Clatsop County OR Archives Biographies.....McKay, Thomas A. January 4, 1879 - 
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Ila Wakley iwakley@msn.com February 14, 2011, 1:43 pm

Source: History of the Columbia River Valley From The Dalles to the Sea, Vol. III, Published 1928, Pages 932 - 933
Author: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company

     THOMAS A. McKAY, proprietor of the largest plumbing establishment in 
Seaside, was born on the old Ezra Meeker donation claim at Puyallup, 
Washington, January 4, 1879, and is a grandson of Thomas McKay, a native of 
Scotland, who on crossing the Atlantic in the early '50s settled in New 
Brunswick, Canada, where he engaged in the contracting business for more than 
twenty years, spending his last days there. His son, Thomas Hawley McKay, was 
born in Perth, Scotland, acquired a good education in New Brunswick, Canada, 
and in 1870 crossed the border into the United States, settling at Tacoma, 
Washington, where he followed the contracting business throughout his life, 
becoming widely known in that connection. He built the first wharf at Tacoma 
on which to unload his machinery and equipment, which had been shipped from 
Canada. He became an extensive railroad contractor, built the Butte, Anaconda 
& Pacific Railroad and was its first superintendent. His operations 
contributed in large measure to the development and improvement of the 
northwest and he remained active in business to the time of his death, which 
occurred in 1896. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Henrietta Rowe, was 
born in Frankfort, Germany, and is now living in Milwaukie, Oregon. Their 
family numbered five children, of whom two survive, the daughter being Leona 
McKay, who is now assistant cashier in the Milwaukie State Bank at Milwaukie, 
Oregon.

     The son, Thomas A. McKay, was educated in the grammar and high schools of 
Port Townsend, Washington, and pursued a business course in the Acme College 
at Seattle. In the latter city he learned the plumber's trade, at which he 
worked there for five years, and in 1907 he removed to Seaside, Oregon, where 
he established business on his own account and has since been actively engaged 
here, developing the largest plumbing shop in Seaside. His trade covers not 
only the town but the surrounding country and his patronage is now one of 
extensive proportions, bringing to him a satisfactory annual income. Moreover, 
he has the distinction of being a past president of the Oregon State Master 
Plumbers Association.

     In 1914 Mr. McKay was married to Miss Elizabeth Plummer, who was born in 
Port Townsend, Washington, a daughter of E. F. and Lillian Plummer, both of 
whom are now deceased. The father was customs auditor at Port Townsend for 
many years and was a son of Alfred A. Plummer, an Oregon pioneer who came to 
this state in 1849 when Oregon was still under territorial rule. He was one of 
three men who laid out and founded the city of Port Townsend, Washington, his 
associates in the undertaking being Messrs. Pettigrove and Hastings. With the 
development and substantial upbuilding of this section of the country he was 
otherwise identified and aided in laying broad and deep the foundation upon 
which the present progress and prosperity of this section rests. His son, the 
father of Mrs. McKay, was born, reared and educated in Port Townsend and for 
many years there filled the office of deputy county treasurer, while later he 
served as customs auditor for an extended period.

     To Mr. and Mrs. McKay have been born two children, Thomas Plummer and 
Marianne Elizabeth, both born in Seaside, the former being now a high school 
pupil. Mr. McKay is a past master of the Masonic blue lodge at Seaside and 
belongs to the chapter and commandery at Astoria, while both he and his wife 
have membership in Maple Chapter, O. E. S., of which he is a past patron and 
she is a past matron. He is a past chancellor commander of the Knights of 
Pythias, past consul of the Modern Woodmen of America, and a member of the 
Yeomen, the United Artisans and the Royal Neighbors. For the past two years he 
has been president of the Seaside Chamber of Commerce, was councilman of 
Seaside for eight years and has been most active in support of educational 
interests and improved highways. In a word his influence is always on the side 
of progress and advancement and he is a splendid example of the progressive 
citizen.

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