McKay, Alexander 1835 – 1906

MCKAY, TOBIN

Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 12/9/2021 at 10:57:59

Source: Decorah Republican April 12, 1906, P2 C2

Another Old Citizen Passes.
Alexander McKay was born in Belfast, Ireland, 70 years ago the 15th day of last August, but all save six weeks of this long period he spent in this country. His parents brought him a babe to America, and for fifteen years he lived with them in the state of New York, before he started west to make his way in the world. He first sought work in the pineries, and finally in 1853 he landed in Decorah and found work first at the carpenter’s trade, and a little afterwards was employed as a wood worker in the wagon shop of George Phelps. A little later on he worked with the late John Kennedy at wagon making, and finally engaged in business on his own personal account in the shop he so long occupied on the north side of Water street, nearly opposite the foot of Mechanic street.
Mr. McKay was twice married. To him by his first wife was born Fred McKay, the Waucoma merchant, and after her death he married Miss Mary Tobin in 1865. She with his three sons Fred, Ben and Will survive hm. The illness which resulted in his death was not a serious one. Advancing age caused him occasional illnesses, but none that were regarded as at all perilous. The day before he died he put in a full day in his shop, and a feebleness on the morning of his death caused no alarm until just before he was stricken with death. Death was due, his physicians say, to arteris sclerosis.
The main characteristics of Mr. McKay were a placidity of temper, an integrity of the purest type, and a regard for friends that was unsevering in its loyalty. To his church he was a faithful member, and he died with a sincere faith in its teachings. He was a member of the republican party, and faithful in the obligations to good citizenship. The only official position he ever held was one he did not seek, and that came to hm by force of his worth and intelligence. For six years he served his ward as alderman and in that period he never shirked an obligation, evaded duty or failed in any requirement made upon him. Alexander McKay was an honest man a faithful husband and parent, and true citizen. Of only the few can so much be said.

Transcriber’s Note: His gravestone in Phelps Cemetery shows he was born July 15, 1836 which does not agree with the above.

Phelps Cemetery
 

Winneshiek Obituaries maintained by Jeff Getchell.
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