Alexander "Alex, Alec, Ackie" Macdonell
Marriages
Sadie Figgins Macdonell - October 6, 1922
in Glenwood Springs, Colorado. Sadie's obituary states October 4, 1921 as the marriage date.
Burial Details
Obituaries
Eagle Valley Enterprise page 1 - September 4, 1958
ALEX MACDONELL DIED WEDNESDAY.
Alex MACDONELL, prominent rancher and stockman of Brush Creek died early Sept. 4 in a Glenwood hospital, following a lingering illness.
Rosary at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Eagle Friday evening, 8 o'clock.Services at the church Saturday morning,10 o'clock.
Funeral rrangements ar by Bowman Mortuary at Eagle.
In lieu of flowers, friends may contribute to the Cancer Fund.
Eagle Valley Enterprise page 8 - September 11, 1958
Alexander MACDONELL, 75, one of Eagle River Valley's most prominent stockmen and ranchers died in Valley View Hospital, Glenwood Springs, Sept. 4, following an illness of two years.
Requiem Mass was offered by Father John AYLWARD in St. Mary's Catholic Church in Eagle Sept. 6. Burial was in Sunset View Cemetery, Eagle. Pallbearers were John CLARK, Fred DICE, Wm. H. LUBY, George CARLOW, Tom TAYLOR and J.D. ALLEN.
Bowman Mortuary was in charge of funeral arrangements.
Alexander MACDONELL was born in Beauly, Scotland, November 16, 1882 to Alexander Sr., and Margaret Milne MACDONELL. He received his education in Scotland and shortly after completing schooling, the lure of America drew him to join Scottish friends in Denver, Colorado. A rancher and stockman at heart, Alex sought work on a western ranch and found employment on the Frank DOLL ranch in Gypsum Valley. A short time later he went into ranching for himself and leased land on the Geo. WILKINSON ranch on Bush Creek, south of Eagle.
When World War I broke out, the young Scotsman enlisted in the Army and was assigned to the 6th Cavalry. During his tour of duty in France he was selected as a candidate for officers training--a commission which never came through. Armistice was signed the day before Alex was to be commissioned. He was one of a few handpicked men selected as body guards when President Woodrow WILSON visited Buckingham Palace.
When Alex was discharged from the service he returned to visit his parents in Scotland then came back to Eagle to resume ranching. On October 6, 1922 he and Miss Sadie FIGGINS of Eagle were married in Glenwood Springs and the young couple moved to the SPROULE ranch on Brush Creek. The following spring Mr. and Mrs. MACDONELL bought land from the late Charley MAYER, and established their own ranch and home, living there at the time of Mr. MACDONELL's death.
Alex was interested in every progressive movement in the community. He served in official capacities in nearly every civic organization in the community and his advice was frequently sought by civic and political leaders. He was prominently identified with stockmen's circles, the Eagle Chamber of Commerce, 4-H club movement, American Legion and many other groups. He was a staunch supporter of his church, the St. Mary's Catholic church in Eagle.
The MACDONELL's had four children. Their two sons each served in the U.S. Armed Forces. Their first child, Ethel Mary LATHAM preceded her father in death.
Surviving are his wife, Sadie; the two sons, Alex Jr. (Mac) and George and one daughter, Mary Margaret MORRIS; and six grand children.
Also surviving are one brother, Donald, a stockman in South America; and five sisters: Mother M. Margaret in India; Ethel McKENZIE in England; Elsie RITCHIE and Mary and Nora MACDONELL all of Scotland. His parents preceded him in death.
Out of town relatives attending the funeral were Georg FIGGINS of Laramie, Wyo., Mr. and Mrs. Lee AGEE, Palisade; J. W. LATHAM and Gladys VAN HORN of Grand Junction, and T. A. CHISHOLM and Thelma CHISHOLM, friends from Denver.
