parents were Benjamin Sigurosson and Salbjdrg
Benediktsdéttir at Kelduvilt in Skaga. Jonas and
Lilja lived on their farm, called Teigi, in {island
shlih until they immigrated to Canada in 1883.
After their arrival in Riverton in the New Iceland
area, they spent the first summer and winter with
Mr. and Mrs. Johann Briem, and the next four
years in the vicinity of their homestead, which in»
cluded the S. 1/2 of NE. 1/4 of Section 35 and
the S. 1/2 of NW. 1/4 of 36-22-35, a lot streh
ching a mile east from the Icelandic River. They
settled on this farm in 1888, naming it Djupadal.
They built a log house at the east end. Many years
later, the family moved to the west end and built
a frame house. Son Unvald homesteaded the next
lot, the N. 1,12 of NEIL/4 of Section 35, and the
N. 1/2 of NW. 1/4 of Section 36. Later, these
two lots were divided into two 1/4 sections, the
NE. 1/4- of section 35 taken over by son Jonas
and the NW. 1/4 of section 36 taken over by
Unvald.

Jénas and Lilja raised six children to adulthood,
having given their three-year-old daughter, Johan-
na, for adoption to Johann and Guoiinna
Johannson at Steinnes in the Riverton area. in
1910, they adopted a year and a hall old Ruby
Jonasson, daughter of son Gisli and his wife An—
na at Hléskégum in Geysir and brought her up with
the assistance of daughter Guordn, son Jonas
and his wife, Evelyn.

Strong, energetic and resourceful. Jonas and Lil-
ja carried out the requirements for homesteading
as they gradually acquired oxen, horses, other
domestic animals, farm machinery, and a frame
house to replace the log house, all with the help
of the children at home.

Sympathetic and willing, they gave support to
neighbours in need, and to community efforts.
Deeply religious and true to the church of their
fathers, they became members of the Geysir
Lutheran Church. Lilia was an active member of
the Ladies’ Aid Fteyja.

Culturally inclined but short of time, they com—
bined culture and daily chores. Jdnas had led the
singing of the congregation in the church at Hélar
{Hélakirkja} which was in the vicinity of his home
at Teigi in lceland. Now, he sang in the evenings
at home at Djupadal in New Iceland, while can
ding wool, shrinking socks, mitts, etc. and Lilia read
prose and poetry while the others sat around spin-
ning, knitting, etc. The woollen articles made were
worn by the family, sold or battered to supplement
the farm income; Lilia enioyed poetry and had a
talent for writing poems, such as the one prompted
by the death of their eldest child, Una, at the age
of twelve. Lilia also capped verses begun by others
in verbal encounters. They encouraged music in

the home - an autohatp, an organ and a violin were
acquired by the children, who played by eat. The
family and others gathered around the organ for
singsongs.

On May 22, 1926, a party was held in the Geysir
Hall to honor Jénas and Lilia on the occasion of
their golden wedding anniversary, which had been
on September 30, 1925. Close to 200 relatives and
friends from far and near were present.

The family ties established at Djfipadal were
strong. Jonas and Lilia gave their assistance as long
as they could. When old age took its toll, they bask—
ed in the love and care of their children and grand.
children. Jonas passed away at the home of
daughter Herdis, wife of Gubmundur Jonsson in
Framnes, on March 30, 1930. Lilia died sudden-
ly on May 5, 1936, also at the home of Herdi’s.
Both were buried in the Geysir Cemetery.

The children of Jc’mas and Lilia were:

. Gisli
Herdis

. Johanna
Jonas
Unvald
Una
Guhrun
Ruby

1. Gisli

Cjisli was born on September 15, 1877 at Teigi
in Oslandshlii‘), Iceland, the son of Jonas Thorsu
teinsson and Lilia Frioiinnsdéttir, who farmed
there until they immigrated to Canada in 1883.
They homesteaded in Geysir, Manitoba and call-
ed their farm Djiipadal. Gisli grew up there.

On December 8, 1900, Gisli married Anna
Sigriour, born November 11, 1879, the daughter
of Jon Bjamason, Guomundsson from Vabi in
Sidiodal, Iceland and his wife, Guon’in Halldéra
Guomundsdottit, from Austfjoroum, lceland.

Gisli took a homestead in Geysir, SW. 1/4
3-23-3E and they named their home Hléskégar.
For many years, Gisli fished on Lake Winnipeg dur—
ing the winter to supplement the farm income and

mnewswwa

 

Hlésltégar in the 19405.

325