Augustine Adolphus MacDonald

MACDONALD, O.C., M.D., (C.M.), LLD., AUGUSTINE A., physician; b. 7 February 1876 in St. Andrew's, son of Joseph MacDonald and Catherine MacDonald; m. first 3 February 1904 Estelle Lachance of Ganonoque, Quebec, and there were no children; m. secondly Laura Adeline Curly, and there were no children; Roman Catholic; d. 14 January 1970 in Souris. MacDonald, a Conservative, was first elected to the Legislative Assembly in the general election of 1915 for 1st Kings. He was re-elected in the general elections of 1923, 1927, and 1931. He was defeated in the general election of 1919. MacDonald served as Speaker from 1931 to 1935. In 1939 he was defeated in the federal election for the riding of King's. As a boy, "Gus" MacDonald lived with his uncle. Father Donald MacDonald, the local parish priest in Souris. He attended Agriculture Hall, a school attached to St. Mary's Convent. MacDonald graduated from St. Dunstan's College in 1895 and worked as a school teacher for several years before entering medical school. He received his medical degree from McGill in 1902. After spending a year in Boston and another year in Mount Stewart, he returned to Souris where he set up a medical practice in 1904. Dr. "Gus", as he was affectionately known to his patients, is sometimes credited with the introduction of sulfa drugs to the province in 1939. He delivered most of the babies in his district and performed kitchen table surgery. His pay would often be a bag of potatoes or a chicken. In the Legislature he spoke out against the ban on automobiles and in favour of voting rights for women. MacDonald served as president of the Souris St. Andrew's Society. In 1968 Governor General Roland Michener made a special trip to Souris to invest him into the Order of Canada, the first Islander given this honour. MacDonald loved music and singing, and for many years directed the St. Mary's Church choir. He was made an honourary member of the Canadian College of General Practitioners the year it was created. Augustine MacDonald died 14 January 1970 at the Souris Hospital. Estelle MacDonald, the daughter of F. X. Lachance, died of rheumatic fever a few years into the marriage. Laura MacDonald, the daughter of Selvanus Campbell and Jessie Steel, was born 29 December 1878 and died in 1955 in Souris.