Harry Falconer McLean (18 February 1881 - April 1961) was a Canadian railway contractor and eccentric philanthropist. He played a leading role in the construction of much of the trans-Canadian railways. He was well known for giving away large sums of money to people he had just met, and even throwing bills from hotel windows.

Early life

McLean was born in

North Dakota North Dakota ( ) is a U.S. state in the Upper Midwest, named after the indigenous Dakota people, Dakota and Sioux peoples. It is bordered by the Canadian provinces of Saskatchewan and Manitoba to the north and by the U.S. states of Minneso ...

, the son of Canadian parents. He studied at the North Dakota Business School in Fargo.

Dominion Atlantic Railway

McLean began work on the railways as a water boy for the Winston Brothers, and over the years moved up the ranks, eventually becoming president of the

Dominion Atlantic Railway The Dominion Atlantic Railway was a historic railway which operated in the western part of Nova Scotia in Canada, primarily through an agricultural district known as the Annapolis Valley. The Dominion Atlantic Railway (DAR) was unusually divers ...

company.None of the available articles or books reference the "Dominion Atlantic Railway" but rather the "Dominion Construction Company", or DCC. See ''Building an Empire'' by Teresa Charland, .

Philanthropy

McLean frequently handed out cash or cheques to people he encountered, including hotel staff and taxi drivers. He made many other private, anonymous donations, which led to him being known as Mr X until his identity was revealed, without his consent.

Personal life

McLean lived in Merrickville,

Ontario Ontario is the southernmost Provinces and territories of Canada, province of Canada. Located in Central Canada, Ontario is the Population of Canada by province and territory, country's most populous province. As of the 2021 Canadian census, it ...

, on the

Rideau Canal The Rideau Canal is a 202-kilometre long canal that links the Ottawa River at Ottawa with the Cataraqui River and Lake Ontario at Kingston, Ontario, Canada. Its 46 Lock (water navigation), locks raise boats from the Ottawa River 83 metres (272 ...

. He was first married to Irene Robertson. His second wife was Margaret K. Fitzpatrick, known as Rita, to whom he was married until his death. As a lad, I remember sneaking into his property with some pals to see his private Zoo of animals and birds. Legend is he was clawed by his mountain lion one day, so he returned to the house, got a rifle, and shot the lion dead.

Legacy

pub A pub (short for public house) is in several countries a drinking establishment licensed to serve alcoholic drinks for consumption on the premises. The term first appeared in England in the late 17th century, to differentiate private ho ...

in Merrickville, Ontario now bears his name, in addition to an H. F. McLean Road.

Bibliography

*Charland, Theresa (2007). ''Building an Empire: "Big Pants" Harry F. McLean and his Sons of Martha'', Ontario: Riparian House *Finnigan, Joan ''Giants of Canada's Ottawa Valley'', Ontario: General Store Publishing House *Barnes, Michael (1995) ''Great Northern Characters'', Ontario: General Store Publishing House

References

External links

"Canada at War: Ontario: Golden Boy"
at ''

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{{DEFAULTSORT:McLean, Harry Falconer 1881 births 1961 deaths People from North Dakota Train drivers 20th-century Canadian philanthropists American emigrants to Canada