Mrs. Hawke was born in St. Thomas 94 years ago - the eldest daughter of Thomas and Mrs. Drake; was educated in a seminary and among other studies was taught plain and fancy needlework which has given her much pleasure through the many years.

In 1856 she was married to the late Rev. William Hawke who died in Grimsby in 1881 while in charge of the Methodist church.

Mrs. Hawke's grandfather was given a large tract of land by Col. Talbot for services in the war of 1812, and St. Thomas now stands on most of the land inherited by her father. A hedge which grew near her home may still be seen in Pinafore Park. She has many tales to tell of the "Queens bush" and the wild animals and of the Indians who were mostly friendly, though terrifying to her as a child.

She well remembers when a child of 6 or 7 hearing that the King was dead and that a young girl had come to the throne - Queen Victoria.

The first railway ran through her father's farm and there was great excitement when the first train steamed into St. Thomas. After her marriage Mrs. Hawke lived in western Ontario where Rev. Hawke filled many important charges.

Mrs. Hawke still spends many hours a day with her fancy needlework to the benefit of her many friends and relatives. At the Toronto Exhibition this year she was the oldest exhibitor and won a special prize with a bed spread made during the winter. Her untiring labor of love has no doubt much to do with her longevity.

There are four children still living, Miss Bessie Hawke of Weston-Super-mere, England, Mrs. C.H. Bishop of Toronto, A.F.Hawke of the A.F. Hawke Company of Grimsby, and Mrs. R.M. Hazelwood of Grimsby. A son, the Rev. F.H. Hawke, D.D., died recently in Colorado.