Ellen was born January 13, 1896 in Lambeth, London to James Gibb and Elizabeth Whiles. She married her first husband Edward Albert Pearson in 1916 in Lambeth. Edward was killed in WWI. Their first child Winnifred E. Pearson was born in 1918
After the war, Clarence returned to Canada. Ellen came to Canada, departing Liverpool on November 9, 1920 aboard the ship Victorian, with daugher Winifred who was 2 at the time. She was heading to see her sister Mrs. Wellman in Port Sydney. It is likely this part of Ontario that Ellen met Clarence. Clarence and Ellen married on March 23, 1921 at Christ Church, Port Sydney.
They had an additional eight children, one born in in the Port Sydney area, five born in East York (Scarborough area) and the last two in Northern Ontario. Around 1922 the family moved to East York at one point living on Barrington Avenue and later at 5 Trenton Ave.
In 1932, Clarence took part in the "Back to Land Movement". "During the Great Depression, private land was abundant in populated parts of the province [of Ontario]. There was little demand for "raw" Crown land to develop new farms or towns. In an attempt to solve the serious problem of unemployment, the Ontario government again tried to encourage the growth of new communities in the north by offering free homesteads to the unemployed. However, this "back to the land" movement failed miserably. It was a hard life that few were willing to pursue." Source MNR Ontario.
Ontario Archive records indicate Clarence was accepted for the land scheme on September 8, 1932, classified as a "Returning Soldier". He left East York where he lived at the time to set up a homestead along with eight other families from the area, on September 10, 1932 to set up a life in Stock Twp [Matheson]. Clarence now owned 80 1/4 acres of land in the NE 1/4, Lot 6 Con 3.
The family furnishings were sent North on November 9, 1932 and the family followed on November 26, 1932. Members included wife Ellen, and children Winnifred, Clifford, George, Peggy, Evelyn, Jack and Leslie.
Despite the "Back to the Land movement" failing, the family remained in their new homestead adding two more children, Robert and Maxine.
In 1932, Ellen was interviewed by the East York Star about the Back to Land Movement and how the family was coping. Full story can be read here. On the same link is a story about young Clifford Mack who was kicked in the head by a pony just before the family was to leave.
After 1935, Clarence and Ellen moved to Kirkland Lake where they resided until their deaths. Clarence on October 17, 1971, and Ellen on January 21, 1986. Both are buried at the Kirkland Lake cemetery.
Newspaper story provided by Clifford Mack. Photo of Ellen and Clarence with grandchildren, Wendy on Ellen's lap, and Brenda. Photo taken about 1965.
Transcript of Marriage Registration:
Clarence Mack Tree | Ellen Gibb Tree
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Clarence Mack was born January 3, 1897 in Ganonoque, Ontario to Albert Mack and Elizabeth Annie Law. In 1914, at the age of 17 he served two weeks at the Niagara Camp, 23rd Regiment. On May 27th, 1919, Clarence swore out his Attestation and served in WWI.
