Version 6.01

11 February 2025

David March © 2014

HELEN ZACHARIAS

Helena Zacharias was born on 3 November 1896 in Saskatchewan to Johann J Zacharias (b 1870) and Helena Loewen (1870-1955). Helena had five siblings, Johann (1893-1988), Peter (1895-1978), Anna (1898-1990), Marie (b 1902) and Jacob (b 1904).

She was raised on the family farm on section SE-32-42-02-W3, RM 403 Rosthern, Saskatchewan. According to Henderson city directories for Saskatoon, she worked as a stenographer for Imperial Oil from 1917 to 1928. During these years, she lived in various residences in the downtown area of Saskatoon. During 1917-1918, presumably the time the quilt was made, she was living at 809 6th Ave or 601 4th Ave N.

It is likely that she is the Helena Zacharias who married James Franklin Wheten and died on 9 October 1929. Her maiden name is identified on her tombstone and her age matches the Helena Zacharias in the Rosthern census records. She must have been married in about 1928.

James Franklin (Frank) Wheten was born on 24 January 1891 in Bass River, New Brunswick to James Franklin Wheten (b 1861) and Letitia Jane Hamilton (1861-1930). Frank had four siblings, George William (1886-1970), Elwin Hamilton (1887-1977), Charles Victor (1888-1962) and Thomas Gordon (b 1889); and one half-brother, Erwin Russell Campbell (1898-1918).

Frank was raised in Weldford, Kent Co, New Brunswick. He came west with his mother and step-father, James J Campbell (1850-1930) and the family lived at 823 9th Ave N, Saskatoon. Frank, his brothers, Elwin and Thomas and his half-brother Erwin all enlisted in the CEF between 1915 and 1916. Erwin was killed in action near Cap de Calais, France on 27 September 1918 and is buried in the military cemetery of Sains-Les-Marquion. See CWGC. The three brothers returned home safely.

Frank worked as a traveller for Imperial Oil Co and this may be how he and Helena met.

Helena died on 9 October 1929 and is buried in Woodlawn Cemetery, Saskatoon.

Frank died on 27 April 1985 in North Vancouver, British Columbia where he was listed as widowed & his spouse’s name was given as Grace Cannon. He was buried beside Helena in Woodlawn Cemetery in Saskatoon.

This family tree can be found on Ancestry under the title 3rd Ave Zacharias Tree.