They Once Lived in My Home– The Cram Children — Margaret — Angeline “Babe” and Arthur

September 28, 1936

The entire block headed by Lake Ave East and sidelined by Campbell Street, Argyle and Lisgar Street in Carleton Place was once owned by the Morphy and Cram family. The family stone home was built by the Morphys, and additions were made by the Crams and Seccaspinas. Behind the house, facing Lisgar Street, held hundreds of raspberry bushes and a small stone pond which is now buried over with sand at the bottom of my property.

The Cram family ran the local tannery where the Senior’s Citizen building on Sussex Street is now located. Their family consisted of a son Arthur (Art) who was killed in a motorcycle accident on High Street in July of 1929. His friend, Don Moffatt, was badly injured. They Once Lived in My Home– Arthur Cram.

The patriarch, Albert Cram, born in 1867, died in 1929, at the age of 62, almost one month later after his son died. He was the mayor of Carleton Place for two terms–1909 & 1910.

Clipped from The Ottawa Journal, 20 Aug 1929, Tue, Page 20

The Cram’s two daughters were: Constance and Angeline (Angelene), who was also called “Babe”. After their parent’s died the two girls sold the Lake Ave East home and moved to McArthur Ave. into the home formerly owned by Franklin Abbott.

Clipped from The Ottawa Journal, 13 Feb 1939, Mon, Page 20

September 28, 1936

Margaret Constance Cram

Donald Lawson was born on 13 Apr 1903 in Brooklyn, Kings, New York. He died on 11th Feb 1979 in Charlotte County, Florida.

Donald married Margaret Constance Cram, daughter of the late Albert Edward Cram and Edna Ella Constance Grant, on 26 Sep 1936 in the Lake Ave East home called Springside Hall in Carleton Place, Ontario, Canada. Margaret was born in 1907 in Carleton Place, Ontario, and was a graduate of Branksome Hall which was an independent girls’ school for day and boarding students from Junior Kindergarten to Grade 12 in Toronto that was founded in 1903. She also attended McGill University in Montreal, however there is no record of her graduating. The marriage ended in divorce. Margaret died on 27 Dec, 1975 in Carleton Place, Ontario, Canada at the Cram girl’s residence on McArthur Ave.

Clipped from The Brooklyn Daily Eagle, 07 Sep 1936, Mon, Page 15

“Springside Hall”

Clipped from The Ottawa Journal, 24 Dec 1975, Wed, Page 40

Miss Angelina “Babe” Cram

Clipped from The Ottawa Journal, 22 Nov 1935, Fri, Page 16

Clipped from The Ottawa Journal, 12 Nov 1935, Tue, Page 1

Clipped from The Ottawa Journal, 05 Jul 1943, Mon, Page 8

Clipped from The Ottawa Journal, 22 Jan 1935, Tue, Page 15

I could not find much else on Angeline “Babe” Cram, but it seems she remained a spinster. Her sister Margaret never remarried, and she died in their home on McArthur Ave. “Babe” Cram however might have remained a spinster, but she was quite the badminton player in Carleton Place where I found several notations about her. No matter how hard I tried nothing was mentioned about Angeline was mentioned after 1942. She was still alive in 1975 so come Spring I will go check the United Cemetery.

Come and visit the Lanark County Genealogical Society Facebook page– what’s there? Cool old photos–and lots of things interesting to read. Also check out The Tales of Carleton Place.

Information where you can buy all Linda Seccaspina’s books-You can also read Linda in The Townships Sun andScreamin’ Mamas (USA)