Edward Waines

1861-1948
Submitted by Doreen (Waines), daughter of Duncan Waines

Edward Waines was born in St. Catherines, Peel County, Ontario December 10, 1861. He came to Calgary in 1886 with his brother William, who became a well-known Calgary lawyer. Edward went to the Springbank area a few months after his arrival, and established his ranch along the Old Banff Coach Road, near the Bow Valley Horse Ranch.

He was one of the first breeders of Shorthorn Cattle in the Northwest Territories, and at the time of his death was one of the very few ranchers whose brands were in the 1886 Brand Book.

He married the daughter of a pioneer family, Jeanette (Jenny) Beveridge, on May 9th, 1910. Jenny was born May 6th, 1872 in Port Arthur, Ontario. Her parents, Peter and Mary Beveridge, arrived in the Springbank area in 1894 from Ontario. Edward and Jenny had four children born in Springbank: Kathleen (b. Jan 21, 1901), Francis (Frank) Douglas (b. Sep 1, 1902), Edward Duncan (Dunc) (b Feb 8, 1908), and Elizabeth (Betty) (b. Nov 10, 1910).

Jenny became ill shortly after Betty was born and Edward moved the family from the ranch to 807-4th Avenue W Calgary. She died of cancer in 1916.

Edward never remarried and raised his four children on his own. A pioneer "house husband", he baked bread and attended to the many chores of raising his family. In his later years he was forced to use a cane to walk, and refused to have any other help. We all knew better than to offer our arm! He would often listen to the large radio in the living room, especially the broadcast of Mr. Aberhart and bang on the radio with his cane if he disagreed with his opinions. His oldest daughter Kathleen and her family lived in the house on 4th Avenue with him after she was married.

He rode in the pioneers' section of the Calgary Stampede Parade every year until 1947, when his health would not permit. He watched from the sidelines and commented that "the parade was getting too commercialized."

Edward died in 1948 at the age of 86. He had just finished his usual noon hour meal, and was going to his favorite chair when he collapsed and died.