Misses Downings

This is very likely a ca. 1910 photo of Miss Gertrude and Miss Ethel Downing, nieces to Joseph F. Hooper. He was the first owner of 256 Elgin Street East. The MIsses Downing information was found while researching the Hooper family for this ACO Heritage Plaque Property.

Joseph Hooper's oldest sister Mary Jane was born 1851 in Cobourg. All others were born on a farm Whitby East, to parents John and Elizabeth Hooper. The family were living there for the 1871 Census however, had moved with their younger children to a Blanshard farm by 1881 Census.

In 1871 Mary Jane Hooper married carriage maker Jonathan Downing in Durham County (near Whitby). They were still there for 1881 Census, with four children. By the 1891 Census, the Downing family is on a farm in Bruce East, all children born.

Jonathan Downing died in 1893, age 45 and is buried in Paisley Ontario. Mary Jane moved (date unknown) her children to St. Marys, close to her siblings, with many young cousins now together.

By the time of 1901 Census, widow Mary Jane was living with Alice 23, Gertrude 15, Bertram 12, Lillian 10, in St. Marys. They would have had terrific Hooper support. Joseph and Honor and family remain on the Blanshard farm, now owners because patriarch John Hooper died in March 1901.

Manitoba Census 1916 shows Ethel is married to Vincent Stanley and they have an 8 year old son. Ethel’s sister Alice is living with them. In 1918 Lillian married Roy Raine in Toronto, and Mary Jane witnessed.

Therefore Gertrude Downing must be the one mentioned in the inscription as marrying and going to England. This photo of Gertrude and Ethel Downing, unmarried (Misses) can be dated after 1905 and before 1915. It is unknown which young woman is Ethel or Gertrude.

Mary Jane Downing is buried with daughter Ethel Stanley in High River Alberta.