Blair Collection > Celtic monthly > Volume 5, 1897

THE CELTIC MONTHLY:
A MAGAZINE FOR HIGHLANDERS.
Edited by JOHN MACKAY, Glasgow.
No. 9 Vol. V.]
JUNE. 1897.
[Price Threepence.
JOHN MACGREGOR, J. P., ST. ANDREWS.
^VI?;K. JOHN MACGKEGOK, the subject
^ffl^|h of the j)reseut sketch, was boru in the
■^ '-^ ancient city of St. Andrews sisty-three
years ago. His father was a clansman of Rob
Roy, his mother was one of a very old family of
residenters in St. Andrews. The business of
the elder Macgregor was that of a house painter
and decorator ; he emigrated with his wife and
all the members of his family, except the subject
of our notice, to America many years ago.
John Macgregor, though then only in his nine-
teenth year, took up the business of his father,
which he has carried on with great assiduity
ever since. A good many years ago he
combined the business of auctioneer, valuator,
and house agent with that already carried on
by him, and also went in vigorously for house
building, many of the best houses in the city
being built by him, and several of the finest
streets and terraces owing to him their incep-
tion. At present he is one of the largest owners
of house property in his native city.
While thus diligent in his own business, Mr.
Macgregor has done great and good service
in the public interests. Entering the Town
Council over forty years ago, he has continued
regularly to hold a seat at the Board ever since,
and has taken an active part in every movement
for the advancement of St. Ajidrews, working
most untiringly with his colleagues at all times.
In recognition of his many and varied services
he was elected a Magistrate in 1870, and very
few of his constituents really knew the amount
of time and labour he has since expended in
the public service. Four years ago he was
elected Chief Magistrate of his native city, an
honour- well earned, and no Provost, we feel
sure," has ever done better work or got on more
pleasantly with his Council.
The Provost also served some years in the
School Board of the burgh; he is at present
Chairman of the Parish Council, and a Justice
of the Peace. Though having seen over three
score years, the Provost is as active as ever, and
his many friends in St. Andrews, as well as
beyond its borders, wish that he may yet see
many years of further usefulness. We should
add that to his fellow citizens the Provost is a
most helpful man, no tale of want or sorrow
ever appealing to him in vain.
He is a member of the Clan Gregor Society,
and in all matters relating to his clan he is an
enthusiast.
James Bain.
TO THE HIGHLAND CROFTERS.
^]^iAIR Caledonia's ttustle yields
HTjIL A theme for song and story ;
^11^ When borne aloft on martial helda
It aye has led to glory.
Each Highland clan adored its tiag, —
They soared or fell together ;
They also loved what draped the crag
And lofty ben — the heather.
The shamrock, tliistle, and the rose
May fade and die together :
Forsake the lot — -reject all those,
But bring a bunch of heather 1
Do not adorn your bonnets blue
With thistle, flower, or feather,
But cross, and band of sable hue.
And spray of mountain heather.
I- Yoik. P. MACruERSOiN,