The Switzer Story
The Switzer Story
Contributed By
From the Switzer Family Reunion, Aug. 1969 brochure
The Switzers, now considered Irish, came originally from Northern Germany in the Palatine in the Rhine Valley. They were Protestants, following the Luther reformation, and were bitterly persecuted for their religious beliefs. In the early seventeen hundreds, King Louis XIV of France, who was then overlord of the territory, sent a large army to exterminate them. Several large cities were burned, thousands of people put to the sword, their crops and buildings destroyed. The survivors fled. A number eventually reached North America. A group of several hundred, after untold hardships, reached the shores of England. They were kindly treated by Queen Anne, who gave each family a grant of land, some seven or eight acres, in the County of Limerick in Ireland. Being industrious people, they worked the land well and also established the industry of flax growing for linen weaving, which flourished for many years until the advent of spinning machinery. Over the years, many immigrated to America, chiefly New York and Pennsylvania and to Canada. After the American War of Independence, a great number moved to Canada as they were United Empire Loyalists. They settled mostly along the Upper St. Lawrence, the Quine Peninsula and North to Belleville and Kingston, North of Toronto, then known as "Muddy York", the St. Mary's area, and a number found their way to Manitoba. Great Grandfather Switzer was one who immigrated directly to Canada from Limerick, as did the woman he later married, Mary Leonard. One of their sons, Benjamin Jacob, married Caroline Kerr and raised a family of 10. The 8th was born on the 8th of June 1889 and christened Harvey Alexander. Home by this time was a sturdy two story building, unique in the area and a forerunner of the concrete buildings of today. It was constructed of grout made with lime from the Switzer's own kiln. Blocks at the corners were coloured blue and white. There were shutters for the windows and a handsome verandah, vine covered. It was a far cry from the log cabin the family had started with. Harvey Switzer attended Campbell's corner school and later Hanover High School, graduating at 16. He then served four years apprenticeship, three in Hanover, the last in Toronto. He spent a year at the Ontario College of Pharmacy and distinguished himself by winning the Botany Gold Medal and the Silver Medal for General Proficiency. He passed his licensing exam at OCP in 1910, but was unable to practice pharmacy because he was under 21. He entered the University of Toronto for one month in order to obtain his Phm.B degree. During his last year in Toronto he earned $10 a week and a free room at the back of a drug store in payment for answering incoming night calls. His first full time employment was at a drugstore in Wayburn Saskatchewan. For the first month he earned $75, after which his wage was $85. His room was $15 a month and food was about $33 a month. He formed a partnership with Dr. Bob Shaw and E. Davidson. They had decided to go further West, so they travelled by rail to Edson, a raw new town, and outfitted with oxen, tents and tools the three young men set forth for Grande Prairie. They had been told that a trail was cut through, but after going 75 miles they met the road gang hurrying to cross the Athabasca before the ice went out. This crew advised them to keep going, as "you'll only have to wait 2 or 3 days - another gang is cutting through from the North." However, it was learned that this crew was hurrying out in the opposite direction to Grande Prairie before the ice broke up across the Wapiti River. By this time, others had gathered. A government engineer, Mr. McQuary, called for volunteers and organized a road gang amongst the settlers. They then began the arduous task of blazing a trail for the remaining 60 miles of bush to connect up with the road cut from Grande Prairie. His search for a place to set up business led him to B.C. where a brother had already settled. Back in Edson in November 1912, Harvey Switzer looked for property and was able to lease a building for a year while building his own store, in which he remained until January 1952 when it was destroyed by fire. In the year 1914 he married Edith Amelia Lawrence. There were 14 children, 8 boys and 6 girls. Their small house on 6th avenue was built onto and up, to make a fine large home for the family and many were the friends also accommodated there. In 1914 also he filed a homestead located 4.5 miles west of town, and began the necessary improvements in his spare time to retain it. Later a house was moved onto the property, which provided a cottage atmosphere for summer holidays. Of course the children made major contributions in clearing the land and developing a large garden. The first mayor of Edson was Edith's father, Mr. Gilbert Lawrence. Harvey Switzer became the third mayor of the town from 1917 to 1920, before which he was on the Council for two years. He served on the volunteer fire brigade, and over the years served on the executive of most community and church committees. Also active in various lodges, he held offices in the Oddfellows, Rebeccas, The Knights of Phythias and the Elks, of which he is now a llife member. His latest official office wsa on Edson's 50th anniversary committee, as general chairman. His first grandchild was born on October 13th, 1942 and to date there are 45 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren. His beloved wife Edith only lived to see the first grandchild; she died suddenly in 1944. By this time, some of the family had spread their wings, three boys being in the services overseas, one working in the North and three girls married and away. In 1945 he married Mrs. Mabel Bezenson who had been a friend of the family for many years, her and Edith knowing each other as girls. After the children had all left home, it was decided to move into the small house next door. Life is somewhat quieter and more relaxed, but there are still church duties and more hours spent in the store (which two sons now own). There are trips to be made, books to be read, and always the memories to smile and sigh over. The family was shocked by the sudden death of Bill in June of this year. His presence will be sorely missed, but we are truly proud of his distinguished record.