Person Record

Metadata

Name

Sinclair, Donald, b. ca. 1829

Born

ca. 1829

Birthplace

Islay, Argyleshire, Scotland

Deceased

November 1900

Deceased

Toronto

Father

Rev. Neil Sinclair (d. 1880)

Mother

Mary McDougald

Spouse

Isabella Adair m. April 26, 1871

Children

Dr. Thomas Sinclair (of Walkerton), Neil Sinclair (a lawyer in Toronto), May Sinclair (highschool teacher), Margaret Sinclair (an artist and teacher of art), and Anne (a secretary).

Relationships

Siblings: Mrs. Lamont and Mrs. Dagleish

Education

"He received a good education in the Bowmore School, which was at that time under the headmastership of Mr. John Taylor, reputed to be one of the best in the west of Scotland." (Obituary, Chesley Enterprise, Nov. 22, 1900)

Occupation

After teaching for some time on the island of Islay, Mr. Sinclair emigrated in 1851 to Canada with other members of his family. He followed the vocation of school teacher for a time, and spent a short time farming. He was elected to the position of deputy reeve of Arran Township in 1863. Around 1869, he entered mercantile life with his brother Alexander, which he followed for some years in Southampton, and a still longer period in Paisley. He was a merchant in Paisley from around 1869 to February 1883 when he was appointed Registrar of Deeds in Walkerton. He remained in that position for 17 years.

In his political life, he was chosen by acclamation in 1867 to represent North Bruce in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario. He was re-elected in 1871, 1875 and 1879, each time either by acclamation or by large majorities. "Though unassuming in his disposition, and not a frequent speaker, he never had any difficulty in getting the ear of the House, and was a sagacious and trustworthy friend in council." (Obituary, Chesley Enterprise, Nov. 22, 1900) He retired from Parliament in or around 1883.

Places

Donald was born in Islay, Argyleshire, Scotland. He emigrated in 1851 to Canada. After a brief sojourn the Peel County, they moved to Bruce County in the fall of 1852 and took up their abode in Arran Township where is father was a Minister of the Baptist Church. He lived in Paisley from around 1869. His store was located in the oldest stores in the village the United Co-operatives of Ontario buidings (Thomspon Bros. Ontario Homestead, later Ballachey family). In 1883, he moved to Walkerton to be Registrar of Deeds. He died in 1900 while visiting Toronto for the purpose of receiving expert medical advice.

Sources

Sources:
a) Brant Township Historical Society. "The History of the Township of Brant 1854-1979." Brant Township Historical Society, 1979. Print.

b) Obituaries, from Chesley Enterprise, Nov. 22, 1900, and
Obituary, Port Elgin Times, Nov. 29, 1900;

c) Marriage Registration, Donald Sinclair and Isabella Adair, 1871;

d) 1871 Census

e) 1876 Directory, Paisley

f) Commission certificate, A981.002.018

g) Bruce County Historical Society Yearbook 1993, p. 29-30