This is an extract from “Theodore and District History”, (c) Theodore Historical Society, published in 1987.
OSTAPOVITCH, Fred and Rose
Dad, the son of Peter and Aksana, and Mother, the daughter of Martsia Kitzul, both emigrated from Bukowina, Austria with their respective families and settled in the present Theodore district. They met some time later and were married February 1906 in the village of Theodore.
They lived with Dad’s parents until they built their own home on their homestead, the NE14 16-28-7-W2. Although Dad was not old enough to qualify for homestead land, he was whiskered and looked much older than his nineteen years. A.D. Tracy had advised him to apply for a homestead while he was still single, advising him also of the available land in a prime location. Dad always felt grateful for this advice. In later times Stewart Anderson was his advisor in legal matters and Dad appreciated his services for years.
Mother and Dad moved into their own home after several months, a two room mud plastered, whitewashed, log house with a thatched roof. Initially, Dad and Mother continued to help our grandparents with their farming while endeavoring to make some progress on their own land. And as the years went by, they did progress.
From the beginning use of oxen and a one furrow plough, they progressed to horses and larger machinery. Gradually over a period of 50 years with the help of their sons and the introduction of tractors and combines, their homestead farm of bush and potholes was transformed into a modern family estate and fields of pedigreed seed.
They raised and educated a family of thirteen children, five girls and eight boys, all born at home on this homestead farm. Four of the children were born in their first two-roomed home – Mary, Lena, Jacob and Matthew.
A more spacious two story house was erected in 1912, built by Nick Hutzul. It was situated on a site selected by Dad, high on a hill close to a permanent pond, two hundred yards from the road which later became the #14 highway. This continues to be the ideal location for a home on this farm. Nine children were born in this second home – Stephen, Michael, Vera, William, Peter, Harold, Oda, Annette and Frederic. As the family increased, a two storey wing was added in 1922, built by Adolf Markel.
Fred and Rose Ostapovitch Family — 1927. Back: Michael, Matthew, Stephen. Centre: Peter, Fred Sr., William, Rose, Vera. Front: Oda, Harold, Annette, Missing – Mary, Lena, Jake (three eldest).
Ukrainian was our first language learned and spoken at home. After learning to speak English in school, we communicated with each other in English and used a “mixed” language with our parents. Mother soon learned to understand English. Mother had attended school in Bukowina for five years and could read and write Ukrainian, could speak German which was taught in school, and also learned to speak Yiddish from her playmates – these latter two languages she eventually lost. With Mother’s help, Dad learned to read Ukrainian and we were introduced to the Bible and the Ten Commandments very early in life. Their evening ritual was to call on one of us to open the Bible and the scripture would be read to us from that particular page.
We learned the meaning of work and responsibility at a very young age. Attending school was play compared to our home responsibilities. Perhaps this is one reason that after the initial week of starting school, there were never any arguments about going to school. Also, after spending the summers picking mustard in the grain fields, we were glad to return to school.
Our parents believed that education was essential in choosing a life career, and worked diligently to make this possible for their children. Our father had made a promise to himself that none of his children would ever be deprived of an education as he was – “and only for the price of a rooster!”
We were fortunate to be only one mile from Theodore, so could readily walk to school all year. We had a foot path across Simpson’s farm pasture and could leave home when the “quarter” bell rang and be at school on time. The boys were always up early to do their farm chores before school. We were fortunate also that Theodore School had the facilities and well qualified teachers from grades one to eleven, and then twelve during those years, 19151946. It took thirty-one years to get all thirteen children through high school. And in all those years, Mother was always there when her children came home from school and always with a special after school snack! They also insisted we attend Sunday School at the United Church during our public school years.
It was 1926 when the first family separation took place. The three oldest, Mary, Lena and Jake, left for Saskatoon – Mary to Normal School, Lena and Jake to Nutana Collegiate to take grade twelve, and Normal School the following year. They lived at the P. Mohyla Ukrainian Institute; a large hotel converted into a residence for students who came from farms and villages. They were taught to read and write Ukrainian and some Ukrainian history. The rector was a hard-nosed Ukrainian separatist who discouraged them from mixing with the AngloSaxons. This did not conform with our parents’ philosophy. They had raised us to be proud of our cultural heritage, but proud to be Canadian and to feel Canadian. Consequently, this residence did not enter into any future plans.
This first break was a difficult period for our parents. In addition to the emotional trauma of separation, Mother was left with an eight year old daughter Vera, as her sole helper in the household chores, and Father had the financial worries.
At this time they had ninety acres under cultivation on their homestead farm. They owned two other quarters but one was all pasture land and the other one used primarily for hay. Money was raised from various sources in this mixed farming operation. In addition to grain, they sold beef, pigs, turkeys, eggs and cream. Mother’s cheques from shipping cream were a regular source of income for many years. Dad also borrowed from the bank, keeping up his payments so his credit was good.
The activities to provide for a large family without incurring other debts were endless. The daily milking, cream separating, storing, and butter making were labor intensive. A large garden produced all the vegetable requirements. Cabbage and cucumbers were pickled in oak barrels; beef, pork, chicken and perishable vegetables were canned; eggs were preserved in water glass. Excursions into the woods for berry, mushroom and hazel nut picking were our annual family fun times but supplied us with no cost fruit for preserves and nuts for our winter enjoyment. Mother was always baking breads, an all day bi-weekly activity using a 100 pound sack of flour per week. She rendered all the pork fat so she never bought shortening, and she made all the laundry soap from rendered beef fat and lye. Bleaches were never used as clothes were always boiled for whitening. Bedding was all home made. Raw sheeps wool was washed and carded for quilts, home grown goose feathers were stripped for the many pillows required and a feather tick for the toddlers. Bees were kept for a honey supply.
Mother sewed many of our clothes on a Singer treadle sewing machine. Good quality outer clothes were always purchased as they were handed down and worn completely. Money was always found for essentials and we never expected any frills.
Mother’s best friend and support was our Aunt Mary Gerla who lived only a half mile away. She always seemed to know when Mother needed help and would walk over to lend a hand or share a private joke.
More land was broken commencing 1927 and the first car, a new four door Chevrolet was purchased in 1929. This same year Dad started work as a maintenance man on the new #14 highway, a job he continued for seven years. The car proved quite a costly venture as all the highway maintenance cheques and cream cheques were used to run it; and for the first time in all those years the farm taxes were not paid. The car was put on blocks for two years in the thirties until the financial situation improved.
During the depression years we were very fortunate; with all our home grown meats and vegetables, we were never hungry. Preserved food and bread was frequently delivered to needy families, and our home was a “drop in” centre for the unemployed riding the rails. But money was scarce and Matt and Steve had to take turns attending university, and Mike never did get away.
A gas washing machine was purchased in 1935 – Mother’s first labor saving appliance.
The first radio was bought in 1936, battery operated as we had no electricity. The batteries were saved for the daily six o’clock news until the sons built a wind generator and we then enjoyed other programs. Until that time we had a gramophone with a stack of Ukrainian music records, which were used to teach us dancing, Dad was very fond of dancing.
Also in 1936, all of the sons, with the exception of Jake, were home; Matt, Steve and Mike assisting full time with the farming. Mother lost her experienced maid when Vera left to train as a nurse, and Oda and Annette, ages eleven and nine, became the upstairs and downstairs maids.
An additional half section of land, the Bates farm, was purchased the following year as well as their first tractor – an Oliver, the first rubber tired tractor in the district.
Through the coordinated efforts of our parents and older brothers, the seven youngest members of this family were able to complete their post secondary education without interruption. They too assisted by working on the farm during their summer breaks.
The year 1950 was one of change. Power became available to rural subscribers at a cost of $300 plus $30/pole leading from the mainline into the farm. The farm home with several renovations in the past, now went through a major renovation. The two sons, Matthew and Michael, wanted to build a new house but Father could not bear to see his home torn down. So the sons gave in and in the end their renovation and addition cost more than new housing at that time. They now enjoyed central heating, indoor plumbing and electricity.
The registered cattle herd was sold and they converted to strictly grain farming. Life became much easier for our parents, but particularly for our mother. Their children were all self sufficient, independent adults and they could now relax.
Mother now had more time for reading and for her handicrafts; Father could spend long hours stretched out on the couch with his Bible and newspaper, the Ukrainian Voice.
Christmas was always a special time and our family of fifteen were frequently together. But since 1935 there were only two occasions when Mother and Dad had their children home together – in 1940 at their daughter Mary’s wedding, and in July 1956 when they celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with all their children and their families at the farm.
Ostapovitch 50th Anniversary – 1956. Back: Frederic, Michael, Harold, Matthew, Stephen, Peter. Second Row: William, Vera, Oda, Annette, Mary, Lena, Jake. Centre: Fred, Rose Ostapovitch.
They both lived to age eighty. Father died in April 1966 following a stroke and Mother in June 1970 while recovering from fractured hip surgery. They are buried in the family plot next to our paternal grandparents in the cemetery on the NE14 20-28-7W2.
Theirs was a life of courage, endurance and accomplishment. They never ceased to appreciate the beauty and freedom of their new country – Canada, the land they taught us to cherish. And we will always remember their love, their vision and the source of their inner strength – their constant faith in God.
