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James Eatock (Sr.) was born in Great Britain, in Wigan, one mile from Hindley, in the year of 1867. He was a son of John and Ann (Bennett) Eatock. James married Clara Hart in 1892 in Hindley to start their long journey together which would lead them to the “Promised Land” of Canada. In 1905 James and Clara landed in the new land. Following the railroad west they made their home Southwest of Stony Plain, Alberta. James arrived first to build their home and Clara and their five young children followed soon after.

Appx. 1910

Seated is James (Sr.), to his left his wife Clara and daughter Clara. John to his right. Standing at the back was Annie, Alice and James (Jr.)

James (Sr.) trade was that of a Pavior, but the new land brought on a new way of life as a pioneer farmer. Not losing his old ways he proceeded with his old skills of engineering assisted in the forming of the first pavement surface on Jasper Ave. Edmonton. As a self educated man he had strong beliefs in Education. He sat on the first School Trustee Meeting in 1909 in the area and proceeded as its’ first secretary. In 1914 James became the secretary of the Inga Local Improvement District which in 1916 was formed into the Inga Municipality. James’s involvement with many of these comities helped to form the community we still live in. Friends and family were always important to James and Clara, and were always welcome in there home

Clara was born in 1867 and grew up a daughter of a Baptist minister in England. In the late 1800, the ministry was also the educated and the wealthy. To move to this land, with all of its hardships, would take a very strong lady. The only ties with the family would be a brother Willy, who stayed with them for a short time on a visit to Canada. Willy loved the game of golf. James set up some tobacco cans on adjacent hills for this visit, so, clubs in hand they could enjoy a few rounds. Her children, grandchildren and neighbors would be her new family. She passed away on the family farm in 1938.

(Left to Right)

Clara married Henry Summerfield (June 8^th 1916)

John died in Canada (April 26^th 1914)

Alice married John Hodgson (Dec. 28^th 1919)

James(Jr.) married Mary Spady (Dec. 6^th 1922)

Annie married Burt Sims (March 30^th 1913)

One other daughter died as an infant in England was Ellen. She was born Nov.22^nd 1895 and died three month later Feb. 17^th 1896.

James(Jr.) was born Dec.22^nd 1893. Jim was married on Dec.6^th 1922 to Mary Spady. They were blessed with two boys John and William (Billy). Jim continued with the family farm. He had a passion for Hunting and Fishing. He would always know when the fish were biting, where they were and what they would bite. He was an excellent marksman, always keeping plenty of food on the table. Jim loved people, he would travel half the country to attend a dance to entertain the people with his banjo or fiddle. Jim participated on many of the local boards, the power board, the cemetery board, and many more. This man enjoyed nature and enjoyed life . He passed away in 1976

James and son Billy