Memorable Manitobans: Merryfield James Basted (1867-1951)

Farmer, businessman, municipal official.

Born at London, England on 28 May 1867, son of John P. and Sarah A. Basted (spelled Bastard in some sources), he was educated at the public schools of Streatham, England. He emigrated to Canada where he farmed in Ontario from 1883 to 1888, coming to Manitoba in the latter year. He farmed near Pierson and served as first President of the Grain Growers’ Association at Pierson. He was Secretary to a Royal Commission that investigated alleged collusion in the coal industry. He later operated a lumber business at Pierson.

On 7 June 1892, he married Louisa Dandy (1868-1938) at Pierson. They had three children: John Egbert “Bert” Basted (1893-1953), Mary Evelyn “Dolly” Basted (1897-?), and Merryfield Roberts “Meffie” Basted (1900-1951). He was a member of the Conservative Party and St. John’s Anglican Church, and enjoyed music, cricket, hockey, football, tennis, and curling. He was Reeve of the Rural Municipality of Edward from 1911 to 1913, and again from 1919 to 1938.

He died at Pierson in early July 1951 and was buried in the Pierson Cemetery.

Sources:

Birth, marriage and death registrations, Manitoba Vital Statistics.

1901 Canada census, Automated Genealogy.

Northern Who’s Who; A Biographical Dictionary of Men and Women” by Dr. C. W. Parker, 1916.

“M. J. Basted,” Winnipeg Free Press, 11 July 1951, page 14.

Harvest of Time: History of the R.M. of Edward, Edward History Book Committee, 1991, pages 296-297.

This page was prepared by Gordon Goldsborough.

Page revised: 6 March 2017

Memorable Manitobans

Memorable Manitobans

This is a collection of noteworthy Manitobans from the past, compiled by the Manitoba Historical Society. We acknowledge that the collection contains both reputable and disreputable people. All are worth remembering as a lesson to future generations.

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