Alex and August Hebenik

Alex Hebenik, a sailor in Estonia, initially immigrated to Ontario in 1914 before eventually settling in Barons two years later. He worked for Gus Erdman for several years before renting his own property. In 1927, Alex purchased some land formerly homesteaded by Bill Moore, three miles east of Barons.

In 1922, Alex married Lydia Bakkila of Barons. They had two children named Carl and Anna. Carl married Hilda Schumacher of Vauxhall and, together, they had four children: George, Willie, Hazel and Lydia. Carl's sister Anna married Robert Marshall of Calgary and they produced a family of three boys and two girls: Robert, Beverly, Albert, Carol and Charlie.

Alex was an active member of the Elks community and had a passion for fishing in Alberta's lakes and streams. In 1956, he purchased a home in Barons. He passed away in 1964.

In 1926, the Estonian August Hebenik arrived in Barons. His brother Alex had convinced him to immigrate to southern Alberta and become a prosperous farmer. During his first few years here he worked on a variety of different farms, including Alex's, offering a helping hand at any given opportunity. August also worked for Gus Erdman, a well established farmer and Estonian pioneer settler.

In 1928, August married Alma Selge, whom had migrated from Estonia the previous year and had been working in the area. August began renting farmland from Peter Lentsman in 1939. August and Alma lived there until 1948, at which time they bought a quarter section of land, complete with a house, north of Barons. When Alma and August retired they continued to live at their farmhouse but rented out the farm land to anyone interested.