Francis Paul ( Frank) Sopha of Cordova Mines died February 21, 1975,  at the age of 90 at his daughter's residence, R R 1, Havelock.   He was born in the centre known for years as the Sopha Settlement,  which later became known as the Vansickle Settlement,  some 15 miles from Marmora Village.    He was predeceased by his wife, the former Elsie May Youmans with whom he had celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary August 31, 1970.   He  was ill only briefly. 

Until 1967, Frank Sopha  was the owner of the Cordova General Store, and was a member of the Cordova United church, as well as of Springbrook I.O.O.F. Lodge. He and his wife, Elsie lived in Belmont Township until her death,  Dec. 31, 1971.

As of 1975,  Frank had  67  survivors:    his daughters, Maxine (Mrs. Kenneth Pierce, R RI) and Mrs. Mabel McFaul, R R 3, Havelock, (Mrs. Mary Pierce, and son, Ivan, predeceased him)   There were 18 grandchildren, 45 great grandchildren, and two great-great grandchildren, surviving. 

 But as Frank explained,  he was the son of the first pioneer family to trek into Methuen Township,  set up camp and proceed to produce a family of 13 children.  Add to that,  70 grandchildren,  and who knows how many descendants thereafter!

         Had this family remained in Methuen Township, it might have been indeed the          Sopha Settlement,  to this day  and not Vansickle.

 Later, Warrington became Cordova Mines, after the gold rush was on.  I  recall my father building a two-story log house right out on the boundary line on lot 6, Concession 1, Methuen township, and a horse and stable which held 10 horses.  I think in 1876 they built a frame barn. Years later we raised the barn and horse stable. We put up a stone wall under each one of them. They are still standing today.

 The Third-Generation James Stephen Sopha and his wife raised a family of 11 sons and 2 daughters. 'The big house', to which the family currently refers, was built from logs he and his brothers cut and sawed. That 'big house' has nine rooms, two lengthy hallways, and a summer kitchen, in which Sopha's lived for 10 years before retiring to Cordova mines.   Mrs.Sopha, the former Catherine Anne Armstrong,  died in 1911 at the age of 66 years, four months and 23 days."

Norman (Tut) Sopha bottom right - In Holland, Liberation Day (from son,  Dale Sopha)

James Stephen born March 31st 1862;  married Victoria Cole- 4 sons/ 3 daughters

Hester              January 10th 1864;         married Robert Cole- five sons, four daughters;

Robert Waiter   February 15th 1866;    Robert Walter died at the age of 15;

Phillip Marshall January 31st, 1868- 1935;     married Cynthia Tomkins                                                  2 sons,  Norman and Marshall,  1 daughter,  Florence Clarke;                                                               See photos below

Following the closing of the Green's business at 26 Forsyth Street, Marmora,  Phillip Marshall Sopha and his wife Cynthia Tompkins leased the 'Green Block' to operate a livery and teaming business.  Mr. Sopha died in 1935,  but the Marmora Herald wrote the following:

"The late Mr. Sopha had been in business in Marmora for over thirty years. Before autos and trucks came into general use,  he carried on a livery and teaming business,  and in recent years had operated a taxi and trucking business.  For that reason he was one of the best known men in this district.  He had built up an enviable reputation for punctuality and reliability."

William Henry January 12th 1870;        married Mary Bailey                                                                  one son, one daughter;

Sarah Jane       January 29th 1872;       married Robert Simpson                                                            five sons, two daughters;

Wellington         March 12th 1874;         married Annie Wilson  -  two daughters;

Willard  (twin)  March 12th, 1874          married Ethel Soya (who was born and lived                          in USA until she married) - Four sons, five daughters;

Edward Burton  March 21st 1876;        married May Airhart - three daughters;

Charles Lorne  January 28th 1878;        married Sophrona Hurald    (SEE OBITUARY AT LEFT)                                                    four sons, four daughters;

George Potter November 9th 1881;       married Ceile Winfield                                                              two sons, one daughter;

Frances Paul December 13th 1884;        married Elise Youmans                                                    1 son and 3 daughters;

Henry Richard      April 19th 1887.        married Maude Revoy - three daughters.