Mary Agnes Coulthart married George William Claxton, an Inverary, Ontario area farmer, on July 5, 1901 in Kingston.
Mary Agnes (Aggie) and George Claxton had four children:
- Herbert George born February 19, 1902, died August, 1961
- Eva Alice born July 1, 1903, died November 26, 1995
- Ruth Annie born November 12, 1904, died May 10, 1978
- Ralph Edwin born August 17, 1910, died August 25, 1981
Mary Agnes died on July 3, 1915 and George died on April 1, 1917, both in Oregon. They suffered from tuberculosis and had moved to Oregon in search of a more favourable climate. Their tombstones are in St. Andrews Cemetery, Cochrane, Alberta.
Following George’s death, the four children went to live with their maternal uncle, George Coulthart and his wife Lillian, who lived in Calgary.
From top clockwise: Herbert, Eva, Ralph, and Ruth
HERBERT GEORGE CLAXTON
Herbert was born in February 19, 1902. His birth was never registered. He was a medical doctor serving in various communities in Alberta. He had two wives: Mac, whom he divorced, and Marjorie. Herbert and Marjorie had three children: Ruth, Billy, and Herbert.
Herbert died in August, 1961. Marjorie died on March 11, 2001.
St. Andrew’s Cemetery, Cochrane
RUTH ANNIE (CLAXTON) VANCE
Ruth was born on November 12, 1904 at Inverary, Ontario. She married Ivan Smyth Vance (born February 27, 1900) in 1930, and they had two children: Ralph and Lillian. There is an Agnes Vance (died 1931) buried in the St. Andrews Cemetery, Cochrane, who was likely also their child. They farmed at Madden, Alberta.
RALPH EDWIN CLAXTON
Ralph was born on August 17, 1910 at Inverary, Ontario. He would have been very young when the family moved west to Cochrane, Alberta, and then to Oregon. He was a month and a half shy of his fifth birthday when his mother died. Ralph married Verna Watson (born 1911), and had one child, Janice.
A Bit of History by Janice
Ralph and Verna met each other in Moose Jaw. Verna worked in a bank and Ralph was an accountant at Scott National Fruit Co.
They were married on April11, 1942. in Calgary at the the home of Uncle George and Aunt Lillian Coulthart. The minister from Central United Church married them.
After they were married, the newlyweds moved to Edmonton because Ralph was transferred there with Scott National Fruit Co. Verna worked as a secretary for the U.S, Army for three years. They lived in a garret suite in a house on 107St -three small rooms for $26/mo. They had no fridge and only a hot plate to cook on. They moved into the Picton Aparitments n the summer of 1945 on 109St -owned by the Allard Family.
On Nov.1, 1945 their daughter Janice was born. She started grade 1 at the historic McKay Avenue School -she walked to and from school, crossing Jasper Avenue in downtown Edmonton.
In 1953, the family moved to their new home in the Strathearn area of Edmonton. Verna worked as a secretary for insurance companies and Ralph did accountant work for different companies.
Ralph passed away suddenly of a massive heart attack on Aug. 25, 1981. Verna continued to live in their home until 2001 when she moved into a brand new Senior’s Home. She passed away on March 10, 2002.
Their daughter Janice married Morley Gabert on July 17, 1964. They resided in the Fort Saskatchewan area and had 3 children:
- Vincent -born March 14, 1969
- Jason -born July 6, 1973
- Michelle -born Sept. 14, 1975
Vincent married Shannon Shoults on July 2002. They have one son Kurt born on October 3, 2007. Vincent passed away on July 20, 2019.
Jason married Vanessa Steinacher on Oct.1, 2005. They have a son Carter born on Dec. 9, 2004 and a daughter Brooke born on Oct. 2, 2006.
Michell married Chris Bishop on Aug. 5, 2000. They have a daughter Hannah born on Oct. 8, 2004 and a son Nolan born on Aug. 2, 2011. They were divorced in 21014.
St. Andrew’s Cemetery, Cochrane