McGillivray, John Duncan
(5 Jan. 1871-22 Dec. 1947), veterinarian. (Dr McGillivray, John D. McGillivray) Born at Breadalbane (Kirk Hill, by another report), GC. Parents: Mr and Mrs John McGillivray. A graduate of the Ontario Veterinary College, he was a veterinarian in Winnipeg for about half a century. In WWI, he served in the Canadian Veterinary Corps in Canada, England and (for 14 months) in France. His enlistment was at Winnipeg, 10 Feb. 1916. On 25 June 1918, aged 47, and being of the rank of captain, he was discharged as medically unfit, but his involvement with the war continued. At the time the Armistice was announced, he was posted in the service of the Imperial Army in New York. In late 1918, early 1919, his address was British Remount Commission, Jersey City, N. J. After this, he resumed his veterinary practice in Winnipeg. He returned to Alexandria from Winnipeg in ill health ten months before his death, and lived in Alexandria with his bachelor brother Dan (Big Dan) MacGillivray and their two sisters. Big Dan and his sisters were noted figures in Alexandria for their “wealth,” as wealth was counted in that town of tiny incomes, and for their parsimony, and lived together in a house on Kenyon Street West, formerly the residence of Dr James Simpson. John Duncan McGillivray died at the Kenyon Street house. He was unmarried. Dr Markson and E. A. MacGillivray the MLA were among the pallbearers at his funeral. Burial was at the Kirk Hill West cemetery.
Glengarry News 24 Dec. 1947, 2 Jan. 1948, Standard Freeholder 26 Dec. 1947 * his personnel record: NAC, Canadian Expeditionary Force Service Files (about 30 pp.) * short obituary (undated clipping) files Manitoba Veterinary Medical Association * Winnipeg city directories, 1909, 1911, 1922 (only a John McGillivray with CPR), 1929, 1935, 1941, 1949 (gone)
