Lars Homme, known as "Old Louie the Blacksmith" in the Burtonsville area, came to Alberta from Poplar, Minnesota, in 1906 at the age of 50. He had previously emigrated from Norway.
When Louie arrived in the area later known as Burtonsville he built a shed against a hillside, covering it with poles, birch bark and sod. He lived there until he built his house, after which the shed was used as a pig-house until 1915 when the birchbark rotted and the roof began to leak.
Louie built a blacksmith shop and served as the local blacksmith for some years. He was also skilled at carpentry and made his own furniture. His home-made rocker and other articles he made are still in family possession. His broad axe and anvil are owned by two of his greatnephewa.
In 1920 Louie sold his farm and returned to Minnesota, but he stayed there only four years. On his return to Burtonsville he bought a small acreage on the riverbank and lived there until a few months before his death.
During the depression years, Louie was often called upon to do repair work and at times the impossible was expected of him. The story is told that one day the remains of an old kitchen stove were brought to him to be returned to a usable state. Old Louie grumbled, "Who do they think I am? God? To have to make something out of nothing!"
In June of 1937, Louie had occasion to walk most of the way home from Edmonton. A walk of 60 miles proved too great an effort for a man of 80 and his health failed 'quickly. He was cared for in the home of his nephew Axel until his death on December 6, 1937
Source: Hills of Hope (1976), page 534.
When Louie arrived in the area later known as Burtonsville he built a shed against a hillside, covering it with poles, birch bark and sod. He lived there until he built his house, after which the shed was used as a pig-house until 1915 when the birchbark rotted and the roof began to leak.
Louie built a blacksmith shop and served as the local blacksmith for some years. He was also skilled at carpentry and made his own furniture. His home-made rocker and other articles he made are still in family possession. His broad axe and anvil are owned by two of his greatnephewa.
In 1920 Louie sold his farm and returned to Minnesota, but he stayed there only four years. On his return to Burtonsville he bought a small acreage on the riverbank and lived there until a few months before his death.
During the depression years, Louie was often called upon to do repair work and at times the impossible was expected of him. The story is told that one day the remains of an old kitchen stove were brought to him to be returned to a usable state. Old Louie grumbled, "Who do they think I am? God? To have to make something out of nothing!"
In June of 1937, Louie had occasion to walk most of the way home from Edmonton. A walk of 60 miles proved too great an effort for a man of 80 and his health failed 'quickly. He was cared for in the home of his nephew Axel until his death on December 6, 1937
Source: Hills of Hope (1976), page 534.
Lars Homme, known as "Old Louie the Blacksmith" in the Burtonsville area, came to Alberta from Poplar, Minnesota, in 1906 at the age of 50. He had previously emigrated from Norway.
When Louie arrived in the area later known as Burtonsville he built a shed against a hillside, covering it with poles, birch bark and sod. He lived there until he built his house, after which the shed was used as a pig-house until 1915 when the birchbark rotted and the roof began to leak.
Louie built a blacksmith shop and served as the local blacksmith for some years. He was also skilled at carpentry and made his own furniture. His home-made rocker and other articles he made are still in family possession. His broad axe and anvil are owned by two of his greatnephewa.
In 1920 Louie sold his farm and returned to Minnesota, but he stayed there only four years. On his return to Burtonsville he bought a small acreage on the riverbank and lived there until a few months before his death.
During the depression years, Louie was often called upon to do repair work and at times the impossible was expected of him. The story is told that one day the remains of an old kitchen stove were brought to him to be returned to a usable state. Old Louie grumbled, "Who do they think I am? God? To have to make something out of nothing!"
In June of 1937, Louie had occasion to walk most of the way home from Edmonton. A walk of 60 miles proved too great an effort for a man of 80 and his health failed 'quickly. He was cared for in the home of his nephew Axel until his death on December 6, 1937
Source: Hills of Hope (1976), page 534.
When Louie arrived in the area later known as Burtonsville he built a shed against a hillside, covering it with poles, birch bark and sod. He lived there until he built his house, after which the shed was used as a pig-house until 1915 when the birchbark rotted and the roof began to leak.
Louie built a blacksmith shop and served as the local blacksmith for some years. He was also skilled at carpentry and made his own furniture. His home-made rocker and other articles he made are still in family possession. His broad axe and anvil are owned by two of his greatnephewa.
In 1920 Louie sold his farm and returned to Minnesota, but he stayed there only four years. On his return to Burtonsville he bought a small acreage on the riverbank and lived there until a few months before his death.
During the depression years, Louie was often called upon to do repair work and at times the impossible was expected of him. The story is told that one day the remains of an old kitchen stove were brought to him to be returned to a usable state. Old Louie grumbled, "Who do they think I am? God? To have to make something out of nothing!"
In June of 1937, Louie had occasion to walk most of the way home from Edmonton. A walk of 60 miles proved too great an effort for a man of 80 and his health failed 'quickly. He was cared for in the home of his nephew Axel until his death on December 6, 1937
Source: Hills of Hope (1976), page 534.
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