Isabella Dowkes, affectionately known as "Aunt Bella", was greatly loved, respected and needed in this young struggling community. With her nursing skill she was midwife to most of the settlers' wives and she ministered to many people both in Canada and across the border in U.S.A., working tirelessly with Drs. Lockhart and Brereton from Carnduff. She went anywhere she was needed leaving her own family to the care of anyone who volunteered. She travelled in buggies, wagons, cutters, bobsleighs, stone-boats and many trips were made on horseback but she thought nothing of the hardships when she could bring relief to the suffering. She died in 1930 after a lengthy illness.
The Dowkes were of Plymouth Breathren No. 4 religion, also known as the Exclusive Brethren.
Of the Will Dowkes family the eldest was AMBROSE. He farmed in Kimberley S.D., married Jessie Anderson and they had two children, Gordon born May 23, 1920 and Bernice born July 14, 1931. Gordon Dowkes married Elsie Easom and is now a retired farmer at Ogema, Sask. They have two children: Margaret Rose born July 29,1948 and Norma Jean born July 3, 1953. Ambrose's second child Bernice married Peter Mitchell from Glasgow, Scotland. They reside in Lampman, Sask. and have six children, Bryson James, Bonnie Ruth, Robert Bruce, Morton Lindsay, Blair Orvel and Blaine Russell.
HAROLD DOWKES, second child of Mr. and Mrs. Will Dowkes married Annie Snook of Regina where they resided. They had one daughter Evelyn born Sept. 11, 1940. Annie predeceased Harold quite some time ago. He was married the second time.
HATTIE BELLE, third child of Mr. and Mrs. Will Dowkes married John Henderson Lawson of Charlottetown, P.E.I. They lived for a time at Giroux, Man. where Mr. Lawson was the station agent. Hattie Belle had three stepdaughters, Ruth born Dec. 29,1922, Geraldine born Jan. 29, 1928, Marjorie born May 18, 1930.
NORMAN, fourth child of Mr. and Mrs. Will Dowkes married Agnes (Nana) Scott of Regina. Before they married she worked in Simpson's mail- order store. They farmed until 1943 on SW 21-1-34-W1. They moved to Winnipeg in the fall of 1943, where Norman resides. His wife died Sept.18, 1978. They had no children.
RUTH, the fifth child of Mr. and Mrs. Will Dowkes, cared for her mother in her last years. She married Charlie Lake, (deceased) and she resides in Victoria, B.C. No children.