Agnes Gertrude VanKoughnet

Agnes Gertrude Macdonald née VanKoughnet (c. 1860-1940) also known as Gertie Macdonald, was a Canadian socialite and second wife of Hugh John Macdonald.

Agnes Gertrude VanKoughnet
Bornc. 1860
Died(1940-07-18)July 18, 1940
Dalnavert, Winnipeg, Manitoba
Resting placeSt. John’s Cathedral Cemetery
NationalityCanadian
Other names
  • Gertie Macdonald
  • Lady Agnes Gertrude Macdonald
Spouse(s)Hugh John Macdonald
ChildrenJohn Alexander ("Jack")
Parent(s)
  • S. J. VanKoughnet (father)
RelativesPhilip Michael Matthew Scott VanKoughnet (uncle)

Biography

VanKoughnet married Hugh John MacDonald, who was ten years her senior, on April 26, 1883 at St. Stephen’s church in Toronto.[1] After their marriage, the two moved from Winnipeg to Toronto, where they lived until 1887. In 1885, the two had a son who they named John Alexander after MacDonald's father and nicknamed Jack.[2]

In 1887, the Macdonalds returned to Winnipeg. Construction of Dalnavert House was completed in 1895 when the family moved in.[3] VanKoughnet was First Lady of Manitoba in 1900.[4] Later, when Hugh John was made a Knight Bachelor in 1913, she officially became Lady Agnes Gertrude Macdonald.[5][6] In 1905, VanKoughnet's son Jack died from complications due to diabetes; her husband, Hugh John, died in 1929.[2] Following her husband's death, VanKoughnet moved from Dalnavert to an apartment on Roslyn Road.[7]

In Winnipeg, VanKoughnet was involved in many social events. When the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall visited in 1901, she attended a luncheon in their honour and was seated at the head table. She also attended a luncheon at the Government House of Manitoba in 1939 celebrating a visit from King George VI and Queen Elizabeth.[8]

While living at Dalnavert, VanKoughnet had two strokes leading to health complications. VanKoughnet died on July 18, 1940 and was over 80 years old at the time.[9] She was buried in St. John's Cathedral Cemetery in Winnipeg next to Hugh John MacDonald and her son Jack.[1]

Political career

Hugh John MacDonald counted on VanKoughnet to assist him with many of his political dealings. VanKoughnet was responsible for supervising Macdonald's 38 clerical workers and acting as his assistant.[10] While serving as minister of the interior and superintendent general of Indian Affairs, Macdonald often left notes in the margins of his political papers with instructions for VanKoughnet.[11]

References
  1. "Memorable Manitobans: Macdonald family members". www.mhs.mb.ca. May 8, 2011. Retrieved May 17, 2020.
  2. McLeod, Susanna (January 8, 2014). "Sir John A's son carved his own path". The Kingston Whig-Standard. Retrieved May 17, 2020.
  3. "Dalnavert National Historic Site of Canada". www.historicplaces.ca. Parks Canada. Retrieved May 17, 2020.
  4. "Many Attend Funeral for Lady Macdonald". Winnipeg Tribune. July 22, 1940. Retrieved May 21, 2020.
  5. "Sir Hugh John Macdonald House". www.gov.mb.ca. Retrieved May 21, 2020.
  6. "Memorable Manitobans: Hugh John Macdonald (1850-1929)". www.mhs.mb.ca. Retrieved 2020-05-21.
  7. Paterson, Edith (January 16, 1971). "It Happened Here". Winnipeg Free Press. p. 70. Retrieved May 21, 2020.
  8. "Agnes "Gertie"". Dalnavert Museum. Retrieved May 17, 2020.
  9. "Lady Macdonald Estate $27,708". Winnipeg Tribune. August 16, 1940. Retrieved May 21, 2020.
  10. Miller, J. R. (2014). "Macdonald as Minister of Indian Affairs: The Shaping of Canadian Indian Policy". In Dutil, Patrice; Hall, Roger (eds.). Macdonald at 200: New Reflections and Legacies. Dundurn. ISBN 9781459724600 – via Google Books.
  11. Sherwin, Allan (2012). Bridging Two Peoples: Chief Peter E. Jones, 1843–1909. Wilfrid Laurier University Press. p. 125. ISBN 9781554586530 – via Google Books.
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