Adam McDonald was born on May 11, 1870, in the Winnipeg area. He was married to Jennet Nanawin from the same area in 1904. In 1909 they came to Alberta to the Darwell District. At that time they had three children Lawrence, the oldest, Mary, and Charles. Nine more children were born around Darwell: Cristine, Emily, Isabelle, Donald, Jim, Bill, Margaret, Pearl and Annie - seven of whom are still living in Alberta. Adam is still living in the Grandview Home in Edmonton at the age of 109. Presumably the oldest citizen of Alberta. Mrs. McDonald died in 1972 at the age of 88. There are 150 grandchildren, 103 great-grandchildren and 9 great-great-grandchildren.
Adam McDonald's greatest love was the outdoors. He was a ship captain before he left Winnipeg, so he was a very experienced fisherman on the small lakes in Alberta, compared to Lake Winnipeg. Also trapping muskrat, beaver etc. came very easily to him. He was also one of the finest hunters ever was. He never missed a duck on the fly. Adam was also a foreman at several lumber camps, at Lovitt, Edson and several other places. His brother Donald McDonald came to Darwell ahead of Adam and they had pack horses, packing into the mountains, they were very experienced guides. Their closest store was the Hudson Bay store at Lac Ste. Anne. The old Grand Trunk Railroad ran through Wabamun, so that was one way of transportation. Also horseback was very popular. There were always school picnics, ball games etc. for entertainment. Everyone had big families so there were no shortages of friends.
Pilgrimage at Lac Ste. Anne was a big day for all. Everyone looked forward to going. Sandy McDonald (Adam's father) lived with his son in Darwell for awhile. Sandy McDonald was born in Scotland. He is buried in the Lac Ste. Anne Cemetery.