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-21- event 50 years ago when as a graduate of Knox College was stationed at Neche, N.D. and met his bride, Grace surrey of Cayuga, Ontario at the home of hr. & hrs. A. Robertson in Keewatin (now Kenora) where they were married. During their ministerial work they served the master at Neche, N.D., Wyevale, Bracksden, Blytheswood, Harrow, wellesley, Cape Croker and Damascus. HISTORY OF PURPLE VALLEY STORE AND Fdin Mr. & Mrs. Antoine Charbonneau of Londesborough were among the first Purple Valley settlers. They came to the store property at that time almost all bush and owned by hr. fiat Fennell. They purchased the lot in 1867 and erected a log house. At this time their family consisted of Thomas (10 yrs; Margaret, Bella, Joseph and Willie who died when quite young, a nephew, Robert Haggard who was adopted and raised as their own. A sturdy, honest and industrious family, they cleared the farm and erected a frame house which still stands on the property. Mr. Charbonneau was seized with a heart attack while attending a political meeting and died almost instantly in the year 1890. Mrs. Charbonneau had previous to this started a small grocery store, her original capital, being dlo0.o0, the first wages of their son Joe. Mrs. Charbonneau still carried on the business. After 1900 the west lured Thomas, Joseph and Robert westward. Her daughters were married so hrs. Charbonneau went west to visit her sons. There she met hr. Malcom ucnillan who later came to Purple Valley and they were married. The grocery business had grown into a store and about the year 1900 Mr. & hrs. Mchillan erected the store and dwelling on its present site and rented the farm to hr. & hrs. Chas. Gilbert Sr. for a term of four years. hr. Dick Hooey then rented the farm for a term. Then hr. & Mrs. Robert Crawford bought the farm. hr. & hrs. Percy Trout rented the store for a few years then moved west; Mr. & mrs. hchillan taking the business over again in 1913. She rented the store building to hr. & Mrs. Chas. H. Gilbert who bought the store stock and prove it a prospering business. About 1935 they bought the farm from Mr. Crawford and in 1946 are owners of store and farm. hr. & Mrs. hchillan retired to the farm of Jas hacLean. They lived to a good old age and their passing was sincerely mourned. (hr. Fennell probably purchased Lot 24 Con. 13 frOn the Crown Lands). In December 1952 new windows were installed for which there was a dedication service conducted by Rev. P. H. hawson of Tara, Ontario.