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Herbert Lincoln Clarke was born in Woburn, Massachusetts on September 12, 1867. He moved with his family to Toronto in 1880. Since his father was the organist at the Jarvis St. Baptist Church and his three older brothers played with the Regimental Band of the Queen's Own Rifles, it was not surprising that the young Clarke showed an interest in music. He himself said in his autobiography, How I Became a Cornetist, that it was growing up "in a musical environment that played a large part in turning me to the musically artistic as a life profession". In September of 1889 he married Elizabeth (Lizzie) Loudon, with whom he had two children: Vivian (Grace) in 1890 and James (Edward James Watkin) in 1892. In the spring of 1892, he left Canada once again, after successfully auditioning for the Gilmore Band. It was during this period that he divorced Lizzie Loudon and married Lillian Bell Hause, with whom he had two more children, Ruby Bell and Herbert L. Clarke, Jr. In 1898 he returned to Sousa's band, with whom he toured extensively, and later became Sousa's assistant director, conducting the band in many recording sessions.

Dick Lewis (Richard Garwood, R.G. Lewis) Born in 1883, Dick Lewis was a humorist and statistician, contributed humorous pieces on a regular basis to Esquire magazine. In 1939, he married Betty (30) at the age of 56.

Betty Davison (nee Elizabeth Mary Gertrude Young) was a Canadian artist born in Ottawa in 1909. She died in 2000. Davison married a fellow actor, Richard (Dick) Lewis in 1939. Dick was a widower with four children who was 26 years her senior. Two years later they had twin daughters, Mary and Martha. He died a year after their birth, and in order to support her family Davison took portrait commissions as well as eventually returning to a paying job as a secretary at the Department of External Affairs. In 1952 she married the architect Arthur Davison, a fellow actor at the Ottawa Little Theatre.

John Lewis was the father of three children, and had many interests. His family have proudly shared a number of his works. Check out the Highlights section of this website to see various sections about him and his various works.

After graduating from U of T in aeronautical engineering and returning for his MSc., William spent the early part of his career as meteorologist at the Met Office in Goose Bay, Labrador. Following short stints in Ottawa and Belleville, Bill spent four years as Wing Commander of the Air Force Base in Metz, France. He travelled widely with his family during this time, taking advantage of rare opportunities to visit Paris, Germany, Italy, Spain, Austria and Switzerland. Upon returning to Canada, the family spent a year in Trenton before returning to Ottawa, Bill's home town. Following retirement, he was pleased to find more time to indulge in his hobbies of watch- making, pottery and his lifelong love of downhill skiing as well as in his passions for bridge and antique auctions, that he shared with his wife Eileen. William was rarely idle and instilled much of his love of learning and curiosity about "things" in his son and daughter. His sense of humor and positive outlook on life made him great company. Bill spent many wonderful summers showing family and friends a good time while enjoying the beautiful surroundings at his beloved cottage on Papineau Lake before his unfortunate illness made it necessary to give up this carefree lifestyle.

Nancy Grace Lewis Robson was born in Ottawa in 1925 and passed away peacefully in Calgary, Alberta on July 20, 2009. She attended Queen’s University to receive her Bachelor of Science degree and subsequently married Bill Robson (William Taylor), moved to Western Canada and had five awesome children who have figured out how to build and share this website. Nancy lived a very full life raising her children while working part-time as a lab technician and figure skating judge. After her foray to Libya and subsequent divorce, she reinvented her life, moving to Saturna Island, B.C., completing a Fine Arts degree and creating many beautiful paintings you can find in the Gallery. She has been an inspiration to all of us!

Leigh is the eldest child of Nancy Grace Lewis, and William Taylor Robson. She is married to Philip Hobbs and has 2 children, Dylan and Carly (Brewster). She also has 2 grandchildren, Amy and Waylon Brewster. Leigh spent a few years after high school getting her BPE degree at the University of Calgary, Beauticians License, and then took night classes at U of C to earn her Accounting Certification. After working at the same company where her sister, Joan later worked, she moved to Prince George, B.C., where her husband had a job opportunity. She found a Controller position within a vehicle leasing company, and soon became involved in the squash, skiing and belly dancing communities. Leigh plans to retire soon, says she hopefully, but still enjoys the day to day mental stimulation. Her husband retired a few years ago, and devotes his spare time to making and selling stained glass projects. When Leigh takes time off, she enjoys riding her Harley, golfing, travelling and making wine. Her current passion is learning how to quilt. She admires her sisters for starting this website, and devoting much time and energy to this project. You rock!

Phil Hobbs is the husband of Leigh Hobbs, eldest daughter of Nancy Robson. He grew up in Calgary where they met each other and subsequently were married in 1978. He worked at Federal Pioneer for 10 years as a sales representative until he moved his wife and 2 children, Dylan and Carly to Prince George, BC. He opened an indoor golf business, Par T Golf where he began his love for the frustrating sport. The business closed in 1997 and he began working for Shaw Cable, until he retired in 2008. During his retirement he golfs in the summer and works on his stained glass projects during the LONG winter months.

Noni is the middle child of five children of Nancy Grace Lewis and William Taylor Robson. She grew up in Calgary Alberta with her siblings and parents, but the Pacific ocean called her. In 1973 after attending Mount Royal College she moved to Victoria in 1973 and loved her life there. She attended Camosun College and obtained her Licenced Practical Nursing Diploma and moved from Victoria to Prince Rupert, back to Vancouver, and again to Victoria. She married Robert James Belland, and had three children, Emerson James, Robert Benjamin Taylor and Lauren Joan. In 1987 just before Lauren was born, they moved to Hamilton, Montana USA where Bob had a PhD position at NIH. After several years in Hamilton, they divorced. Subsequently Noni met her present partner, Colleen Stimpson, and they moved to Canada, and now reside in Kimberley, BC. Alternative health modalities sparked an interest in a more diverse career. Noni completed courses from the Alternative Medicine College of Canada and is a Reiki Master, as well as having taken a professional photography course from New York Institute of Photography. She also continued her studies in ophthalmology. She has always been active in nordic skiing, kayaking, hiking, cycling, anything to do with being outside in nature. She is retired from health care now and enjoying her life in Kimberley, BC. Noni enjoys her weekly zoom calls with her siblings that have developed over the pandemic, and thanks them profusely for starting this website for our families, past and present!

Joan is the youngest of five children of Nancy Grace Lewis Robson and William Taylor Robson. She is married to Tom Clark, and has two wonderful children, Lyndsay and Chase. Joan’s education and work experience led her down the management path after a brief stop at Art College. She spent many years managing the operations for a drafting supply company (back when you did manual drafting). She then moved onto work for various public service institutions, and realized her passion for public service. Joan retired in 2019 after 20+ years with the City of Calgary, split between the Transit and the Water Departments. Joan’s other passions include cats, gnomes and travel. Her passion for travel began in her younger years when her parents moved to Libya. Her favourite destination is Europe, with Italy topping the list. Joan and Tom are looking forward to enjoying more adventures especially to visit family and friends.