Page 736 More Big Hill Country 2009
Mr. and Mrs. Steel, with their two older children ‘ came to Canada in 1906. They stayed with family friends from Scotland in the Westminster district until Mr. Steel took out a homestead north of Cochrane. Their nearest neighbors were Mr. & Mrs. Raby and their five sons. Mrs. Raby was a great help to Mrs. Steel, showing her many of the ways of a farm wife.
After the first year, Mr. Steel worked for the White Ranch near Mitford during the winters and improved his homestead in the summer, moving his family back and forth over the next couple of years.
The two oldest children, Anne and Jack were born in Scotland, while Jim was born in Mrs. Baldock’s home in Cochrane and Peggie was born on the farm. All four of the children attended school at Cochrane Lakes School.
In 1919, the Steel family sold the farm to Ernie Craig and moved to Eckville, Alberta to farm. After Mr. Steel passed away, Jim took over the farm. Anne married and had one son. After her husband passed away she lived in Calgary.
In 1920, Jack returned to Cochrane to work for area farmers. He also, worked for the Canadian Pacific Railway during the summer months for five years. Jack started driving truck for Rapid Transit in Banff before he took up a milk route between Cochrane and Calgary. By 1929, Jack started his own trucking business. He joined the Navy in 1942 and spent the war stationed on the East Coast. Returning to Cochrane and his trucking business in 1946. He expanded his business in 1949 to include a backhoe and caterpillar. Jack worked for many residents in and around Cochrane. He continued in this venture until his retirement in 1973. He never married. Jack enjoyed travelling and was a very good amateur photographer. He was very community minded and took many pictures especially of the local parades. When the Volkswagen Bug came on the market, it surprised everyone in Cochrane to see Jack unfold his large frame out of his pride and joy. He enjoyed teasing the youngsters and kept teenagers in line, letting them know he would be calling their parents about any indiscretions.
CHAPS has many photos we suspect were taken by Jack Steel. The photo of the old curling rink is from this collection.
In 1932, Mrs. Steel returned to Cochrane and purchased a house from Mr. & Mrs. Webster. Peggie returned with her mother and together they ran a boarding house. One of their long time residents was Charlie Pedeprat who lodged with them for over thirty years. Mrs. Steel was involved in the St. Andrew’s United Church and was made an Honorary member. She passed away in 1959.
Peggy worked at the No. 11 Equipment Depot as a cook during the war. She never married. She continued to run the boarding house after her mother’s death. Peggie stayed in her home until the 1980’s, when she went to live in the Big Hill Lodge until her passing.
