William Ronald McKay (1860 - 1921)

Born 31 Dec 1860 in Fremantle, Western Australia, Australia

Husband of Lilly (Davies) McKay — married 1891 in York, Western Australia, Australia

Died 6 Oct 1921 at age 60 in York, Western Australia, Australia

Biography

William was born on 31 December 1860 in Fremantle, Western Australia.^[1]

The Bicentennial Dictionary of Western Australians has him marrying Mary Ann Eliza Keegan on 5 August 1880 at Fremantle, but this appears to have been a William James Mackay.^[1]

William married on 4 February 1891 at York to Lilly Davies.^[1]

William was apprenticed to the tanners Pearse Bros and later set up his own tannery at York. He was a farmer in 1905 at York. of "Springdale" and "Green Valley", formerly owned by his father-in-law. He was a member of the York Road Board and also of the local Municipal Council for fifteen years. In 1877 he signed a petition regarding discrimination against expirees. He was eductaed at Mr Humble's Academy.^[1]

We have to record the death of Mr. Ronald McKay, a resident of the York district for about 36 years. The sad event occurred at his residence," Springdale," at an early hour yesterday morning, and while his condition had occasioned great anxiety of late the end came somewhat suddenly. The deceased gentleman in the early eighties successfully conducted a tanning business in York, and products of his factory wers awarded gold medals and certificates at exhibitions held at Coolgardie and the Eastern States. Later in life Mr. McKay decided to follow farming pursuits at " Springdale," and succeeded in establishing one of the principal homesteads of the district. For some years he took an active part in local public affairs, and occupied seats for varying periods on the Municipal Council and Roads Board.

He leaves a widow and family of three sons and five daughters, and the wide sympathy extended to them in their bereavement testifies to the respect and esteem in which the deceased was held, not only in the district where he had made his home but in other parts of the State. Heart trouble was the primary cause of death. He was 62 years of age.^[2]

Sources

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3} The Bicentennial dictionary of Western Australians, pre-1829-1888. [compiled by Rica Erickson], https://www.friendsofbattyelibrary.org.au/bicentennial-dictionary
2. ↑ OBITUARY. (1921, October 7). Eastern Districts Chronicle (York, WA : 1877 - 1927), p. 3. Retrieved February 13, 2024, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article148798126

• https://enrolledpensionerforcewa.org.au/epf-profiles/mac-mc/mckay-john-26th-regiment/