The village of Netherhill in Saskatchewan, Canada was founded by John Craig, from Netherhill, Beith. The 1901 census reveals that prior to emigrating to Canada, John Craig was a builder and that he was also an employer. He lived in a four-room apartment at Netherhill with his wife Eliza, who was employed as a dressmaker, and five of their six children.
John, his wife Eliza Gunn and their seven children, David, Jeanie, Agnes, George, Jessie, Janet Mary and Eliza (Elsie) Gunn emigrated to Canada onboard the Allen Line steamer “SS Carthaginian” which sailed from Glasgow on 06 June 1906, arriving in Montreal on 16 June 1906. The Canadian census dated 09 July 1906 reveals that the family initially settled in Winnipeg, before moving to Eagle Lake County Homesteading where on 23 October 1909 John Craig was granted the title for land in the North-east quarter (Section 32.29.21). He built their house on ground which had formerly been used as a toll. The growing township was named Netherhill, after the first settler John Craig’s home in Beith. John Craig became the postmaster, Justice of the Peace and the first Reeve of the rural Municipality of Hillburgh 289 which included Netherhill. (A Reeve is an elected official, similar to a Provost.) John Craig compiled the 1911 Canadian Census for Moose Jaw, District No. 4, Township 29.21 W 3. Their son George also served as postmaster.
Their son David died in July 1908 from a heart attack, aged 24, and is buried in Eagle Lake Cemetery, Netherhill along with his parents. John Craig died at Netherhill on 25 September 1936, aged 80, and his wife Eliza Gunn who in 1940. Their daughter Jeannie died of Spanish Flu in 1918 or 1919.
Within a year or so of arriving in Netherhill, the Craigs were joined by fellow Beithites, David and John Good and their friend George Delday.
David Good, aged 23, arrived in Quebec, Canada in May 1905 aboard the ship “Sicilian”. His occupation was recorded as a joiner. He was joined the following year by his brother John, aged 22, and their friend George Delday, aged 29, both of whom were cabinetmakers. They arrived in Quebec, aboard the ship “Corinthian” in May 1906. Of interest, George Delday was born in Deerness, Orkney, but had moved to Beith prior to immigrating to Canada. The 1906 Canadian census, taken on 24 June, finds all three men living in a boarding house in Winnipeg, owned by Peter Anderson, an immigrant from Iceland.
Within a few years of arriving in Canada, the three men made the decision to purchase land and take up farming. Having settled in Netherhill, the Good’s encouraged their father to purchase land there and move the rest of their family to Canada. In 1911 David and Mary Good, and their children, James, William and Mary Wallace emigrated to Netherhill by way of Montreal aboard the “Scotian”. The passenger lists reveal that David and his son William had also previously been employed in the furniture industry. David had worked as a chairmaker and William as an upholsterer. By 16 June 1911 when the Canadian census was taken, they were living with their son John. The Craig family and George Delday lived nearby.
David Good (Senior) died in 1923 and is buried at Eagle Lake Cemetery along with his wife Mary Wallace who died in 1920. Their daughter Mary Wallace Good married George Delday on 29 January 1913 and they are also buried in Eagle Lake Cemetery. Mary died in 1942 and George in 1961. Their son David Good Delday (1923-2013) received the Saskatchewan Volunteer Medal in 2011 in recognition of his many years of volunteering. He is also buried in Eagle Lake Cemetery.
In August 1909 the Canadian Northern Railway reached Netherhill. By 1910 a thriving main street had been established with a hotel, general stores, men’s clothing store, barber shop, post office, restaurant, hardware store, bank and real estate office. Nearby were three lumber yards, a blacksmith shop and harness-maker.
A school was built 3½ miles northwest of the village, but in 1912 a new school was opened in the town with Miss Railton as its first teacher. Originally a one room school, within two years it had doubled in size as Netherhill grew. To begin with all grades were taught in the school, but it later became an elementary school and the high school students were sent to nearby Kindersley. The school closed in the mid 1960’s. The building was then used as a meeting house for the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
During World War One, more men joined the Canadian Expeditionary Force from Netherhill, than from any other Canadian town of a similar size.
Sadly, many of the prairie villages and towns have declined, including Netherhill. In 2016 the population of Netherhill was just 25 and although the hotel is still standing, it is now a private home.
Further Reading
The Craig family history, written by John’s son George Craig, can be found at ayrshireroots.co.uk