John McKay
John McKay (1806-1876) was the eldest son of Alexander McKay (1778-1882) and Helen Bull (1777-1844). He was born at Duke’s Lodging, Dry Gate, Glasgow, 
Scotland. He attended the University of Glasgow and in 1830 was offered employment for three years from Messrs. Laing and Buchanan, Glasgow merchants with connections in Upper Canada. In the spring of 1831, John left for Canada.
At the end of three years, John returned to Glasgow to make preparations to move permanently to Upper Canada and bring his brother William with him. Isaac Buchanan assisted with the arrangements for the move and the two brothers left Liverpool for New York in March, 1834.
The brothers first settled in Lake St. Clair Township, Lambton County with their nephew William Wallace. While there, Isaac Buchanan requested John to go to Clearville, Township of Orford, County of Kent to take charge of the affairs of Mr. Caswell, a local merchant. Shortly after, in 1835, John and William relocated to St. Thomas.
John returned to Scotland in 1836 to bring his mother and sister Jean to Upper Canada. They settled in a house on Walnut Street in St. Thomas. Mrs. Helen McKay died at this home in 1844.
The brothers set up a mercantile business, and in 1840, the building and stock were destroyed by fire. The building was replaced with a brick structure at the corner of King and Talbot streets. William lived in an upstairs apartment until John was married.
John was considered one of the best educated men in the area and took an active interest in education. He was a member of the Grammar School Board and County Board of Public Instruction.
According to the family genealogical papers kept by his nephew K. W. McKay and now at the Elgin County Archives, John “was very much interested in the division of the County of Middlesex and was active in controlling public discussion to that end. When the decision finally took place 1852-53 it was found that John had 
secured the location for the court house two years previously. He was Clerk of the Provisional council and in close touch with the completion of arrangements for the establishment of the new county of Elgin. He was recognized by the Government at Quebec as their advisor, and advocated the naming of the new county in honor of the then Governor-General, Lord Elgin. When the County officials were selected by the Government he received the most important appointment, that of Registrar of Deeds. He then resigned as Clerk of the Provisional Council and his brother was appointed Clerk.”
John had in fact, helped secure the land for the Courthouse in 1848. His brother William, was one of the witnesses to the document.
John was the first clerk of the Provisional County of Elgin, appointed in April, 1852. He resigned from the position on November 8, 1853 at the first session of the Municipal Council of the County of Elgin when he was appointed County Registrar, a position he maintained until his death in 1876. Upon his appointment of Registrar, the McKay business was discontinued and the store remodeled making a residence for John and his family.
John was married to Martha Sells (1830-1886) and was the father of Alexander, Agnes (1851-1855), John (1854-1855), Jeanie (1856-1887), Martha (1859-1923), Helen Margaret (1860-1866), Edmond, Isaac Buchanan (1863-1927) and Jessie (1866-1944).