McKellar family

              The McKellar Family  »~\ Dougald McKellar*s parents emigrated from Scotland to Eastern Canada around 1850. He was born in London, Ontario on October 1, 1852. The family later moved to Detroit, Michigan and by 1874- he was registered as a teamster in Virginia City, Nevada.  Elizabeth (Lizzie) McKellar was born in Centerville, Canden, East Ontario Canada on November 8, 1858, Her mother's parents had emigrated from Northern Ireland in 1844, Her father also came from Northern Ireland at about the same time. In 1865 the family embarked for California by sailing ship via the Isthmus of Panama. To avoid the long trip around the Horn, the immigrants landed on the Atlantic side of Panama and had their goods transported by hand cart to the Pacific side. Local natives provided the power.  In later years Lizzie often told of the crossing. The jungle and wild life were very interesting but also terrifying to a young child. On the Pacific side they waited for the arrival of a ship sailing north, Set sailing schedules were non existent. The party, which included various relatives, landed in Monterey California and most of them settled in the Salinas area.  James McGaughey (Lizzie's father) was a blacksmith by trade. In 1873 the family moved to Virginia City. Nevada. James found employment at the Comstock Lode Mine, Lizzie's sister (Annie) worked for a time in the boarding house where Mark Twain lived. Later she was employed by the James Farr family. Lizzie found work in the John Mackey mansion. Both Mackey and Farr were owners of the Comstock,  Lizzie McGaughey and Dougald McKellar were married in Virginia City in 1676. y-~N  By 1877 the extended family was on the move again with Washington Territory as the goal. They settled in the Walla Walla area near Pomeroy. One daughter (Maggie) was born in Virginia City and the other four children, George, Charles, Richard and Bessie were born on the Pomeroy farm, ^  The grass was always greener on the other side and by 1889 they were heading for the Colville Valley. They settled about three miles out of Colville along Mill Creek on Spanish Prarie. The move was made with three wagons and a cart with all their stock in tow. Two Swedish immigrants, both named John, who had worked on the Pomeroy farm helped with the wagons on the three week trip.  They were barely settled when the news broke that the town of Kettle Falls was being platted. Being in close proximity to t::is once in a life opportunity, Lizzie wasted.no time in being a first and establishing herself as the proprietor of a hotel boarding house. It was loc-ited in one of the first two story buildings erected on Main Street. The same building later housed the post office. Dougald set up a livery barn with local service and service to the mining community of Republic - "Fast Stage, Saddle and Psck Horse Line from Myers Falls station to Republic daily - Passengers, Baggage and Express at Reasonable rates". He also carried the local mail* The barn was situated back of the Rochester Hotel and although it was badly in need of repairs, it lasted until Grand Coulee Dam time.  Apparently Lizzie had great faith in the new town because on Februaryj10, 1891 she purchased Lot 19, Block 21, Centml Addition to Kettle Falls from J the  Rochester snd Kettle Falls Land Co. She put down $100.00 as one third payment on P the lot. ;