Mr. & Mrs. Fred Bidulock
(continued)
Maria had to care for her brother and sister as her father would be many days away building homes for other people. As the year went by things were getting better. The Shepenitz post office was located near by, and there were more varieties at the stores. Maria's younger sister was getting older and Maria would teach her how to do things, also how to write the alphabet. There was some land broken by this time for a garden and grain, some cattle and milk cows. As the years went by this also ended as Maria got married to Fred Bidulock.
There was no easy task for Maria and Fred on the farm either. Again land had to be developed, the road was very poor. There were wild animals or bears and coyotes and the chickens were killed by skunks and coyotes.
To this couple thirteen children were born, all on the homestead. There was plenty of work to keep the family busy. Discipline and work were regarded as the most essential. The children would pick blueberries and wild raspberries. The garden was always full of all sorts of vegetables later stored for the winter. In the winter wool was prepared for knitting. Later Fred purchased a used knitting machine and made socks and mitts for other people to get some money.
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The breaking of land became more and more needed. So, Fred bought a used threshing machine, the first of its kind in this area that had a straw carrier instead of a blower. The machine was fed by hand and powered with a portable big flywheel engine. The first car in this area was a Model T Ford purchased by Fred.
As time went on the children were getting bigger. The roads were improved, schools were more regular and managing to keep teachers. The C.P.R. railway went through giving us the town of Hairy Hill.
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Some older children did not have the opportunity to attend too much school, however later this was changed. The younger children all finished with degrees. All children are now married and are on their own, except for one who is not married. This is the most unique family in many ways. Fred and Maria Bidulock not highly religious have children who are Catholic, Greek Orthodox, United Church, Nazarene, Jehovah Witness and Seven Day Adventist and yet the family is very much united.
Maria Bidulock was awarded the Senior Citizen Award 1905-1955 Golden Jubilee.