Name:
Hugh Sinclair McDonald 
Location served:
Dresden  
Years in Practice:
1895 to 1935
Area of Specialization:
Family Physician and Surgeon  

Biography:

Dr. Hugh Sinclair McDonald was born in Kingston, Ontario on the 20th of November, 1870.  Dr. McDonald was the 7th of 8 children born to Alexander McDonald and the former Isabelle Sinclair. His parents and his eldest 2 siblings were born in Inverness, Scotland.  The McDonald family immigrated to Canada between 1857 and 1860.  His father was a baker in Kingston and his siblings were; William, Annie, Johnny, Alex, Angus, Isabella and Mary.  Dr. McDonald’s parents and some of his siblings are buried at the Cataraqui Cemetery in Kingston…the same cemetery where Canada’s first Prime Minister, Sir John A. MacDonald is buried.

Dr. McDonald graduated from Queen’s University Medical School in 1895.  He served as the House Surgeon at the Kingston General Hospital.   Dr. McDonald set up his medical practice at the Clifford House Block in Dresden, Ontario.  In an advertisement it stated that his office had “telephone connection”.  Dr. McDonald advertised his medical practice in Dresden in the 1897 and 1900 Farmers and Business Directory for Elgin, Essex, Kent and Lambton Counties.

Dr. McDonald was listed in the 1900 Ontario Business Directory as practicing in Dresden.  In the 1901 census Dr. McDonald was listed as “single” and living as a lodger in a hotel in Dresden.

Dr. McDonald married Susan Edna Watson on the 25th of June, 1902 at the Watson residence on Hughes Street in Dresden.  Mrs. McDonald was born in Dresden on the 10th of July, 1877.  She was the 5th of 6 children born to Cyrenius Park Watson and the former Jane Ross Furey.  Mr. Watson was the Postmaster of Dresden and a merchant.  Her siblings were; Annie Elizabeth Watson, John A. Watson, George “Edwin” Watson, Chester Watson and Owen Clarence Watson.

Dr. and Mrs. McDonald had one child, Alexander Watson McDonald who was born on the 12th of August, 1904 in Dresden.  He died on the 22nd of February 1905, at the age of 6 months and 10 days.  He was buried at the Dresden Cemetery.

According to the 1911 census, Dr. and Mrs. McDonald were residing at 13 Brock Street (Dresden).  Dr. McDonald devoted 40 years to the citizens of Dresden and the surrounding area.

In the early 1900’s, Dr. McDonald along with Dr. John Irvine Wiley organized the Dresden Lawn Bowling Club on Queen Street.  In 1913, the Dresden Public Library was opened and Dr. McDonald was appointed to sit on the Library Board, along with Dr. Wiley.   Dr. McDonald was the Mayor of Dresden from 1912-1915.  He also elected to the hydro commission and served for 20 years until his death.  Mrs. McDonald was a member of I.O.D.E. Chapter in Dresden.

Mrs. McDonald belonged to the I.O.D.E. and she was made an Honorary President in 1923.

Mrs. McDonald died in Dresden on the 8th of July, 1924.  At the time of her death, Dr. and Mrs. McDonald still resided on Brock Street.  Dr. McDonald died at the Public General Hospital in Chatham on the 1st of March, 1935.  Dr. and Mrs. McDonald were buried at the Dresden Cemetery.

Photo of Dr. McDonald: Courtesy of The Dresden Public Library.  Tombstone Credit: Anne F.

*Dr. John Irvine Wiley is also featured on the Chatham-Kent Physician Tribute website.

**Mrs. McDonald’s brother, Dr. Owen Clarence Watson was a dentist in Campbellford, Ontario