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McMillan, Honourable
Donald, M.D. Senator for the Dominion of Canada, Alexandria, Ontario, is a
descendant of an old Scotch Catholic family of that name, know as the
McMillan clan, of Falcon Grove, Glengarry, Inverness-shire, Scotland, who
emigrated to this country and settled in Glengarry, Ontario, in the
earlier part of this century. Our subject was born in Glengarry, Ontario,
on the 5th March, 1835. He is a son of Duncan McMillan and Mary Ogg
McDonell. His mother, who is still alive, is a descendant of a good
family, and on both sides his ancestor were true Jacobites, and fought for
"Bonnie Prince Charlie." Young McMillan received his early
instruction at the hands of private tutors, and when he had acquired a
good education, he repaired to Toronto to study medicine. He was very
diligent at his studies, taking his M.D. at Toronto in 1865. Possessed of
his diploma, he at once began the practicr of his profession. He soon
earned a repute for much skill and carefulness, and with considerable
rapidity a practice grew up. He now began to turn his attention to
municipal matters, and in time sat as councillor for his native country,
and subsequently as reeve. It may likewise be said that he is a J.P. and
coroner for the united counties of Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry. On the
17th of November, 1837, he married Amy Ann, a daughter of A. Lewis, J.P.,
of Aylmer, Ontario. By this union there are eight children. In 1875 the
Honourable D.A. Macdonald was appointed Lieutenant-governor of Ontario,
and this made vacant the representation of Glengarry in the House of
Commons. At once our subject went into the field, but he suffered defeat
by a small majority. He took the case to the courts, and unseated his
opponent, Mr. McNab; but on being again offered the nomination at the
convention, he declined. Mr. John McLennan then received the nomination,
and though not successful at that election, he ran again in 1878 and
carried the county. Dr. McMillan's influence and hard work for his party
did much to gain this, and the subsequent victories, for it will be
remembered that the Reformers carried the county in 1872 by over 1,300,
and in 1882 that majority was turned into a minority of 223, when Mr.
McMaster, the present member, was elected. Our subject is president of the
St. Andrew's Society of Glengarry, and an honorary member of the Celtic
Society of Montreal. His whole career has been one of unflagging industry,
and his influence is felt in the community among which his lot has been
cast. He has always been a constant, sound and highly-respected
Conservative, and his party must always remain under deep obligation to
him for generous and sturdy service. On the 11th of January, 1884, he was
called to the Senate, and all who have watched his career congratulated
the government on their choice. Many years of usefulness, we hope and
doubt not, yet remain to Mr. McMillan, and we may be certain that when the
opportunity arrives in the sphere to which he has been called, and wisdom
and practical and prudent counsels are desired, that the voice of Senator
McMillan will not be silent. Our worthy subject is a member of the Roman
catholic church. |
