I Always Thought We Were CANADIAN

It is really cold outside!  When I look back through old photos, I see that in general, this week has a history of being cold.  In 2013, I have photos of my dog, Davis playing in the snow.

On January 25, 1924 the first Winter Olympics began at Chamonix, in the French Alps.  It was called, "The International Sports Week."  Prior to this, the Nordic Games were held in Sweden, but only Scandinavian countries competed.  After World War One (WWI),  Antwerp, Belgium held the VII Olympiad in 1920.  This was the Summer Olympics, and countries that participated in the War were not invited.  Ice hockey was introduced that year, and the matches were played between April 23 and April 29th. In the Palais de Glace d'Anvers
Shown here:

The Palais de Glace d'Anvers  1920

Here is a photo of the first hockey team to represent the United States.

U.S. Olympic Hockey team c. 1920.  Leon Parker Tuck, back row, second from the right.

The United States took the Silver Medal.  With Canada taking the Gold.  Here are the teams:

Leon Tuck

When the team arrived on the ice in The Palais de Glace d'Anvers the team uniform had a look similar to that of today.

Leon Parker Tuck from team photo. 1920

Leon Tuck seen on the far right

The United States took the Silver, but Canada took the Gold.  The headlines highlighted the Falcons.

This story gives light to Leon Parker Tuck.  In my last post I introduced members I have found in my family tree who were involved in the Olympics. Now that I have approximately 21,000 people in my tree, you can imagine I just might find a few more Olympians.  Leon Parker Tuck, while in my family tree, is way out on the tips of a branch you might say.

Leon was born May 25, 1891, in Winchester, Massachusetts. 

Leon Parker Tuck

But his roots are deep in CANADA.  From his WWI draft card, he was twenty-six years old, and working for A. E. Little Manufacturing in Lynn, Massachusetts. He was making shoes, but had joined the ROTC three weeks prior for training in Madison, New York.  So he was able to claim exemption from the draft.   He went to Dartmouth College in New Hampshire, playing hockey for three years, and captaining the hockey team his senior year.  He had dark hair, hazel eyes, weighed 181 lbs. and stood, 5 foot, 8 1/2 inches.  He graduated from Dartmouth in 1915, and joined the American Air Service fighting the war on the Western Front over France.  After the Olympics, Leon went back to Dartmouth as a coach from 1921 - 1924.  During all this, he was also manager for the local General Ice Cream Corporation, a company later bought, and closed by Kraft Foods.  He married Joyeuse "Gladys" Frances Gray in 1927, and they honeymooned on a ship cruise to the bay of 

2 Winthrop Street. Winchester, Mass

Tivives, Costa Rica, traveling through the Panama Canal.  Leaving New York Harbor January 26, 1927 aboard the S.S. Tivives, returning to New York February 17, 1927.  According to the ships manifest, they listed their residence as 2 Winthrop Street, Winchester, Massachusetts.  Where we find a beautiful home built in 1897 still standing today.  Right in the heart of Winchester. His parents lived a block away on Washington Street in a home built in 1850 which also still stands today directly across from Lincoln School in Winchester. 

The two were married for twenty-five years, until her tragic death from an automobile accident, December 19, 1952 in Princeton, New Jersey. The accident put her husband Leon Tuck in the hospital, but he survived.

Joyeuse (Gray) Tuck 1927 

Leon Tuck ~ President Wilson Nov 1918 Boston Post

Leon Parker Tuck died nine months later, September 02, 1953 at the age of 62.  

His father, Whitfield Leon Tuck, as introduced in the above newspaper clipping was a firecracker of a man! He was my first cousin, 1x removed of wife of 1st cousin of wife of my 2nd great-uncle.  I told you this branch was way out on the tips.  Lets start with my 2nd great uncle, you many remember him from a prior story. James Alexander Howie (1855 - 1926).  His wife you might remember was Clara Elnett Hand (1856 - 1919).  Her 1st cousin was Ashbell H. Hand, and his wife was Emma Adelaide (George) Hand (1848 - 1902).  Emma's father was Robert Channell George, and his mother was Abigail (Burnham) Channell, and his father was Abraham Fitz John Channell.  When Robert's mother, Abigail passed away in 1794, his father, Abraham took on a second wife, Wealthy Cox (1782 - 1862).  Together, Abraham & Wealthy had Susan Channell (1816-1877).  This is the 1x removed part.  Susan married John Carie Tuck (1808-1880).  They were the parents of Whitfield Leon Tuck.

Since I brought up Abraham Fitz John Channel, before I go on more about Whitfield, I want to briefly mention Abraham who was born in London November 24th, 1748.  As a young lad, he apprenticed as a tailor. Before the indentures of apprenticeship expired he was forced by compulsion, in others words, impressed into the British Navy to work aboard a Naval Man O War.

The war in New England, we know as the Revolutionary War.  While in America, he transferred to a frigate to supply the British troops with needed goods. The ship was captured by pirates, and he escaped when he reached Boston Harbor.  He joined the Continental Army and fought the British under the command of General George Washington.  He was engaged in several battles, but especially the battle of Sullivan's Island, at Fort Sullivan near Charleston South Carolina.  After the Revolutionary War in 1776, be became a tailor in Boston Massachusetts.  Here he met and married Abigail Burnham in 1780.   Before her death in 1794, they had six children together, to include one set of twin girls, Betsey and Sarah.  After her death he married Wealthy Cox, and the family moved to Canada.

In 1833, their daughter Susan, at the age of 17 years, married John Carie Tuck Esq.  They had many children before Whitfield arrived in 1855.  Remember, James Alexander Howie was also born that year.  So, these cousins, who may/not have known each other were born at the same time, in about the same area.  I say it in such a way because according to both the 1861 & 1871 census records of Canada, both families were members of the Wesleyan Methodist Church, and probably knew each other through Church and local activities.   In 1875 Whitfield moves to Derby Line, Vermont.  The next year, in 1876, James A. Howie marries Clara Hand.  Then, in the 1880 U.S. Census of Vermont, we now find the James Howie family living in Vermont.  The Howie's must have kept two farms, because later, in the 1891 Census of Canada we find the James Howie family back in Quebec, when their son, Robert Maitland Howie was born. Link to Robert Maitland Howie story

Whitfield Leon Tuck 06 APR 1887 Naturalization 

The commonwealth of Massachusetts Naturalization papers for Whitfield Leon Tuck provided me a HISTORY lesson.  I knew I should have known better than to ditch my history class in school when we were learning about Canadian History.  I have been doing genealogy research for so many years, and this was eye opening.  Often, when doing research, you will find in documents nativity listed as Great Britain, or British.  I always thought this was in error, because my family came from CANADA.   I am just now learning that Stanstead, Quebec, Canada was in the dominions of Victoria, Queen of The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland.  I quickly had to learn about confederation, and post confederation.  I also learned all about the designation Upper Canada, and Lower Canada.

In 1875, Whitfield Tuck started off as a clerk.  Then moved into the roll of salesman.  He liked what he was doing, and was good at it, so he started his own business.  Whitfield Tuck Dry Goods Co. On Thames Street in Newport Rhode Island around 1895.

In the 1880's we find him back and forth between Rhode Island, and Boston.  In 1884 he marries Susan Elisabeth Parker (1860-1936), the daughter of George Fredrick Parker & Sarah Jane Munroe.

I mention George Fredrick Parker because I must guess this is who helped inspire Whitfield to go into service of the people/politics.  Although, I still need to do more research of G.F. Parker, but from the many census records I looked at, George is either listed as an author, or journalist, or capitalist, or no occupation at all.  So far what I have found is a book he co-authored titled Grover Cleveland.

I think anyone that close to the President of the United States might have some influence on ones life.

Susan died in 1936, and her obituary speaks more about her husband, and father than it did of herself.

Susan E. Tuck @ 63 Washington St. Winchester, Massachusetts

Somewhere, somehow Whitfield got very interested in politics.  His name appears in many newspapers, books, magazines etc.  He joined and participated heavily with commerce and trade organizations. He was a Democrat, as was Grover Cleveland, and Woodrow Wilson.  In 1915 he was the only one in the State House to stand up and oppose the Ship Bill.  The bill passed, but before it did the House asked him who he was.  He said "I am Whitfield Tuck, from Winchester Massachusetts."  I called Whitfield a firecracker earlier, when I began his story; so, I will end with a political cartoon of the time, from the Boston Post.

"I make a demand that these hearings cease until the Legislature decides whether it will abolish this commission Mr. Chairman!"

Political Cartoon Whitfield Leon Tuck 1916 The Boston Post

"Citizen Whitfield Tuck and Gerry Brown can always be depended upon to keep the hearings from becoming too monotonous..."

Whitfield L. Tuck was the father of Olympian Leon Parker Tuck.

THE STANSTEAD JOURNAL, 

THURSDAY, AUGUST 24, 1944

I attempted to transcribe the following article word for word from the newspaper. You may click on the title above to link you directly to the actual article.

TIMOTHY BYRON RIDER

                Before giving the biography of Timothy Byron Rider, we will take a brief glimpse at the ancestors whose records were found in the Congressional Library at Washington, D.C.  From the New England Historical and Genealogical Registers, we quote the following:

“Lieutenant Samuel Rider was the progenitor of the Rider family.  Born 1601, and died 1679, at Yarmouth, Massachusetts.  Samuel, the common ancestor was one of the Puritans, a zealous church member, a man who lived up to his professions, and was a very reputable citizen.”

                “In 1652, Lieutenant Rider and Captain John Gorham were the deputies of Yarmouth to the Old Colony Court.  In 1675, Lieutenant Samuel Rider was one of the assessors of Yarmouth.  In 1677 and 1679, he was one of the rate makers, facts that show he was considered a man of sound judgment.”

                “He served on a jury in Yarmouth, 1641.  In 1643, October 10, he was one of a committee appointed to choose a place for a fort at Yarmouth, and fortify it against sudden assault.  Under date of June 6, 1649, he is mentioned as surveyor of highways at Yarmouth.”

                “June 5, 1671, he was appointed member of a committee to collect and pay the salary of the minister at Yarmouth.”

                “In examining the characteristics of the Riders, a uniformity in their condition and character, rarely found in the history of families, will be noticed.”

                “In the list of those who proposed to take up their freedom at Yarmouth, Massachusetts, occurs the name of Samuel Rider, and there is no doubt he came with the first company in the winter of 1638-39.  The date of his marriage and wife’s name is not known, but his fourth child, Samuel, was born at Yarmouth.  He married December 23, 1656, Sarah Mary, a daughter of Robert Bartlett, of Plymouth, Massachusetts, November 18, 1657, a son was born to them, named Samuel.”

                In looking through the records of the New England Historical and Genealogical Registers, the most popular given names in the Rider family were Samuel, Seth, John and Ezra.  The first John Rider was born in 1715, at Chatham, Massachusetts.

                To the third Samuel Rider was born in 1768, at Haverhill, New Hampshire, a son named Seth Bartlett Rider.  He married but his wife’s name is not known.  After her death, he married Mary Hibbard who was born at Haverhill, New Hampshire.  She died January, 16, 1860, at Lisbon, Kendall County, Illinois.  Her father was a Colonel in the Revolutionary Army; her husband, Seth Bartlett Rider, died in  1834, at Stanstead.  Among their children were these names: Sarah, Samuel, Hibbard, Lucy P, Susan and Ezra Bartlett, born June 10, 1798, at Haverhill, New Hampshire, died at Fitch Bay, Quebec, November 1, 1862.  This Ezra Bartlett Rider was a graduate of a New Hampshire University.  He was a skilled worker of wood, and owner of a sawmill, two miles north of the village of Fitch Bay.  He was an interested member of the Masonic Order, of the Golden Rule Lodge, was the worthy master of this Lodge in 1852.  He was one of the charter members of the Golden Rule Lodge on the Summit of Owls Head Mountain.

                It is assumed by records found that Ezra Bartlett Rider came to Canada in 1825, nearly 120 years ago; settle at first  in Hatley, but later moved to Fitch Bay, where he spent the remainder of his life, so he was truly one of the pioneers of Stanstead County.

                Ezra Bartlett Rider’s first wife was Fanny Chandler, born at Piermont, New Hampshire, March 3, 1801, died Fitch Bay, March 19, 1843; after her death, he married Dorothy Ann Lee, October 18, 1843, at Fitch Bay, she was born January 4, 1824, at Fitch Bay.  Eight children were born by first marriage, and about 1844 they all moved to Illinois and Kansas.  By second marriage, there were four children: Timothy Byron, born January 8, 1848; Hamilton Milford, born December 14, 1851, died September 23, 1887; Helen Desdemonie, born August 25, 1857; Clara Annette, Born May 4, 1863.

                Timothy Byron Rider was born at Fitch Bay, Quebec, January 8 1848, the oldest son of Ezra Bartlett Rider, and his second wife, Dorothy Ann Lee, who was a direct descendant of Robert e Lee, of Virginia fame, also of Jason Lee, the missionary.

                Timothy Byron Rider obtained his education at the rural public school, also the old Stanstead Academy, finishing his French course at St. Ocaire, Quebec, and always keeping his interest in this language of which he was a fluent speaker.

Helen Desdemonia Rider

                His father (Ezra Bartlett Rider) died when he was a lad of fourteen years, and, aside from time spent in school, he assisted in the sawmill, two miles north of the village, which, after his father’s death, was operated by his mother who was a woman of unusually great business ability and industry.

                Timothy Byron and younger brother Hamilton Milford were much interested in the work of the mill, and proved valuable help to their mother.  They remained at home to assist in the business until, at the age of twenty-one, each started out in life for himself.

                Shortly before these events, Timothy Byron Rider had met and fallen in love with Mary Shaw, who was a school teacher in a nearby district, and daughter of Jacob Shaw of Beebe Plain, who, when approached by your Timothy Byron Rider for the hand of his daughter: Said, if his daughter would choose to marry a man who could earn and save $1,000.00 before his marriage, he would present his daughter, with and equal sum.

                Timothy Byron, with his characteristic foresight, decided to try his fortune in the then far distant land of California, and obtained a position in a large mill establishment, sawing the big timbers for which that country was then famous.  In about one year, he was ready to return and made the trip, in the autumn of 1871, by boat, to the Isthmus of Panama which he crossed on mule back, the popular mode of travel across that section of country, continuing the remainder of the journey by boat to Boston and home by railway, or as near as that system of travel would bring him.

                The following events prove that, when he next presented himself to the lady of his choice, after fulfilling the required objection, he was accepted, as they were married November 30, 1871.  They lived in Magog where, for four years he was employed in the saw-mill.

                Four sons and one daughter were born of this marriage, namely: Burton Hamilton, Oral Kingsley, Lena Marillia, Ezra Byron, and Claude Percy.

Claude Percy Rider

                In 1873, he and his brother, Hamilton Rider, purchased  the general store at Fitch Bay, and began their mercantile life together, under the name of “T.B. & H. M. Rider.”  Their lives were so closely interwoven that it is difficult to write of one, without including the other.

                After improving the store property and making it one of the best of its kind, they bought  in 1878 the feed and sawmill in the village.  After purchasing and installing better equipment for grinding grains, they discovered that the wheat grown by the farmers at that time was of such inferior quality that they decided to introduce a superior grade of seed wheat, and sell it to the farmers.  This was accomplished, much to the satisfaction of both growers and millers.

The Home Of Timothy Byron Rider

                The sawmill was also thoroughly repaired, with good machinery installed, and made to supply, not only rough lumber, but shingles, clapboards, windows, and finished lumber, suitable for building.  This was also a great public service these young men made possible for their fellow citizens.

                About 1875, these two energetic brothers became interested, as were many people of that time, in the fad of developing perpetual motion by machinery, and with much careful study they invented a clever model designed to fulfill this startling mission.  The model which they built is in being at this time, showing much thought and skilled workmanship.  Needless to add, their scheme did not produce the expected results of the young would-be inventors, but no doubt they had real joy and visions in working out their ideas in this manner.

                Another clever bit of Timothy Byron Rider’s work – showing a creative genius – was a model made of wood and copied from the boat on Lake Memphremagog, name “The Lady of the Lake.”  This, it is said, received great admiration.

                After conducting business together for several years, these brothers thought best to separate it, Timothy Byron taking the store property, and Hamilton, the feed and sawmills.  Thus this store has been in the same family since 1873.

                From 1873, the swiftest and only communicating system available from Fitch Bay to Georgeville, Magog, Beebe, Sherbrooke, Montreal, Boston and New York, was telegraphy.  This public benefit was installed and operated at T.B. & H.M. Rider’s store.  This was indeed a great public service for the inhabitants of a rural community.

                Another sign of Timothy Byron Rider’s progressive spirit was when in 1892, being unable to secure telephone service in the country villages with the Bell Telephone Company, he organized his own telephone system, serving the people of the adjoining communities of Fitch Bay, Georgeville, Tomifobia, Apple Grove and Griffin, while at several points, connections were made with the Bell Telephone Company, thence obtaining for the citizens a wider scope of communication.

                Another activity of Timothy Byron Rider’s was that of inventing and building the Sunlight Gas Lighting system in the era between the common use of kerosene and electricity.  Many homes, stores and hotels, installed this system and it was in use until electricity became available in the rural districts.

                Much attention was also shown in the political situation of the country and at the general election in 1891, Timothy Byron Rider was requested to accept the nomination as a Liberal candidate for Stanstead County.  He consented and was elected to the Federal House of Parliament, being the first successful Liberal candidate of Stanstead County in 24 years.  In this capacity, he proved to be a man of sterling qualities, conducting himself in a manner which was an honor to his county. All appreciated the ability and devotion shown in this undertaking, by a splendid business gentleman and an honorable representative of Stanstead County.

                After his withdrawal from political life, in 1896, when he was an unsuccessful candidate, beside devoting time to mercantile work, he was still interested in the development of the country and continued to hold several public offices.  Was Justice of the Peace and in many matters of legal business assisted in the community, whenever there was a need.  Was Councilor for the Township of Stanstead for 24 years, Mayor for 20 consecutive years, taking his turn as Warden for the county, one year.  Was member A.F. and A.M Masonic Order, and was a regular attendant and supporter of the Congregational Church.

                He was one of the promoters of the Eastern Townships Telephone Company, and was for a time a director.

                He will always be remembered as a very courteous gentleman, with no bad habits, and out in the business world, he was held in high esteem by those with whom he came in contact.

                Truly, he was in every way one of the successful sons of Stanstead County.

               

                Among those who attended the meeting were:

                Miss Jessie M. Colby,  Mrs. Lola M. Poaps,  Mrs. Effie M. Poapst,  Mrs. Mary L Abbott, Miss Mary Flint, Miss Gertrude Belle Terrill, Mrs. Mabel L. Curtis, Miss Lillian V. Ross,  Mr. and Mrs. J. A. Tilton,  Mrs. Mabel Williamson, Mrs. H.P. Stockwell, Mrs. Ruth S. Lamb, E.B. Hill, Mr. and Mrs. J.D. Ferguson, Mrs. Sybil H. Parsons,  Joseph W. Maheux, A.E. Curtis, Mr. and Mrs. Alvah Hill, Miss Catherine I. MacKenzie, Jaunita H. Hill, Rev. Errol C. Amaron, Eileen M. Downing, Mrs. Frank Abbott, Nancy Jean Abbott, Stanstead; G. S. Molony, Mrs. Bertha Belknap, Miss Mirabel Robinson, Miss Etta V. Taylor, Rock Island; Miss Alice Robinson, Melrose, Mass; Mr. and Mrs. Arthur C. Cowles, Berby Line, Vt.; Mr. and Mrs. John T. Hackett, Mr. and Mrs. F. Winfield Hackett, F. Win. HackettII, Mrs. Grace E. Caswell, Mr. Orson Wheeler, Mrs. Marjory B. Curtis, and Miss Beatrice Donnelly, Montreal; Miss Elsie c. Wright, Outremont; Miss Dorothy Flint, Toronto; Mr. and Mrs. F.S Rugg, Miss Marguerite L. Sutherland, Miss Edna A. Beerworth, Sherbrooke; Mrs. Julia Gertrude Sowden, Tujunga, Cal.; Mrs. Elizabeth Cass, Beebe; William Partington, Magog; Miss Helen Norton, Ayer’s Cliff; Mr. T. Lee Quimby, Boynton; B.H. Rider, Fitch Bay; Mr. and Mrs. H.F. Baldwin, Baldwin’s Mills; W.F. Beattie, Huntingdon; Herberty H. Brown, Hatley;  Mrs. Vera Brown, New York, N.Y.; Mrs. Harry Hunter, Lennoxville,: Mrs. Marie MacDonald, North Hatley; Mrs. Margaret Mitchell, William Mitchell, Massawippi; Mr. and Mrs. Carlos T. Pierce, Newton, Mass; Mr. and Mrs. Willis Cramer, Way;s Mills.

The Serpent of Lake Memphrenmagog

THE SERPENT OF LAKE MEMPHREMAGOG  

The Memphremagog Monster, 1917. (Source: J. M. Currier, Uriah Jewett and the Sea Serpent of Lake Memphremagog Matthew Farfan Lake Memphremagog is located partly in Canada and partly in the United States. Europeans have been living around the lake for only the last two centuries; before their arrival, the area was occupied by the Abenakis, the indigenous people who gave the lake its name, which roughly translates as "beautiful waters."  The lake is steeped in legend. One such legend pertains to a creature that is said to inhabit the depths beneath Owl's Head Mountain. According to a document from 1816, when the first settlers arrived from New England, the Native people told them that they were afraid to bathe or swim in the lake because it was inhabited by a sea serpent.   Over the past two centuries, more than 225 sightings of the monster have been recorded. One of the earliest reports dates to 1847 when The Stanstead Journal proclaimed that "a strange animal, something of a sea serpent... exists in Lake Memphremagog." Known in the past by such names as the "Sea Serpent," "the Anaconda," or "the Lake Memphremagog Monster," in recent years, the creature has been affectionately dubbed "Memphré."  I have attached a link to the above website. Our family comes from this area of Quebec, Canada. The Howie, England, Rider, and Lorimer Families to mention a few, can trace their roots to the Europeans who started out around this lake.  William Rider Howie was born in a bay on Lake Memphremagog.  In the town of Fitch Bay. As its name suggests, Fitch Bay is Located near a bay on Lake Memphremagog.  This community began its development in the Mid-Nineteenth Century. One possible solution was to build a canal linking Lake Massawippi Fitch Bay to promote the circulation of small steamers. In 1881, Ftich Bay has three churches, three stores and a population of 300 inhabitants. Near the village, Highway 247 South, we find a Covered Bridge (Narrows Bridge) built in 1881 by Charles McPherson. It is a length of 28 meters and in good condition.  This bridge replaced the first bridge built on the conventional "Narrows" in 1802 to facilitate the connection between Georgeville and Stanstead Plain.  Because the wooden bridges had a limited service life due to weather which hastened the decay, covered bridges seemed the best solution. Note also, in the heart of the village, the St. Matthias Anglican Church in neo-Gothic style built in 1889.