Written By Alice Gibb
Like many early families in Middlesex County, the McLachlan family, of McLachlan Sugar Bush fame, emigrated to Upper Canada from Scotland, owing to the changing land policies in the old country.
John McLachlan (b.1805), the clan patriarch, was known as “Deochie Dearg”, which is Gaelic for “red.” John earned this nickname because his mother made his clothing from leftover scarlet soldiers’ uniforms. When “Red” made the six-week Atlantic Ocean crossing to Canada, he was accompanied by his wife Isabella (b. 1810) and three children – Janet, Catherine and Archibald. By 1845, they had obtained a deed to the east half of Lot 7, Con. 5, Lobo. After clearing land, the family moved into a log house on the banks of a stream known as Fox Creek – renamed Gold Creek in later years. The McLachlan family increased by seven more children in Upper Canada. They were: Donald, Jane, Belle, Elizabeth, Margaret and Mary and a toddler, John, who died at one year of age.
Despite what was undoubtedly a hardscrabble life, John McLachlan lived to the winter of 1899, dying at 94 years of age. His wife Isabella predeceased him, dying in 1884 at 74 years of age. About 1838, John McLachlan’s parents, Donald and Janet, also emigrated to Upper Canada. Donald was a typical outspoken Highlander, who made no secret of his likes and dislikes. He was remembered for his considerable contempt for America and its citizens.
After arriving in Canada, Donald McLachlan became the family shoemaker. He also used his talents to create a beautiful replica of the sailing ship which had brought family members to Canada. The family kept this treasured possession in a glass case, which was moved from one log house to another. When a permanent home was erected on the McLachlan farm in 1881, the handcrafted model was given an honored place there. A smaller ship’s model, also created by Donald, was passed down through another branch of the family, ending up on display in a Stratford home. Donald and his wife were also long-lived for early pioneers. Donald died in 1867 at 84 years of age; his wife, Janet died in 1879 at 100 years of age. Members of the McLachlan family rest in Campbell Cemetery in Lobo Township.
The original family homestead purchased by John McLachlan was eventually taken over by his son Donald, who married Margaret Frazer, born in Dundee, Quebec. This couple had four sons – one son, Donald Alexander, trained as a school teacher and taught at S.S. #2, Lobo before becoming principal of the Stratford Business College. Donald Alexander’s brother, Archibald (1879-1946) took over the McLachlan family homestead, and with his wife Florence, raised five children. Descendants of the McLachlan clan still call Lobo home today.
