(21 Aug. 1887-14 June 1962), soldier. (Major Angus A. McDonald (Grove); Angus in the Grove; Angus A. McDonald, “Grove”; Major McDonald) Born in Alexandria, GC. Parents: Alexander (Grove) McDonald, known as “Big Alex in the Grove,” and his wife Sarah Small, from Cornwall. Big Alex was a partner, from about 1902, in the manufacture of cement tile and cement pipe in Alexandria. Earlier, he had been a foreman on the Soulanges Canal, and had worked on railway contracting. These McDonalds got the Grove name from a grove in the area of north Alexandria where they lived. Major McDonald’s gravestone in St. Finnan’s cemetery is headed “McDonald Grove,” with the Grove in smaller letters than the McDonald.

     Angus attended local schools including Alexandria High School. He joined the Dominion Police before WWI, passing his examination in 1912. (Glengarry News 8 March 1912) He transferred in June 1913 to the regular army; was commissioned as lieutenant in 1933, captain in 1939 and major in 1941; and retired in 1945 from the army. In retirement he lived in Alexandria, quickly becoming one of the best-known men of the town. He was reeve of Alexandria for the 7 years covering 1948 to 1954. He was active in the work of the Holy Name Society and other organizations of St. Finnan’s Parish.

     He was chairman of the Glengarry Highland Games from the revival of the games in 1948 till his death. He was probably brought into this role originally because it was for a time expected that the Highland Games would rotate annually among the GC towns, and that Alexandria would therefore be directly involved in staging them. However, Major McDonald was admirably well suited for the role of chairman: being an articulate man, with a fine speaking voice and impressive bearing, he was composed and affable, and was noted good company, and he knew the right way to deal as chairman with eminent guests. At the 1948 games, as chairman he introduced the guest of honour, Prime Minister King, who was also at that time the county’s MP. (GN 6 Aug. 1948)

     He died suddenly in his 75th year, struck down while cutting the grass at his Alexandria home. The tribute in the Glengarry News at this time praised his knowledge of GC history; the editor, Eugene Macdonald, mentioning that he often consulted him on points of GC history. The editor also noted that the major sometimes wrote tributes in the Glengarry News to recently deceased friends. One such is his recollection (GN 29 March 1956) of Albert Dale. As a young man, the future major was active in GC-area sports. In 1949, Roy F. Fleming thanked him as one of the people who provided “much help” in the preparation of Fleming’s article (Cornwall Standard-Freeholder, 23 July 1949) on early GC athletes. On his death, he was succeeded as chairman of the games by Angus H. McDonell, also of Alexandria. (GN 10 Jan. 1963 )

     He was married in 1914 to Florence Ann Fagan (1893-1969) of Ottawa. (two children) The Glengarry News of 12 Dec. 1941 has a lively character sketch of their two sons, John A. and Donald Bruce, overseas servicemen in World War II. At this time, their father was District Ordnance Officer, Quebec City.

Glengarry News 21 June 1962, with portrait and editorial of tribute * Ostrom 267 * Ethel Ostrom, GHS 14th Annual Volume (1974-1975) 34-35 (on the grove) * Laing 12, 21, 30 * Dumbrille, U, 59 * his father Big Alex: GN 19 April 1901, 21 March & 11 July 1902, and Ostroms as cited * elected reeve, will retire as reeve, Standard Freeholder 11 Dec. 1947, GN 25 Nov. 1954