Person Page - 2470

Mrs. Alex McCannel 100 Years Old Friday
     Port Elgin's Grand Old Lady Arrives at the Century Milestone With Mind Clear Memory Bright
     Port Elgin's "Grand Lady" Mrs. McCannel celebrated oil Friday her 100th birthday She was born In Peel County near Brampton on Jan 26lh 1845 Mrs. McCannel's parents were among the earliest settlers In that part of Ontario having left their native Scotland at the turn of the century Port Elginites far and near Joined In congratulations and fervent prayer for her continued health and welfare.
     In 1870 (sic) she married Alexander McCannel of Cheltenham and In 1871 they came to Port Elgin and opened a tailoring business which was carried on for 18 years Mr. McCannel whose death occured (sic) in 1936 was for several years license inspector for the territory from Kincardine to Tobermory.
     To the McCannel union were born four children: Alex, who lives at home with his mother; Sadie, who passed away at 13 years of age; Malcolm, who resides in Edmonton, and Donald, who lives in Calgary.
     There are six grandchildren: Capt. Gordon McCannel in Italy; Stoker 1st Class Donald McCannel R.C.N.V.R; Lieut E. S. McCannel, Petawawa; Donalda McCannel, Walkerton; Mrs. John Kennedy, London; Mrs. J. Zummach, Hanover; and four great grandchildren.
     Despite her advanced age her mind Is very clear and what a wealth of memories she has of the early days in Bruce when a bushel of wheat was a man's wages weight was measured In stones and English currency was used.
     Writing on December 31st to Mrs. McCannel the Prime Minister Wm L McKenzie King said
     I received yesterday from Mrs Isabella Caldwell of Clarksburgh (sic) a very beautiful letter telling me of many matters of personal Interest to our respective families.
     In her letter, Mrs. Caldwell mentioned that on January 26th you will be celebrating your one hundredth anniversary. That indeed is a remarkable achievement as well as a record. Instead of waiting until the 26th of January, I feel that I should write at once on this last day of the old year to extend my hearty congratulations to you on so notable an event. This I do most warmly and in the hope that on the day Itself and for many days thereafter you may be blessed in the words of Robert Burns, "with health and peace and sweet content." Please let this letter bring to you as well my every good wish for 1945."
     Reeve W. S. Fenton on behalf of
     (photo) MRS ALEX McCANNEL
     the Council and citizens of the village of Port Elgin offered congratulations.
     The Port Elgin Tunes giving a chronological survey of Canadian events during Mrs. McCannel's life time introduces it with these paragraphs.
     A hundred years ago the government of the day sent out a party to explore the "Saugink'' on Saugeen river and open up the waste lands shortly to be known as Queen's Bush, and in later years as the County of Bruce. What little was known of this area was contained in accounts brought back by early fur traders and later by explorers, missionaries and hardy fishermen. The stories told by these venturesome men brought about migration principally from what are now Peel and Wellington counties in the years of 1840 to 1850.
     The glowing accounts of life and possibilities in Bruce attracted many hardy souls who came to hew out a home and a living. Among these early pioneers were a bride and groom who settled In Port Elgin 75 years ago— Mr. and Mrs. Alexander McCannel.²