| HISTORY/BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH: | Robert Walker McKinnell was born in Uxbridge, Ontario in 1876. In 1892, he apprenticed as a pharmaceutical druggist. He attended the University of Toronto, and graduated in 1898. In 1899, he came west to manage the Regina Trading Company (Co.). In 1904, he opened a druggist shop in Ponoka, North West Territories. He also served as the first mayor of Ponoka. From 1911 to 1917, he sold real estate while living in Edmonton, Alberta. In Edmonton the family resided at 11036 85th Avenue. McKinnell then moved to Hardisty, Alberta and returned to the pharmacy business.
Robert McKinnell married Margaret McFarlane Reid of Toronto in 1905. Margaret was a concert pianist who toured with Fran World Tours. She also worked as an instructor for four years at the Marshal Dean College in El Paso, Texas. Margaret died in 1953. They had two children: Walter Kinnaird and Margaret. After McKinnell's death, his daughter Margaret took over the pharmacy in 1963.
|