From “Fred McGonigal – W1/2 13-39-23-W4th”
Pioneers and Progress, Alix Clive Historical Club, 1974
Fred McGonigal had a hand in building a large percentage of the structures within a wide radius of Alix. He worked with his brother Glen, also Mr. Pemberton of Mirror and later with his sons Eldon and Willis.
The Mirror C.N.R station, Alix Arena, Alix Presbyterian (later United) Church, Nelson Hotel, the drug store in Alix {1974], grain elevators, houses, granaries, and countless other buildings carry his handiwork.
In 1904 he came from Michigan with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Joe McGonigal, who homesteaded in the Brookfield district. His own homestead was in the St. Patrick school district. He worked on many buildings in those areas. At the time of his marriage in 1913 to Esther Garrett, he was driving a team for Scorah and Nelson’s livery barn in Alix.
He later bought land from Mr. Marks the W1/2-13-39-23-W4th, which was originally C.P.R. land. In 1919 the McGonigals traded residences with Bill Patrick and family of Alix. Harold Patrick was born during the time the Patrick family was on the farm. From 1923 to 1927 St. Elmo Sanderson and family occupied the place, and their daughter Audrey May was born during that period.
In 1927 Fred McGonigal and family moved to the farm and enlarged the house….
Around 1940 Mr. and Mrs. McGonigal moved to Alix and in 1945 built the house now occupied [1974] by Mr. and Mrs. J. McCuaig. Their son, Willis, lived on the farm; he and his brother eldon did the farming and worked at carpentry with their father, Eldon’s own farm was nearer town.
Carmen and Agnes (De Zutter) Ferguson and family lived in the house 1947-48, after Willis McGonigal became an elevator agent in Nevis. Carmen worked at carpentry with the McGonigals.
Fred and Esther McGonigal had five children, namely: Verona, who married Noyce Boddy…Eldon who married Dorothy Dye… Willis who married Doris Williams… Gwynneth who married Allan Johnson…Patricia who married Norman Sim….
