The Icelandic Canadian - 01.08.2001, Blaðsíða 22

104
THE ICELANDIC CANADIAN
Vol. 56 #3
Each Saturday, he delivered the mail to the
Sylvan Post Office.
Jon served as one of the umboSsmenn
(representatives) for Heimskringla. The
Sigurdson homestead became the focal
point in the community. It was a stopping
place for travelers and freighters. People
gathered at the Post Office on mail days to
socialize and more importantly to discuss
community events and needs. The farm
was used for official meetings, social gath-
erings and picnics. It was fitting that the
community hall was erected on the Vidir
farm. It was built in 1914 by the road just
north of th house. A large barn was built
across from the hall. It was needed to shel-
ter the horses when people attended events
at the hall. Jon donated space on his land
for the Vidir Cemetery. It is located on the
northwest corner of the homestead.
Jon took an active part in all aspects of
community events. This included taking
part in community presented plays and act-
ing as a master f ceremonies for events held
in the hall.
The first meeting for the Vidir School
District was held at the home of Jon
Sigurdsson on June 25, 1908. Jon was the
chairman and Thorleifur Sveinson was the
secretary. The election for a School Board
took place and Jon Sigurdsson, Sigurdur
Finnsson and Magnus Jonasson were elect-
ed. Jon Sigurdsson was elected to the Board
at each election for 27 years and during all
that time also served as secretary treasurer.
The new Board proceeded to have a school
built and classes began on September 15,
1909.
The Vidir Lutheran congregation was
formed in 1914. Jon and Sigurn were active
member and he served as chairman from
1922 until his death. Services and Sunday
school were held in the school until the hall
was completed.
Another community venture was the
Vidir Grain Growers Association orga-
nized in 1914. Jon was one of the staunch
proponents of this venture. He was an
active member and was the chairman at the
organizing meeting held on May 8, 1914, in
the Vidir Hall. In the new membership, he
served as a director.
Jon’s keen interest in community
progress was not only centered in Vidir,
but also in Arborg and the entire
Municipality of Bifrost. The establishment
of the North Star Creamery Association in
Arborg in 1907 was a significant success for
the farming community of Vidir. Jon was
one of the farmers in Vidir advocating that
a creamery be built. The charter for the
Creamery was issued in 1907 with 44 mem-
bers from Vidir, Geysir and Ardal. He was
one of the directors of the North Star
Creamery and served as chairman for many
years.
The Arborg Farmers Co-operative
Association Limited originated with peo-
ple from Vidir involved in the Grain
Growers Association. Jon was one of the
members instrumental in establishing the
farmers Co-operative Store in Arborg. He
was one of the three representatives from
Vidir on the committee which was struck
to explore the idea of establishing a co-
operative store. A committee of nine men
were appointed with Jon Sigurdsson as
chairman, to apply for a charter. The com-
mittee was successful in obtaining a charter
on April 22, 1919 and the Arborg Farmers
Co-operative Association Limited opened
on October 1, 1919. Jon was the first pres-
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