Donald McKinnon

The Island of Mull, Argyleshire, Scotland was the birth place of Donald McKinnon. He was born in 1840 and with his family came to Canada when 8 years old. They lived in Vaughan, York Co., for four years but came to Bruce in 1852, now fifty years ago. The late Mr and Mrs Angus McKinnon, father and mother of the deceased, lived in Bruce many years highly respected by all who knew them, the latter only passing away a few years ago. The surviving members of the family are John McKinnon, Mrs John McLean, Mrs Peter Gilchrist, of Bruce ; Mrs Thomas Smith of Tara ; Mrs John Bell, of Saugeen ; and Mrs McGillivray, of Port Elgin. Mr James McKinnon, who died here eleven years ago, was also a brother.
The deceased was married 35 years ago to Flora McCallum, of Bentick, Grey county, who survives him with a family of eight children, namely, Angus in British Columbia, [portion of 4-5 words cut off] home, and Alex, clerk in McGillivray's store, Port Elgin, Mrs Arch Bell, of Saugeen, and Misses Lizzie, Bella and Kate at home. The funeral took place on Tuesday, Nov 4th, to North Bruce cemetery and was one of the largest ever seen in the County, there being about 200 carriages in the procession. The pastor Rev H McQuarrie, was assisted by Rev A J McGillivray, M.A., of London, nephew of Mr McKinnon, in conducting the services. Friends were present from distant points such as Kincardine, Durham, and Tara.
Mr McKinnon, though a comparatively young man, was one of the pioneers of Bruce. He loved to speak of the work and struggles, the social fellowship, and the friendly spirit among the settlers forty and fifty years ago. He was a splendid singer and before the North Bruce church was organized, acted as precentor in the church at Centre Bruce, and from its organization led the psalmody in North Bruce. It was perhaps a notable coincidence that on the day of Mr McKinnon's death the members of the congregation were voting on the question of introducing the aid of instrumental music into public worship. For several years the departed was a member of session and was very faithful to the spiritual interests of the people and loyal to the pastor in every worthy movement.
Not as a public man did Mr McKinnon show his strongest qualities. In the home he was a model husband, father and head of the family circle. He was kind and leal-hearted and the country far and wide will testify to his old-time, generous hospitality. Mr McKinnon was in the habit of seeing the good in people and things more than the bad. There was no suspicion in his nature. One who knew him well remarked to the Times the day of the funeral, "Donald McKinnon lived in the 13th chapter of first Corinthians".
The community is made poorer by the death of Mr McKinnon. But he leaves a blessed memory and an untarnished name which will be a treasure for his family and an inspiration and example to the community. As man, neighbor and citizen he will be missed but forgotten he will not be by the present generation of the people of Bruce.¹²