Oliver Harris (1837-1922) and Ann Francis (1844-1929?) were both born in Devonshire, England. Each sailed to Canada as children, with their families. They married in 1865, in Ontario. In 1882, they took their 6 children – including Lucy (1867-1930) and William F. "Fred" (1868-1950) – and moved to a homestead in the Brandon Hills area of Manitoba. Mr. Harris and his son Fred homesteaded again in 1890, near what became North Portal and Mrs. Harris and other family members joined them in 1893, including Eva (b.1884) and Ella (b.1887?), both born after the family settled in Manitoba. In 1905, Oliver and Ann Harris retired from the farm to the village of North Portal.