Person:Mary Thoburn (1)

Name and Relationships

Name: MARY McLean Thoburn was named after her maternal grandmother, Mary McLean. Following her adoption by George and Ruth Harper in 1910, Mary was called Mary McLean Harper. Source is Mary M Irwin Memoirs, unpublished. Her marriage licence incorrectly listed her name as Maclean.

Biological Parents: Barbara Matilda McNiven and George Thoburn. Source is Mary's 1907 Saskatchewan birth registration. NOTE: In this document, her mother's maiden name is incorrectly listed as McLean rather than McNiven.

Foster Parents: Ruth Gordon Thom and John Harper. Source is Mary M Irwin Memoirs, unpublished. NOTE: No formal adoption papers have been located - they were not required at the time.

Spouse: Elmer Enoch Stewart Irwin. Source is their 1935 marriage licence and Elmer and Mary's grave marker in Chapman Cemetery.

Children: Barbara Jean Irwin, Others are Living

Siblings: George Thoburn. Source is George's 1905 birth registration.

Personal History

1907 - Birth: MARY McLean Thoburn was born on November 22, 1907 at Clair, Saskatchewan ^[1]. Source is her birth registration in Saskatchewan Archives BMD. ^[2].

1909 - Death of Parents: On November 1, 1909, when Mary was almost 2, her father, George Thoburn, her mother, Barbara Matilda Thoburn and her maternal grandmother, Mary McNiven (nee McLean) were all murdered by their hired man, John Mescei 20. Source is The Wadena Herald, November 4, 1909, #45 page 1. Mary and her brother George were taken to live with their mother's sister Annie Thom in Wadena Saskatchewan for a few months. Source is Mary M Irwin Memoirs, unpublished. John Mescei was tried in Saskatoon and executed on March 10, 1910 in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan. Source is National Archives Canada, 1994.

1910 - Foster Parents: In March, 1910, Ruth Harper, (Alex Thom's sister and her mother's best friend, Barbara Thoburn), came to Wadena and took Mary 2 back to Sundridge to live with her and her husband, John Harper. They became her foster parents (there is no record of an adoption - it was not required at the time). John Harper was the owner and editor of the weekly newspaper The Sundridge Echo. Mary was then known by the name Mary McLean Harper. Mary did not see her brother again for some 37 years. Source is Mary M Irwin Memoirs, unpublished.

1911 - Census: In June, 1911, Mary 3 was living with her foster parents John Harper 49 and Ruth Harper 30 at 26 Barrie Street in Sundridge, Ontario. Source is 1911 Census of Canada.

1914 - School: In September, 1914, Mary 6 started school at a large, two room, slate coloured frame building. She spent only one year completing Jr IV and Sr IV (grades 7 and 8). Source is Mary M Irwin Memoirs, unpublished.

1919 - Death of Grandmother: On October 31, 1919, Mary's grandmother, Sarah Gordon (Thom) died. Mary was 12 and very close to her kind grandmother. Source is a note from Mary on the reverse of a photo of Sarah Thom.

1921 - Census: In June, 1921, Mary 13 was living with her parents John Harper 59 and Ruth Harper 40 in Sundridge on Barrie Street. Source is 1921 Census of Canada.

1921 - School: Mary passed her entrance exam into Fifth Class (first year of High School). However, due to two very poor teachers, Mr. Stubbs and Miss Scott, she failed the year. Source is Mary M Irwin Memoirs, unpublished.

1922 - Religion: In 1922, Mary 14 attended the Union Church with her parents and joined as a member. Source is Mary M Irwin Memoirs, unpublished.

1923 - School: In 1923, Mary 15 contracted typhoid fever and missed 3 months of school. Nevertheless, with extra classes she obtained 97% in Latin Grammar. Mary continued on into Middle School (grades 11 and 12) which was taught for the first time in Sundridge with only 4 pupils. During her High School years, Mary played second base on a girl's softball team, read avidly and enjoyed skating in the winter on Lake Bernard. Source is Mary M Irwin Memoirs, unpublished.

1926 - Inheritance: In 1926, Mary 18 received some money from her grandmother Mary McNiven's estate which was to be used for the education of Mary McNiven's grandchildren. Mary used this money to attend the North Bay Collegiate Institute for her final year of High School (grade 13) in North Bay. She stayed at the home of the United Church minister, Mr. Pritchard. Source is Mary M Irwin Memoirs, unpublished.

1927 - School: In September, 1927, Mary 19 entered Normal School in North Bay as a fledgling teacher. She found the work very hard and had a nervous breakdown and had to go home for a month. Regardless, she succeeded in passing the final exam and was awarded a Second Class Teaching Certificate. Source is Mary M Irwin Memoirs, unpublished.

1928 - Working: In September, 1928, Mary 20 started teaching at SS No. 3 Chapman School in Chapman Valley. It was known as the Pearceley school. The school was heated by a large box stove and in the winter the pupils spent the first part of the morning learning lessons around the stove. Mary spent 2 years at this school boarding with an elderly couple, Mr. and Mrs. Jim McCulloch on Lot 10, Concession 10. Their house was across the road from a young bachelor named Elmer Irwin. Source is Mary M Irwin Memoirs, unpublished.

1929 - School: In the summer of 1929, Mary 21 went to Summer School in Toronto to study Grade 13 Geometry which she had failed earlier and would need for her First Class Certificate. She continued to teach at the Pearceley School. Source is Mary M Irwin Memoirs, unpublished.

1930 - School: In the summer of 1930, Mary 22 went to Summer School in North Bay to study Grade 13 Algebra which she had also failed earlier and would also need for the certificate. Source is Mary M Irwin Memoirs, unpublished. In the fall of 1930, Mary changed schools and started teaching at Uplands School in Machar Township, boarding with Art Edwards. Mary taught at this school for 3 years. (This school closed in the late 1930's.) Mary M Irwin Memoirs, unpublished.

1931 - Love Letter: In June, 1931, Mary 23, sent a reply (essentially a love letter) to a letter that Elmer Irwin 26, had sent to her when he was in Woodbridge, Ontario. He called her 'Mollie' and she signed her letter, 'Mollie'. She referred to him being 'fired' from his job in Woodbridge (for reasons unknown). Source is her original letter.

1933 - School: In September, 1933, Mary 25 started the First Class Certificate Course at Normal School in North Bay. This would make her teaching certificate permanent. She rented an apartment with 3 other teachers. During the year, she also took first year university English and History along with being required to take sewing. Source is Mary M Irwin Memoirs, unpublished.

To provide extra income during these hard years of the depression, Mary did the books for the Superintendent of Township Roads. Source is Mary M Irwin Memoirs, unpublished.

1934 - Working: In September, 1934, Mary 26 returned to teach another year at Uplands School. Source is Mary M Irwin Memoirs, unpublished.

1935 - Marriage: At 11:00 AM, on October 17, 1935, Mary 27, married Elmer Irwin 29, in her father's home on Barrie Street in Sundridge. Reverend Lautenslager of Magnetawan was the minister. Jean Christie and Victor Irwin signed the register as witnesses. After honeymooning in southern Ontario, Mary moved into Elmer's house at Pearceley in Chapman Valley. Source is Mary M Irwin Memoirs, unpublished and their wedding invitation. Interestingly, Mary's last name is spelled 'MacLean' not 'McLean' on the invitation. Her wedding dress was dusty rose chiffon - her daughter has the dress. Marriage licence H9776 in Dist of Parry Sound, in Ontario Canada Marriages, 1801-1935. Ancestry.ca Image 247 and 248.

A photo of the guests at their wedding includes:

 BACK ROW Clive Miller, Rev. Earl Lautenshlaugher, Mrs Christie, Georganna Irwin, John Harper, George Stewart 
 MIDDLE Edith Irwin? James Stewart, Cornelia Stewart, Agnes Thom, Elmer Irwin, Mary Irwin 
 FRONT ??, Victoria Stewart, Alma Alderson, Jean Christie, Lena Irwin, Ella Stewart, Ruth Harper, Mrs. Johnson. 

1939 - Birth of Child: At about noon on July 12, 1939, Mary's first child, Barbara Jean Irwin was born in her foster grandfather John Harper's house in Sundridge. She weighed 6 pounds. She was named after her maternal grandmother, Barbara Matilda Thoburn. Aunt Ella and Dr. L. C. Gallaugher and his wife were in attendance. Barbara was christened at Bloomfield Church. Source is Mary M Irwin Memoirs, unpublished and an original copy of her 'Our Baby Book, unpublished.

1941 - Death of Foster Father: On January 1, 1941, Mary's foster father, John Harper 79 died in Sundridge after suffering a massive stroke 3 days earlier. Source is Mary M Irwin Memoirs, unpublished and Find-a-Grave. He was buried in Strong Cemetery, Sundridge. Source is a photo of the grave marker.

1942 - Birth of Child: At about 9 PM on August 10, 1942, Mary's first son, Robert Neil Irwin was born in the hospital in North Bay. He was named Robert after his paternal grandfather, Robert Irwin. Mary was in the hospital for 12 days. Mary was 34. Source is Mary M Irwin Memoirs, unpublished.

1943 - Residence: On April 7, 1943, Mary 35 and Elmer 37 moved to a rented farm at Phelpston (about 10 miles west of Barrie) with their children Barbara 3 and Neil 8 months. This rented farm was shared with Ted and Edith Hall (Elmer's sister) and their daughter Patsy. Source is Mary M Irwin Memoirs, unpublished and Elmer Irwin personal diary.

1945 - Residence: In March, 1945, Mary 37 and Elmer 39 moved to the 100 acre Dure farm at RR#3 Reach Township, about 4 miles northeast of Uxbridge with their children Barbara 5 and Neil 2. They purchased the farm for $12,000 including a house and 50 acres on the other side of the road. They promptly sold this house and land to Ted and Edith Hall. Source is Mary M Irwin Memoirs unpublished. For a short period in 1945, Grace and Dona Roblin lived with Elmer and Mary Irwin at the Uxbridge farm when Al Roblin was in England. In June, 1945, Grace's youngest daughter was born at the Uxbridge Cottage Hospital. Source is My Irwin Family, Donabell Symthe, unpublished.

1946 - Birth of Child: At about ?? on August 10, 1946, (Neil's birthday) Mary's second son, George Stewart Irwin was born in the hospital in Stouffville, Ontario. He was named after his paternal great grandfather, George Stewart. Mary was about 38. Source is Mary M Irwin Memoirs, unpublished.

1947 - Visit to Brother: In July 1947, Mary 39 and her foster mother, Ruth Harper, took the train to Victoria BC to visit Mary's brother George Thoburn (He had taken the name Thom) 41 in Victoria, BC. This was the first and last time that she saw her brother alive after they were separated in Saskatchewan. She said that she always regretted that she was unable to spend any time alone with him as someone else was always present. Source is Mary M Irwin Memoirs, unpublished. The date for this trip is provided by several postcards sent to her children.

1951 - Birth of Child: At about 11 AM on March 5, 1951, Mary's third son, Elgin Elmer John Irwin was born in the hospital in Lindsay, Ontario. He was named Elmer after his father and John after his adopted grandfather John Harper. Mary was about 43. Source is Mary M Irwin Memoirs, unpublished.

1954 - Working: In September 1954, Mary 46, to help out with the family finances, started teaching 32 pupils in the Senior Room (grades 5-8) at the Zephyr School. As there was only one car, she stayed 5 days at Zephyr boarding with Mrs. Shier and returning home on Friday evenings. On one of those Friday evenings, on October 15, 1954, Hurricane Hazel made the trip very dangerous as the family's 1949 Ford got stuck in a swollen creek that had overtopped the road. Mary taught at Zephyr for 2 years. During this period, Claire Welch kept house at the farm and looked after Elgin. Barbara was 15 and looked after things. Source is Mary M Irwin Memoirs, unpublished.

1956 - Residence: In 1956, Mary's foster mother, Ruth Gordon Harper came to live with the family at Uxbridge when it was found that she could no longer live on her own in Sundridge. Source is Mary M Irwin Memoirs, unpublished.

1956 - Working: In September 1956, Mary 48, started to teach grade 7 along with a few grade 6 pupils at Morning Glory School near Pefferlaw, Ontario. She learned to drive and once she had her licence she drove a 1953 Chev the 18 miles to school and back every day. During the 14 years that she taught at this school, it grew from 2 rooms to 8 rooms. Over this period, her cars included a 1953 Chev, 1957 Chev, a 1960 and a 1964 Corvair, a 1965 Chrysler, and a Buick. Source is Mary M Irwin Memoirs, unpublished.

1960 - Death of Foster Mother: On July 10, 1960, Mary's foster mother, Ruth Gordon Harper died in Uxbridge. Source is a copy of her funeral notice.

1964 - Death of Brother: On September 25, 1964, Mary's brother, George, died in Victoria, BC. Source is BC Canada Death Index 1872-1990, Reg # 1964-09-012807, Ancestry.ca. Mary attended the funeral in Victoria. Source is recollection of her daughter, Barbara.

1965 - Residence: Barbara Noble's husband, Ron Noble, bought the 100 acre farm and in October, Mary, Elmer, Stewart and Elgin moved to the newly built house on the 2 acre lot at the corner of Reach Road and Concession 13. Source is Mary M Irwin Memoirs, unpublished.

1970 - In October, 1970, Mary 62 got arthritis so bad that she had to stop teaching at Morning Glory School.

1971 - Retirement: In November, 1971, Mary 63 and Elmer 66 went to Florida for the winter. They purchased a lot at Sunnybreeze Harbour within sight of Lawrence and Elma Wagg's (their daughter-in-law's parents) winter home. Source is Mary M. Irwin Memoirs, unpublished.

1972 - Residence: Mary 64 and Elmer 67 purchased a mobile home in Arcadia in Florida and sold their lot. This began their winter stays in Florida from January 1973 to April, 1984. Source is Mary M Irwin Memoirs, unpublished.

1984 - Residence: Mary and Elmer sold the Florida mobile home as the trips down and back were becoming too exhausting. Source is Mary M Irwin Memoirs, unpublished.

WHEN DID THEY MOVE TO ST CATHERINES? SOLD THE HOUSE ON THE HILL TO THE CLARKE's FOR $75,000. WHEN? THEY SPENT 10 YEARS LIVING IN ST CATHERINES, 8 years in an apartment at Barb and Harry's house on VANSICKLE RD and 2 years in an apartment on Vine St. BECAUSE OF THE ARTHRITIS, MARY HAD TWO OPERATIONS FOR KNEE REPLACEMENTS 3 YEARS APART

1987 - Death of Husband: On May 15, 1987, Elmer 82, died from prostate cancer at St. Catherines General Hospital, St. Catherines, Ontario. Source is death certificate. In August, 1987, Mary visited Stewart's family in Victoria. In September 1987, Mary moved to a one bedroom apartment on King Street in Uxbridge and joined the Creative Writing Class for Seniors. Source is Mary M Irwin Memoirs, unpublished.

1990 - Illness: In June, 1990, Mary 83 suffered a slight stroke and subsequently broke her arm. The stroke affected her walking, left side, eyes and voice and required several months of rehabilitation in Uxbridge Cottage Hospital. Source is Mary M Irwin Memoirs, unpublished.

1990 - Residence: On August 8, 1990, Mary moved into the Lakeview Manor, Home for the Aged, in Beaverton, Ontario. In mid-August, she was able to visit Stewart's family in Victoria along with Neil and Greg. Later that year ?? she fell and fractured her hip. After having a partial hip replacement she had to learn to walk again for the fifth time. Source is Mary M Irwin Memoirs, unpublished.

1993 - Death and Burial: On December 19, 1993, Mary 87, died after about a week in Soldier's Memorial Hospital in Orillia, Ontario. Following a funeral service in the Funeral Chapel, Dempster-Allair Funeral Home, Burks Falls, she was buried on December 21, 1993 in Chapman Community Cemetery, Magnetawan, Ontario. Source is the Funeral Director's Statement of Death and her eldest child, Barbara.

Grave Marker: IRWIN Elmer E 1905-1987 Mary M 1907-1993. Chapman Community Cemetery, Magnetawan, Ontario.

Stories

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1 1.2} Mary McLean Thoburn, in Clair, Saskatchewan, Canada. Saskatchewan Archives - BMD Index
   Reg No. 7773, 22 Nov 1907.

   http://genealogy.ehealthsask.ca/vsgs_srch.aspx

2. ↑ ^2.0 2.1 Mary M. Irwin. Mary M. Irwin Memoirs, Unpublished.