Mr. and Mrs. Jay Durr Family, 1934. B.R.: Jessie Ellen (Durr) Tannas, Wilbur Durr, Dwight Durr, Mildred June (Durr) Lawrence, Jay, Stan, and Mrs. Durr.
William Jasper (Jay) Durr arrived in Estevan, Assiniboia Territory, from the United States in October, 1903 in search of land for a homestead. Dad was born at Munrow, Green County, Wisconsin on June 23, 1879, the fifth child of Ellen and George Durr. At the age of 6 weeks he traveled by covered wagon to Hansell, Iowa. Later the family lived at Shenandoah and Lenox, Iowa. The urge for adventure brought
Mr. and Mrs. Jay Durr Family, 1934. B.R.: Jessie Ellen (Durr) Tannas, Wilbur Durr, Dwight Durr, Mildred June (Durr) Lawrence, Jay, Stan, and Mrs. Durr.
him to North Dakota to thresh. The news of the homesteads available in Assiniboia Territory resulted in the journey to Estevan, population approximately 250 person. On arrival he hired Mr. MacDonald as guide and with his horse and buggy drove west of Estevan. He decided on the N.E. 1/4 12-2-13- W 2nd which had Long Creek flowing through it and was about 30 miles distant. After returning to Estevan, he spent the night by the door of the Land Titles Office and was one of the first to file his claim the next morning, October 29, 1903. He went to Iowa for the winter and returned in the spring when he broke 15 acres of land. In 1905 he seeded this to flax which yielded 15 bushels per acres, a sample of which still remains in his family. He built a sod house which he lived in, with frame additions, until 1916, when he built a large frame house. In 1907 he homesteaded near Watford City, North Dakota, south of Williston near the Little Missouri River. He spent the summers in Canada and the winters in North Dakota proving up both homesteads at the same time.
On April 18, 1911, he married Ethelwyn Turnbull who had come from Michigan to teach at Schneller school. Their honeymoon was a trip to Estevan by horse and buggy. This union was blessed with five children; Wilbur, married to Dorothy Stewart, lives at Bromhead and they have 3 children. Jessie married to Lawrence Tannas, lives at Yucaipa, California and they have 2 children. Mildred married to Eddie Lawrence, lives at Richardson, Texas and they have 3 children. Dwight married to Emily Holstein, lives near Estevan and they have 3 children. I married Georgean McAdam and farm my dad's homestead near Bromhead. We have 6 children.
Dad and Mother were very active in church and community work but because of Mother's failing health they retired from farming in 1943 and purchased a home at 1336 4th Street, Estevan. After Mother died in 1946 Dad lived there by himself for many years. Various family members lived with him while they pursued their education or employment.
Dad was an "Old Time Fiddler" and loved music. As a child he made his first violin which made do until he was twelve and had saved enough money to buy one. During homestead days he and his brother, Elgie, played for dances and concerts in the community. At his home in Estevan his accompanists on the piano were Mr. Condon, Mrs. Wilkinson, Dorothy Durr, Mr. Roberts, Ross and Marvin Munshaw. One of his greatest thrills was winning first prize and a trophy at the Old Time Fiddlers Contest held at the Estevan Auditorium on June 29, 1959 when he was 80 years old. He celebrated his 90th birthday in June, 1969 and died suddenly in December of the same year. Dad was a member of St. Paul's United Church. Both Mother and Dad are buried in Estevan City Cemetery.