STALKER
History
The Stalker surname is interesting to research. While the name itself seems to come from a hunting term (the ability to stalk or stealthily follow prey), its true origins as a surname are muddied by the fact that the Scottish Stalker clan was likely a sept of another clan. Most sources point to the MacFarlane clan, but the name has been associated with a few different clans, and may have even been a clan unto itself at some point.
Robert Stalker
1657 - Unknown
Robert was born around 1657 in Scotland, and married Jean Scobie at about 20 years of age. And that's pretty well all we know. Records from that long ago are scarce, but Scotland has, thankfully, long kept birth and baptism records, and that is how we know the names and birthdates of Robert and Jean's children.
Robert and Jean's children:
Sources:
Robert and Jean's children:
- Ann Stalker, b. 1681
- Mary Stalker, b. 1683
- Agnes Stalker, b. 1685
- Christian Stalker, b. 1688
- Elizabeth Stalker, b. 1688
- William Stalker, b. 1690, d. 1771
Sources:
- Scotland Births and Baptisms, 1564-1950
William Stalker
1690 - 1771
William was born in Stirling, Scotland in 1690, the youngest known child of Robert and Jean. In 1718, he married Janet Morrison, and the two went on to have five known children (a sixth is sometimes mentioned, but no first name has ever appeared). Janet passed away in 1735, and William in 1771.
William and Janet's children:
Sources:
William and Janet's children:
- Euphain Stalker, b. 1719
- Anne Stalker, b. 1722
- Janet Stalker, b. 1724
- William Stalker, b. 1730
- Robert Stalker, b. 1733
Sources:
- Scotland Marriages, 1561-1910
- Scotland Births and Baptisms, 1564-1950
Robert Stalker
1733 - Unknown
Robert was born in 1733, the youngest known son of William and Janet. In 1760, he married Janet Hunter, and the two moved to Clackmannan, Scotland. While family research, as well as known birth trends at the time, indicate they likely had several children, solid sources can only be found for one. It is not known when Robert or Janet died.
Robert and Janet's children:
Sources:
Robert and Janet's children:
- Alexander Stalker, b. 1771
Sources:
- Scotland Marriages, 1561-1910
- Scotland Births and Baptisms, 1564-1950
Alexander Stalker
1771 - Unknown
Alexander was born in 1771, the only known child of Robert and Janet. In the late 1790s, he married Helen Marshal, and the two raised eight children in Clackmannan. It is not known when Alexander or Helen died.
Alexander and Helen's children:
Sources:
Alexander and Helen's children:
- Margaret Stalker, b. 1798
- Carolina Stalker, b. 1799
- James Stalker, b. 1802
- Robert Stalker, b. 1804, d. 1871
- William Stalker, b. 1809
- John Stalker, b. 1811
- Helen Stalker, b. 1813
- Alexander Stalker, b. 1816
Sources:
- Scotland Births and Baptisms, 1564-1950
Robert Stalker
1804 - 1871
Robert was born in 1804, the fourth child of Alexander and Helen. In his early 20s, he married Janet Tanch (apparently every woman in Scotland at the time was named Janet). The two raised six children in Clackmannan, many of whom would later settle in the United States. It is with Robert and Janet that we see the Stalker family go from being exclusively Scottish, to American and, later, Canadian. Robert died in 1871.
Robert and Janet's children:
Sources:
Robert and Janet's children:
- Alexander Stalker, b. 1829, d. 1912
- James Stalker, b. 1832
- Robert Stalker, b. 1838
- Janet Stalker, b. 1840
- William Stalker, b. 1841, d. 1923
- John Stalker, b. 1844
Sources:
- Scotland Births and Baptisms, 1564-1950
Alexander Stalker
1829 - 1912
Alexander was the eldest of Robert and Janet's children, born 21 November, 1829 in Clackmannan. He attended school until he was 14, then went on to learn the cabinet-making and boat-building trades. When he was 18, he converted to Mormonism, and in 1848, he removed to America. Alexander spent several years traveling the U.S., leading teams to Utah and visiting his family in Kansas. In the midst of his travels, he married Ortencia Smith. They eventually became among the first settlers in Idaho, and Alexander would go on to become a prosperous fruit farmer, as well as a member of legislature.
Alexander practiced plural marriage, though it is apparent that his second and third wife were not equal to his first. There is only one census record that shows them all living in the same home, and in his own biography, he says "The home of Mr. and Mrs. Stalker was blessed with 14 children...", making no mention of his other wives or children. His polygamy was no secret at the time, however, as one of his own children (William Hyde Stalker, son of Alexander and Emily, his second wife) was one of the original members of the Independent Anti-Mormons of Oneida, Idaho, and Fred Dubois specifically used Alexander's polygamy as an example in political debates. He married Ortencia in 1851, Emily Lovett in 1865 and Ellen Foster in 1868.
Alexander's own ties with the Mormon church must have been questionable, as his connection with them was terminated upon election to the Idaho territorial council. He claimed afterwards that he belonged to no church, but adhered somewhat to the Presbyterian beliefs he was raised with.
He maintained homes in both Franklin, Idaho and Salt Lake City, Utah. He died in his Utah home in 1912.
Alexander and Ortencia's children:
Alexander and Emily's children:
Alexander and Ellen's children:
Sources:
Alexander practiced plural marriage, though it is apparent that his second and third wife were not equal to his first. There is only one census record that shows them all living in the same home, and in his own biography, he says "The home of Mr. and Mrs. Stalker was blessed with 14 children...", making no mention of his other wives or children. His polygamy was no secret at the time, however, as one of his own children (William Hyde Stalker, son of Alexander and Emily, his second wife) was one of the original members of the Independent Anti-Mormons of Oneida, Idaho, and Fred Dubois specifically used Alexander's polygamy as an example in political debates. He married Ortencia in 1851, Emily Lovett in 1865 and Ellen Foster in 1868.
Alexander's own ties with the Mormon church must have been questionable, as his connection with them was terminated upon election to the Idaho territorial council. He claimed afterwards that he belonged to no church, but adhered somewhat to the Presbyterian beliefs he was raised with.
He maintained homes in both Franklin, Idaho and Salt Lake City, Utah. He died in his Utah home in 1912.
Alexander and Ortencia's children:
- Alexander Robert Stalker, born 1852, died 1922
- Amanda Stalker, born 1853, died 1919
- Wallace Stalker, born 1856, died 1936
- Ortencia Ann Stalker, born 1858, died 1879
- James Tanch Stalker, born 1859, died 1940
- Sardius Stalker, born 1862, died 1926
- Willard Stalker, born 1864, died 1941
- Alma Stalker, born 1866, died 1934
- Alvira Stalker, born 1868, died 1931
- Theresa Stalker, born 1870, died 1958
- Fanny Elizabeth Stalker, born 1873, died 1937
- Joseph Barnes Stalker, born 1875, died 1965
Alexander and Emily's children:
- Emily Stalker, born 1869, died 1913
- William Hyde Stalker, born 1871, died 1943
- Florence Stalker, born 1872, died 1948
- John Louis Stalker, born 1875, died 1949
- Walter Richard Stalker, born 1877, died 1949
Alexander and Ellen's children:
- George Foster Stalker, born 1869, died 1940
- Lorenzo Francis Stalker, born 1872, died 1916
- David Stalker, born 1875
Sources:
- An Illustrated History of the State of Idaho
- Gravestone Information
- Alexander Stalker's Biography
- Birth and Death Certificates
- Census Information
George Stalker
1869 - 1940
George was born in Franklin, Idaho, the eldest son of Alexander and his third wife, Ellen. Little is known about his early life, but after he married his wife, Sarah Easthope, they moved to what was then known as the Mountain View district of Alberta. There, they settled and George made his living as a rancher and trapper. He also worked as a missionary for the Church of Latter Day Saints, traveling to England at least once seeking converts. George passed away in 1940, exactly three months after the passing of Sarah.
George and Sarah's children:
Sources:
George and Sarah's children:
- Ellen Amelia Stalker, b. 1897, d. 1919
- David John Stalker, b. 1899, d. 1993
- George Alexander Stalker, b. 1904, d. 1988
- Effie Stalker, b. 1907
- Frank Douglas Stalker, b. 1911, d. 1992
- Wallace Brown Stalker, b. 1913, d. 1985
Sources:
- Passport Application
- 1911 Census
- Chief Mountain Country : a history of Cardston and district. Volume I
- Birth, death, and marriage certificates
- Obituary of Frank Stalker
George Stalker
1904 -1988
George was born in 1904, the third, but first-born in Canada, child of George and Sarah. In 1925, he married Dorothy Stalker, and the two went on to raise seven children on a farm near Taber, Alberta. In 1943, he enlisted with the Canadian Military and was placed in the 1st Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment as a Gunner. Upon his return, he continued to farm and also ran the local United Farmers of Alberta store.
In their later years, George and Dorothy enjoyed traveling and spending time with their ever-growing family. I remember my great-grandparents as a fixture at most family events - from Christmases to the birthday parties of their many grand and great-grand children, they were always delighted to be there with us. George in particular was a friendly, charismatic man who loved talking to all of us kids.
He passed away in 1988, and is buried in Mountain View Cemetery in Lethbridge, Alberta with Dorothy.
George and Dorothy's children:
Sources:
In their later years, George and Dorothy enjoyed traveling and spending time with their ever-growing family. I remember my great-grandparents as a fixture at most family events - from Christmases to the birthday parties of their many grand and great-grand children, they were always delighted to be there with us. George in particular was a friendly, charismatic man who loved talking to all of us kids.
He passed away in 1988, and is buried in Mountain View Cemetery in Lethbridge, Alberta with Dorothy.
George and Dorothy's children:
- Joyce Stalker, b. 1927
- Ruth Stalker, b. 1930, d. 1967
- Grant Stalker, b. 1932
- Donald Stalker, b. 1932
- Douglas Reid Stalker, b. 1934
- Verna Stalker, b. 1940
- Lorna Stalker, b. 1948
Sources:
- 1906 and 1911 Census
- Military Records
- Family Information