Duncan Mackay, member of the private banking house of Smith & Mackay at Morrison, is one of the leading financiers of Northwestern Illinois. He is President of the First National Bank at Mt. Carroll IL and is a stockholder in a bank at Savanna, Carroll County.

Mr. Mackay was born in 1812, in Sutherlandshire, Scotland, and is the son of James and Ann (McDonald) Mackay. His ancestors for five successive generations were tenants on the Sutherland estates, and were well-to-do, substantial husbandmen, acquiring property and characterized by the traits of prudence and caution which, it is generally accorded, belong essentially to the Scotch people. They were in all generations stalwart and robust; and, as a rule, tenacious of life.

In 1831 the parents fulfilled a long cherished plan to bring their family to the New World, to secure for their sons the broader privileges of a land less crowded with squalid humanity and free from the evils that utterly precluded advancement of any other than the privileged classes. Their claims were sold, and the parents with four children came to Nova Scotia, leaving William, Jane and Duncan to close and settle all business matters. In 1843 the parents came from Nova Scotia to Oakville, where they passed the remaining years of their lives.

Mr. Mackay was educated in Scotland. His father established a private school for his younger children adjacent to his dwelling, where instruction of a substantial character was meted out to the quick, bright understandings of the sturdy young Highlanders, who, on becoming sufficiently advanced, were sent to the parochial school on the Sutherland estates, where the curriculum of study was of the thorough, comprehensive character of the schools of the Continent, in which students were prepared to enter the universities, including classical and modern languages and the higher English branches. Mr. Mackay made good use of his time in the institution which involved four miles of travel daily.

He was 21 years of age when, in 1833, he came with his brother and sister to rejoin his father's family in Nova Scotia. He had acquired a thoroughly practical knowledge of carriage-making in his native land, but the locality of Nova Scotia where his parents settled was in its primitive state, and there was no demand for the class of work with which he was acquainted. He and his brother William were occupied two years in the province as mechanics; and in 1835 went to Washington Co., Maine, and established themselves in the business of carriage-making.

They operated with success five years, then came to Carroll Co IL investing their money in land, including seven squatter claims, in township 24, range 5, now Salem. The claims included several thousand acres, and when the land came into market the brothers Mackay secured their title to as much as possible, the remainder lapsing to other purchasers. They at once entered with characteristic energy into the work of improvement, and placed a large proportion under tillage, which they stocked. When farm machinery came into vogue Mr. Duncan Mackay operated extensively in its general sale, and continued his operations as a farmer, stock-grower and general agent for agricultural implements for more than a half score of years.

When the Hydraulic Manufacturing Company of Mt. Carroll started, Mr. Mackay took stock in it; but two well known, prominent citizens of Mt. Carroll had the controlling interest, and their management did not suit him. As they had the m majority of the stock, he could only reason with them against such measures as he thought imprudent, or was contrary to his principles, -- such as adding a banking house to their legitimate business, and allowing ten per cent, on deposits, and manufacturing high wines. The latter he opposed on principle, having long ago determined to have nothing to do with alcohol in any form, except as an enemy; but, notwithstanding his protests, these, with other ill-advised measures, were adopted; and seeing that neither his advice nor his feelings were regarded, he tried to dispose of his stock; but ere he succeeded in this, one of the heaviest stockholders called to inform him the company was hopelessly insolvent and as a friend he would advise him to dispose of his property in such a manner that his wife would get it back. He explained the plan they both adopted, regretting the necessity of the act, but duty to their families overcame all scruples, etc. Mr. Mackay anticipated a failure in a few years, but did not dream of its coming so suddenly; and as the year (1857) was the worst he ever experienced for business, the news fell on him like a thunderbolt, knowing that property would not bring a tithe of its value. He had considerable property, but no money; nor could any be borrowed; but his manhood spurned the thought of following the friendly advice, and he told him that he could not bring his mind to do so without being degraded in his own judgment, but would prefer to dispose of the company's property for the benefit of the creditors, and pay the balance out of the private property of the stockholders.

But the other party would not agree to this, and Mr. Mackay, after examining the assignment, pointed out to them how he could break it up, should they refuse. They laughed at this, knowing the eminent legal talent employed in getting up the papers. For weeks he pleaded with them, but in vain. The creditors, learning that they could collect the company's debt of Mr. Mackay, too measures to do so. This was the darkest hour in his life. "Hungry Ruin had him in the wind!' With a sad heart he started to Chicago and employed the best legal talent he could. After the first process was served, his partners, after a long consultation with their lawyers, agreed in substance with Mr. Mackay's proposition, and the suit was dropped.

In 1863, Mr. Mackay, associated with H.A. Mills, James Mark, John Kridler, Daniel Hurley and George Miller, established the First National Bank at Mt. Carroll, of which he is the chief official. He was its first Vice-President and came to his present position on the death of the President, Mr. Mark. At the end of the first year, Mr. Mark attempted to cross Carroll Creek in the night-time during a freshet, and lost his life.

Mr. Mackay continued a resident of Carroll County until 1882. March 23 of that year, his family celebrated the birth of a daughter some miles away, and the head of the family remained at home to "take care of things." The arrival of visitors necessitated the preparation of dinner, and after that event, while Mr. Mackay was displaying European curiosities he had obtained during a visit to the continent, a neighbor appeared with the intelligence that the upper part of the house was in flames. No help could be obtained, and the structure, with its valuable contents, some of which could never be replaced, were destroyed. Only a favorite piano was saved. Mr. Mackay removed to Morrison, where he is a prominent and useful citizen.

His marriage to Jessie Mackay took place June 9, 1840 in New Glasgow, N.S. and they have had 12 children, born in the following order: Anna, who is the wife of Robert Moore, a farmer in Carroll County. They have three sons and four daughters - Robert, Charles, Duncan, Jennie, Nettie, Alice and Henrietta. Jennie, eldest child, is married. Donald J., who became a soldier in the Union army and lost his life while in the military service of the US. Barbara, married Alexander Gilmore of Beth Scotland. Jennie, who is the wife of Dr. Andrew VanPatten of Mt. Carroll. Lena, married Robert L. Jack, a farmer in Fair haven, Carroll County. Catherine, the wife of George D. Ford, who owns a large cattle ranch in New Mexico. Helen is the wife of Wright Hawse, a farmer in Carroll County. Charles is deceased. Henrietta is the next in order of birth. Nettie married F.L. Sharpe, a lumber dealer at Jacksonville IL Duncan manages the old homestead. Ada L. was married June 9, 1885 on the anniversary of the wedding day of her father and mother 45 years before, and resides with her husband, Dr. J.L. Gray at David City NE. Mrs. Mackay was born in 1821 in Scotland, and is the daughter of Donald and Barbara Mackay.

In the adjustment of earthly affairs which time accomplishes in every man's history, the name of Mr. Mackay will appear in a connection which will illustrate his respect for education, and his sense of obligation to aid in its dissemination. In 1884 he became interested in a scheme devised and put in practical operation by John A. McAfee some years ago. Mr. McAfee was President of a college in Kansas when 17 young men applied for the advantages of the institution, to be paid for after completing the course of study. The college faculty refused to consider the proposition, and Mr. McAfee determined to test the faith which had produced such results in England under the leadership of George Mueller. He resigned his presidency in order to devise some means of helping the applicants to accomplish their desires. Col. Park, of Parkville MO tendered an old tannery of which he was the proprietor, and the 17 young men cleansed the building and put it in order for occupation. Mr. McAfee devoted all his means to the furtherance of the project and established the curriculum of study, supporting and educating the students. Col. Park made a further contribution of ten acres of land, which they students tilled, and the scheme began to take tangible, systematic shape. The "Park College Record" was established, which advertised the plan, and reinforcements of students and supplies began to pour in. The old tannery was burned, and Col. Park and others contributed to the erection of another building for temporary use, Mr. Copley, the Philadelphia philanthropist, sending money, and the new building was named "Copley H all," As the scheme became known, ladies applied, and the applicants became too numerous for the accommodations. Chance brought the project to the knowledge of Mr. Mackay, and from the first enlisted his sympathetic interest and engaged his substantial support. A conference with Mr. McAfee resulted in his placing $25,000 at the disposal of the trustees for the erection of suitable buildings, which are in process of erection. The entire work of construction is done by the students, who each labor daily from three to four hours. The domestic and all necessary work is accomplished by the ladies and gentlemen connected with the institution. The central idea is to secure family education, the interests being made common through the general contribution of effort to one grand purpose. There are over 300 students in attendance. They are taken on six months' trial, and most of them prove their capacity and willingness to work as well as study, and be religiously disposed, though creed is not a desideratum. The increased numbers have necessitated their arrangement into two families, each with its managing head. The sons of Mr. McAfee, who is past the meridian of life, give every promise of capacity and fitness to succeed their father in his work. The college is located 14 miles from Kansas City, MO and on the completion of the new building will be named "Mackay College."

History of Whiteside County Portraits and Biographical