John Elmslie Gibbon was a grocer who was at 1839 Morton Avenue in 1915; 1899 Beach Avenue from 1915 to 1918; and 1839 Morton Avenue in 1919.
Early Life
John Elmslie Gibbon was born in Elora, Ontario, on July 1, 1866 (some sources say 1870). His parents were George Elmslie Gibbon and Elspeth Donald.
In 1891, John was living near Sundridge, Ontario.
To British Columbia
In 1901, John was in the Kootenay district of British Columbia.
By 1906, he was operating the Hedley Hotel in Hedley, British Columbia.
Marriage to Eliza Hewitt
On February 14, 1906, in Greenwood, British Columbia, John married Eliza Emma Hewitt. She was born in Ottawa, Ontario, on February 9, 1878. According to the marriage certificate, her parents were Samuel Hewitt and Annie Cook. She had been living in Grenfell, Saskatchewan.
The Yahk Hotel
In 1907, John and Emma moved to Yahk, British Columbia, where they operated the Yahk Hotel.
By 1909, John appeared on the list of people whose names were removed from the list of voters in the Smilkameen Electoral District.
![Hedley Gazette, April 22, 1909, page 3; https://open.library.ubc.ca/collections/bcnewspapers/xhedley/items/1.0179711#p2z-5r0f [edited image].](https://westendvancouver.files.wordpress.com/2016/03/john-emslie-gibbon-list-of-voters-hedley-gazette-april-22-1909-page-3.jpg)
A significant source of income for the hotel came from selling alcohol, which required an annual licence from the province of British Columbia.
In 1910, John applied to transfer the Yahk Hotel’s liquor licence to Benjamin Joseph Riley.
Ben Riley was born in Ontario on March 6, 1864. It appears that he did not marry. By 1911, Ben was operating the Yahk Hotel on his own.
Ben later ran the hotel with Hattie Larson.
Ben operated the Yahk Hotel throughout much of the 1920s, 1930s and 1940s. He died in Cranbrook, British Columbia, on November 27, 1948. He was buried in the Cranbrook Cemetery.
The Yahk Hotel later became known as the Horny Owl Saloon, although it eventually went out of business. The building has been unoccupied for many years.
John and Emma Briefly in Penticton
In the 1911 Canada census, John and Emma were living in Penticton, British Columbia. John was running a restaurant.
John and Emma in Vancouver
John first appeared in the Vancouver directories in 1912. He was a merchant, living at 2566 West Fifth Avenue.
![Henderson’s Greater Vancouver Directory, 1912, part 1, page 787 [edited image]](https://westendvancouver.files.wordpress.com/2016/03/john-e-gibbon-henderson_s-greater-vancouver-directory-1912-part-1-page-787.jpg)
Later, John and Emma had a series of grocery stores in the West End and on the West Side of Vancouver. They were at the following addresses.
| 1912 to 1914 | 2566 West Fifth Avenue |
| 1915 | 1839 Morton Avenue |
| 1916 to 1917 | 1899 Beach Avenue (grocery); living at number 501, 1154 Gilford Street |
| 1918 | 1899 Beach Avenue (grocery); living at number 5, 2046 Beach Avenue |
| 1919 | 1899 Beach Avenue (grocery); living at 3433 Balfour Avenue |
| 1920 | 3389 Balfour Avenue (grocery and residence); surname listed as “Gibbons” |
| 1925 to 1943 | 3433 West 22nd Avenue (grocery); living at 3461 West 22nd Avenue most years |
In 1918, their grocery store was robbed, along with several other West End businesses. The robbers would pick a target, then steal a car, break into the target, and drive away with the stolen goods. The police arrested the robbers, who faced numerous charges in court.
After 1919, John and Emma lived on the West Side of Vancouver. They stayed in the grocery business from the 1920s until the mid-1940s.
John died in Vancouver on January 4, 1944. He was buried in Ocean View Burial Park in Burnaby, British Columbia.
Emma died in Vancouver on October 12, 1966.
John and Emma did not have children of their own. They did adopt a girl, who was the daughter of Emma’s niece.
Shirley Ann Gibbon
Shirley Ann Gibbon was born in Vancouver about 1918. Her mother was Laura Ethel Copeland (later Bernstein) (1895-1962).
Shirley married William Lorne Whittaker (often called “Lorne”). Lorne was born on April 18, 1918, in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. His father was William James Whittaker (1890-1966). His mother was Alice Caverhill Ross (1894-1963).
Lorne died in Chilliwack, British Columbia, on July 25, 1992.
Shirley died in Richmond, British Columbia, on January 1, 1999.
Lorne and Shirley had two children: Donald Whittaker; and Sharon Whittaker (who was married to Rusty Stevens).
Sources
George Elmsie Gibbon (father of John Elmslie Gibbon)
George Elmslie Gibbon + Elsbeth Donald, http://waltongeni.com/famtree/family.php?famid=F201&ged=walton.ged
George Elmslie Gibbon (1840-1915); http://waltongeni.com/famtree/individual.php?pid=I662&ged=walton.ged
Elspeth (Elizabeth) Donald (mother of John Elmslie Gibbon)
Elsbeth Donald (1840-1874), http://waltongeni.com/famtree/individual.php?pid=I663&ged=walton.ged
“Canada Census, 1871,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M4Q4-39P : accessed 20 March 2016), Elspeth Gibbon, Kincardine, South Bruce, Ontario, Canada; citing p. 55, line 4; Library and Archives Canada film number C-9935, Public Archives, Ottawa, Ontario; FHL microfilm 4,396,334.
John Elmslie Gibbon
John Gibbon (born about 1867); http://waltongeni.com/famtree/individual.php?pid=I667&ged=walton.ged&tab=0
“Canada Census, 1871,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M4Q4-39R : accessed 20 March 2016), John Gibbon in household of Elspeth Gibbon, Kincardine, South Bruce, Ontario, Canada; citing p. 55, line 7; Library and Archives Canada film number C-9935, Public Archives, Ottawa, Ontario; FHL microfilm 4,396,334.
“Canada Census, 1891,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MWL2-22F : accessed 20 March 2016), John Gibbon, Joly and Strong and Sundridge, Muskoka and Parry Sound, Ontario, Canada; Public Archives, Ottawa, Ontario; Library and Archives Canada film number 30953_148157. (possible connection)
“Canada Census, 1901,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KHVG-3FK : accessed 20 March 2016), John Gibbon in household of Henry B Madden, H, Yale & Cariboo, British Columbia, Canada; citing p. 10, Library and Archives of Canada, Ottawa; http://automatedgenealogy.com/census/View.jsp?id=62038&highlight=20&desc=1901+Census+of+Canada+page+containing+John+Gibbon
“British Columbia Marriage Registrations, 1859-1932; 1937-1938,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:JDD9-9MB : accessed 20 March 2016), John Gibbon and Emma Hewitt, 14 Feb 1906; citing Greenwood, British Columbia, Canada, British Columbia Archives film number B11385, Vital Statistics Agency, Victoria; FHL microfilm 1,983,978.
“Recensement du Canada de 1911,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QV95-7WXX : accessed 20 March 2016), John E Gibbon, 1911; citing Census, Yale and Cariboo Sub-Districts 1-54, British Columbia, Canada, Library and Archives of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario; FHL microfilm 2,417,664.
“Sent Up For Trial; George Cave Has Four Charges of Breaking into Premises,” Vancouver World, June 28, 1918, page 23: “George Cave was committed for trial by Magistrate Shaw on four charges of breaking and entering business premises in the city. The accused, who was defended by Mr. Mellish, pleaded not guilty when informations in connection with robberies at the Esplanade tea rooms, Lee’s tea rooms, Gardener & Davey’s grocery and Gibbon’s grocery store, were read. An alleged accomplice incriminated Cave in these robberies, stating in cross examination by Mr. Mellish that the accused was one of three youths, of which the witness was the second, who were implicated in the burglaries. The modus operandi, he said, was to pick out a likely store, then steal an automobile, break into the place and cart the goods away. The witness, who is under the age of 18, and is therefore held for trial at the juvenile court, told of the manner in which they broke into the various places, his evidence, in each case, showing that the accused Cave was one of the prime movers in the thefts. Several charges of stealing automobiles which have been laid against Cave will be allowed to stand pending the burglary trials in the higher court.”
“British Columbia Death Registrations, 1872-1986; 1992-1993”, database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FL2P-NZ8 : accessed 20 March 2016), John Elmslie Gibbon, 1944.
“John Elmslie Gibbon,” obituary, Vancouver Province, January 6, 1944, page 6:
“Funeral services for John Elmslie Gibbon, 78, retired grocer, of 3433 West Twenty-second, will be held on Friday at 3:30 p.m. in Simmons and McBride Chapel with Rev. Hugh M. Rae officiating. Interment will be in Ocean View Burial Park.
Mr. Gibbon was born in Ontario and had lived in B.C. for 46 years, 33 of which had been spent in Vancouver.
Surviving are his wife; a daughter, Mrs. Shirley Whittaker, Vancouver, and a brother and sister in Ontario.”
John Elmslie Gibbon, death notice, Vancouver Province, January 5, 1944, page 17; Vancouver Sun, January 5, 1944, page 15; Vancouver Sun, January 6, 1944, page 15: “Gibbon—Passed away Jan. 4, 1944, John Elmslie Gibbon, 3433 West 22nd Ave., in his 78th year. Survived by his loving wife; 1 daughter, Mrs. Shirley Whittaker, Vancouver; 1 brother, George Gibbon, Noble, Ont., and a sister, Miss Jennie Gibbon, Sundridge, Ont. Funeral service Friday at 3:30 p.m. in Simmons & McBride Funeral Chapel, Rev. Hugh M. Rae officiating. Interment Ocean View Burial Park.”
Samuel Hewitt (father of Emma Hewitt)
“Canada Census, 1881,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MVX8-1HY : accessed 20 March 2016), Samuel Hewitt, Goulbourn, Carleton, Ontario, Canada; citing p. 11; Library and Archives Canada film number C-13231, Library and Archives Canada, Ottawa, Ontario; FHL microfilm 1,375,867.
“Canada Census, 1891,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MW5Y-VL2 : accessed 20 March 2016), Samuel Hewitt, Qu’Appelle, Assiniboia East, Territories, Canada; Public Archives, Ottawa, Ontario; Library and Archives Canada film number 30953_148228.
Catherine (Annie) Cook (mother of Emma Hewitt)
“Canada Census, 1881,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MVX8-1HB : accessed 20 March 2016), Catharine Hewitt in household of Samuel Hewitt, Goulbourn, Carleton, Ontario, Canada; citing p. 11; Library and Archives Canada film number C-13231, Library and Archives Canada, Ottawa, Ontario; FHL microfilm 1,375,867.
“Canada Census, 1891,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MW5Y-VLL : accessed 20 March 2016), Catherine Hewitt, Qu’Appelle, Assiniboia East, Territories, Canada; Public Archives, Ottawa, Ontario; Library and Archives Canada film number 30953_148228.
Eliza Emma Hewitt (wife of John Elmslie Gibbon)
“Canada Census, 1881,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MVX8-1C9 : accessed 20 March 2016), Eliza E. Hewitt in household of Samuel Hewitt, Goulbourn, Carleton, Ontario, Canada; citing p. 12; Library and Archives Canada film number C-13231, Library and Archives Canada, Ottawa, Ontario; FHL microfilm 1,375,867.
“Canada Census, 1891,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MW5Y-VL5 : accessed 20 March 2016), Eliza Hewitt, Qu’Appelle, Assiniboia East, Territories, Canada; Public Archives, Ottawa, Ontario; Library and Archives Canada film number 30953_148228.
“Canada Census, 1901,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KHVG-SNT : accessed 20 March 2016), Ema Hewitt in household of Charles Barton, I, Yale & Cariboo, British Columbia, Canada; citing p. 3, Library and Archives of Canada, Ottawa.
“Recensement du Canada de 1911,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QV95-7WXF : accessed 20 March 2016), Emma Gibbon in entry for John E Gibbon, 1911; citing Census, Yale and Cariboo Sub-Districts 1-54, British Columbia, Canada, Library and Archives of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario; FHL microfilm 2,417,664.
“British Columbia Death Registrations, 1872-1986; 1992-1993”, database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FLT1-ZQY : accessed 20 March 2016), Eliza Emma Gibbon, 1966.
Emma Gibbon, death notice, Vancouver Province, October 13, 1966, page 26; Vancouver Sun, October 13, 1966, page 54: “Gibbon—On October 12, 1966, in hospital, Emma Gibbon, widow of John E. Gibbon. Mrs. Gibbon was a member of the Women’s Benefit Association Review No. 9, and a member of Dunbar Heights United Church. Survived by 1 daughter, Mrs. Lorne (Shirley) Whittaker, 2 grandchildren. Funeral service Friday, October 14, at 1:30 p.m. in T. Edwards Memorial Chapel, Granville at 10th Avenue, Rev. Dr. Hugh M. Rae officiating followed by cremation. Flowers gratefully declined.”
Shirley Ann Gibbon (daughter of John Elmslie Gibbon)
Ancestry.ca: Shirley Gibbon Whittaker; photograph; attached to Shirley Anne Gibbon Whittaker (1918-1999)
Ancestry.ca: Adoptive mom Eliza Emma Gibbon Shirley Gibbon Laura Ethel Bernstein (birth mother); attached to Shirley Anne Gibbon Whittaker (1918-1999).
Ancestry.ca: Laura Ethel Copeland Bernstein (1895-1962)
Annie Ellen Hewitt (1873-1917); http://www.ancestry.ca/genealogy/records/annie-ellen-hewitt_106842817: “Born in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada on 27 May 1873. Annie Ellen married Thomas Copeland and had 8 children. She passed away on 8 Jun 1917 in Calgary, Alta.”
Thomas Copeland (1868-1945); http://www.ancestry.ca/genealogy/records/thomas-copeland_92895887: “Born in Dundalk, Ontario, Canada on 28 Jan 1868 to James Copeland and Arabella Timmins. Thomas married Annie Ellen Hewitt and had 8 children. Thomas married Emily Frances Hedley. He passed away on 14 Feb 1945 in Calgary, Alta.”
Laura Ethel Copeland (1895-1962), http://www.ancestry.ca/genealogy/records/laura-ethel-copeland_50178368?geo_a=r&o_iid=41015&o_lid=41015&o_sch=Web+Property: Born in Grenfell, Saskatchewan, Canada on 28 Aug 1895 to Thomas Copeland and Annie Ellen Hewitt. Laura Ethel married George Bernstein. She passed away on 12 Apr 1962. Parents: Thomas Copeland (1868-1945); Annie Ellen Hewitt (1873-1917); Spouse: George Bernstein.
“British Columbia Death Registrations, 1872-1986; 1992-1993”, database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FLKN-BZP : accessed 20 March 2016), Davie Louis Bernstein, 1922 (possible brother of Shirley Anne Gibbon).
Manitoba Birth Registrations; Registration Number: 1894-002745; Alice Caverhill Ross; date of birth: November 14, 1894; place of birth: Winnipeg; mother: Jeannett Anderson.
Manitoba Birth Registrations; Registration Number: 1890-001430; William James Whittaker; date of birth: July 11, 1890; place of birth: Winnipeg; mother: Eliza Thompson.
Ancestry.ca: Royal Canadian Mint, Winnipeg; attached to Alice Caverhill (Ross) Whittaker (1894-1963).
“British Columbia Death Registrations, 1872-1986; 1992-1993”, database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FLTN-QVG : accessed 20 March 2016), Alice Caverhill Whittaker, 1963.
“British Columbia Death Registrations, 1872-1986; 1992-1993”, database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FLTY-W1S : accessed 20 March 2016), William James Whittaker, 1966.
“British Columbia Death Registrations, 1872-1986; 1992-1993”, database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QK6P-VNQK : accessed 20 March 2016), William Lorne Whittaker, 1992.
British Columbia Death Registrations; Registration Number: 1992-09-013975; William Lorne Whittaker; age 74; date of death: July 25, 1992; place of death: Chilliwack; http://search-collections.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/Genealogy/DisplayGenealogyImage?k=d655d2cb-5393-41d3-9194-0b1a9d16ce7b; medical certificate of death: http://search-collections.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/Genealogy/DisplayGenealogyImage?k=33c747c7-8507-4fb6-b5aa-9dbafc046bec.
Shirley Anne Whittaker, death notice, Vancouver Province, January 8, 1999, page E2; Vancouver Sun, January 8, 1999, page B4; Vancouver Sun, January 10, 1999, page E4: “Whittaker—Shirley Anne passed away suddenly January 1, 1999 in Richmond, age 80. Predeceased by husband Lorne. Survived by daughter Sharon (Rusty) Stevens of Prince George; son Donald and two grandsons. No service by her request. In lieu of flowers, donations to Richmond General Hospital appreciated.”
Yahk, British Columbia
Yahk, British Columbia, History, D.M. Wilson, http://www.crowsnest-highway.ca/cgi-bin/citypage.pl?city=YAHK: “In 1905 the King Lumber Company set up a milling operation at Ryan, about 10 kilometres back up the Railway towards Cranbrook. King logged the Moyie valley—incidentally clearing the townsite of Yahk—and perhaps laid in a narrow gauge railroad to get at the timber up in the Hawkins Creek valley to the east. The year that King moved in, Mr. and Mrs. Gibbons either erected, or bought brand-new, the Yahk Hotel.”
Yahk, Vanishing British Columbia, Michael Kluckner, http://www.michaelkluckner.com/bciw5yahk.html.
Horny Owl Saloon, Yahk, British Columbia, 2014; Panoramio; http://www.panoramio.com/photo/111789821.
Benjamin Joseph Riley (hotel operator in Yahk)
“Recensement du Canada de 1911,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QV9P-TMPF : accessed 20 March 2016), Benjainian Riley, 1911; citing Census, Kootenay Sub-Districts 1-61, British Columbia, Canada, Library and Archives of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario; FHL microfilm 2,417,659.
1921 Canada Census, Benjamin Joseph Riley; Reference Number: RG 31; Folder Number: 15; Census Place: Cranbrook, Kootenay East, British Columbia; Page Number: 1; Ancestry.com. 1921 Census of Canada [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2013.
“Idaho, Eastport, Arrival Manifests, 1924-1956,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KF6W-SK1 : accessed 20 March 2016), Benjamin J Riley, 1936; citing Immigration, Eastport, Idaho, United States, NARA microfilm publication A3460 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).
“Idaho, Eastport, Arrival Manifests, 1924-1956,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KF6W-S2M : accessed 20 March 2016), Benjamin Joseph Riley, 1941; citing Immigration, Eastport, Idaho, United States, NARA microfilm publication A3460 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).
“British Columbia Death Registrations, 1872-1986; 1992-1993”, database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FLPV-YSL : accessed 20 March 2016), Benjamin Joseph Riley, 1948.
“Find A Grave Index,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QVLX-MH17 : accessed 20 March 2016), Benjamin Joseph Riley, 1948; Burial, Cranbrook, East Kootenay Regional District, British Columbia, Canada, Cranbrook Catholic Cemetery; citing record ID 97561855, Find a Grave, http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=97561855.
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