The Grand Old Ladies of Carleton Place

 

Clipped from The Ottawa Journal,  04 Nov 1950, Sat,  Page 24

 

Martha Amelia Hawkshaw (Wilson)--Photo from Amanda Armstrong-From the photo collection of Margaret Martin”

Family History by: Amanda Armstrong

My maternal 3rd Great Grandmother was Martha Amelia Hawkshaw (Wilson). Martha was born on June 3, 1854, in Huntley Township. She was 1 of 11 children of Abraham Wilson and Georgianna Bradley and she married Samuel Hawkshaw in 1873. They had ten children and she died in 1950 here in Carleton Place. Before her death, she was dubbed the “Grand Old Lady of Carleton Place” upon entering her 97th year. She’s buried in the Anglican cemetery on the 8th Line and used to live in 51 Lake Ave West. Her daughter Ida, my 2nd Great Grandmother, also received the “Grand Old Lady of Carleton Place” title.

 

Martha Amelia Hawkshaw (Wilson) with Mary Amelia “Minnie” McGee (Hawkshaw), her grandson Norman McGee, and great granddaughter Alice McGee--Photo from Amanda Armstrong-From the photo collection of Margaret Martin”

I’ve also attached the only photo I have of her. The large version of this photo includes her daughter Mary Amelia “Minnie” McGee (Hawkshaw), her grandson Norman McGee, and great granddaughter Alice McGee. The quality isn’t the best with the full version, but I’ve included it anyways.

 

Ashley Raymond Kerr--Photo from Amanda Armstrong-From the photo collection of Margaret Martin”

Mary McGee’s other son Albert McGee married Lois Iona Kerr; Daughter of Ashley Raymond Kerr and Jane Albertha “Bertie” Hawkshaw.

 

Jane Hawkshaw--Photo from Amanda Armstrong-From the photo collection of Margaret Martin”

I’m including the photo of Jane Hawkshaw, or Aunt Bertie as we called her, because I LOVE this photo and I know you will too! Bertie is the daughter referred to in the article on Martha, as the one of whom she was living with on Lake Ave. Mom, while attending Caldwell, would sometimes go over to her house for lunch. 

51 Lake Ave

-Photo from Amanda Armstrong-From the photo collection of Margaret Martin”

Albert McGee--Photo from Amanda Armstrong-From the photo collection of Margaret Martin”

I’ve included Bertie and Ashley’s wedding announcement, as well as photos of Ashley, Lois, and Albert. Lois use to work as a Bell Operator here in town; Photo included of her and others at work.

-Photo from Amanda Armstrong-From the photo collection of Margaret Martin”

Some of the ladies who were the Bell telephone operators in Carleton Place. Photo- Bonnie Tosh of Carleton Place originally gave me the names awhile ago– with  Audrey MacDougall, Eve Gilhuly, Norma McKien, Helen Smich, Lois McGee, Norma Andison, Lous MacDougall, Inez Doucett, Retah Jennings Lalonde’s Real Estate Page, Mc Pherson, Phyllis – Mc Pherson Phyllis, Shirley F Nesbitt and Joan Whalen. You can read about the telephone in Carleton Place HERE

Lois Iona--Photo from Amanda Armstrong-From the photo collection of Margaret Martin”

Bonnie Tosh is the daughter of Lois and Albert, and she’s a dear cousin who I’ve gotten a few of these photos from. 

Thank you Amanda for all your hard work. If you would like to share family photos email me, Linda, at sav_77@yahoo.com

Related Reading:

When You Needed “Variety” You Went to Art’s or the Wayside Inn 1940s — Photos

Come and visit the Lanark County Genealogical Society Facebook page– what’s there? Cool old photos–and lots of things interesting to read.

Information where you can buy all Linda Seccaspina’s books-You can also read Linda in Hometown News and now in The Townships Sun