The whole community was grieved to learn Monday morning that J. A. McKay, one of the oldest pioneers and most indefatigable workers for the upbuilding of Alexandria, had passed away the night before at 9:30 after a lingering illness which had confined him to his bed since April. His passing takes from Alexandria one of its biggest and best citizens.

John A. McKay was born in Brockville, Ontario, Canada, in 1837. His parents were born in Scotland. His father, who was a captain in the British army at the famous battle of Waterloo, died when J. A. was two years old. He spent his early life on a farm and at 16 years of age he began work on the river Clyde. He followed this means of obtaining a livelihood for about eleven years. In 1865 he came to the United States, working at various trades until 1869 when he became a cooper at Lake Crystal. In 1870 he and his bride came to Douglas county and settled on the homestead where they have resided until his death. While improving his claim he worked at the cooper trade. Mr. McKay was one of the earlier pioneers of the city, and knew what hardships were on the frontier. In the earlier days he owned the brick yard, manufacturing all the brick used around here for 25 years. Mr. McKay's business ventures were many and varied. In 1877 he engaged in the furniture business, following that line for nine years. Later he had a grocery store for several years in the store building now owned by McKay Bros. When they first came here, Mr. and Mrs. McKay lived in a log house and went through all the privations of the first settlers. Frequently they had to go to the stockade here when Indians threatened. Several times they took refuge at Ft. Snelling. Mr. McKay once carried a sack of flour home clear from Sauk Centre on his shoulder, and frequently had to drive to St. Cloud or Benson by Ox-team for supplies. He worked for the Great Northern as lineman and also had a tie contract with Jim Hill between Montrose and Litchfield. He knew Jim Hill and other Great Northern officials personally. He was a Canadian Immigration agent for twenty-one years, making two trips yearly to western Canada locating settlers. He retired from active business in 1920. The winters of 1885, '86, '87 were spent in California, speculating in land, in which business he made considerable money. He was in the real estate business in Alexandria for half a century, selling all of Hole's Outlot Addition and Lakeside Addition besides much farm and city property.

Mr. McKay was a charter member of the I. O. O. F. lodge and of its branches: the Rebeccahs, the Canton and the Encampment and for some years he has been a life member of each. He filled every office in the subordinate lodge and the Encampment. Mr. McKay was married to Angeline Hainor December 20, 1869, at Montrose, Minn. To this union were born 13 children, two preceding him in death, dying in infancy. Mrs. McKay went to her reward March 12, 1922, just three years and seven months to a day before her husband. Those left to mourn his loss are: W. W. McKay, R. A. McKay, A. H. McKay, S. R. McKay, Mrs. Wallace Abercrombie, Mrs. Lawrence Olson, and Catherine who lived with her father, of Alexandria; J. H. B. McKay of Spokane, Wash.; C. R. McKay of Summerland, B.C.; J. S. McKay of Fargo, N.D.; and Mrs. Roy Glockner of St. Paul. All the children were at home in May and celebrated their father's 88th birthday, May 15. Mr. McKay was a Republican in politics and in political and business circles he was always prominent. He was largely instrumental in getting the Soo Line to build thru Alexandria, and he worked hard to get the Washington school located where it is. He was acknowledged to be one of the most indefatigable workers in any line that would benefit Alexandria and was at the front in every effort to improve the city. He was justice of peace for several years and, in fact, he had always taken an active and prominent part in all public affairs.

The funeral was held from the home at 2:00 o'clock and from the Methodist church Wednesday afternoon, Rev. Davies officiating. The funeral services were in charge of the Odd Fellow lodge, and the members attended the services in a body. The pallbearers were: P. N. Johnson, A. M. Dubry, J. S. Lein, F. C. Radecop, E. J. Brandt, J. C. Johnson. Interment was in Kinkead cemetery.
(Park Region Echo, Oct. 15, 1925)