Joseph Hadley, his wife, nee Hanna Hall, their two sons, Rufus and Lester came from Haliburton County, Ontario, their birthplace, and homesteaded in the Smithfield District in 1905. Joseph and Lester homesteaded the north half of section 14-53-3-W5, which is now half a mile north of Highway 16, known as the Base Line then, where the road changes from four lane to two lanes. Rufus homesteaded the NE2-53-3-W5, which was one mile south of the Base Line, cornering the farm of William Hedge. This quarter is marked on the 1919 map as R. Clements. A creek ran diagonally across a corner of this land with a plateau extending eastward and on the banks of the creek stood a grove of large poplar trees. This was the beautiful spot the Hadleys chose for a building site. The three men proceeded to fell the trees with a cross-cut saw, side and square the logs with a broad axe, then build a log house and barn. With additions and improvements these buildings are still in use today.
When the Hadleys came west their nearest post office was Mewassin. Later Wabamun opened up and then Duffield. The trip to Mewassin would be an all day drive using trails that were covered in places with water that would come up to the wagon box. If the family wanted to go to Edmonton it would be a three day trip. They could get as far as J.J. Hadleys (no relation) a mile west of Winterburn the first day, where they would spend the night. The second day took them into Edmonton and back to Winterburn, with another overnight stop at J.J. Hadleys. The third day they returned to the farm, load and weather permitting. Otherwise they would stop at some farm along the trail further west.
Georgina Riley came west in 1907 and married Lester Hadley at the Alberta College in Edmonton. They moved to Joseph Hadley's homestead north of the Base Line. Lester and Georgina lived in a tent with a board floor, where their first son, Harvey was born. Then they built and moved into the house in the fall of 1908. This house is still standing up on the hill and can be seen from the highway. Lester and Georgina had five children, all born on the farm. They are Harvey, Gertrude, Charlie, Elmer and Lucille.
Joseph's wife, Hanna Hadley, passed away in 1914 and was buried in the Smithfield Cemetery. Lester remained on his father's homestead, running the two farms. Joseph spent his time between the two sons' places, helping with the chores and cutting firewood, which he seemed to enjoy. While on the farm, Lester worked for the government on the Jasper Highway which is now Highway 16. He graded the dirt road from two miles west of Carvel Corner to Kapasiwin Beach, a total of about nine miles.
Rufus lived on his farm at Smithfield until about 1918, when he sold it to Clements and moved west to Irmie, which is now called Styal. He operated a general store there until his passing in 1933. His wife, Maggie, and daughter, Clara, operated the store for a short while, then sold it and moved to Ontario.
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The Hadley children all attended Smithfield School and on most Sundays everyone attended the Hopkins United Church. In the twenties the United Church held a summer camp at Kapasiwin, one week for the boys and one week for the girls, which was much enjoyed by all concerned. Reverend Percy Sutton and Mrs. Sutton were leaders at these camps.
Lester and his family remained on the farm until 1929 when they sold it to Mr. Merling and moved to Edmonton. About two years after moving to Edmonton, Lester again was employed by the government, repairing the gravel road from Edmonton to Styal, also the roads to Seba Beach, Fallis, Alberta Beach and Edmonton Beach.
Joseph Hadley passed away in 1935 and was buried in the Smithfield Cemetery,beside his wife. Lester's wife, Georgina Hadley, passed away in 1944, and Lester passed away in 1958. Both are buried in Edmonton. One of Lester and Georgina's five children, Gertrude, was laid to rest in 1975.