Neil McDougall

Neil McDougall
Born	c. 1856
Died	1948-12-15 Port Arthur

Neil McDougall (c. 1856 – (1948-12-15)15 December 1948) was a resident of Fort William, Ontario.

In the Papers of the Thunder Bay Historical Society (1908–1920)

Neil McDougall was among the signatories of a petition dated 4 March 1881 — alongside John McKellar, Peter McKellar, Edward Ingalls, P. L. Knappin, J. M. Black, Daniel McPhee, and P. J. Brown — that secured legislation incorporating the municipality of Neebing, permitting the townships of Blake, Crooks, Pardee, Paipoonge, Neebing, and McKellar Ward, with the islands in front thereof, to withdraw from the municipality of Shuniah.

McDougall served as Superintendent of the first telegraph lines built in western Canada, and provided the Society with copies of the first telegraphic messages transmitted over those lines, along with dates and related information, offering also to donate the originals to the Society's collection.

He was also present at a meeting held on 20 January 1879 at Oliver, Davidson & Co.'s hall, attended as well by Peter McKellar, John McKellar, W. I. Connelly, C. N. Black, W. C. Kennedy, John McKinnon, A. McLaren, John McLaulin, and a Mr. McIntyre.

In the Papers of the Thunder Bay Historical Society (1921–1928)

McDougall is recorded in the 1924–1925 volume of the Papers of the Thunder Bay Historical Society in two separate accounts.

C. H. Keep's history of early lake navigation notes that construction of the first telegraph line east of Rat Portage toward Prince Arthur's Landing was carried out by McDougall, while the western section from Rat Portage to Winnipeg was built by John W. Sefton under the contractor Oliver Davidson & Co. The line was completed in August 1877, with the first messages exchanged between Governor John McIntyre and S. J. Dawson, M.P.

Fred M. Dela Fosse, writing in the same volume, describes McDougall as a well-known resident of Port Arthur and recalls being invited to a dance at the home of McDougall's mother, Mrs. McDougall. Dela Fosse also recounts a First of July celebration held during the period of C.P.R. construction, when Port Arthur was heavily populated with navvies. Among the events was a canoe race in which McDougall and a companion named Munro competed against Dela Fosse and Hanlan-trainer Paul Giroux; McDougall and Munro won handily.

Newspaper record

• Birthday notice in Fort William Daily Times-Journal, 1935-07-03.
  • Recorded as occurring 3 July 1935.
  • Index note: 77.
• Biographical notice in Port Arthur News-Chronicle, 1943-04-01.
  • Index note: Reunion of pioneers.
• Biographical notice in Port Arthur News-Chronicle, 1943-05-19.
  • Age recorded as 87 years.
  • Index note: Under care.
• Birthday notice in Fort William Daily Times-Journal, 1946-07-04.
  • Recorded as occurring 3 July 1946.
  • Index note: 90.
• Birthday notice in Port Arthur News-Chronicle, 1946-07-03.
  • Recorded as occurring 3 July 1946.
  • Index note: 90.
• Birthday notice in Port Arthur News-Chronicle, 1947-07-03.
  • Recorded as occurring 3 July 1947.
  • Index note: 91.