Vankoughnet, Agnes Gertrude (Macdonald)

  • Wiki: See full biography at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agnes_Gertrude_VanKoughnet
    • Agnes Gertrude Macdonald née VanKoughnet (c. 1860 – 1940) also known as Gertie Macdonald, was a Canadian socialite and second wife of Hugh John Macdonald.
    • In 1887, the Macdonalds returned to Winnipeg. Construction of Dalnavert House was completed in 1895 when the family moved in. VanKoughnet was First Lady of Manitoba in 1900. Later, when Hugh John was made a Knight Bachelor in 1913, she officially became Lady Agnes Gertrude Macdonald. In 1905, VanKoughnet’s son Jack died from complications due to diabetes; her husband, Hugh John, died in 1929.
    • Hugh John MacDonald counted on VanKoughnet to assist him with many of his political dealings. VanKoughnet was responsible for supervising Macdonald’s 38 clerical workers and acting as his assistant. While serving as minister of the interior and superintendent general of Indian Affairs, Macdonald often left notes in the margins of his political papers with instructions for VanKoughnet.
  • Great Granddaughter of United Empire Loyalist listed in Loyalist Directory: https://uelac.ca/loyalist-directory/detail/?wpda_search_column_id=8642
  • Find A Grave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/139276428/agnes-gertrude-macdonald