Not only was Dr.Donald McDiarmid
(1840—1910) a bearer of magnificent facial hair, he was also a physician,
school inspector, and a military captain. He was born in 1840 in the town of Killin,
Scotland. He earned his education in Canada, and became a graduate in Medicine
from McGill University in 1867. He practiced medicine in Cornwall, then Athol, and in 1892 moved the practice to Maxville. Besides his medical work, Dr. D. McDiarmid
also inspected public schools in Ontario for many years. In 1868, he joined a militia company that
formed in Dunvegan in response to the Fenian threat. He remained in the
militia until 1884, rising to the rank of major. It was remembered that in this
company, all the men “spoke the Gaelic with greater fluency than they did
English.”
One of Dr. D. McDiarmid’s
sons—William (born 1867) followed his father’s path in becoming a graduate of
McGill and medical doctor in Maxville. Dr. Willie, as he became known, was also
involved in politics. In 1940, he was elected to the House of Commons as a
Liberal for Glengarry. Shortly after election, he gave up his seat to Mr. Mackenzie
King, who was Prime Minister of Canada at the time.
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| Another portrait of Dr. Donald McDiarmid |
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