Duncan A. McCASKILL

Duncan A. McCaskill was a factor in Montreal’s commercial development and progress, inasmuch as he was the founder and head of the house of D. A. McCaskill Company, later McCaskill, Dougall & Company, manufacturers of railway and carriage varnishes and japans. The extent and importance of his business made him well known in commercial circles, while his career demonstrated the possibilities for successful achievement on the part of any individual who must perforce start in life as he did, without any capital to aid him. He was born in Victoria county, Cape Breton, in 1845 and was a son of Murdo McCaskill, a justice of two counties of Cape Breton. His education was acquired in his native county, where the first thirty years of his life were passed. The year 1875 witnessed his arrival in Montreal, where he connected himself with one of the large business houses of the city. During the succeeding five years he steadily progressed and there awakened in him the ambition to enter commercial circles on his own account. He took his initial step in the direction in which his later labors brought him to the prominent position which he occupied as the head of the house of what is now McCaskill, Dougall & Company, manufacturers of railway and carriage varnishes. He was ever a most industrious man, close application and energy constituting the basis of his success. In 1902 he retired and spent his remaining days in those ways which afforded him recreation and enjoyment, traveling extensively in company with Mrs. McCaskill through the United States and Europe.

Mrs. McCaskill was in her maidenhood Miss Abbott, a member of the Abbott family of Andover, Massachusetts, and one of the old New England families. They were separated by death on the 12th of July, 1907, when Mr. McCaskill passed away at Lausanne, Switzerland.

While an active factor in the business world, Mr. McCaskill also took a great interest in political matters and for several years was president of the Sir John A. Macdonald Club. In 1900, at the solicitation of a large body of electors of his native county, he became a candidate for political honors. The conservative party lost in that connection and Mr. McCaskill was defeated at the polls, although a large vote was accorded him and his course gained him the general esteem of the people. By preference he concentrated his efforts upon his business interests and private affairs and worked his way upward until he stood among the successful merchants and manufacturers of the city with a record that commended him to the confidence and admiration of colleagues and contemporaries.