Alexander C. McGillivray (January 24, 1859 – June 4, 1907) was an American politician who was pro tempore of the North Dakota Senate from 1899 to 1901.
Alexander C. McGillivray | |
|---|---|
| President pro tempore of the North Dakota Senate | |
| In office 1899–1901 | |
| Preceded by | Clarence B. Little |
| Succeeded by | Judson LaMoure |
| Member of the North Dakota Senate from the 31st district | |
| In office 1891–1901 | |
| Preceded by | Nelson C. Lawrence |
| Succeeded by | Leslie A. Simpson |
| Personal details | |
| Born | January 24, 1859 |
| Died | June 4, 1907 (aged 48) Dickinson, North Dakota, U.S. |
| Party | Republican |
| Spouse |
Mary J. Montague (m. 1888) |
Business career
editMcGillivray was born on January 24, 1859 in Toronto. His father, Neil McGillivray, was a native of Scotland.[1]
McGillivray's first business experience was with the hardware industry in Woodbridge, Ontario.[2] In 1877, he moved to United States and worked as a traveling salesman for five years. In 1882, he moved to the Dakota Territory and worked as a clerk in Bismarck for a year. He then spent two years in Weller, where he ran a general store. He subsequently moved to Dickinson, North Dakota, where he ran a similar business for a decade and was a forwarding agent for the Black Hills and Western Railroad. He acquired a large parcel of land northwest of Dickinson, where he operated a cattle and horse ranch. He was also a co-owner and manager of the Lehigh Coal Company, which ran lignite mines in Dickinson.[1]
Politics
editIn 1887, McGillivray was elected to the Stark County commission.[1] In 1890, he was elected to the North Dakota Senate as an independent. He was reelected in 1892 as a Republican.[2] From 1899 to 1901, he was president pro tempore of the Senate.[3]
In 1899, he was appointed register of the United States General Land Office in Bismarck. In 1905, he succeeded in having a land office established in Dickinson and served as register there until business pressures forced his resignation the following year.[1]
Personal life
editOn January 18, 1888, McGillivray married Mary J. Montague, a fellow Canadian then residing in Caro, Michigan.[1] Around 1895, he had a large sandstone home constructed at 345 Sims Street. The residence, known as the "Lion House" due to the presence of two large statues gifted to a later owner, is claimed to be haunted.[4]
McGillivray died on June 4, 1907 at his home after a short bout with Bright's disease.[1][5]
References
edit- 1 2 3 4 5 6 History of North Dakota. Bismarck: The Bismarck Tribune Company. 1910. pp. 142–145. Retrieved May 21, 2025.
- 1 2 "The Legislature". Bismarck Weekly Tribune. January 11, 1895. Retrieved May 21, 2025.
- ↑ "North Dakota Senate Presidents Pro Tempore" (PDF). North Dakota Legislative Branch. Retrieved May 20, 2025.
- ↑ "Legend of the Lion House". The Dickinson Press. October 30, 2009.
- ↑ "A. C. McGillivary Dead". The Bottineau Courant. June 14, 1907. Retrieved May 21, 2025.