This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: PETRIE, FARQUHARSON, MALNOCK, ROBERTSON Classification: Biography Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/4NB.2ACI/59.1 Message Board Post: Montana Its Story and Biography Tom Stout copyright 1921 Volume 3 pp 993-4 DONALD A. PETRIE. When it is remembered that the majority of men never rise above the ordinary, but live out their lives in obscurity, and, dying, are forgotten, all the more credit must be accorded those who have enriched their communities, benefited their associates, raised a higher standard for the generations to come, and demonstrated the worth of individual endeavor. The aggressive, public-spirited men of any locality plan for the future as well as the present, and so shape the future of the community. Donald A. Petrie, one of the leading merchants of Martinsdale, is accepted as a man of prudence, safe and reliable, and his advice on business transactions is sought by many. Donald A. Petrie was born in Scone, Scotland, on June 3, 1875, a son of David Petrie. The birth of David Petrie occurred in Perthsire, Scotland, in 1847, and his death at Stirling, Scotland, in 1915. He was reared in Perthshire, where he spent the greater part of his life, and so impressed the authorities with his dependability and ability to enforce the laws that for many years he was kept in office as a member of the police force, his period of service extending over thirty-five years. After his retirement from its arduous duties he moved to Stirling, where he died. In politics he was a tory. A very religious man, he found expression for his faith in the creed of the Presbyterian Church, of which he was a devout member until the close of his career in this world. David Petrie was united in marriage with Annie Farquharson, born in Spital of Glenshee, Perthshire, Scotland, in 1856, who died at Stirling, Scotland, in 1910. They had the following children: John, who lives at Lincoln, Nebraska, is a livestock agent for the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad; Andrew, who is deceased; David, who is a grocery merchant of Buffalo, New York; James, who died in childhood; Alexander, who handles men's furnishings at Sheridan, Wyoming; George, who is a sheepraiser of Omaha, Nebraska; Donald A., whose name heads this review; James, who is a merchant of Opal, Wyoming; Peter, who is in partnership with James at Opal, Wyoming; Finley, who clerks in the store of his two brothers at Opal, Wyoming; Robert, who lives at London, England, is a painter and decorator; Mary, who married William Malnock, formerly a member of the police force, lives at Stirling, Scotland; and Charles, who died in childhood. Donald A. Petrie attended the public schools of Perthshire, and remained at Scone until he was nine years of age, when his parents moved to Bankefoot, Perthshire, Scotland. When he was fourteen years old he left school, and while still living at home made himself useful to neighboring farmers. In 1900 Mr. Petrie came to the United States and spent his first three years in this country on a farm owned by his uncle, John Farquharson, in Campbell, Franklin County, Nebraska, but left that district in 1903 and went to Buffalo, Wyoming, and was a clerk in one of its stores for two years. In 1905 Mr. Petrie selected Martinsdale as his field of action, and coming here worked for H. E. Marshall, a merchant, until in June, 1915, when Mr. Petrie bought out his former employer and founded the Martinsdale Mercantile Company in conjunction with V. B. d'Autremont, and they maintain this association today. The store is located on Main Street and is one of the leading mercantile establishments in the eastern part of Meagher County, the trade coming from Meagher and Wheatland counties. Later the company was incorporated, and its present officials are as follows: V. B. d'Autremont, president; Mrs. D. A. Petrie, wife of Donald A. Petrie, vice president; Donald A. Petrie, secretary! and treasurer. This store is conducted according to modern ideas, the stock is well assorted, fresh and timely, and exceptional values are given for the money. Mr. Petrie resides on Main Street. He affiliates with the Presbyterian Church. A Mason, Mr. Petrie belongs to Musselshell Lodge No. 69, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, of Harlowtown, Montana; Harlowtown Chapter No. 22, Royal Arch Masons; Harlowtown Commandery, Knights Templar; and Algeria Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, of Helena, Montana. He also belongs to Buffalo Lodge No. 14, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of Buffalo, Wyoming; and Twodot Lodge, Knights of Pythias, of Twodot, Montana. In 1902 Mr. Petrie was married at Bloomington, Nebraska, to Miss Anna Robertson, born at Stirling, Scotland, and they have two children, namely: Lillian, who was born on January 4, 1904; and Winifred Grace, who was born on January 1, 1913.