Page 22 - Giv'er Miramichi Magazine - Fall Giver 2024

Notable Miramichi Lads & Ladies

There Might be Someone You Know! Book Launch on October 12

By Johannes Bosma

Did you know that Charles Kirkland was born on
the Miramichi in 1841 and died at sea on April 15,
1912? Does that date ring a famous ocean liner’s bell?
Or, that Molly Gautreau, a longtime nurse and
honorary member of the Miramichi Royal Canadian
Legion Branch #10, danced with Joe Dimaggio and was
friends with Queen Elizabeth II and the Queen Mother?
Can you imagine the chances of a principal of a
four-classroom school in Douglastown, who later
became a lawyer in Chatham, serving as the 11th prime
minister of Canada from 1930 to 1935. RB Bennett’s
political career began when he was elected to the
original Chatham Town Council in 1896.
These and over 70 other stories about some very
interesting lads and ladies, either born and/or who
resided in Miramichi, are told in a new book entitled
Notable Miramichi Lads & Ladies, edited by Johannes Marguerite Curtis from Gray Rapids performed at dance
Bosma, to be launched on October 12, at Mill Cove halls from Miramichi to Carnegie Hall.
Coffee shop in Newcastle and at Creative Grounds
in Chatham. Morrisburg, ON, at Upper Canada Playhouse “a shining
Have you heard of Henrietta Ball, daughter of example of success on any scale.” Donnie Bowes grew
Florence Mary (Crocker) Ball who grew up on Pleasant up in Newcastle and passed on the dramatic torch to his
Street in Newcastle, NB? She graduated from Harkins nephew, Franky Corcoran.
Academy Senior High School in 1928 and then earned Across the river in Chatham was a man who boxed
a B.A. degree from Mount Allison University on her in the Canadian Army Middleweight Championship
way to a medical career. In 1938 she married and overseas and returned home to establish a professional
became a Lady after marrying a very well-known Sir. record of 25 wins and two losses as a light-heavyweight.
In addition, another Harkins graduate, who later Clyne Cassidy became the Maritime light-heavyweight
excelled in drama through acting, writing, directing and champion in 1947 and laid claim to the Canadian light-
producing, was to become responsible for the more than heavyweight crown before his retirement from the ring.
40,000 customers attending live theatre productions in Did you know that one of the greatest factors behind

22 www.GiverMiramichi.com Fall 2024