After 50 years in the legal profession, Clarence Bedford retired in 1976. Many readers will recall him from dealings with mortgages, probating wills and perhaps paying fines during his 33 years in Carman. Others might remember his proud possession of a Jaguar.
“Before getting it here he had to change over the driver’s side to accommodate driving in Canada,” his granddaughter Jennifer Paulhus said.
A native of Darlingford, Bedford received his early education there before attending Wesley College in Winnipeg. To pay his way through school, he pitched during baseball’s golden era in the late 1920s, going up against some of the best players in Manitoba and North Dakota.
After graduating from law school, he set his sights on California, where he joined a friend in practice. However, he soon returned home because American citizenship was required to work there. Back in town, he bought H.E. Robinson’s firm (then located north of Porter’s Garage) from his estate and hired Norah “McConnell” Mogk as his secretary. From there he conducted his law practice, while also serving as police magistrate and presiding over juvenile court in Carman, Morden and Portage.
He remained at that address until 1951, when he moved across Main Street to a building “over the Boyne” (now a vacant lot north of Kingdom Health). In 1958, he returned to the east side of Main in the Grier Block (now One Insurance), where he partnered with John Wilson in 1972.
Sport, especially baseball, was Bedford’s second love. In 1948 he organized and hosted the largest tournament in Western Canada, which led to Carman joining the Mandak League. He was the first president of the Carman Baseball Company Inc. Away from the diamonds, he served as president of the Carman Chamber of Commerce, president of the curling club, secretary of the PC Party in Macdonald, and official agent for two Manitoba legislators.
On his retirement day, Bedford reflected on his early years in Carman during the 1930s, which he called “the dirty years when no one had a dime, let alone a quarter.” He credited his employees, noting, “I was blessed with the most wonderful help.” Speaking of his community service, he said, “I enjoyed everything I did … or I wouldn’t have done it!” Bedford died in 1986.
Family and Friends Remember
Susan Wieler, daughter:
“Dad’s days started off at about 9 a.m. and he had to drive — in those days they just did. Funny thing was though, he never had a garage to store his nice cars in. Mom (Ethel, who was a sister of Jack Mackenzie) and I often went with him when he had court, but unfortunately I never went in to see him in action. Of course, he had to take a break from work to spend time with his cronies — Barry Sanders and Doc North — at the York Café to debate life. He was an active member of the community, enjoying all Carman had to offer.”
Paul Sanders:
“Our families were neighbours until the fall of 1964, so we got to know Clarence and Ethel well. Clarence always had the most fascinating vehicles. My first memory is of a 1958 cream-coloured Thunderbird, followed by a maroon 1961 Thunderbird. But the car that really stood out was a steel-blue 1964 Jaguar Mark X.
“Unfortunately, Mr. Bedford was not able to shelter this lovely vehicle, as he had converted his single-car garage into a large living area where he and Ethel subsequently spent most of their days. His cherished grandfather clock kept dignified time, his pipe was close at hand, and his rocking chair always waiting.
“A heartfelt memory I recall was Clarence’s lovely poem, which he wrote for his beloved daughter. He had small dinner bells made of china commissioned with this touching poem inscribed.”
