John Angus MacDonald

From Glengarryceltic

John Angus was born in 1897 at Munroe’s Mills and was known as a shy young lad. His first violin was given to him at an early age by his uncle ‘Angy Angus.’ Out of a family of nine, only he and his sister Mary Frances MacPhee, who was inducted into the Music Hall of Fame in 2004, were avid musicians.

Anxious for adventure, he ‘advanced’ his age by two years in order to join the army. He and his brother Philip served in France during the First World War. While there, he learned that his brother Philip had been killed in France.

John Angus returned home and bought a farm in the area north of Cornwall which was called “Garden City.” His fifty acres extended from Eleventh Street to Toll Gate Road. He kept cows and sold the milk to residents who would come for it with honey buckets.

John Angus entered fiddling contests at the first Glengarry Highland Games in 1948, taking home the winners cup. He won several competitions in the years following as well.

He later moved to St.Andrews West where he bought a farm which he rented out. For many years he helped his sister Catherine Ann and her husband Allan MacPhail raise a family of grandchildren. Their mother had suffered an untimely and fatal stroke. A very kind man, John Angus was always at their service.

John Angus took part in many concerts and socials throughout the years, always a smiling and gracious presence. He died in 1979 at the age of 82 years, in a nursing home in Cornwall. He and his music are fondly remembered by family and friends.