William Dewitt Bixby was born in Clinton, Ohio,
in 1864. His wife, Lyda Parkhurst, was also born in
Clinton in 1862. They were married in Lisbon, North
Dakota. They farmed and ranched in what was
known as the "Sand Hills" of North Dakota. To this
union was born eight children: William, Tracey, Aus-
ta, Ora, Jennie, Lillian, Arthur and Halsey.

In 1910, word spread over North Dakota of farm-
ing advantages in southern Alberta. As a result, Will
and his son, Tracey, came to the Raymond area in
search of land. This part of southern Alberta was
selected because some of the Browns, nephews of
Mr. Bixby, were already settled there. They chose a
farm near Stirling, now owned by Harry Patching. In
October, 1911, the family, with the exception of the
eldest son Bill, crossed into Canada by train, at the
port of entry of Portal, Saskatchewan, with their
household goods, horses, cattle and machinery.

While residing on the Stirling farm, Maybutt was
their post office and shopping center. Of the children,
only Art attended the Maybutt school, while he was
in Grade Two. The teacher was Miss Morrisey. Austa
had to upgrade her teaching qualifications in Ray-
mond. While there, and while she taught in Stirling,
the school-aged children resided with her and at-
tended both Stirling and Raymond school. The fam-
ily moved to Lethbridge for more schooling and for a
period of time had a hay farm in the Coaldale area
and attended school there.

In 1923, the land was sold and the family moved
south of New Dayton to property owned by Amer-
ican interests known as the Miller Farm, also buying
property both south and north of the rented parcel.
The Miller land was sold in 1927 to the Sunny Side
Hutterite Colony. The remaining land was farmed by
Tracey, Art and Halsey.

Mrs. Bixby passed away in 1927, and Mr. Bixby
in 1943.

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