William Mackey, Lumberman

 Further to our look at 201 Cooper, this is the text of the Ottawa Journal's appreciation of lumber baron William Mackey. He died at the house on 1 December 1902, aged 82. More details about his life and times have been assembled by Doug Mackey and can be viewed here and here.

Wm. Mackey, The Ottawa Journal

Ottawa Journal, 1902-12-03

LATE MR. MACKEY BURIED TODAY

FUNERAL WAS A PRIVATE ONE

Sketch of the Successful Career of the Deceased, who was a Pioneer Lumberman.

   Although of a private nature, the funeral this morning  of the late Mr. Wm. Mackey was attended by a number of his relatives and old friends who had been privileged to pay their last respects by being present at the funeral. The cortege left his late residence, Cooper street, at 8:30 and proceeded to St. Patrick’s church where the requiem mass was held, Rev. Father Whelan officiating. Interment was made at Notre Dame cemetery. Among those at the funeral were Messrs. William, Walter, John and Herbert Mackey, N. Flood, Sir James Grant,  Dr. R. W. Powell, J. de St. Denis Lemoyne, E. S. Skead, D’Arcy McMahon, Jos. Kavanagh, Neil Stewart, M. J. Gorman, Percy Mackey, P. Caron, R. D. McKenzie, P. Kennedy and A. Ryan.
   A number of beautiful floral tributes were sent by friends of the family.

*     *     *

THE LATE WILLIAM MACKEY.

A Remarkable Career of Nearly Sixty Years in the Timber Trade.

   A brief obituary notice of the late William Mackey, one of the pioneer lumber kings of the Ottawa valley, appeared in the Journal on Monday last. To-day it may be well to refer to some of the incidents in his long and busy life—particularly in connection with the part Mr. Mackay took in manufacturing square timber—the staple industry of the Ottawa valley for more than three-quarters of a century. It was this industry that gave impulse to Bytown and a start for Capitolian honors to Ottawa.

   It was in the year 1842 that Mr. Mackey landed in the “lumber village.” Like many a son of the Emerald Isle desiring to better his condition, he had sailed for America—a brother and sister accompanying him—arriving in Bytown just as the first government slide was being constructed to safely convey the square timbers past the Chaudiere Falls. Here the young man soon obtained employment with a then prominent operator in the timber trade named George Buchanan. This gentleman had much to do with the new slides at Bytown, acting for the government, and built under contract the slides at the Chats, on both of which works William Mackey and his brother were employed. And it was in the descent of a crib of timber at the latter that Mr. Buchanan lost his life in endeavoring to release a jam of timber.
   At the date in question it so happened that the late Hon. James Skead was conducting for the government some improvements on the Upper Ottawa, these being intended to encourage the growth of the timber trade on the upper waters, rather than to facilitate the descent of timber at that time, for there was little to come down. In this work the two Mackey soon became engaged under Mr. Skead’s superintendence, continuing in this service until the improvements were completed. Soon after—in ’44 it is said—Mr. Skead began lumbering on his own account, and with him were the brothers Mackey. This business connection continued for some four or five years, during a portion of which time Mr. Mackey became foreman, after which he began to take out timber on his own account, his first raft of red pine being floated down from the new Madawaska limits in 1850.
   Reference may be made to the most melancholy accident, as the number losing their lives, that probably ever happened among the river men on the Ottawa. Fourteen men, amon whom was Mr. Wm. Mackey’s brother, were drowned while endeavouring to release a jam of timber which had hung upon the rocks.
   Meantime the employing lumberer had become brother-in-law to Mr. Mackey, and thus the friendship which had existed for years had merged into life-long relationship.
   As already stated it was in the year 1850 he floated down his first raft, although he had piloted several previously for the man who was to take his sister for a wife. Thus Mr. Mackey’s actual years in the trade may be said to cover 58 years—a career, considering that it was without a break or failure, that has probably never been equalled in the Ottawa valley timber trade.

   Mention must be made of Mr. Mackey’s partnerships—both business and marital. A few years after his entry in business he became united in marriage to one of Bytown’s fairest daughters. The young lady was the second daughter of Peter Armstrong, the proprietor at the time of the old Union hotel, that preceded the Grand Union of Elgin and Queen streets. It was then that Mr. Mackey purchased a farm near to Arnprior, built himself a handsome house, and settled down in his own home. Curiously, also near the same time he formed another partnership, a business one, to take part in the management and share the profits of his then active business. Neil Robertson, a man already well skilled in lumber operations, took charge of one branch, the profits arising from which he shared in, while Mr. Mackey continued on his own account in another direction. Both settled on farms contiguous to each other, and the families of both grew up almost together, but death put an end to the union of interests, Mr. Robertson passing away some 30 years ago.
   It was shortly after this that Mr. Mackey made Ottawa his home. He purchased in the west end of the city the stone building erected by William Hunton, improved and embellished it, and settled his family therein. Some twelve years ago, however, Mr. Mackey made another move, purchasing the commodious residence on Elgin and Cooper streets, built by C. T. Bate for his own prospective home. Here many improvements were made and comforts added to the new and centrally located family residence, the first break in its employment being the death of Mrs. Mackey about nine years since. Now the chief himself disappears—and such is life.
   The distinguished lumberman having been traced, in a brief manner, in his highly successful career, a few remarks may be appropriately made as to his religion, political opinions and open-handedness. In religion he was Roman Catholic. In politics he was pronouncedly Conservative and was a liberal contributor to the cause when election contests were on, but he never could be persuaded to enter the political field himself. Of a retiring disposition and fond of the home circle Mr. Mackay found his pleasure in conducting business and in the company of his family. His family consisted of four sons and three daughters, those resident in the city being Mrs.  St. Denis Lemoyne, Mrs. D’Arcy McMahon and Walter Mackey.
   Mr. Mackey died very wealthy, his estate, nearly all personal, being said as mounting to four or five millions. And all this wealth was secured in legitimate business. No chances were taken on the stock exchange or in speculation outside of the trade he understood so well. Each year he made money, and this money was well invested, and being favored by long life, a wise head and continued good fortune he leaves to his family the millions he saved.

   Lastly, it may be interesting to learn how wealth is sometimes acquired, legitimately, honestly and perhaps by good luck. One of Mr. Mackey’s speculations may be given as an example. During his lumber operations, although he began on the Madawaska, his chief limits and those he made the most money out of, were on the stream known as the Anable-du-Ford. Here he lumbered extensively and also built a saw mill, and it is related by a fellow lumberer of long experience in the trade, and well acquainted with Mr. Mackey’s methods and doings, that on a certain occasion he purchased a limit, the price being but a few thousand dollars. He offered his partner, Mr. Robertson, a half interest in the speculation, which was readily accepted. Some time after, however, the lumber trade became unpromising; Mr. Robertson desired to be relieved of his charge and stated the fact to Mr. Mackey, who at once paid him back his money. Several years rolled by while raft after raft were being taken from the limit and still it seemed inexhaustible. Finally, last year when Mr. Mackey resolved to dispose of that and all other interests in the woods, this much-culled limit sold for $65,000.

CAXTON.