Hi Mary, Michael and Al:
 
    The following is the obituary that Leigh LeBlanc forwarded to me from the Nov. 14 
    paper of the Ottawa Free Press in 1881:

(Obituary), November 4, 2005:
 
TERENCE McGEE:  The old settlers are rapidly disappearing from the scene of their 
labours.  That generation which battled with the primitive forest in the vicinity of 
Bytown is passing away.  Amongst the most energetic of the pioneers of the Ottawa Valley 
was Mr. Terence McGee who died on the 11th of November instant of apoplexy at the ripe 
old age of 77 years.  His funeral took place from his late residence in the Township of 
Gloucester and was attended by a large concourse of people from the city and country.  
The deceased gentleman was a native of County Armagh, Ireland, and immigrated to this 
country in the year 1826.  He first settled at Bytown but subsequently removed to the 
Township of Gloucester.  He leaves a wife and family of 8 children to mourn his loss.  
He took an active part in public matters and was a consistent supporter of the Liberal Party.
 
More later 
... Mardelle	
______________________________
	
	1  	Terrence McGee	1804 - 1881 from Keady, County Armagh
..		+ Ellen Hughes	1815 - 1890
.......	2  	Terrence McGee	1839 - 1875
.......	2  	Mary McGee	1841 - 1922
...........		+Thomas Powers / Power	1832 - 1901
................	3  	Mary Powers	1872 - 1952
....................		+William Foran	1869 - 1940
.........................	4  	Edna Foran	1900 - 1982
.............................		+Michael Quinn	1897 - 1971
.......	2  	Ann McGee	1853 - 1933
...........		+ John McGrath	1849 - 1923
................	3  	Louise McGrath	
.......	2  	Patrick McGee	1847 - 1870
.......	2  	John McGee	1852 - 1887
.......	2  	Elicia McGee	1854 - 1884
.......	2  	Michael McGee	1854 - 1882
.......	2  	Margaret McGee

Francis McGee, brother of Terrence and Patrick (all on the McCabe List) is my Great-Great Grandfather.
The McGees settled at South Gloucester.

March 29, 2003:
Thanks to Sue Barr for the following:
Obituary from the Ottawa Free Press, 1881:
Nov 11, Terence MCGEE, 77, of apoplexy.  Deceased was a native of County Armagh and 
came to Canada in 1826.  He leaves a wife and 8 children.  
Large obit in the Nov 14 paper. (transcribed below by Leigh Leblanc ... Thanks Leigh!)
October 31, 2005:
Mr. Lewis:  I was given the bytown website by Leigh Leblanc and, of course, I found 
many articles on the McGee families.  I am a great great granddaughter of Terence McGee 
whom, as I gather in reading the articles, was a brother to your great great grandfather, 
Francis McGee.  

I am in the process of doing a book on the Terence McGee family.  My great grandfather 
was a son of Terence McGee -  Terence Edward McGee, (who went by the name of Ed).  Ed 
immigrated through Port Ogdensburg, NY, and then on to Wisconsin, USA.  Eventually, 
he moved to North Dakota, after losing a wife and 3 children.  Would you be interested 
in what I have researched thus far - through the Mormon Church, Census, family histories, 
and then I have been able to fill in some blanks on gggrandfather Terence McGee?  

I would be happy to fill in any blanks you may have on our family.  I also have some 
additions and corrections.  I also found a son, Frances (also known as Franck) McGee, 
born to Terence and Ellen.  I found those records through microfilms I rented from 
the Mormon Church.  My information was that Frances married an Ellen Foran.  Do you 
know anything about him?  Are there any pictures of any of these relatives that I 
could get a copy of?  I cannot thank you enough for posting what you have posted.  
It's very interesting and very helpful.  
 
Hoping to hear from you soon,
... Mardelle Considine
________________________

Good morning, Mardelle: (if I may)
 
It's a pleasure to hear from you and to hear of our common McGee ancestors.
 
I have spent some time here trying to sort out the McGees who pioneered at South 
Gloucester (now part of the City of Ottawa, Canada) and look forward to working with 
you to fill in some blanks. There are also a couple of other researchers here who 
are descended from the McGees and who may be able to help us out, including 
Michael Daley (Hi Michael ! ).
 
Unfortunately, I do not have any pictures of the McGees but I do have some early 
church records which will be useful. Between the years 1829 and 1849 there are McGee 
records at Notre Dame Church in downtown Ottawa. Have you seen these records? 
After about 1849, the McGees show up at their neighbourhood church, formerly called 
St. Mary's and now called Our Lady of the Visitation, at South Gloucester. This church 
was built c. 1848 and was a stones throw from the McGee residences.
 
Anyway, I just wanted to get back to you and let you know that I received your e-mail.
 
Thanks very much for contacting me. I'm sending a copy of this e-mail to Michael Daley.
 
... Al Lewis
_____________________

More from Mardelle:
Dear Mr. Lewis:
 
First of all, I want to thank you for getting back to me.  To begin with, I started
my research from my ggrandfather (Terence Edward McGee) and ggrandmother's marriage 
records in Wisconsin.  They, of course, had to state their parents' names and residences.  
He had written down Terrance McGee and Ellen Hughes in Ottawa, Ontario.  So that was 
my starting point. I have found various birthdates for him - anywhere from March, 1951 
to his obituary stating his birthdate as April, 1956 (He died in North Dakota on 
March 27, 1922). I am not able to get an actual Death Certificate as the capitol 
building in North Dakota burned and records were lost.   "Ed" as he was known 
immigrated to the U.S. in August, 1870 or 1872, by way of Port Ogdensburg and 
became a U.S. Citizen on October 15, 1896 (I have a copy of his naturalization papers), 
in Augusta, Wisconsin.  He settled in Wisconsin - married and began a family there.  
He lost his wife, Mary Dwyer, at the age of 39, along with 3 children at Augusta, 
Wisconsin.  In the Spring of 1910, Ed came to North Dakota and took up a homestead, 
bringing his 4 remaining children with him (my grandfather being one of them).   
 
I started researching on the computer and found some land records for Terance McGee 
and Ellen Hughes, along with various census records and then found where they were 
buried (Our Lady of Visitation).  I then rented many films from the Family History Center 
(Mormon Church) here in Montana and found information on some births, baptisms, 
marriages and deaths.  Some of the records from the Church were water soaked so that 
the writing was very blurry and some handwriting I could not read.  There had been a 
fire where these records were kept because some of them had been burned - others were
blurry from the water.  I knew that Terance had a brother named Dennis from these 
records as the witness for his death record was his sister-in-law, Mrs. Dennis McGee.  
I noted from your Bytown website that Terance and Ellen were married in 1840.  
The records on their children that I found are as follows:
    1.  Francis (a/k/a Franck) - born approx. 1843 - 1844.  Married Ellen Foran - 
        daughter of Nicholas Foran and Alice Daly / Daley.  He was buried on 
        October 7, 1909.  I have down now that they had 3 children.
    2.    Alicia McGee - born approx. 1848; died May 30, 1880; buried June 1, 1880.
    3.    Margret McGee - born around 1850.
    4.    Terrence Edward McGee - born approx. March, 1851.  Died 1922.
    5.    John McGee - born approx. 1852; baptized October 3, 1852;died on January 29, 1887.
    6.    Michael McGee - I had born around 1857
    7.    Eliza McGee  - I had born around 1858.
 
Leigh gave me the following information:
 
    Mary McGee - born approx. 1841
    Ann McGee - born approx. 1843
    Patrick McGee - born approx. 1847
    John McGee - born approx. 1852
    Elicia McGee - born approx. 1854
    Michael McGee - born approx. 1854
    Margaret McGee - born approx. 1850
    
Then Leigh sent me the tombstone inscriptions at Our Lady of Visitation - Stone #138
    Patrick McGee died May 21, 1870 - 23 years
    Michael McGee died February 24, 1882 - 25 years
    Elicia McGee died May 30, 1884 - 30 years
    Terrence McGee - died November 11, 1881 - 75 years
    John McGee died January 28, 1887 - age 32 years
    Ellen Hughes McGee died June 8, 1890 - age 75 years
    Patrick Hughes died December 6, 1854 - age 70 years
 
    Stone #137
    Frank McGee - born 1844; died October 10, 1909
    Ellen Foran born 1854 died April 15, 1899
    Kathleen May McGee born 1891; died November 3, 1945
 
I do not have any of the early church records from the Notre Dame Church.  I would be 
most interested in seeing these - trying to put all the pieces of this puzzle together.  
Any help, corrections or additions you can give me would be greatly appreciated.
 
I don't know if this will be any information you want or need.  As I told you, I am 
trying to compile all I can on this family into a book, complete with some pictures.  
I now have a complete history of Ed McGee's (Terence Edward)  children, great grandchildren, 
gggrandchildren and ggg grandchildren.  It's been fun putting it all together - and 
very informative, also.  Lots of work though. 
 
Hope to hear from you soon.  Mardelle McGee Considine
_________________________


And, from Michael Daley:

HI Al , cousin  Mardelle  
Just a line , for what its worth, Frances McGee , born 1844 died Oct 1o ,1909, 
his wife Ellen Foran, born 1854, died April 15 1899,               
Frances McGee, [Widower] son of Terence McGee, and Ellen Hughs, married Margaret Leahy, 
Daughter of Timothy Leahy, and Mary Downs,[my G,G, Grandparents], Nov. 6 ,1900, in 
St .John's church Enniskerry,, Osgoode               

... Michael Daley ,    
G, G,G, Grandson of Patrick McGee and Mary Hughs  
_________________________

Good evening Mr. Lewis:  I am attaching a photo that we found in some old pictures.  
It was taken in Ottawa by Pittaway & Jarvis, 117 Sparks St., Ottawa.  I am 90% positive 
this gentleman is a McGee, possibly Terrence Edward McGee (my ggrandfather) or one 
of his brothers - or quite possibly Terance McGee.  I am wondering if you have any ideas?  
 
Hope to hear from you soon.  
Mardelle McGee Considine

________________________

Mardelle:

Pittaway and Jarvis was a well known early photographic studio in Ottawa.
The dates of its existence are probably listed on our page on early photographers
in Ottawa.

There seems to have been quite a few photos taken of the folks at South Gloucester 
by the Pittaway Studio. I'm not sure if Pittaway made "house calls" and photographed
a lot of people at South Gloucester at the same time, or if the McGees and other 
families travelled to Ottawa to have their photographs taken.

I have an old Pittaway photo of my GreatGrandmother, Catherine (Sullivan) Christopher.
Her mother was one of the Mary McGees. Catherine died in 1927 and the photo could have been 
taken early in the twentieth century.

The name Frank McGee repeated for generations in this McGee family.
There was an early professional hockey player who played for the Ottawa Silver Seven
(I think). His name was Frank McGee. There is a street named after him close to where
our current NHL team -- the Ottawa Senators -- play today.

If someone has a copy of The Ottawa Sports Book, there may be a write-up and photograph
of Frank McGee in the book.

Thanks for the following photograph. Here's hoping someone recognizes this man.



November 1, 2005:

Thanks to some quick detective work by Michael Daley and Mary Quinn, this photograph
has been identified ... Al

Hi  Mardelle,Al,  
you are going get some startling news , that picture hangs in the living room of 
Mary Quinn, decendant of Terrence McGee and Ellen Hughes. To get back  To William Foran, 
and Mary Power, Generation no 3, Edna Foran had a sister,Elizabeth Foran, born 
Oct.27,1904 died April 10,1986, [single]                             

Mardelle in regards to Mary McGee who died May 6 ,1840 ,??  should read May 6 , 1870. 
her son-in-law of Osgoode , Thomas Daley was my Dads, Grandfather,     
hope this helps, 
... Michael Daley
________________________

Mary Quinn has joined in with some very interesting information:

Hi Mike - thanks for giving me a call to discuss the McGee family and your 
questions.  After checking the Bytown or Bust site as you suggested, I cannot 
believe this, but I have the original 20 X 16 pencil sketch with gilded frame of 
this McGee gentleman hanging in my livingroom.  He is definitely a McGee 
(I believe it is Terrence who died in 1870.  I also have pictures of Michael, 
Elicia (Alicia), and John (also have the original sketch of John too) when they 
are young (note none of them lived to be very old).  I also have a picture of 
Mary McGee (as an older woman) as she is my great great grandmother.  
I am a granddaughter of Edna Foran and Michael Quinn.  I will try to scan the 
pictures over the next couple of weeks so I can forward to you all.  Too funny!!
Mary Quinn
mary.quinn@sympatico.ca 
p.s. - Hello to Al and Mardelle, as well. 

November 2, 2005:
Very interesting stuff Al.  I have some early entries from the Gloucester church 
records which I will forward as well.  It is my belief that the McGee original 
homestead was on Lots 26 and 27, Concession 5 Gloucester Township.   (see map below).
There is now a train caboose sitting on the corner of the farm.  The stone for Our 
Lady Of the Visitation Church was quarried off this farm.  As kids we were shown the 
hole in the ground where they dug it out.  When Thomas Powers married Mary McGee 
they took over the farm (Powers already owned the land at the east end of the farm).  
The original sketched pictures I have came out of this home.  My Grandmother (Edna Foran Quinn - 
granddaughter of Thomas Powers and Mary McGee) inherited the farm, as well as two 
Powers parcels of land at the east end of the farm.  When the last living son of 
Thomas Powers and Mary McGee died my father helped to clean out the house before they 
got ready to sell it.  An interesting note is he found an old violin hanging in a 
potato sack on the back of a door.  Nobody knew any McGee that played the violin at 
that time.  I now have this violin and curiosity abounds.
... Mary

_________________

Hi Mary, Al and Michael:  
 
It was interesting to read your e-mail Mary.  I have to believe that possibly 
Terrance might have been a violin player.  The musical talent had to start somewhere.  
My grandfather, Ivan McGee, (who was a son to Terence Edward McGee) played the violin.  
My father said he sold Cloverleaf Salve to get enough money to buy a violin and then 
taught himself to play - together with a neighbor.  One of them would "jig" while the 
other played - and then they would switch places.  My dad says my grandfather taught 
all of his kids  - how to "jig".  Most all of my dad's brothers and sisters, including 
my dad, are musical.  My grandfather, Ivan, and my dad, plus some others played for a 
lot of country dances - together with some sons of my grandfather's sister Hazel 
(Terence Edward's daughter).  They would ride horseback in the early days to the dances - 
neighboring barns - or halls - and play for those dances.  Sometimes they would make 
50 cents - other times a few dollars.  My grandfather also called square dances.  

I have many memories of going to sleep on benches lining a dance hall while my parents, 
my grandfather and other relatives played for dances.  Sometimes it seemed like the whole 
building would be moving.  Anyway, my dad's youngest brother, Ivan, Jr., and his wife, 
a cousin - Wayne Miller (a grandson of Hazel McGee) and a couple of other neighboring 
ranchers in N. Dak. have made a couple of records.  They call their band "The Wagoneers".  
They play all over N. Dak. and some in Montana.  In fact, we are going to see them 
play in Medora, N. Dak. on Dec. 3 of this year at the "Cowboy Christmas" gathering.  
 
As I said, most all are musical and most are self taught and do not read music.  

 
Just thought I would share with you.  
... Mardelle


Map of South Gloucester in 1879
Our Lady of the Visitation Church is shown on the property of Geo. J. O'Dougherty.
His name was actually John Doherty and he had donated the land for the Church.
Source: Extracted from Belden's 1879 Map of Gloucester Township



Other local names shown on the map are Doyle (the hill on Bank Street later became
known as Brian Doyle's Hill), or was it called Stephen Doyle's Hill?, Stackpole, 
Brown (the Orange Lodge is on the Brown farm),
Lee, our old friend Hugh McKenna, Fagan, O'Brien, Power, Downey, Sheehan, O'Neil, 
Hawkins, Roonet, Durney (Durning), Goth and Nolan. J. Blanch is probably James Blanchfield.

This area today is at the intersection of Bank Street (Highway 31) and 
Mitch Owens Drive. By 1879, South Gloucester was already commercially developed.
There is a blacksmith shop and store on Terrence McGee's farm. Frank McGee 
was the postmaster. One tavern is shown, although there were more than one
in the area. I believe that there was also a toll gate on Bank Street then.
(Mike Daley informs us that the toll gate was at Greely, just south of Gloucester
Township).
... Al
November 6, 2005:
Hi all,  Note of interest read this slow, Marriage ," John McEvoy," son of Edmond 
McEvoy and Catherine Kennedy, born 1807 Co, Kilkenny  married Feb. 8 ,1836, to Anastasia 
Powers, born 1811, Ireland, daughter of Richard Powers, and Bridgit Murphy, at St. 
Columban Church , St. Colomban , Province of Quebec,
 
(I think that St. Columban's was/is northeast of Montreal, not far from
Mirabel International Airport. It was part of one of the French seigneuries along
the north shore of the Ottawa River near Montreal. Some other families, besides the 
McEvoys, were there before coming to Bytown.  ... Al)

Mary, the following info was given to me by your Grandmother, 30 some years ago , 
[as you sat at the kitchen table, in your grandmother kitchen,]: 
Anastaia  Powers was a sister to James Powers, his wife Catherine Scullian, were the 
parents of Thomas Powers who married Mary McGee , Aug.22, 1869, daughter of 
Terrence McGee and Elleen Hughes,   

Mardelle, Mary McGee of which you write who died May 6 ,1870 [I stand to be corrected]
would be Mary Hughes ,wife of Patrick McGee,                
More McGees  Mary McGee wife of Patrick Dewan born 1828,daughter of Bernard McGee, 
and Briget Flanigan of [Co,Down Ireland],                                       

Al, Your first entry of Baptism was my Grandfathers mother Mary McGee , daughter of 
Patrick McGee and Mary Hughes,                   
Al ,there was a toll gate  on Bank street at Greely,     
Michael Daley
______________________

from Mary:
Mike, Thomas Powers parents were John Power and Catherine Nolan.  
The St. John's record of their marriage states them as his parents as well.  
They are buried at Gloucester in same tomb.  James, Anastasia and John may all be 
siblings as Anastasia is too old to be Thomas' sister.  Al's most recent records 
sent today certainly connect the Gloucester McGees with the ones from Osgoode too.
... Mary
______________________

Hi  to, AL, Mary,
Mary ,thanks for the correction, my mistake ,"not your grandmother's,   
two words to change in my article, James Power, to John Power. Catherine  Scullian, 
to Catherine Nolan,   I  still  maintain  your grandmother's statement , that her 
grandfather ,John Power ,[above] was a sister , to, Anastasia [Power] McEvoy , 
wife of John McEvoy ,  
This McEvoy line  is connected  to the Freshford  Parish, situated  6 miles or so, 
west or north west ,of the city of Kilkenny , Co, Kilkenny,     [my  apology's ] 
... Michael,  
P.S,  Anastasia , born ,1811 John Powers, 1899, close enough to be brother and sister  
_______________________
Mardelle: 
I think that the Frank McGee who was the postmaster at South Gloucester is mentioned
in the write-up for Gloucester Township included in Belden's 1879 Atlas of Carleton County.
... Al
November 22, 2005:

Hi All:  The following is a list of Terrence Edward McGee and Molly Dwyer's children:  
They had 7 children:
 
1.  John William McGee - born January 15, 1886 in Wisconsin - died April, 1928, in N. Dak.
2.  Elnora McGee - died in infancy - May 27, 1892 - Wisconsin.
3.  Nellie McGee - born 1888; died April 25, 1904, in Wisconsin.
4.  Edward McGee - born 1889; died March 14, 1904, in             Wisconsin.  
5.  Hazel Mae McGee - born Nov. 9, 1892, in Wisconsin; died Nov. 13, 1921, in North Dakota
6.  Douglas McGee - born 1895 in Wisconsin; died in 1950 in N. Dak.
7.  Ivan Clio McGee - born Sept. 3, 1898, in Wisconsin; died April 10, 1971, 
    in N. Dak. *(my grandfather)
 
Terrence Edward McGee and Maria "Molly" (sometimes referred to as "Mary") Dwyer were 
married in Wisconsin on Nov. 27, 1883.  Molly died on Sept. 21, 1901, in Wisconsin, of 
consumption.  Elnora, Nellie and Edward are buried beside her.  Nellie and Edward died 
of consumption, also.  In 1910, Terrence Edward took up a homestead in N. Dak. and 
brought his remaining children to N. Dak.
 
Hope this helps.  Mardelle
__________________________

Note: Four of us have been working on the McGee pioneer families at South Gloucester.
We have more info than is included on this page. Our research has branched out and
now includes Thomas D'Arcy McGee, Father of Confederation, and John Joseph McGee, Clerk
of the Privy Council from 1882 to 1907. Mardelle has written a book about the
ancestors and descendants of Terrence Edward McGee.
... Al
December 6, 2005:

Hi everyone - I am still working on this issue but thought you'd like to see a glimpse 
of the McGee's.  Mardelle - these are two more brothers and one sister of your 
Terrence Edward McGee.  I am still working on the resolution problem so these are 
not good enough quality that you can do anything with them.  I'll keep trying and 
will send a shot of Mary McGee tomorrow as well.  Although it is frustrating I'm 
learning a lot and having fun.  Let me know what you think.
... Mary Quinn

(Mary has larger, coloured photos of the following persons. 
... Al)

January 7, 2006:
Hi Mardelle - I was a little confused before and your book has clarified that 
the picture you sent which you called "Ed Junior" is actually a younger picture of 
Terrence Edward McGee.  This picture actually looks like a sketch - is it?  Or is 
it a photograph?  My curiosity is intrigued by the pencil sketches that the McGee's 
seemed to get done.  They are amazing quality yet are not signed.

I will later send the complete list of descendants of Mary McGee and Thomas Powers.  
I am enjoying the reading.  I wondered when you said that Terrence Edward's wife 
Molly died and is buried with her three children in Augusta, Wisconsin.  What happened 
to the three children??  Your book clarifies - can you imagine losing two children 
within such a short period of time?  Poor (Terrence) Edward ~ amazing he didn't 
remarry when he was widowed with such young children.
... Mary
January 9, 2006:
Hi Mary, Michael and Al:  To clarify, if I said "Ed Junior", I did mean Terrence 
Edward or Terrence, Jr.  Sorry to be so confusing.  Yes, that picture of him was 
taken from a pencil sketching that I am assuming was done in Wisconsin as there 
was one of Molly,also.  These hung in my grandpa and grandma's ranch house, along 
with their Marriage License (a copy of which is in the book) and a large colored 
sketching of Nellie McGee (their daughter).  After my grandpa and grandma died, 
these pictures remained hanging there until just a couple of years ago.  They had 
become water stained, but I took copies of them anyway - and I'm glad I did.  Yes, 
Terrence Edward did go through a lot of sorrow in his lifetime - losing 3 children 
and his wife and then moving to a strange land and trying to start over.  Those 
people had to be really strong I think.  I'm sure it took several months to become 
accustomed to a completely different way of life and a completely different country 
trying to make a home for his children!  I am going to forward to you a picture of 
his original homestead.  It is very dark but am hoping you can get a glimpse of it.  
This was just a shack he built when he first arrived and then later built a sod house.  
Some of his kids are standing beside the shack - the woman is Hazel, his daughter.  
 
... Mardelle


 October 23, 2007:

Thanks to Mary Quinn for the following poem regarding some of the early
McGees from South Gloucester who went to Wisconsin and North Dakota, USA.

The Badland McGees
 

In 1840 Terrence McGee and Ellen Hughes did marry

Raising a large family in early Canada was a little scary

The winters were cold ~ the hardships were many

But family values were strong and the love was plenty

 

Things in Ottawa were booming but jobs a little rare

Young (Terrence) “Ed” headed west ~ up for the dare

“Go west young man” was the call to their son Terrence

It was hard to leave behind brothers, sisters and parents

 

Ogdensburg the place, 1870 the year he hit that trail

Wisconsin had jobs and hardworking men couldn’t fail

“Ed” worked hard making his way in this new strange land

Longing for back home, depending on the work of his hand

 

Then one day he awoke the sun was shinning bright

Somehow today everything just seemed so right

And on his way to church he met this awesome dolly

Fell madly in love with the beautiful Miss Dwyer ~ Molly

 

Finally things in Wisconsin seemed more like home

Ed seemed to settle, less itch to ever again roam

(Terrence) Ed and Molly were married in November 1883

Settled in Eau Claire and there they started their new family

 

Ed and Molly were blessed with seven children over the years

They had ups and downs, lots of laughs, love and many tears

They cried when they lost a child, young Elnora in May of 1892

But the rest of the kids depended on them, many things to do

 

The oldest McGee boy was John.  He was born in 1886

Helped Ed at Northwestern Lumber making trees into sticks

Beautiful Nellie arrived in 1888, young Edward in 1889

Life in Wisconsin for Ed and Molly seemed to be real fine

 

Along came little Hazel in 1892 and boy was she a beauty

Tears of six months earlier dried when they saw this little cutie

Douglas in 1895, the stork brought baby Ivan in the year 1898

Life for the McGee’s in Wisconsin was tough but really great

 

Ed worked hard raising his Percheron horses ~ they were prize

Made many friends and was respected ~ considered very wise

Molly worked hard, kept the home and was generous and kind

A more beautiful family, loving and giving you would never find

 

Turn of the century blew into Augusta and things were going well

But a year later when the clouds welled up ~ darkness fell

Molly was sick and Ed tried to be strong but worried and was sad

Lost his sweetheart, the year 1901 and then things were really bad

 

He tried to go on, be positive, raise the kids and wear a smile

He was able to do it but his heart was truly broken all the while

Get the kids educated at Dells School, take them to church too

Family values he got in Canada made him do what he had to do

 

1904 was a bad year as sickness fell over much of the town

Ed’s house was not spared ~ TB was spreading all around

His namesake young Edward was taken in March 1904

April the grim reaper took Nellie as he knocked on their door

 

Ed went through the motions for the next few long years

Wear that smile, get things done and don’t show the fears

1910 he got that itch again and once more headed west

North Dakota was the place to settle ~ he thought it best

 

Packed the kids and family possessions onto the train car

Reaching Rhame North Dakota team and buggy took them afar

They settled on the relinquishment Ed had bought out there

Southwest of Rhame ~ “go west young man” ~ the dare

 

The tarpaper shack wasn’t the most inviting thing to see

Wisconsin seemed so sweet now but what will be, will be

                    John, Hazel, Douglas and Ivan helped their Dad to settle here
Family is best ~ they would build their own ~ the time near

 

The family ~ The Badland McGees was started this way

Hard work and perseverance keep them going to this day

Start small, work hard and build things up is the way it is done

Live, laugh, love and always remember to have loads of fun

 

1910 continues as John went back to Wisconsin for a while

He married his sweetheart Iva Kelly and he too had to smile

Their family started with Eunice, John, Allen, Clio, and Mary too

Then Poody, Laura, Elvis, and Lela was the baby of their crew

 

1911 sees Hazel choose Raymond Miller as her husband to be

And three boys ~ Melvin, Lyle and Vernon make up their family

Douglas McGee never married but lived in the Badlands too

The west Cowboy life ~ bronc riding was what he liked to do

 

The baby of Ed and Molly’s family was Ivan Clio McGee

In 1919 he picked Frances Stevens as his partner for life ~ you see

Boys ~ Morrell, Jiggs, Robert, and Jim are the start of their family

Marian, Patsy, Junior, and Betsyann continue their branch of the tree

 

The year 1922 brought an end to a chapter in the family book

Ed joined his sweet Molly in the heavens, down upon us they look

Canada to Wisconsin to the Badlands he spread the seeds around

And they spread more today ~ who knows where they can be found

 

A shot of whiskey, a fiddle, and a jig can make them laugh with glee

Irish roots can be the cause of this for the Badlands McGee family

There are many more generations that continue to grow to this day

Its very funny how it all started ~ Go west young man ~ you say!

 

 

Author - Mary Quinn

(Great Great Granddaughter of Mary McGee Powers)

(Ed McGee’s older sister who remained in Canada)