Donald McLean, Wellington Co, Ontario
contributed by Judy King, jak6241@greatlakes.net

From the "Biographical sketches" Historical Atlas of the County of Wellington, 
Ontario, compiled, drawn and published from personal examinations and surveys.
Toronto: Historical Atlas Publishing Co, 1906, reprint 1972.

p. 66 - 67

McLEAN, DONALD (d.), b.Islay, Scot., 1808, d. 1896, age 88. He was a weaver by trade and came 
to Canada in 1835 with his brother John. When he landed in Quebec he was possessed of a York 
shilling, and his brother and himself worked for a month for $9 each, after which they came to 
Caledon, where Donald worked for a farmer near Caledon Mountain for a season, and then for 
two seasons in a sawmill in Chippewa. In 1838 with his brother John he bought 200 acres, lot 
5, concession 10, Erin Tp., for $3.25 per acre. He sold the east half of the lot to McKechnie and 
McArthur, and about 1848 John sold his interest to Donald and moved to Nottawasaga Tp., 
about six miles from Collingwood. When the brothers purchased their farm there was not a 
tree cut on it, and now it is considered one of the finest farms in the township. Mr. McLean 
never held municipal once. He was an Elder in White Church, Caledon, and later in Erin 
Presbyterian Church. The pioneer Independent Gaelic preacher McLean, well remembered by the 
older people of the section, used Donald McLean's barn for Sunday services until he had 
secured other places to preach. In politics he was a Reformer. He m. in Scot., Annie, dau. of 
Archibald McLachlan, who d. 1875, age 65. Issue: Mrs. Stephen Armstrong (d.), and Mrs. William 
Seller (d.), Mrs. Malcolm Gillies, St. Mary's; Archibald D, Mrs. Gilbert Sinclair, Esquesing; John 
(d. 1873), and Daniel L., solicitor of  customs at Ottawa.

Archibald D., b. on the homestead 1841, has been operating the farm  since 1857, and now 
owns it in addition to 100 acres in Esquesing Tp.  He has always taken a great interest in 
thoroughbred stock, which he  has been raising for 25 years, bringing the first registered 
Shorthorn  bull in his district. Nearly all of his stock is eligible for registration.  He has taken 
a very active part in Reform work in Erin Tp., being on  local committees, and a delegate to
conventions times without number.  He has been a member of the Board of Health in Erin Tp. 
for 15 years.  In religion he is a Presbyterian. He has given the members of his  family a good 
start in life. He m. Margaret A., dau. of William Near,  and granddaughter of Frederick Near, 
who settled in Erin Tp. in the spring  of 1821. Issue: John, Mrs. Edward Townsend, Terra Cotta; 
Donald, in  Toronto (expert in building refrigerators and cold storage plants);  Elizabeth (d. 
infancy); William (graduate S.P.S. Toronto), surveyor  at Collingwood; Archibald (d. 16); and 
Frederick C., at home