Magnus MacKay was born at Kirtomy, Scotland on November 15th, 1900. He lived in Scotland until 1926 when he boarded a boat to Vancouver, BC. He stayed there with his sister until 1928 when he moved to Gordondale. He built a log shack on land that was then called Moose Creek and settled a quarter of land. Magnus went on to built another log cabin and married Rachel Menzies in 1937, they went on to have two children. In 1940 he enlisted in the Canadian Armed Forces and served in Canada and the North Atlantic with the rank of Corporal. He was discharged on August 14th, 1945 with a medal for good conduct. At that time, land had to be cleared by hand and the house heated by wood stoves; power didn’t come to Gordondale until 1960-1961. Magnus helped build the school and he and his wife Rae boarded the first teacher in the area. Magnus went on to become the first school trustee. He went on to build the first community hall and church. Magnus and Rae moved to Spirit River in 1969, although they continued to maintain and help with the farm. After a lengthy illness, Magnus passed away on February 19th, 1979. He was laid to rest in the Gordondale Cemetery.
- Homesteaders’ Heritage, 1982, p 378 & 379
- Grande Prairie Herald Tribune, February 1979 (Obituary)