Stringam Ranch

George Lewis Stringam, came from Utah in 1910, and
settled his family in Glenwood. He had considerable
ranching experience in Utah, where he ran cattle in the
mountains in the summer, and on the desert in the winter.
When the opportunity came to purchase more land in
Canada, he decided to move his operation there.

George purchased the Milk River ranch in 1928. There
had been a series of owners. Colonel Mackie owned it
until 1907, at which time he sold it to Pat Burns. About
1917 the government reclaimed four and one half
townships for the establishment of a community pasture
to the west, homesteads to the east (1-17 area), and
grazing leases to the north. The remaining two townships
were sold to R. C. Harvie, a sheep rancher. They had to
ford the river until 1920, when a bridge was built.

R. C. Harvie sold the ranch to George Stringam in 1928.
The ranch remained in the Stringam family for many years.
The Stringam family lived in Glenwood. George relied
heavily upon the help of his two older boys, Owen and Lonnie,
who were fourteen and fifteen, were often sent to purchase,
animals for the feed lots. Many humorous accounts of some
of the "deals" made by the boys have sifted down from the
past. Father would advise them to go back to the owner
and give him more money for the livestock.

George entered the political scene in 1921. For
fourteen years he carried the U.F.A. government banner
in the Provincial Legislature. Del Bonita was part of his
jurisdiction as M.L.A. He was always a great friend to the
farmer and rancher, and was noted for his integrity, honesty,
and respect and consideration for others-a man of conscience.

During his many absences, his wife Sarah Lavina, directed
the affairs of the ranch and the children. She ran the
business and her home with efficiency. It was a time of
struggle to provide for an ever growing family. Eleven
children arrived over the years. Nine children survived.
Emily, Owen, Alonzo (Lon), Briant, Woodrow, Elwood,
Bryce, Mary, and Mark.

Morris and Dale died at an early age.

George Stringam was fortunate to have a wife and helpmate
who never faltered in her support of him in every endeavor.
Lavina always raised a huge garden, and canned all of the
vegetables, meat, chickens, fruit, jam and pickles. She
made her own bread and butter. She also managed to find
time to sew most of the clothing for her large family, as
well as quilts and pillows. She served in several executive
offices in the church and school board. For many years
she was on call as the community's home nurse. She
saved many lives with her home remedies and devoted
many sleepless nights to nursing the very ill back to
health.

In 1936 George lost half of his herd in one of the snow
storms that had become legends over the years. Across
the western plains thousands of cattle died. Many
ranchers lost whole herds.

In 1937 George and Lavina and the two remaining children,
Mary and Mark, moved to Lethbridge where they rented a
home.

In 1959, George became ill and passed away.

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