Neighbour Children Chopping Wood in Thoms' Back Yard - 1940
Bob Smellie, Bob Thom, Bill Thom, Len Loney, Gordon Loney, Bob McLennan, Jack Thom, seated - Maxine Loney and Mavis Loney.
The ancient home of the Thom family was Scotland, a
fact attested by the considerable reputation of one, William Thom, who
enjoyed more than local fame as a poet. His verses may still be read and enjoyed by
persons whose tastes run to the melancholy. His "Mitherless Bairn" is typical of
his muse. Other evidence is supplied by a monument near Glasgow to Robert Thom
and William Cook who were sent to rest in 1669 by Claverhouse to
encourage other Covenantors to abandon their heresies. A certain dissatisfaction with this
world and a deep belief in the certainty of the next characterized the thinking of these
early members of the family. Any levity in their outlook may be attributed to the fact
that the Hugenots, banished from France, lent their lighter blood to that of many
Covenanting families.
In 1812 two brothers stood on the docks in Glasgow, one Louis
Thom, went to France, the other, John Thom, embarked for Canada
as paymaster of a Highland regiment intent on driving
back the Yankees in the war of that year. When the struggle concluded, John Thom remained
as paymaster in the fortress at Kingston. His marriage to a "beautiful lady of
Montreal", who was not only refined but a talented musician, ended in her early
death. John Thom was left with a son, Charles Thom, who became the father
of James Thom, whose sons and daughters, Charles, William, Jack,
James, Christine, Mary, Elizabeth and Jean, spent their early years, and in some
instances, their entire lives in the Russell district.
The exodus of one branch of the family from Southern Ontario was
precipitated by too great a confidence in the prospects of the Goderich and Buffalo
Railway. In 1859, deviating from this tradition of distrust of the world, Charles Thom,
having sold considerable property to the railway, saw it bankrupt. The railway
"compensated" him by appointing him station agent at Mitchell, Ontario. Most of
the Thoms of this generation became railway men. An authoritative work on telegraphy was
written by a John Thom.
James Thom, the patriarch of the western family, was an
early station agent in Russell for the Canadian Pacific Railway. His residence, strangely
stood just across the tracks of the Canadian Northern line, which was constructed after
the house was built. His wife, Mary McClacherty, traced her ancestry to a
large family of that name in the parish of Balmighie in the stewarty of Kircudbright in
Scotland. Alex McClacherty gives an interesting insight into the
state of that family in 1798.
"My father, William McClacherty, born 1744, was a teacher many years in Balmighie of plain English and Arithmetic and writing. He also teached church music and was considered in his day an able master, he also had a bleaching field and had to try any honest shift to support a large family of which there was eight. I myself was sent early into service and had but little of his fatherly instruction but of that I did receive, I trust it hath not been lost upon me. He lived a quiet inoffensive life respected by both rich and poor. He died February 25, 1825. Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord".
Eight children blessed the union of James and
Mary Thom. Jack Bain Thom taught school at Shellmouth, Manitoba,
for several years, before taking his degree in medicine at the University of Manitoba in
1907. Following a year as ship's surgeon Doctor Thom practiced at Trail, B.C. He died in
l941 and was survived by his wife, Lillian and one daughter,
Barbara, now Mrs. E. Brown of Niagara Falls, Ontario. Another
son, James Thom, will be remembered as being employed by T. Hill and Son,
in Russell. He later set up a home in Edmonton after his marriage to Hanna
Sutherland. Of his two sons, Donald Thom joined the R.C.A.F. and
was shot down in the early stages of World War II. Captured, he remained a prisoner until
the end of the conflict. Jim Thom, a graduate engineer, is employed by
Boeing Aircraft in Vancouver.
The remaining brothers, Charles Weir Thom and William
McClacherty Thom, remained in Russell at the home farm just across the C.N.R.
tracks north of town. Their farm provided several generations of Russell children with a
swimming pool just back of the cemetery. The farm boasted a tennis court of sorts. In
later years, Charles and William acquired the lumber business of J. J. Moon. This business
expanded over the years until two yards were established in Russell, one at Cracknell and
one at Inglis.
The two brothers married two sisters. Charles Thom
married Agnes Buie in 1904. Four children were born to them. Archie,
a graduate Cuff McMaster University, who has taught for some years in Flin Flon, married Miss
Olive Glinz of Oak River, Manitoba. They have two children, Arthur,
a 1966 graduate in Mechanical engineering and Geraldine in third year
Arts at the University of Manitoba. James Thom learned the printing trade
under the sharp eye of Mr. Joe McIntyres later purchasing the Roblin Review which he
published until his death in 1952 James saw service in the armed forces until discharged
for medical reasons. He married Miss Alice Lundy of Roblin. The elder
daughter, Agnes, taught school for some years in Minniska before marrying
James Burgess. Mr. and Mrs. Burgess have three children, Eleanor,
Jack and Neil, who is registered in the engineering faculty at the University of
Manitoba. Mayor Burgess has made an enviable contribution to the Russell community by
allying himself with every organization that sought to promote its advancement. Janice
Weir, the youngest child is a graduate of Winnipeg General Hospital Married to Mr.
Kenneth Little, she and her husband make their home in East Kildonan, Manitoba.
They have four children, Terry, Mrs. J. Bergen, who has one child; Kim;
Tom, Kathy and Janie are at home and attend various schools in East
Kildonan.
William Thom, the younger of the two brothers who
remained in Russell married Effie Buie in 1917. Four children graced
their marriage Jack Thom, long associated with the Russell Banner, served
his country in the Air Force during World War II. His death in April, 1965, removed from
the district a young man who had thrown his energies into the sporting and religious life
of the town, Bill Thom, resident in Russell, is employed as a foreman for
the International Potash Company at Esterhazy. He married Miss Pearl Wagner
of Inglis and they have six children, Jim, Jane, Dean, Bradley, Barbara and Cindy.
Robert Thom, who also resides in Russell, married Miss
Maureen Smith of Los Angeles. They have four children, Rick, Kelly and
Keith (twins), and Kathleen. Bob is employed by Clement's
industrial set-up as a supervisor in the machinery department. His skill in the ballyhoo
of the auctioneering business has made him sought after in all areas where his pitch has
been heard. Mary Thom, the lone daughter, married Mr. Frank
Robertson of Russell. After several years in the garage business Mr. and Mrs.
Robertson removed to Flin Flon. Of their three children, Christine and Jack
are at home, Ted, the elder son, is presently studying aircraft
maintenance at the Calgary Institute of Technology.
The four daughters of James and Mary Thom left Russell
in their early years. Miss Christine Thom graduated from the Winnipeg
General Hospital and served in her profession in Winnipeg for many years. Miss
Beth Thom was an honored member of the teaching profession as a principal of a
school in Trail, B.C. Mary, Mrs. Peter Lamont, lived in Nelson and
Vancouver. Miss Jean Thom resided in Victoria with her mother, and after
her mother's death, alone.
By 1966 all members of the senior family had departed this life.
This note sent to us Jan 5, 2001 by M. Meagher
Thoms William scottish peot Born Aberden? in 1779. His means of instruction were very
scanty and at an early age he was apprentice to a weaver. He published in 1841 "
Rhymes and recollections of a handloom weaver."
he deid in great restitution Feb 29 1848
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