YOUR STORIES

Upload your stories in our TELL US YOUR STORY section here!

(If you reach the bottom of the page,  hit "Next".  There's more!)

Marmora Soap Factory burns down (by Ann-Marie Willman-Spry)

/

"Mom remembered when the soap factory burned. She said the suds could be seen in the river for almost a year."

MHF adds:  This building  which stood just south of the dam on the east bank of the Crowe River,  was first built as a potashery.  It is also considered Marmora's first school house, although Charles Hayes showed a school on his 1824 map at the corner of Mill St. & Cordova Rd. We have no evidence yet, however,  that this school existed..  Some time around 1918,  Mr. W. Fraser Bowen,  a former Polmolive Co, salesman,  opened his soap factory in the abandoned building,  however,  it was not long after that the factory burned down.  It was believed to be a case of arson.  Some of the ruins remain.

Click here to see a few more views of this building

The murder of Richard Wolfe 1874 (by Bill O'Keefe)

/
Hughes Cemetery, Centre Line Road, Marmora,  Richard Wolfe, 1874

Hughes Cemetery, Centre Line Road, Marmora,  Richard Wolfe, 1874

 My 3rd great grandfather was Robert O'Neill who married Ellen Wolfe, (sister of Richard Wolfe, who was murdered) This is an excerpt from the Renfrew Mercury from Oct 15 1874.

"About 9:00 last evening a dreadful murder was committed about 5 miles from Marmora.  The murdered man,  Richard Wolfe, resided about five miles from here andwas in the village during the day,  where he had an altercation and fight with Thomas White, who left the village about dusk for home. Wolfe waited for some time and then started for home . both of them travelling the same road.  When about 2 miles out he came up with White and Wheeler.   White,  being out of the wagon, attacked Wolfe and stabbed him in the thigh, cutting his femoral artery lengthwise about one inch and one half, he fell back and died on the spot."

CLICK HERE TO READ THE WHOLE TRIAL

Richard (1826-1874) was the son of John Wolfe     1782–1885 and Mary Ellen Young   1800–1880

His siblings included

  • Ellen Wolfe 1821–1878 , married Robert O’Neill (1814-1888)

  • Nancy Wolfe 1824– married Patrick Connelly (1822–1890)

  • Mary Margaret Wolfe 1830–1883, married John O’Connor (1826-1901)

  • Nicholas Wolfe 1832–1833,

  • John Wolfe 1836–1874,

  • William Wolfe 1839–1840

  • Elizabeth Wolfe 1841–1922, married Michael O’Connor

  • Ester Wolfe 1844–1923 married John McCallum

 His wife and children were: Ellen Connelly (1836-1869) and five children:

  •  John Wolfe  1854–1860

  • Mary Margaret "Maggie" Wolfe  1857–1916 married James Shannon and Thomas Cain

  • Daniel Wolfe  1860–

  • Hester Anne Wolfe  (Hattie) 1864– 1931 married John Romantus McKinnon

  • Frances Elizabeth (Fanny) Wolfe  1863–1942 married John E. Maloney

 

Ed O’Connor with wife, Elizabeth Wolfe

Margie Royle adds:   I remember my grandfather, Ed O'Connor, telling stories about that man who was murdered. I believe he may have been Grandpa's uncle, as his mother was Elizabeth Wolfe. (another sister of Richard Wolfe)She is buried in Sacred Heart Cemetery.

 
 
 

The Tipperary & Jean Gauthier McGrath (by Wilma Bush)

/

 I often wonder if anyone, over the years, ever taped or made a video of Jean (Gauthier) McGrath singing Ave Maria at numerous weddings in Sacred Heart. She had a lovely voice - a French lady who came from Timmins - operated Tipperary House on Marble Point Rd with husband Jim - had overnight guests - served meals & had a small shop in the one room where I I had my first popsickle - Mom preferred their Eskimo Pies! We loved it when she attended any of the bonfires around Crowe Lake because we were able to hear her voice again. She & Jim were godparents of my brother Jim McKinnon.

The Tipperary Hotel,  Marble Point Road,  Crowe Lake, Marmora (now demolished)

The Tipperary Hotel,  Marble Point Road,  Crowe Lake, Marmora (now demolished)

Joanne MacKenzie Thompson  adds:   I wish I had seen these pics when we owned the Tipperary (1983-1989)...it would have been wonderful to have that front/side verandah facing the water again...we only had a small front porch.

Andy Logan adds:   Great shot of the Tipperary House. My grandfather (Grampa Hulsman) used to own it. I was just a wee lad then but remember there celebrating his 90th birthday.

 

John O'Neill and Annie McGrath (by Bill O'Keefe)

/
John O'Neill and Annie McGrath

John O'Neill and Annie McGrath

 

 

 

Hello, My grandmother,  Ellen O'Neill,  was from Marmora.   She married William O'Keefe in 1901 at Sacred Heart RC Church . She was the daughter of John O'Neill and Annie Shannon.   Related names are, Wolfe,Shannon, O'Neill, Nihill,Hughes, Moloney, La Fontain ,Foley and many more. I have been researching these and other relatives from the Hastings county area for quite a few years.  I have other pictures and stories also. The picture is my grandmother's brother John O'Neill and his wife Annie McGrath. Your web site is very good.

Bill O'Keefe