Albert Wocknitz Sr. was born Dec. 7, 1855 in Stettan,
Germany. He married Katherine Weepie, who had been born
in Prussen, Poland, Oct. 3, 1858.

When their son Paul was two years old, they came to America
to Independence, Iowa, where Katherine's father farmed.
Later they moved to South Dakota, west of Ethan. Albert
walked ten miles to Mitchell to work as a brick mason.
They lived on three different farms, including one in the
River Junction area. In 1908 Albert and Katherine, with
children Paul, Elsie, Martha, Albert, Eddie, Joe, John,
and Walter, came to homestead in Canada. They bought
the Kormos farm of 1200 acres in the Magrath area. Paul
and Eddie continued to farm in the River Junction area.

Paul Wocknitz took over part of his father's farm about 1920,
the rest of the land was sold. Two of Paul's sons, Earl;
and Willie farmed until recently when part of the land was
again sold, this time to the Hutterites. Earl's family is still
living on the Wocknitz land.

Two of Paul's daughters - Alice and Gertie attended River
Junction School for a short time. Alice now lives in Three
Hills, Gertie married Harry Rollingson. Harry died several
years ago and Gertie is now in the Edith Cavell Nursing Home.

Return to Individual Histories