Margaret Sneddon Dollar

	Margaret S. Dollar 

by Jocelyn Moss

From the Marin County Historical Society Magazine, vol. XVI, no. 1, 1991, pp. 10–12.

The little girl running barefoot along the Ottawa River in Fort Coulonge could have little idea of her future and what it held in store for her. She was a bit of a tomboy as a youngster. While playing with her brother, he threw a stick at her that blinded her in one eye. It was not an easy life out in the wilds of Quebec. the Presbyterian Church was a center of social activities and it was there that she met Robert Dollar. Robert Dollar, when he met his future wife, Margaret Proudfoot, was not a likely prospect for a millionaire. He was deeply in debt from losses he had suffered when the bottom fell out of the lumber market. In fact, he owed $2,500, which he was determined to pay off. But he and Margaret fell in love and although her parents were opposed, love prevailed. Because his honor demanded it he suggested that the wedding be postponed until he could work off his debt. "Postpone our wedding? No, I simply had to go with him! Girls nowadays aren't any more impetuous than their grandmothers were," said Mrs. Dollar in an interview later in life. And so they were married in 1874 and began a long and happy life together.

Soon after the wedding they set out for Bracebridge in Ontario to establish a lumber camp. They weren't lonely on this honeymoon trip. Eighteen men accompanied them. Robert and his men took off for the woods and left Margaret in the hotel. A week later when Robert returned looking for his bride, the hotel keeper told him, "She's gone! What kind of a fellow do you think you are? Leave a bride of one week and go off in the woods!" Robert Dollar was stunned but the hotel keeper was holding back some information that he finally relayed. Margaret had rented a small house and spent her dowry to furnish it. She started out with the essentials: two forks, two spoons, two knives, two chairs; everything that they needed. she took the initiative to provide for herself and her family.

She and Robert had four years in the woods together without any babies. She remembers this as a free and easy time. they developed a deep and lasting companionship while driving out to the lumber camp in the morning and home again in the evening. she watched the men and read or sewed. She took care of the home and Robert earned the money. But she always had an allowance of her own. Even in those early days when the amount was tiny, she found a way to save a little with her good common sense. Later, when the nest egg had grown, she would invest in land on her own and make a profit.

Margaret had four children: Alexander Melville and Robert Stanley, born in Bracebridge, and Mary Grace and John Harold born in Marquette, Michigan. Then in 1888, Robert planned a trip to Southern California. It seems the harsh winters were taking a toll on him. After looking around, Robert and Margaret decided to stay in California. They chose San Rafael for their home, knowing of its healthy climate. Robert Dollar pursued the lumber trade in Mendocino while Margaret set up housekeeping in San Rafael.

Later as Robert became involved in shipping, Margaret followed her husband around the world. She told her granddaughters, "When you get married, never let your husband know he can get along without you." She took care of his clothes. She saw to it that he always appeared clean and well-pressed on his business trips. She had an even-tempered personality. She tried to keep a handle on Robert Dollar's quick temper. She would pat his arm and say, "Now, now, Father," when he showed signs of getting angry. She was a quiet person but very determined to keep up with Robert's adventures. She took an airplane ride over Shanghai in 1927. Commenting on his constant search for new challenges, Margaret said, "Sometimes I think in the modem world of marvels, he will never be satisfied until he is the skipper of a round trip to Mars."

When their only daughter, Grace (who had married Fred Dickson of San Geronimo), died in 1921, they both suffered a profound grief. but the family of six children that Grace left had to be cared for. The boys stayed at home at the ranch in the valley. Margaret, the eldest of Grace's daughters, and young Grace, named after her mother, came to live with their grandparents. Every morning they would run into Grandmother's bedroom and tuck themselves into her bed, one on each side of her. They would have a nice chat before they dressed to go to Katherine Branson School in the Dollar chauffeur-driven limousine. The Dickson family was reunited in 1924 when Fred Dickson married again. In 1927, J. Harold, the youngest Dollar son, moved into the family home with his four children. They had been living in Shanghai but J. Harold was ill and they returned to the family home hoping the change would do him good.

After Robert Dollar's death in 1932, Margaret continued to live in the family home with J. Harold and his family. After a period of mourning, she continued with her life. She enjoyed traveling and went to the Orient three times accompanied by her children and grandchildren. She liked to go on trips up to Tahoe. After she was unable to drive she would get a grandchild to take her up.

On one trip up to Tahoe, Grace Dickson had the privilege of driving her grandmother's brand new car. Of course she was extremely careful the whole trip not to get a nick or a smudge on its shiny surface. However, as they were crossing a long one-way bridge, they saw a truck barreling down towards them. Grace stayed put on the bridge thinking the driver would stop. But he never did. He kept right on coming. He passed the stunned women in the car, tearing off the front fender. Only then did he seem to see them. Grace jumped out of the car. She had a lot to say to this young man who had just destroyed Grandmother's new car. But Margaret Dollar motioned the young man over. Hat in hand, he apologized profusely. "You see," he said, "this is my first day on the job. I was lucky to get this job. I've got a young family to feed and I haven't worked in a long time." Margaret nodded her head and then waved him on. She felt compassion for a young man on the way up who had made a mistake.

She participated in women's groups, was active in the Grape Festival for Sunny Hills Orphanage and liked to go to lectures and parties.

Margaret Proudfoot Dollar died in 1941. She was a constant companion to her husband, a loving mother and grandmother, and she certainly is greatly responsible for the accomplishments of her husband. As Robert Dollar put it, "My real success began with my wedding day."