Sir John A. Macdonald details

To the glory of God and in memory of
SIR JOHN A. MACDONALD 1815 – 1891

Canada’s first prime minister, born in Ramshorn Parish, emigrated with his family to Kingston, Upper Canada, in 1820. A successful lawyer, he was elected to the provincial legislature in 1844 and became leader of the Conservative party. He played a leading role in the effort to achieve a federal union of Britain’s North American colonies which resulted in the formation of the Dominion of Canada on July 1, 1867. Macdonald served as prime minister 1867 – 73 and 1878 – 91, and under his adminitration large territories were added to Canada, a transcontinental railway built and settlement of the West encouraged. At his death Canada’s autonomy, based on rapid economic development and a close British-Canadian relationship, was assured.

Archaeological and Historic Sites Board of Ontario