Lachlin MacDonald

MACDONALD, LAUCHLIN, farmer, merchant, lighthouse keeper, and teacher; b. 25 March 1844 in East Point, son of "Big" Ronald MacDonald and Catherine MacDonald; m. 21 November 1876 Teresa MacLean of East Point, and they had two children, Ronald and Mary Ann (died in 1914); Roman Catholic; d. 27 October 1928 in Charlottetown. MacDonald, a Liberal, was first elected to the House of Assembly in a by-election held 5 November 1875 for 1st Kings. He was re-elected in the general elections of 1876 and 1879. He was defeated in the general election of 1873. MacDonald's early education was at the district schools, and later he attended St. Dunstan's College in Charlottetown from 1865 to 1871. Following this, he opened a general store, which he operated for 13 years near his home. According to another source, he taught school shortly after attending St. Dunstan's, and prior to operating the store. After giving up the business, MacDonald began farming at his family's homestead on Prospect Hill in East Point. He was known as a successful and progressive farmer. He also operated a mill on East Lake Creek. In 1897 he was appointed lighthouse keeper at East Point. MacDonald was a director of the Prince Edward Island Dairy Association, president of the Cheese Board of Trade, president of the East Point Farmer's Institute, as well as secretary, cashier, and managing director of East Point Dairy Association, which operated the East Point Cheese Factory at Lakeville. Due to his experience in agriculture, MacDonald accomplished a great deal in developing the dairy and cheese industry. He served as a school trustee for the local school district. In celebration of his Scottish heritage, he served as president of East Point Branch of St. Andrew's Society. Lauchlin MacDonald died 27 October 1928. Teresa MacDonald, the daughter of Allan MacLean of East Point and Flora McDonald of St. Peters, died 19 March 1916.