THE MARTIN (MATIJ) SITAR FARM
Around the turn of the last century three Sitar brothers decided to emigrate from Poland to Canada to start new lives. The oldest brother, Walenty with his wife Paulina and four children departed March 19, 1899 from Poland with his younger brother Frank his wife Franciszka (Anastasia) and their three children Joseph, Mary and Ann. They both came to the Elma area in the spring of 1900, with Frank settling on NE 36-10-11E. He applied for his 143 acre homestead on January 30, 1901. Walenty came with Frank to Elma, settling on NE 26-10-11E. They applied for their 160 acre homestead on August 26, 1904, receiving patent (title) on April 12, 1906. In order to be eligible for this patent, Walenty cleared 16 acres of land, built a log house 11' by 18' and 4 log stables worth $300.00. He had 3 cows, 6 calves, 4 oxen, 7 pigs and 8 geese.

 

In 1900 the youngest brother Martin (Matij) Sitar followed his older brothers from Poland to the Elma area, accompanied by his wife Polly, 2 children Anna and John and his mother Maria. In April of 1901 he paid $10.00 for a homestead patent on NW 25-10-11E. This the farm that Julie still owns and farms. Martin got his patent (title) on May 15th, 1906. In order to get his patent, he had to satisfy several conditions: 1) pay a $10.00 registration fee, 2) to build a livable house, 3) clear and prepare 25 acres of land for seeding, 4) live on the land for at least 3 years and 5) become a Canadian citizen in those 3 years. In cases where the land was unsuitable for extensive cultivation the homesteader was allowed to raise stock instead. Cattle, horses, sheep, swine were to number 5 head the first year, 10 the second, and at least 16 before title could be granted. If the farmer failed to satisfy these criteria within five years he could lose his land. According to a sworn statement dated December 30th, 1905, Martin was 37 years old, had a wife and four children living on the homestead. He cleared 2 acres in 1901, 1 acre in 1902 and 3 in 1903. By 1905 he had cleared 9 acres and had 3 cattle, 2 horses and swine. He had built a 24' by 24' log house with a board roof valued at $150.00, and the same size log barn also of same value. He had a 1/2 mile rail fence valued at $40.00.

In 1904 Martin's wife Polly died in child birth. She was buried in St. Augustine Roman Catholic cemetery in Whitemouth. He married his second wife Barbara, from Winnipeg. They had five more children: Stanley, Joseph Martin (Julie's father), Molly, Frank (died in his teens) and Katherine (died as a youngster). Martin was again widowed in 1915; Barbara is buried in Stony Hill cemetery. He later married his third wife Josephine, having four more children: Walter, Bernie, Jenny and Paul.Martin's mother Maria resided with him and was the local midwife until her death in 1923. She is buried in Stony Hill cemetery. In 1906 Martin donated 3 acres of land for a school, which was built in 1907 and known as Stony Hill School #1410. Some years up to 75 pupils attended grades 1 to 8. Also in 1906 his brother Walenty, who lived across the road on SE 26-l0-11E donated 1 1/2 acres of land for a church and cemetery, now known as Stony Hill Cemetery. The church was known as St. Ludwiga Polish National Church serving both the Polish and Ukrainian
parishioners. Bishop Markewicz held services and settlers from miles around would come to hear his sermons.

Martin was an aggressive farmer. He had the first steam engine and threshing machine in the area, harvesting for himself and the neighbors. Firewood to feed the steam engine was provided by each farmer. Later, he traded the steamer for a new John Deere Model D tractor and a new Red River Special threshing machine. Now moving to neighbor's farms was much easier. He was the second farmer in the area to own a car - a Model T Ford touring car.

Martin's children: Anna - married Nicholas Tretiak, John - married Stella Shubert, Stanley - married Mary Micholieu, Joseph Martin - married Mary Sawczuk, Molly - married Jack Jacobson and Katherine - died as a youngster. On January 29th, 1932 Martin, his wife Josephine and children Frank, Walter, Bernie, Jennie and Paul met their tragic demise. All are buried in Stony Hill cemetery. It was then that Joseph Martin took over the family farm. In June 1935 he married Mary Sawczuk, and they farmed together until August 1956, when Joseph passed away after a tragic farm accident. His wife Mary and daughters Julie and Phyllis took over the farm. It is currently owned and operated by Julie Sitar, with the much appreciated help of her mother Mary, sister Phyllis and brother-in-law Victor Kasta-Ianych, along with many friends and relatives. Martin Sitar's brother Walenty farmed his homestead until 1930, when he and his wife Paulina sold the farm to Dmetro Jurek, and moved to Beausejour, where they lived the rest of their lives. Walenty was born
March 13, 1858, died March 27, 1934. Paulina was born in 1860, died in 1947 at 87 years of age. Both are buried in Beausejour cemetery.

 

Their children: Antonina - married John Tuzyk, John Henry - married Pauline Bargenda, Michael - married Lena Strugar and Francisza - not married. Martin's second brother Frank and his first wife Franciszka (Anas-tasia) came to Elma in 1901. Their children: Joseph - married Beatrice Golembioski, Anne - married Alex Kiz, Mary - married William Martin and Peter - married Marcella. Marcella died, and Peter married her sister Rose. Anastasia died in 1903, and Frank then married Magdalene (Magda) in 1903. Their children: Thomas - married Mary Boychuk, Martin - married Mary Jakimiecz; Katie - married Fred Misurka and Henry - married Victoria Jakimiecz. Magda died in 1914, and Frank died in 1940 at the age of 76 years; both are buried in Stony Hill cemetery. Frank's son Thomas then took over the family farm, which his son William Sitar still owns.