Jim Mercer was a grain buyer for Alberta Pacific
Grain Co., in Spring Coulee in 1920 and maybe
a little earlier. He had been born in American
Fork, Utah in 1892. His father came to Canada in
1897. Jim came with his mother and brothers and
sisters in 1898. They first located in Cardston but
soon settled in Magrath where he grew up. After
completing High School he attended the B.Y.
Academy for one year. He played semiprofessional
ball at the age of 16. He was connected with
baseball and bands all of his life. They had a good
team in Spring Coulee which he played on. He
played ball until he had to retire and then he spent
his time coaching others. Jim played many musical
instruments but was best known for his talent on the
drums and the trumpet. He was a featured drummer
in the Cardston Symphony Orchestra. He played drums
for the Jones Melody Men, as well as many other
orchestras. Wherever he went he was always leading
bands. Many young people have been started and
encouraged in music by him.

In January 1921, James Lee Mercer married Catherine
Ela Coombs and brought her to Spring Coulee to live.
Ela was born in 1898 at Salt Lake City, Utah. Her
family came to Canada in 1904 and settled in Cardston.
Ela also loved sports and music so was very supportive
of Jim in his endeavors. She went to all the ball games
and cheered him on. She went to all the dances and
danced the night away while he played. They both loved
drama and spent a lot of time doing one-act and three-act
plays. Ela was noted for her teaching ability and spent a
lot of her years teaching the youth and adults alike.

Jim & Ela were noted for their hospitality and sociability
making young and old alike as well as new-comers to
the district feel welcome in their home. They left Spring
Coulee in 1930. They went to Rosemary, Alberta for
three years and then to Barnwell where they stayed.
They were very involved in the Mormon Church and
enjoyed giving service wherever they could. Jim died
2 Feb 1972 in Lethbridge and Ela died 28 August 1966
in Taber.

Jim and Ela had 5 children, the last two being born after
they left Spring Coulee.

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