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| <tab>At Athol, George of Athol had been the business partner of James Macdonell (known as James Macdonell of Athol). In Lovell’s 1857 directory, they are listed as partners in the firm of G. & J. McDonell, storekeepers, at Athol. It has not been determined whether these men were brothers. While at Athol, George Macdonell was for many years reeve of Roxborough Township, next door in Stormont County. In 1860 he was warden of SDG. He was postmaster at Athol from 1862 to 1866. We get a glimpse of him in his Athol years from Charles Sinclair, who in a loving description of a wedding celebration in his youth, remembered the dancers, and noted that among those who successively led the dance, “George McDonald [sic] of Athol with his lady had their turn.” | <tab>At Athol, George of Athol had been the business partner of James Macdonell (known as James Macdonell of Athol). In Lovell’s 1857 directory, they are listed as partners in the firm of G. & J. McDonell, storekeepers, at Athol. It has not been determined whether these men were brothers. While at Athol, George Macdonell was for many years reeve of Roxborough Township, next door in Stormont County. In 1860 he was warden of SDG. He was postmaster at Athol from 1862 to 1866. We get a glimpse of him in his Athol years from Charles Sinclair, who in a loving description of a wedding celebration in his youth, remembered the dancers, and noted that among those who successively led the dance, “George McDonald [sic] of Athol with his lady had their turn.” |
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| <tab>In Cornwall he was a successful general merchant. (See also Stephen Leblanc) There was speculation in 1870 that Macdonell might be named to the Senate, though the //Cornwall Gazette// (24 Aug. 1870), which mentioned the reports, was among the doubters. From Dec. 1870 to his death he was postmaster of Cornwall. In June 1886, it was reported that he was retiring from business, and would devote himself full time to the post office, with his son Angus S. Macdonell succeeding him in the store. (//Cornwall Freeholder// 25 June 1886, cited in DTL //Standard Freeholder// 22 June 1957) In 1887, George Macdonell was mayor of Cornwall. He was secretary-treasurer at the time of his death of the Cornwall High School Board. We may guess that in the manner of the more substantial GC-area businessmen of his time, he had many business interests elsewhere than where he lived. For example, in 1880, he was reported to have “done well out of his purchase of the ‘Clare Hall’ property at Lancaster.” (//Cornwall Freeholder// 5 Nov. 1880) His large house on Second Street in Cornwall was later the home of R. R. (“Big Rory”) McLennan, then of John McMartin, and later became the Nazareth Orphanage. | <tab>In Cornwall he was a successful general merchant. (See also [[leblanc_stephen|Stephen Leblanc]]) There was speculation in 1870 that Macdonell might be named to the Senate, though the //Cornwall Gazette// (24 Aug. 1870), which mentioned the reports, was among the doubters. From Dec. 1870 to his death he was postmaster of Cornwall. In June 1886, it was reported that he was retiring from business, and would devote himself full time to the post office, with his son Angus S. Macdonell succeeding him in the store. (//Cornwall Freeholder// 25 June 1886, cited in DTL //Standard Freeholder// 22 June 1957) In 1887, George Macdonell was mayor of Cornwall. He was secretary-treasurer at the time of his death of the Cornwall High School Board. We may guess that in the manner of the more substantial GC-area businessmen of his time, he had many business interests elsewhere than where he lived. For example, in 1880, he was reported to have “done well out of his purchase of the ‘Clare Hall’ property at Lancaster.” (//Cornwall Freeholder// 5 Nov. 1880) His large house on Second Street in Cornwall was later the home of R. R. (“Big Rory”) McLennan, then of John McMartin, and later became the Nazareth Orphanage. |
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| <tab>He served in the militia in the supression of the 1837-1838 Rebellion, and remained active in the militia for many years, achieving eventually the rank, it is said, though it has not been possible to confirm the statement, of lt.-col. In his earlier years, he was a political supporter of John Sandfield Macdonald, and is said to have been Macdonald’s “intimate friend and trusted confidant.” (Rose) In later years, he inclined to the Conservatives. | <tab>He served in the militia in the supression of the 1837-1838 Rebellion, and remained active in the militia for many years, achieving eventually the rank, it is said, though it has not been possible to confirm the statement, of lt.-col. In his earlier years, he was a political supporter of John Sandfield Macdonald, and is said to have been Macdonald’s “intimate friend and trusted confidant.” (Rose) In later years, he inclined to the Conservatives. |
| <tab>Maxville did not come into existence till after Macdonell had left Athol. He must, however, had some of the founders of St. Isidore among the customers of his store, though St. Isidore itself was still, largely, a place of the future. | <tab>Maxville did not come into existence till after Macdonell had left Athol. He must, however, had some of the founders of St. Isidore among the customers of his store, though St. Isidore itself was still, largely, a place of the future. |
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| <tab>For his sister, see the entry for Alexander McDonell, known as Captain Gray. For Foxy, see also the entry for J. Alexander Gunn. | <tab>For his sister, see the entry for [[mcdonell_alexander|Alexander McDonell, known as Captain Gray]]. For Foxy, see also the entry for [[gunn_j_alexander|J. Alexander Gunn]]. |
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