager of the Co-operative Creameries, Yorkton

-born Andrew Emmet McCusker
went by Dr. E. A. McCusker, CBE, MC, ED
Emmett Andrew McCusker
alt- Emmet Andrew McCusker
b- Feb 10, 1889, Alfred, Prescott Leeds, ON
d- Jan 20, 1973 Regina SK
buried in Riverside Memorial Park Cemetery, Regina SK father- Daniel McCusker
mother- Margaret “Maggie” Allison
Came West in 1903 to farm north of Regina
Emmet served in WWI and WWII, and was awarded many medals, Rank- Brigadier.

-Maurice William Sharon (Sr)
b- Nov 1878 (1877?), St Thomas, Elgin, ON, Canada
d- Sept 8, 1940, Chilliwack, BC, Canada
father- Thomas Sturgeon Sharon
mother- Eleanor Priscilla Smith
1921 he lived at 2839 Angus St., Regina
Occupation- Architect and Provincial Geographer for the Provincial Government from 1912 to 1930
retired in 1930

-Henry “Harry” Arthur Knight (Sr)
President and Manager of the Regina Cartage Company
Regina Cartage Building - 2220 Dewdney Avenue
b- Sept 1, 1860 near Goderich, ON (headstone says b- 1861)

d- Nov 9, 1934 in Regina, age 74
buried in Regina Cemetery, Regina SK
Farmer for most of his early life.
Lived in Regina for 32 years before his death.
Moved to Regina in 1907
Married with 4 children, 3 daughters and a son
married Letitia Robinson June 7, 1881 Huron, ON
He was President of the Board of Trade, prior to 1919 in Regina.
President of the Regina Exhibition association at one time
President of the Rotary Club in Regina at one time, and the first honorary member of the club.
President of the Adanac Brewing Company at one time
Retired in 1931

-Christopher C. Smith
(see bio below)
Estevan

-George Cyril Rooke
Chartered Accountant from Regina
b- Mar 1, 1883, South Shields, Durham Tyne & Wear, England
d- Jan 5, 1949 in Regina SK
Immigrated very young, educated in SK schools.
father- William Henry Rooke
mother- Hanna Isabella Athey
wife- Irene Monro Boyce

David Albert Bannatyne (Sr.)
b- Nov 1, 1880 in Irvine, Scotland
d- Dec 10, 1954.
buried in the Estevan City Cemetery.
Mildred Anne Bannatyne, nee Jones
b- July 11, 1886 in Holywell Reg Rist, Flintshire, England
d- May 22, 1971
married Dec 25, 1912 in Winnipeg MB
Immigrated to Canada from Scotland in Feb 1903
Came to Estevan June 13, 1913
Manager of Bank of British North America, in Estevan originally,
Then owned his own Insurance agency.
Became shareholder in the Sunshine Coal Mine
as well as Eureka Coal and Brick Co., which later became International Clay Products.
David Bannatyne Sr. was the Mayor of Estevan, during the infamous Sept 29, 1931 Miner's riot in Estevan.
Family lived at 1422 3rd St. in Estevan
He was Worshipful Master of Estevan Masons, Lodge No. 25, AF & AM, in 1917
And was District Deputy Grand Master for Masonic District No. 6 in 1924.
He was a member of the Wa Wa Temple, order of the Mystic Shrine
and was also a member of the Scottish Rite Lodge in Regina

Christopher (Chris) C. Smith
b- 1864 in ON
d- Oct 11, 1934
buried in Estevan City Cemetery
served as Estevan Alderman and became Mayor, 1920
1911 census shows occupation= real estate
b- Mar 1866, wife Clara and son Arden
Clara Eunice Hunter, nee ?
b- Jan 21, 1865, at Burritts Rapids, ON
d- Oct 11, 1939
buried in Estevan City Cemetery
she married a William Hunter first
Jan 8, 1900 married C. C. Smith at Winchester, MB

A Mr Charles H. Newton, had a large interest in this company prior to 1919. He lived in Winnipeg and died there Mid May 1919.
He was the Official Assignee for the Province of MB, from 1902 on. He lived in Winnipeg for 40 years, after coming west from Quebec.
He was President of the Tracers Trust Co., President of the Winnipeg and Inland Loan and Investment Co., and a Director of the City and Provincial Loan Company

1922 ad

In 1923 they used slack Lignite coal except for the final 2 days of burning and obtained temperatures of 1,800-2000 deg F. The lignite contained 7,000 BTU's / pound

Aug 19, 1923 Engineers attending the convention in Estevan, of the SK Branch of the Engineering Institute of Canada,
made a visit to the Estevan Brick Co. Ltd., where lunch was served in the dining hall.
Bannatyne was the Manager at the time.
C.C. Smith was President.

Oct 1, 1924 this Company was one of the sponsors of the First Air Mail flight in Saskatchewan, from Estevan to Winnipeg.

President in 1931- Dr. E. A. McCusker
In Aug 1925 he was a Director of the New Company International Clay Products Ltd. that bought this company.
He was located in Regina in 1925

Mine Manager and Director- 1931
In Aug 1925 he was a Director of the New Company International Clay Products Ltd. that bought this company.
George Arthur Calvert,
b- July 20, 1881 in ON
d- Sept 9,1963 in Vancouver BC, age 81
His wife Alice M. Calvert, nee ?
b- Sept 1881 in ON
d- 1933 in Estevan I assume
Father- James Calvert, b- Feb 8, 1842 in England
Mother- Margaret Calvert, nee ?, b- May 16, 1846 in ON
George was President of the Rotary Club in Estevan
and in 1929-1946 on the board of Stewards for St. Paul's United Church in Estevan
He built the brick house at 1430 3rd St in Estevan, in 1929, as a show home.
1901 living in Bracebridge ON with his Father and Mother
1911 he was a Drug store merchant, Pharmacist, living in Lanigan, Tsp 33, Rge 22, W2, Lot 23, block B3,
Methodist religion, married with a daughter.
1927-28 we had some of his family attending ECI.
moved from Yorkton To Estevan in 1926
Moved first to Toronto in 1946, then Vancouver in 1952.
1931 the brick plant was heavily involved in the strike, that ended in a riot.
Mr. Calvert was a big part of the mine owners at the time, and had complained numerous times about Sgt. Mulhall
of the local Estevan RCMP not dealing strong enough with the strikers.

In 1945 the Sask. Government bought the business.
It became Estevan Brick Ltd, on Jan 1, 1966.

1971 article says it was sold to private interests, in 1969,
and the owners were Peben Industries of Edmonton.
They produced a white brick, from a clay deposit unique to the Continent.
Raw materials on the order of 50,000 tons per year, came from Flintoft, Shand, and Estevan itself.

1971 Estevan Brick was 100% Canadian owned and operated. Managed by Jack Teal.

In 1971 they employed 32 workers, 2 supervisors and a Plant technician. 5 office staff, and 5 salesman

Today the plant is no longer operating.

Ext Links Not my sites

Stacking Bricks inside Kiln
http://scaa.sk.ca/gallery/labour/search.html?ID=36749

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