STALKER

Robert was born in Clackmannan, Scotland on the 30th of November, 1804. Almost nothing is known about his early life, but by 1829, he was married to Janet Tanch, and making his living as a farmer. The two went on to have 6 children in Scotland, and in 1852, made the arduous journey from Scotland to the United States, landing first in New York, and then settling in Kansas. Robert passed away there on the 6th of August, 1871.

Robert and Janet's children:

Alexander Stalker, 1829 - 1912

James Stalker, 1833 - 1884

Robert Stalker, 1838 -

Janet Stalker, 1840 -

William Stalker, 1841 - 1923

John Stalker, 1844 -

Oh, Alexander. Alexander is the reason that I just assume anyone named "Stalker" must be a relative.  Born on the 21st of November, 1829, he attended school until he was 14, then learned the cabinet and boat making trades. At 18, he converted to Mormonism, and in 1848, moved to the United States. He spent a few years travelling the U.S., encouraging people to convert, and helping converts settle in Utah, while also visiting his family in Kansas. In the midst of his travels, he met and married Ortencia Smith, and the two settled in Idaho, becoming prosperous fruit farmers. 

For over a decade, he and Ortencia lived a very average and ordinary life, but all of that was to change in 1865, when he took a second wife, Emily Lovett. And, in 1868, and third wife, Ellen Foster. Between himself and his 3 wives, at least 20 children were born. The 1870 census incredibly lists all of his wives and children, and implies they all live together, though this is likely untrue; other records suggest each of Alexander's families had their own homes.

Alexander would eventually become a merchant and a member of the Idaho State Legislature. Both his life in politics and religion would be sources of controversy from time to time, and his legacy would be a complicated one. He passed away in March of 1912.

Alexander and Ortencia's children:

Alexander Robert Stalker, 1852 - 1922

Amanda Stalker, 1853 - 1919

Wallace Stalker, 1856 - 1936

Ortencia Ann Stalker, 1858 - 1879

James Tanch Stalker, 1859 - 1940

Sardius Stalker, 1862 - 1926

Willard Stalker, 1864 - 1941

Alma Smith Stalker, 1866 - 1934

Alvira Stalker, 1868 - 1931

Theresa Stalker, 1870 - 1958

Fanny Elizabeth Stalker, 1873 - 1937

Joseph Barnes Stalker, 1875 - 1965

Alexander and Emily's children:

Emily Stalker, 1869 - 1913

William Hyde Stalker, 1871 - 1943

Florence Stalker, 1872 - 1948

John Louis Stalker, 1875 - 1949

Walter Richard Stalker, 1877 - 1949

Alexander and Ellen's children:

George Foster Stalker, 1869 - 1940

Lorenzo Francis Stalker, 1872 - 1916

David Stalker, 1874 - 1947

George was born in Franklin, Idaho, on the 10th of September, 1869, the eldest son of Alexander and his third wife, Ellen. Little is known about his early life, but by 1897, he had married Sarah Easthope, and had a daughter and son before moving to what was then known as the Mountain View district of Alberta. There, they settled and George made his living as a rancher and trapper. He also worked as a missionary for the Church of Latter Day Saints, traveling to England at least once seeking converts. George passed away in Cardston, Alberta in 1940. 

George and Sarah's children:

Ellen Amelia Stalker, 1897 - 1919

David John Stalker, 1899 - 1993

George Alexander Stalker, 1904 - 1988

Effie Stalker, 1907 - 1979

Frank Douglas Stalker, 1911 - 1992

Wallace Brown Stalker, 1913 - 1985

Howard Stalker, 1916 - 1929

George was born in 1904, the third - but first-born in Canada - child of George and Sarah. In 1925, he married Dorothy Stalker, and the two went on to raise seven children on a farm near Taber, Alberta. In 1943, he enlisted with the Canadian Military and was placed in the 1st Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment as a Gunner. Upon his return, he continued to farm and worked for the United Farmers of Alberta. 

In their later years, George and Dorothy enjoyed traveling and spending time with their ever-growing family. I remember my great-grandparents as a fixture at most family events - from Christmases to the birthday parties of their many grand and great-grand children, they were always delighted to be there with us. George in particular was a friendly, charismatic man who loved talking to all of us kids. 

He passed away in 1988, and is buried in Mountain View Cemetery in Lethbridge, Alberta with Dorothy. 

George and Dorothy's children: 

Joyce Stalker, 1927 - 2019

Ruth Stalker, 1930 - 1967

Grant Stalker, 1932 - 2019

Donald Ray Stalker, 1932 - 

Douglas Reid Stalker, 1934 - 

Verna Stalker, 1940 - 

Lorna Stalker, 1948 - 

Joyce, or as I called her, Nana, was born on the 2nd of November, 1927, in Taber, Alberta.  Raised on a struggling farm during the Depression, Joyce developed a strong work ethic, and held a job for the majority of her life. In 1951, she married Frederick Harding, and the two raised four daughters in Lethbridge, Alberta. After Fred's passing, she spent many years working in a department store, but also spent a lot of time traveling, particularly after her retirement. She kept photo albums (which I am now fortunate enough to have) of her travels, and it would be easier to list the places she didn't visit than the places she did. Between her travels with large groups of friends, being a member of the Red Hat Society, and keeping active in her church, Joyce had a rich social life. She was also very much the matriarch of our family, regularly holding large family dinners, teaching us grandchildren valuable life skills (and some not so valuable things for fun - I challenge anyone to a game of mini-golf!), and, occasionally, laying down the law, even to the adults among us. Nana was kind but strict, knowledgeable and funny, deeply loyal and fiercely independent. Even near the end of her life, weakened by Parkinson's and dementia, she demanded she be dressed well, and reminisced about loved ones from half a century before. She passed away on the 21st of August, 2019, and is sorely missed.