Thomas Marks, born 1833, and Margaret Farrell, parents of the seven Marks brothers, farmed at Christie Lake. Thomas Sr. was revered as a master storyteller and regarded as the strongest man in this part of Lanark County. His wife, Margaret was referred to as a “gifted” Irish lady. Their popularity may have influenced their sons in their choice of theatrical careers. Perth Museum Collection
The elder Marks also had ambitions unrelated to the agricultural profession. It appears he was a man of moderation in all things. “My father’s ambition,” noted Ernie, “was to be a commander of men or a general in the army. At the various bees he was a leader and organizer. Since he never drank very much he was usually in charge of the responsible jobs like putting on the corners of the barns. He also acted as peace-maker at the fights that arose.”6
Thomas Marks was held in high esteem by the residents of South Sherbrooke township, so much so, that when he ran for public office in the late 1860s, seeking a term as councillor, he polled the largest majority of votes ever recorded in the municipality. It would be nearly twenty years before he voluntarily relinquished the position. Throughout his life Thomas Marks remained conservative in his political convictions and was guided by his belief in the doctrines expounded by the Church of England.
Existing photographs, posters and playbills of the Marks Brothers depict them as handsome and robust individuals, who, with the exception of Tom and Ernie all sported luxurious handlebar mustaches. R.W. in describing Alex’s visage and demeanour paid him the ultimate compliment, “Alex was the living image of Lionel Barrymore.”7
History and personal recollections record that the brothers inherited their good looks, size, and complexion from their father; who stood well over six feet in height. He is also credited with bestowing upon them more than a liberal amount of his natural histrionic abilities.
Thomas Marks, by all accounts, was an excellent raconteur, and his fame as a storyteller was known throughout the township. On any given Sunday it was the rule, rather than the exception, to have at least a dozen neighbours appear on the doorstep waiting to hear him read aloud the latest edition of the Weekly Star or Family Herald. During the spring and summer months this attentive audience would sit on the verandah, while Thomas, nestled in a rocking chair, would recount the latest poultry-fattening methods or regale them with the latest fiction and current events. In the winter or inclement weather, the proceedings would move indoors where the congregation would sit at the kitchen table or cluster around the wood stove waiting anxiously to hear the next sentence. “I remember, when I was a youngster,” Tom Marks recalled in later years, “seeing as many as thirty horses tied in front of the house on Sunday. People would come from far and near to listen to my father. Most of them stayed all day and, though it never entered my head at the time, I’ve often wondered since, how we managed to feed them all.”8
Thomas Marks’ rare and unique sense of humour and reading ability resulted in numerous and enthusiastic neighbours camping on his threshold, all ready and willing to take advantage of his fine Irish hospitality. Had he not been as good a farmer as he was a storyteller, it is conceivable that his visitors would have eaten him out of house and home.
An article in the Perth Courier, August 2, 1951, refers to Margaret Farrell as “…this great Irish lady [who] brought into their Lanark County home, the soul of Ireland, its music and its laughter, its tenderness and its dreams. The family grew up under that inspiration. They did not have to seek elsewhere for entertainment.” Rather, the Marks’ home, presided over by Thomas and Margaret, became famous for hospitality and memories of song and family affection. When R.W. was considering his future following the auspicious meeting with King Kennedy in 1876, he undoubtedly knew there was a wealth of unexplained talent under one roof — his family
Even as grown men, the brothers accorded their father more than ample respect, especially when he was called upon to act as an adjudicator in settling family disputes or arguments; for his word was still law at Christie Lake. As noted earlier Thomas rarely drank alcoholic spirits, but such was not the case with the remaining male family members. Their excessive drinking habits were common knowledge and, in certain instances, well-publized events. Such was probably the case one summer’s afternoon when the normally sophisticated and sedate game of croquet suddenly erupted in mayhem. As the game progressed, we are told, tempers flared and voices were raised well above the level allowed within hearing distance of the elder Marks. Raucous behaviour was not, and would not, be tolerated in his presence. But unbeknown to the “combatants,” Thomas Sr. was watching the proceedings from the doorway of a nearby woodshed. When it became apparent that matters were deteriorating, he quietly stepped into the fray and, without a single word being uttered, peace was immediately restored.
Thomas Sr. could never afford the luxury of a formal education and he was determined that his offspring should not suffer a similar fate. Thus he insisted they attend the one-room schoolhouse (White’s School) that was located a short distance from the homestead. This institution was “the rock upon which all knowledge was founded” for many rural inhabitants, and such was its contribution to the educational system that only within the last two decades or so did it pass into oblivion. The standard of education in a one-room schoolhouse, was the cornerstone upon which the Marks brothers created an empire.
The Marks family posing for a photograph at the homestead in July 1895. John Jay had just recently returned from Alaska and Ernie was preparing to enter Perth Collegiate. From left to right: Alex, Tom, Olivia Mariah (Libby), Thomas Sr., Robert W., Margaret Farrell, Ellen Jane (Nellie), John, Joe, Ernie and McIntyre. Perth Museum Collection.
Following considerable success in the United States, Robert William and his troupe returned to Canada, initially establishing themselves in Renfrew, Ontario. Later, Christie Lake became their headquarters. Perth Museum Collection.
CHAPTER 3 CANADA BECKONS – 1882
By 1882, the Emma Wells Concert Company had reached New York City; completing its initial and only trans-continental tour of the United States. At this juncture in their careers R.W., Tom, Emma and Jennie were faced with several important decisions, not the least of which was finding a workable and viable formula that would allow the troupe to break new ground both in the theatrical and territorial sense. A solution to the dilemma was found – Canada beckoned.
The villages, towns and cities of the United States had provided the company with valuable stage exposure and enabled R.W. to hone his business acumen to a fine edge. The tour had provided the troupe with a sizeable nest egg, even though it had been one act in a company of many; for the Emma Wells Concert Company had aligned itself, as was the custom of the day, with a travelling road show under whose “umbrella” upwards of twenty individual artists and troupes had trekked across the countryside. Although this association had proven to be a very profitable one, R.W. had greater goals in mind.
In all probability, the Lanark County showmen had an ulterior motive in wanting to return to the land of their birth: homesickness – that psychological disease peculiar to the human race was no doubt taking its toll. Notwithstanding, common sense dictated that Canada was coming into its own as a “land of theatrical opportunities,” as numerous American-based troupes had already discovered. The Dominion, with its wide open spaces and diverse cultures, abounded with opportunities for the Marks Brothers and other enterprising touring companies. In the spring of 1883, the Emma Wells Concert Company found itself headquartered not at Christie Lake or even