John A. MacDonald

MACDONALD, HONOURABLE JOHN ALEXANDER "JOHN A.." merchant, produce exporter, business person, and shipbuilder; b. 12 April1874 in Tracadie, son of John Charles and Elizabeth Mary MacDonald; m. 18 September 1905 Marie Josephine MacDonald, and they had nine children, Barbara Eleanor, Anna Elizabeth, George Albert (died in infancy), Margaret Isabella, Charles Joseph, John Augustine*, Mary Burke (d. 1929), Gertrude Frances, and David Bernard; Roman Catholic; d. 15 November 1948 in Cardigan. MacDonald, a Conservative, was first elected to the Legislative Assembly in the general election of 1908 for 3rd Kings. He re-elected in the general elections of 1912 and 1923. He was defeated in the general elections of 1915 and 1919. He served as a Minister without Portfolio from 5 December 1911 to September 1915 in the Mathieson* Administration, and was a member of Executive Council as Minister of Public Works and Highways from 5 September 1923 to October 1925 in the Stewart* Administration. MacDonald was elected to the House of Commons in 1925 for King's. He was reelected in 1926 and 1930. He was appointed as a Member of the Privy Council as a Minister without Portfolio on 13 July 1926. MacDonald served in this capacity until 25 September of that year, and again from 7 August 1930 to 13 August 1935. He was appointed to the Senate on 20 July 1935, where he served until his death. MacDonald received his early education at public schools in Tracadie, and his education continued throughout his life, as he was an avid reader and a well-informed man. He was a merchant and produce exporter in Cardigan, and was also president of J. A. MacDonald and Company Limited and of the Prince Edward Island Associated Shippers Incorporated. Between 1918 and 1920, he built the last three large wooden sailing vessels constructed on PEL MacDonald served as a director of the Cardigan Electric Company, the Cardigan Silver Fox Company Limited, and the Georgetown Fish Company. He was a director of National Service and Honourary Fuel and Food Control Administration for the province during the First World War. Senator John MacDonald died 15 November 1948. Marie MacDonald of Cardigan was the daughter of Captain Joseph MacDonald. The couple married in Boston. Mary Burke predeceased both parents. John Augustine Macdonald* served in the Legislative Assembly and the House of Commons.