Version 6.01

11 February 2025

David March © 2014

GORDON/SPARLING FAMILY

Albert James Sparling was born on 28 August 1859 in Blanshard, Ontario to James Wyndham Sparling (1838-1901) and Margaret Gilpin (1831-1920). His siblings were: Mary Eleanor (Nellie) (1861-1895), John Henry (1862-1922), Frederick George (1864-1922), Harriet Eliza (Hattie) (1866-1921), Margaret Josephine (Maggie) (1868-1940), Martha Louise (Mattie) (b 1870), William Joseph Walter (1872-1957) and Millie Alice Holmes (1874-1948). From 1861 to 1881, the Sparling family was living in Blanshard, Perth County, Ontario.

Albert married Margaret "Mary" Violette Huston on 24 December 1884 in Perth. Mary was born on 1 September 1860 in Blanshard to Samuel Huston (1825-1882) and Jane Adair (1839-1917). Her siblings were: Ann Jane (1857-1917), Celia Elizabeth (1858-1924), Martha Alethea (1862-1909), Samuel Wesley (1863-1931), Emma Almira (1864-1921), Rachel Edith (1866-1868), George John Adair (1868-1871), Robert Albert "Whitfield" (1870-1956), Frances Edith (Fanny) (1873-1893), Milton George Adair (1876-1902) and Laura Ethel Armstrong (b 1879). In 1871, the Huston family was living in Stratford, Ontario and by 1881 had moved to Blanshard.

By 1891, Albert and Mary had moved to Louise, Manitoba and they were still there in 1901. Their children were: Annie Lewell (1887-1965), Ruberta Ethel (1889-1965), Albert Walter (1891-1965), Harvey Huston (1895-1967), Mary Eleanor (Nellie) (b 1897) and Ruth Adair (b 1904). All were born in Manitoba, except for Ruth who was born in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. The Sparling family must have moved to Saskatoon in about 1903 as both Mary and Albert appeared on the roll for 3rd Ave Methodist Church in that year. They lived at various locations in Saskatoon: 724 6th Ave N (1916) and 514 Spadina Crescent E (1918). In 1911, Albert gave his occupation as butcher, but in later census years he was always listed as a farmer. In 1921, Albert and Mary were enumerated in Maple Ridge, British Columbia, but the three younger children were enumerated in Saskatoon. Albert died on 21 April 1935 in Haney, British Columbia and Mary on 22 January 1934 in Port Hammond, British Columbia.

Albert's sister, Margaret Josephine (Maggie) who was mentioned above, was born on 1 August 1868 in St Mary's, Ontario. By 1891, Margaret, her parents and her three youngest siblings were living in Miniota, Manitoba. Margaret married Elliott Gordon on 7 May 1895 in Miniota. Elliott was born on 28 December 1868 in Ontario to John Gordon (1826-1913) and Sarah Elliott (1826-1908). His siblings were: Robert (b 1851), Susan (b 1853), William (1854-1937), Andrew (b 1859), James Thomas (b 1861), Margaret Jane (b 1864) and Sarah Ann (b 1866). Elliott was raised in Huntingdon, Hastings County, Ontario and was still living there with his family at the time of the 1881 census.

By 1891, he was living in Louise, Manitoba and remained there with his wife and growing family until at least 1901. Elliott and Margaret had four children: Clarence James (b 1896), John Frederick (b 1898), Maggie Eleanor (1900-1900) and Ernest Elliott (b 1908). Only Ernest was not born in Manitoba. By 1906, the Gordon family was living in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan and it was there that Ernest was born. Elliott was a partner in a butcher business with his brother-in-law, A J Sparling. Elliott and Maggie first appeared on the roll of 3rd Ave Methodist Church in 1907. Margaret took an active part in church activities and was a member of that church's first choir. In 1911, the Elliott Gordon and Albert Sparling families lived next door to each other at 510 and 514 Spadina Crescent E, respectively. In 1916, the Gordons were enumerated in Aberdeen, Saskatchewan, but were listed at 510 Spadina Crescent E, Saskatoon in the 1918 Saskatoon Henderson Directory where Elliott was identified as a farmer. Elliott was not enumerated with Margaret and Ernest at the Spadina Crescent address in 1921. As their Saskatoon address remained the same throughout the years, it is assumed that they farmed at Aberdeen, and had a second home there. In Margaret’s obituary, it was mentioned that all three sons were living in Aberdeen at the time of her death. Elliott died on 22 October 1934 in Winnipeg, Manitoba and Margaret on 7 March 1940 in Saskatoon. Both were buried in Woodlawn Cemetery in Saskatoon.

Austin Sparling was born on 5 November 1912 in Saskatoon to Frederick George Sparling (1864-1922) and Ruth Eloise Phillipi (1878-1962). His siblings were Philip (1905-2002) and Margaret (1907-1992). By 1911 his family was living at 215 Saskatchewan Crescent in Saskatoon. From 1913 to 1919, his father was a physician and farmer and the family lived at 315 Saskatchewan Crescent. By the time of the 1921 census they had moved to Red Deer, Alberta. In 1930 Austin was living in St Paul, Minnesota with his mother and by 1940 he was married to Lorraine L Lovatt (1912-2004) and was living in Chicago, Illinois. He died on 26 September 2002 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Although Austin was only 6 years old at the time that the quilt was being signed, he was the only Austin Sparling that we could find with any link to Saskatoon. His grandmother, Margaret Sparling and two of her children definitely signed the quilt. If Austin did not sign it himself, it is speculated that a relative likely signed his name for him.

His grandmother, Margaret Sparling (nee Gilpin) was born on 17 September 1831 in Armagh County, Ireland to John Wesley Gilpin (1810-1852) and Eleanor Irwin (1809-1864). Her siblings were: Mary (b 1833), Jane (1837-1897), Martha S (1839-1925), Henry Irwin (1843-1856), John Wesley (1844-1905), William (b 1846) and Ellen Louisa (1849-1872). Census records indicated that she immigrated to Canada in about 1856. She was married to James Wyndham Sparling on 26 October 1858 at her parent's home in St Mary's, Ontario. The Sparlings lived in Blanshard until at least 1881. By 1891 they had moved to Miniota, Manitoba and were still there in 1901. James died on 10 November 1901 in Beulah, Manitoba. By 1906, Margaret was living in Saskatoon. In 1911 she was living with her daughter, Millie Allison's family in Minnedosa, Manitoba, but returned to Saskatoon to live with her son, Frederick's family by 1916. She died on 8h May 1920 in Saskatoon. Although there is no evidence that Margaret had a middle name beginning with G, many women of the period adopted a middle initial that came from their maiden name.

This family tree can be found on Ancestry under the title 3rd Ave Gordon/Sparling Tree.