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JAMES DOBIE (1842-1904)
JANE AUGUSTA LAWSON (1849-1929)

(Last Updated: March 15, 2014)

 

James DOBIE was born on Aug 13, 1842 in Auburn, Ontario, son of Ann McLARTY and Joseph DOBIE (1815-1899) who was born in Scotland. Auburn is located about 20 miles east of Goderich (See map below).

 

Canadian Confederation
1867

 

On July 1, 1867 the British colonies in North America were united under the British North American Act to become the Dominion of Canada. Sir John A MACDONALD (1815-1891) was appointed as Canada’s first Prime Minister; a month later he won the first federal election.

 

In 1867 the parliament of the United Kingdom passes the British North American Act, by which the provinces of United Canada, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia joined to form the Dominion of Canada. United Canada was split into Canada East/Est and Canada West/Ouest, the latter of which eventually changed its name to Ontario.

 

Marriage to Jane LAWSON
1870

 

On Nov 2, 1870 James married Jane Augusta LAWSON in the Huron District of Ontario, daughter of Ann and John LAWSON. Huron is located south of Goderich on the east side of Lake Huron (See map below).

 

Toronto - Quebec City

 

 

In the USA, construction of the Northern Pacific Railroad began near Duluth in 1870 in Minnesota and reached Red River in1871. ** For background music, you have to listen and watch this; my all-time favorite song and artist:

 

GORDON LIGHTFOOT’S RAILROAD TRILOGY


Interestingly, Gordon Lightfoot was born on Nov 17, 1938 in Orilla, Ontario (shown on map above).

** MORE ABOUT GORDON LIGHTFOOT in WIKIPEDIA


In 1871 son Joseph Milton was born in Huron, the first child of Jane and James.

 

In June of 1875 construction of the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) began at Fort William, Ontario (on the west end of Lake Superior).

 

In 1878 Manitoba's first railway, the Emerson Line, was completed. It ran along the east side of the Red River from St Boniface to Emerson. Soon after, the railway from St. Paul to St Vincent, Minnesota was completed and the two lines were connected. The arrival of the railway to Emerson brought prosperity, and instantly elevated Emerson's status as one of Manitoba's most important settlements.

 

In the 1881 Census of the Muskoka District, James DOBIE was recorded as a farmer (age 38); wife Jane (age 31). Children were: Joseph (age 9), Ann (7), Mary (5), Phoebe (2) and Lydia (age 1). ** The Muskoka District surrounds Bracebridge on the above map (East of Georgian Bay).

 

Cavalier, North Dakota
1883-1905

 

In 1883 the Great Northern main line across northern Dakota Territory (USA) reached Devils Lake (shown on map below). That was the year that James immigrated from Canada to the USA (Cavalier, North Dakota). Son Malcolm and daughter Flora were born there in 1885 and 1887 respectively.

 

Grand Coteau - North Dakota

 

 

In 1889 North Dakota reached statehood.

 

US Census 1900: North Dakota, Grey, Cavalier, ND, pg 15, HH-321: James DOBIE, farmer, age 57 (born in Canada; immigrated 1883); wife Jane A (age 29). Children: John M (age 17), Malcolm (14), Flora (12), Miller (age 8).
In 1900 daughter Catherine (Kate) married William BRUMWELL (1873-1967) in North Dakota. He was born in Peterborough (ON), son of Martha Ann CASSIDY and William Henry BRUMWELL SR (1842-1934).

 

On Apr 6, 1904 James DOBIE died in Calvin, ND. ** Calvin is located not far south of the US border, straight north of Devils Lake as shown on above map.

 

Immigrants from USA to Canada – Paynton, Saskatcheawan
1905

 

In 1905 the DOBIE family emigrated from North Dakota to Paynton, Saskatchewan.

 

Western Land Grants (un-dated): James DOBIE: NE 30-11-24-W3 and SE 24-11-25-W3; Jane Augustus DOBIE: NW 28-43-22-W3.

 

In the census records for 1906 and 1911, Widow Jane DOBIE was recorded in Paynton (with some of her children).

 

Around 1910 Joseph Milton DOBIE married Rose McDONALD from Bresaylor, daughter of Mary Ann COOK and Philip McDONALD (1833-1914). ** MORE ABOUT PHILIP McDONALD

 

Outbreak of the First World War
1914

 

On Aug 4, 1914 Great Britain (Canada on Aug 5) declared war on Germany and Austria-Hungary to uphold treaties with France and Belgium which were under German attack. This marked the beginning of World War I.

YOUTUBE VIDEO: WORLD WAR ONE HISTORY – CANADA 1/5

 

On May 19, 1914, son Joseph enlisted at North Battleford, SK.

 

On Aug 4, 1914 Great Britain (Canada on Aug 5) declared war on Germany and Austria-Hungary to uphold treaties with France and Belgium which were under German attack. This marked the beginning of World War I.

.

Dec 18, 1914 son Malcolm enlisted at Winnipeg.

 

On Mar 30, 1916 son Thomas Miller enlisted at North Battleford.


Census 1916: Battleford (#17), SD-19B (Town of Paynton), pg 6, HH-79: Widow Jane A DOBIE, age 66; sons  Malcolm J (age 34) and Thomas M (age 24).

 

November 11,1919, Armistice Day (Remembrance Day) marked the end of the First World War.


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In 1921 son Malcolm married Jane CHISHOLM of so far unknown origins.

** MORE ABOUT MALCOLM DOBIE in WIKIPEDIA

 

In Census 1921 in the RM of Paynton we find Widow Augustus DOBIE (age 72) with her son Miller (age 28).

 

On Dec 14, 1929 Widow Jane DOBIE died in Bresaylor.

 

Please post comments and queries at this link: FORUM DISCUSSING the JAMES DOBIE FAMILY

 

========================== Family Details ==========================

 

Children:
1.  1872 JOSEPH MILTON DOBIE (n, Rose McDONALD)

** MORE ABOUT JOSEPH MILTON DOBIE

2. 1874 ANN JANE “ANNIE” DOBIE
3. 1876 MARY AGNES DOBIE
4. Jun 22, 1878 PHOEBE CATHERINE “KATE” DOBIE (m. William BRUMWELL)
5. 1880 LYDIA ISABELLA “BELL” DOBIE
6. 1881 JOHN LAWSON DOBIE (m. Adella)
7. Sep 14, 1885 MALCOLM JAMES ”CAL” DOBIE (m. Jane CHISHOLM)
8. 1888 FLORA ELIZABETH DOBIE
9. Mar 31, 1892 THOMAS MILLER DOBIE

 

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