William McKay
William McKay (1812-1882) was the youngest son of Alexander McKay and Helen Bull. He was born at 36 Frederick Street, Provans Court, Glasgow, Scotland.
In 1831, William’s brother John left to work in Upper Canada for three years. Upon his return to Scotland, John prepared to move permanently to Upper Canada and wanted to take William with him. 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.
The brothers set up a mercantile business, and in 1840, the building was destroyed by fire, losing all their stock. The building was replaced with a brick structure at the corner of King and Talbot streets (modern day 76 Talbot Street). William lived in an upstairs apartment until John was married.
William married Susan Sells (1825-1915) of Paynes Mills. To this union were born five children: Mary (1847-1887); William (1850-1925) who became a medical doctor; Eliza (1852-1900), Kenneth Weir (1862-1941) and Susan (1864-1928).
In November 1853, William became the Clerk of the County of Elgin, succeeding his brother John who had held the position for one year. William remained in the role for the rest of his life.
In a Special Session of Elgin County Council on December 15, 1882, the Warden addressed the Council, stating the purpose of the meeting, and acted as Clerk while the following resolutions were passed, moved by John King, seconded by A. N. Cline:
That whereas it hath pleased Almighty God to remove from us, by the hand of death, the late Clerk of this County council, William McKay, Esq.; Be it therefore resolved that this Council do, by this resolution, place upon record the great loss that this county has sustained in the death of one who for thirty years honorably and faithfully discharged the important duties of Clerk of this Council ; And by it also resolved that the members of this Council, while expressing their sorrow at the loss of an honored servant, a trusted adviser, a worthy citizen and a valued friend, remember whose sorrow and whose loss is so much greater, and they do hereby most respectfully tender to the widow and family of our late respected Clerk this heartfelt sympathy with them in this hour of their bereavement, and be it further resolved and ordered by this Council that this resolution be suitably engrossed and transmitted to Mrs. McKay, as a memento of the very high esteem in which her late lamented husband was held by his council. – Carried.
A vote was taken to determine the successful applicant for the position of Clerk. “The ballot was taken and K. W. McKay having received a majority of the votes was declared and duly elected by the Warden.”
Kenneth Weir McKay, William’s son had been in Toronto studying medicine when his father died and he returned to St. Thomas. He was given an annual salary of $600 for his role as clerk, and an additional $80 per year as Inspector of the House of Industry. K. W. McKay remained in the role of Clerk until November 23, 1939 when he was made Clerk Emeritus. He retired, December 1, 1939.