|
Donald W. MacKay, secretary
of the Edmonton Bar Association, has rapidly progressed since entering
upon his, professional career and his present success is the merited
reward of conscientious application, natural talent and acquired
ability. He was born at West Zorra, in Oxford county, Ontario, October
12, 1884, and is a son of William James MacKay, also a native of that
place. The father was born in 1858 and in Embro, Oxford county, Ontario,
he married Annie Angus Mitchell, who was there born in 1860. Her death
occurred at Embro, May 15, 1902, when she was forty-two years of age. i\Ir.
MacKay is still residing at that place. His father, Donald MacKay, was a
native of Scotland.
Donald V. MacKay acquired
his education in the grammar schools of Oxford county and the high
school at St. Mary's, Ontario, and he afterward taught school in that
province for a year. He then accepted a clerical position in the Traders
Bank at Woodstock, Ontario, and remained with that financial house for
two years, spending a portion of the time in its Stratford Bank. In 1906
he became connected with the Traders Bank of Winnipeg, Manitoba, in the
capacity of teller, filling that position until January, 1908, when he
began the study of law in the office of Campbell, Pitblado & Company,
well known banisters of that city. On September 1, 1912, he came to
Edmonton and entered the law office of Parlee, Freeman & Abbott as an
articled student. Upon his admission to the bar in February, 1914, he
was offered a partnership in that firm, which was conducted under the
name of Parlee, Freeman, Abbott & MacKay for two years, when Mr. Abbott
withdrew from the organization, which has since been known as Parlee,
Freeman, MacKay & Howson. They have been entrusted with important
litigated interests and theirs is one of the leading law firms of the
city. Mr. MacKay is well versed in the law, being able to base his
arguments upon a thorough knowledge of and familiarity with statute and
precedent and to present a case upon its merits, never failing to
recognize the main point at issue and never neglecting to give a
thorough preparation. his professional standing is indicated in the fact
that he has been chosen secretary of the Edmonton Bar Association, in
which capacity he is now serving.
Mr. MacKay is a veteran
of the World war and has been awarded two medals by the government in
recognition of his military service. He enlisted February 16, 1916, as a
lieutenant in the One hundred and Ninety- fourth Battalion, which was
organized and raised at Edmonton, and in September of that year was
commissioned captain. He was reverted to lieutenant and placed on the
strength of the Forty-ninth Overseas Battalion in December, 1917. He
participated in the following important engagements: The battle of
Amiens, in August, 1918; Dracourt Quent Switch, popularly known as the
second battle of Arras; the fighting in Bourlon Wood, and the Cambrai
operation in October, 1918, returning to Canada for demobilization in
April, 1919.
In Vancouver, British
Columbia, on the 8th of June, 1912, Mr. MacKay was married to Miss Alma
Jean Ross, a daughter of the late Donald Alexander Ross, a mine
superintendent. Mr. MacKay is a member of the Edmonton Club and the
Edmonton Golf & Country Club. He is affiliated with the Robertson
Presbyterian church and his political allegiance is given to the
Conservative party He holds to high standards in his professional
service and enjoys in large measure the confidence and respect of his
fellow practitioners. |
