McDonald Biographies

With thanks to Scott Messinger

The McDonalds appear in several county history books as they were amongst the earliest settlers of Madison County, Ohio as well as Decatur and Ringgold Counties, Iowa. The following biographies have been reproduced here. (Copyright has expired so these texts may be freely reproduced.)

1. The History of Madison County, Ohio, 1883: John McDonald I, II and III
2. Madison County History, 1915: John McDonald III and son Joseph
3. Biographical and Historical Record of Ringgold and Decatur Counties, Iowa, 1887: Malay McDonald
4. The History of Decatur County, Iowa, 1915: Malay McDonald
5. Down 100 Years: Malay McDonald
6. Kellerton, Iowa, A History to 1881: Malay McDonald
7. History of Union County, Ohio, 1883: Thomas McDonald
8. Goodspeed's History of Lawrence County, 1888; Thomas McDonald & son Duncan
9. History of Green County, Wisconsin, 1884
10. An Illustrated History of the Big Bend Country, 1904: George M. & John W. McDonald
11. Coulee City Newspaper, 1907: George M. McDonald
12. Portrait and Biographical Album of deWitt and Piatt Counties, Illinois, 1891: John McDonald

1: The History of Madison County, Ohio

The following citations are from The History of Madison County, Ohio, published by W.H. Beers & Co., Chicago, 1883. (Copyright has expired.) The entire text is available online at www.heritagepursuit.com/Madison/MadisonIndex.htm.

Part III, Chapter XI: Medical Profession

page 432:
Dr. Raiff, a German, located at London in about 1823. He was an eccentric, fiery, impetuous, but educated physician. {...} He had carried Schuler McDonald through the milk-sickness. When convalescent, he cautioned him repeatedly about guarding his appetite. He was sent for in great haste, and went and found his patient dead. He ascertained that death had been caused by the immoderate indulgence of the appetite on a plate of bacon and cabbage. He lost his temper again, and, going to the corpse, he caught it by the nose, and, tweaking it violently, he said: "You eat cabbitch, ha! Cot tam you! eat cabbitch again mit bacon, will you, as much as you blease now!" and, mounting his horse, was off like a rocket.

Part III, Chapter XV: Resident Land Owners of Madison County

page 511-512:
London, Commissioners' Office, March, 1810: -Duplicate of resident land proprietors for the tax of 1810. with all new entries and transfers made in this office. Madison County, Ohio.
... James McDonald, ... John McDonald, ... S. McDonald, ...

Note: Madison County was formed in 1810 from Ross County, so the above tax record of 1810 proves that the three McDonald brothers, James, John II and Schuyler were all pioneers of Madison County.

Part IV, Chapter III: Deer Creek Township - Pioneers

page 649:
From 1806 to 1810 came in the following settlers: John McDonald {II} came from Tennessee and with his family settled at the Upper Glade on the Stutson land in 1808, and his father, John McDonald {I}, who died in 1811, was the first person who was buried in the McDonald or Upper Glade Burying-Ground. Mr. McDonald's son John {III} still survives; was five years old when brought to this county, and here has spent his life, a period of seventy-four years, nearly three-quarters of a century. This family have been identified with the growth and progress of the township from its first organization and have been among her most worthy and upright citizens ; ever prompt and active in the organization of schools and churches, and in the general moral and Christian progress of their community. Mr. McDonald has spent a life of industry, and as a result of his untiring labors and economy, has become one of the wealthiest farmers of the township and now owns 3,000 acres of land.

Note: Numerals I, II, III added in parentheses {} to distinguish: John McDonald I born c. 1736, John McDonald II born 1778, John McDonald III born 27 Dec 1803.

Part IV, Chapter III: Deer Creek Township - Early Elections and Township Officials

page 651-652:
Trustees ..., 1844-Abraham Simpson, Thomas Croshaw and George G. McDonald; 1846-Stanly Watson, Daniel Wright and William Snodgrass: 1847-Daniel Wright, William Snodgrass and James W. Tallman; 1848-Daniel Wright, G. G. McDonald and James W. Tallman; 1850-Daniel Wright, G. G. McDonald and John McDonald, Junior {III}; 1851-Daniel Wright, James Wright and John Plimell: 1852-Daniel Wright, G. G. McDonald and C. W. Martin; 1853-Daniel Wright, Adam Saunders and C. W. Martin; 1855-Daniel Wright. W. B. Rafferty and C. W. Martin; 1856- Daniel Wright, George Lohr and C. W. Martin; 1857-Daniel Wright. John Lohr and G. H. Busick: 1860-Daniel Wright, Jesse Smith and C. W. Martin; 1861-Daniel Wright, W. T. Davidson and D. W. Williamson; 1862-Daniel Wright, G. G. McDonald and William Curtain; 1863-James Dun, Jessie Smith and William Curtain; 1864-John A. Amos. W. H. C. McCoy and J. B. McDonald {James Byers}; 1866-C. W. Martin. W. H. C. McCoy and J. B. McDonald; ...

Part IV, Chapter IV: Union Township - Pioneers

page 668:
John McDonald, a native of Virginia, married a Miss Schuyler, and at an early day emigrated to Tennessee. In April, 1807, he with his family came to Madison County and settled on the Glade, where he died in 1811. His children were as follows: Maudlin died in Tennessee; Thomas, died at Woodstock, Champaign Co., Ohio; James and John, died on the Glade; Samuel, died in St. Clair County, Ill.; Betsey, died in Alabama; George, also died in St. Clair County, Ill.; and Schuyler, who died on the Glade. Of the above, James, the third child married in Tennessee, Miss Nancy Cook. a native of New Jersey and with his family came to this county with his father, and with him settled on the Glade Run. Their children were Mary, now Widow Ferguson, residing in Iowa; George, married Malinda Ferguson, by whom he has one daughter now living; Mary Ann, now the wife of Judge Fulton. of Columbus; Phebe, now Mrs. Luffburrough, residing in Iowa; Elizabeth, now Mrs. John Davis, resides near California, this county; Charity, married Walker Graham, resides in Indiana; John, died unmarried, and Maley, who resides in Iowa. Of this numerous family, the true pioneers of this county, but one surviving son is now a resident of Madison County, George, who is now quite advanced in years, and resides in London, retired from all active business. He has lived to see the wonderful changes in the transformation of this county from its wild and primitive state as they found it three quarters of a century ago, to its present condition of comfort and prosperity, amounting almost to grandeur, as it is now one of the best agricultural counties of the State. And this family of whom we have here traced their history in brief, have largely contributed to bring about this result. They have been pioneer workers in establishing schools and churches; in elevating the educational. moral and Christian status of their communities. And although most of them are now resting beneath the sod of the land of their early adoption, yet the rising generations in the enjoyment of all these present blessings and comforts, can but feel their hearts throb with gratitude in memory of these worthy pioneers, who have left them so rich a legacy.

Part IV, Chapter IV: Union Township - Churches

page 681:
It is probable, in fact we may say very certain, that the first church organization in Union Township was on Glade Run, and is known as the Lower Glade Methodist Episcopal Church. About 1808-9 several persons met at a log house on the farm now owned by Preston Adair, situated between what is known as the Lower Glade and the Upper Glade, and here, by Rev. Mr. Paves, a class was organized consisting of the following persons : John McDonald, James McDonald, Charles Ewing, Samuel Ewing, John Ewing, Jacob Sidener, John Adair, James Wright, Eliza Wright, William Erwin and his mother, Charles Melvin, John Melvin, Benjamin Melvin, Joseph Melvin, and their wives, Isaac Wright, James Wright, William Ragan, Abby Melvin, Schuyler McDonald, Phebe Melvin, Henry Coon and wife and Polly McDonald. While they continued to hold their meetings at this log house, they were administered to by the Revs. Paves, Smith, Bacon, Robert Findley, James Findley, William Sutton and William Simmons. About 1812, by mutual agreement, for the convenience of the members, the class was divided, those who lived in the the vicinity of the Upper Glade, forming a class, which was the nucleus of the McDonald Church, or the Upper Glade Methodist Episcopal Church, and those who resided in the vicinity of the Lower Glade constituted a class, and the beginning of the church of which we here give a history. This class consisted of the following: James McDonald, William Erwin and his mother, Schuyler McDonald, Charles Melvin, John Melvin, Benjamin Melvin, Joseph Melvin, Henry Coon, and their wives, Abby Melvin, Phebe Melvin, Adam Bennett and wife, Jacob McCuen, Samuel Adair and wife, and John Harrison and

continued, page 682:
wife, numbering twenty-six members in all. They held services in the house of James McDonald, and the houses of others, and in the schoolhouse until about 1831, when they erected the old log meeting house, which at that time was considered a fine structure, and it was probably dedicated the following year by Rev. William Simmons. {...}

Cemeteries
The first burial-places were usually upon the land where trey lived, or that of some neighbor at no great distance, as it was many years before regular interment grounds or cemeteries were established. The first to receive interment within the present limits of Union Township were, probably, two infant children of Thomas Melvin, on Glade Run, who died in the summer of 1808, and were buried on his land, which has since become a regular burial place for that neighborhood and vicinity, and is known as the Lower Glade Cemetery. The first adult person to be interred was Thomas Melvin, the father of the above mentioned children, who died in the fall of 1808. In 1811, the body of John McDonald, Sr., was deposited in the same piece of ground.

page 689:
Suppervisors. - 1826 - James McDonald, P.P. Helphenstine, Henry Coon and Thomas Bond.

Part IV, Chapter V: Pleasant Township - Officials

page 700:
Constables. - 1878-79, D.W. Wickle and Thomas McDonald.

Part V, Biographical Sketches: Union Township

page 908: GEORGE G. McDONALD, London is a retired farmer, and has been a resident of Madison County for three-quarters of a century. He was born in Washington County, Tenn., on Christmas Day of 1803. He is a son of James McDonald, a native of Botetourt County, Va. He left his native State when quite young, and emigrated to Tennessee, where he married Nancy Cook, a native of New Jersey. They came to Ross County, Ohio, in the winter of 1806-7, and the following spring came to Madison County. He located on a farm in Union Township, six miles from the present site of London, and on the Georgesville pike. He was a farmer by occupation, and a pioneer of that part of Madison County. There was only one house in what is now the village of London when he came to this county, and Indians and wild beasts were entirely too plentiful for comfort. Twelve children were born to Mr. and Mrs. McDonald, six living, and their ages are as follows: daughter, eighty-one; our subject, seventy-eight; daughter, seventy-six; daughter, seventy-four; daughter, seventy-two; and son fifty-nine, an average of over seventy-three years each. This is probably the highest average of any family in Madison County. Our subject was the third child and second son, and in early life assisted his father in the general duties of the farm. He was accustomed to clearing land, and burning up the walnut timber to get it out of the way. His mother was a good scholar, and taught him what early education he possessed. He married Melinda Ferguson, a native of Lexington, Ky., and a resident of Franklin County, Ohio. He remained with his father three years after marriage, and then purchased 385 acres of land in Deer Creek Township, where he resided until 1878. In the meantime, he had increased his farm to 623 acres. His original farm he gave to his daughter, and now owns and farms the remainder, 288 acres. In 1878, he removed to London, where he now resides. He has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal denomination fifty-five years, probably as long as any present resident of Madison County. He was formerly a Whig, but became a charter member of the Republican party on the date of its organization. He has always enjoyed perfect health, and to use his own language- "When I am 'a little indisposed, I don't take any medicine, but just starve the sickness away. I find that the best plan." Thirteen children have been given to him, only one living-Mary A., wife of "Judge" Robert C. Fulton, of Columbus. "Uncle George," as he is familiarly known to the greater part of our readers, possesses a most remarkable memory. He can relate many stories of "days gone by," when the little band of pioneers in this county had all they could do to keep body and soul together, and wait for the day when the white settlers would predominate. He has been a "tiller of the soil" for three-quarters of a century, honest in every action, and enjoys the true esteem and respect of every citizen in the county.

page 917:
SAMUEL T. PEARCE, London, is one of the oldest residents of London and vicinity. He was born in Fleming County, Ky., June 24, 1798, and is therefore in his eighty-fifth year. His grandfather was a native of Virginia, and located in Tennessee at an early day. He subsequently settled in Kentucky, and afterward removed to Clark and Champaign Counties, Ohio, passing away from earth in the latter county. His son, Joseph Pearce, father of Samuel T., was also born in Virginia, and

continued, page 918:
worked at the carpenter's trade at Harper's Ferry. He was there married to Martha Taylor, who sacrificed her life in giving birth to our subject. In 1801, Mr. Pearce married Elizabeth, daughter of the Rev. John Hubbard, of Virginia. The same year he visited Ohio with his wife and son (our subject), going to see his father, in either Clark or Champaign County. On this journey, they camped one evening about the present site of Somerford, in this county. Samuel T. Pearce, although but then three years of age, told the writer he distinctly remembered this camping-out episode. Our subject was subsequently put in charge of his mother's brother, Judge Samuel Reed, near Portsmouth, Ohio, and four years later his father took him to his home in Ross County. The latter died at Mechanicsburg, Champaign Co., Ohio, in 1836, and his wife about 1866. In 1812, Mr Pearce went to Chillicothe, Ohio, and served an apprenticeship at the saddler's trade. He then returned to Chillicothe, commenced business for himself, but in 1831 came to London and opened a shop. Three or four years later, he purchased 385 acres of land in Jefferson Township, and there resided, with the exception of two years in business at Jefferson, until March, 1880, when he retired from active labor, and purchased a residence property in London. Mr. Pearce owns 335 acres of his first purchase, and in connection with a son has another farm of 258 acres, lying in Jefferson and Deer Creek Townships. Mr. Pearce was married, in June, 1825, to Elizabeth, daughter of John McDonald, who planted his first crop in Madison County in 1808. They had ten children, five living - Mary, wife of A.A. Gregg, of Jefferson Township; Sarah Jane, wife of E.B. Haynes, a farmer Jefferson Township; Thomas, who married Sarah McCollum, and resides on George G. McDonald's farm in Union Township; Harriet, first married Vesuvius McCollum, and now the wife of John Gilbert and Lemuel, probably a resident of Texas. Mrs. Pearce departed this life December 1, 1848, and Mr. Pearce was again married April 23, 1850, to Mrs. Mary (Lilly) Durflinger, widow of Philip Durflinger, by whom she had two sons - Philip S., residing on the home farm in Jefferson Township, and S.W., attorney at law, of London. They have one child - Theodosia, wife of John Silvers. Mr. Pearce has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church sixty-seven years, and is probably the oldest church member of that denomination in Madison County. Mrs. Pearce is seventy-two years of age, and has been connected with the church for half a century. Mr. Pearce became a Whig in 1824: since 1854, he has been a member of the Republican party, until recently, when he joined the ranks of the Prohibition party.

Part V, Biographical Sketches: Paint Township

page 1159:
WASHINGTON WITHROW, P.O. Walnut Run, the oldest native resident of this township, was born in Union (now Paint) Township, this county, February 27, 1813. His grandfather, William Withrow, was a native of England, and upon coming to the United States located in Pennsylvania, where he resided till his death. One son, James, a native of that State emigrated to Ross County, Ohio in 1801, and five years later (1806) came to this county. He located 250 acres of land on Walnut Run where he lived during life, and gained considerable property. He married Mary Stockman, a native of Pennsylvania, and daughter of Robert Stockton. They were the parents of eight children, four now living, and all residents of Madison County. Mr. Withrow died in August, 1823 and his wife (who was born in 1778) in April 1841. Both were buried on the home farm, the place now being a portion of the Paint Township Cemetery. Our subject was the sixth child and fourth son of their parents, and was reared a "farmers boy." At this time, schools were not as plentiful as at present, and the schooling then obtained consisted only of the three "R's" - "readin', 'ritin' and 'rithmetic'." Mr. Withrow attended school whenever it was possible for him to be absent from the duties of the farm, but never after arriving at his fourteenth year. The death of his father in

continued, page 1160:
1823, deprived the mother and family of a support, and the sons - three in number - stood up manfully, and although young in years, bore the farm burdens with fortitude. When the two elder were married, the duties of the farm devolved upon our subject. He supported his mother until her death, residing on the home farm. When fifteen years of age, he had left home, and hired to work on a farm at $4 per month. He remained at this for two years, and subsequently bought 107 acres of good land. Being of an industrious and economical nature, he steadily increased his landed possessions until he once owned 1,200 acres. He has always been engaged in farming and stock-raising, but of late years has somewhat retired from active labor. He was a Whig, subsequently a straight Republican, and can justly be termed a Prohibition-Republican. He served one term as County Commissioner, and is now one of the Township Trustees, having held the latter position for many years. In early life, he was a member of the "Washingtonians," and "Sons of Temperance," and when forty years of age, he became connected with the Methodist Episcopal Church. In this latter organization he is now serving as Trustee, Steward and Class-Leader of the Newport Church. He is also a member of the Masonic fraternity. No man is better known in Paint Township, and no family is better respected than that bearing the name of Withrow. Mr. Withrow was united in marriage January 27, 1833, to Catherine, daughter of Martin and Catherine (Gillett) Trumain, and a native of New York. She accompanied her parents to this State when six years of age. Her father died in 1823, and her mother in her ninety-fourth year. Mr. and Mrs. Withrow have been blessed with twelve children, seven of whom grew to man and womanhood, and five now reside in this county viz.: Margaret (widow of Albert G. Rankin, and second wife of Isaac Kemp, a farmer of Union Township), William, James, John (married to Elizabeth Ross, and residing in Osage County, Ban.), Lucy (wife of James McDonald, a farmer of Deer Creek Township, in this county), David, and Fannie (wife of Richard Armstrong, of Ocova. Ill.).

Three of the above are more fully mentioned in the following:

William Withrow, of Withrow & Sifrit, proprietors of the Newport Tile Works, and of Roland & Withrow, dealers in general merchandise, was born in this township August 3, 1840. He grew to mature years on the old homestead and obtained a fair common school education. He remained with his father on the farm until October 3, 1861, when he married Mary J., daughter of Calvin Morris. After marriage, he went to Indiana, where he was engaged in farming and trading for four years. He then came back to Paint Township, locating in a portion of the home farm, and four years later rented a farm where he lived two years. In 1876, in company with a Mr. Durkee, he built the Newport Tile Works. Soon after, Mr. Withrow bought Mr. Durkee's interest, and rented the works to the latter for a period of three years. He then operated them him self until the spring of 1882, when Martin Sifrit first became a full partner, the firm being now known as Withrow & Sifrit. In the winter of 1881-82. Mr. Withrow, with T. H. Roland, purchased the grocery stock of Charles Douglass, and in both these business operations, Mr. Withrow has been very successful. He is a member of the Sons of Temperance Lodge, of Newport, the Republican party, and has officiated as School Director. Himself and wife are the parents of five children - Allie (wife of Albert Buel, a farmer of Union Township), J. Russell (a clerk in the store), Minnie, Washington and Fern. Mr. Withrow and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

James Withrow, farmer, stock raiser and dealer, resi-

continued, page 1161:
dence London, was born in Paint Township January 18, 1842. Like his brothers, he was reared amid rural scenes, obtaining only a common school education. He remained at home until July 22, 1861, when he enlisted in Company K, Twenty-sixth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, as a private, and was mustered out a non-commissioned officer, July 21, 1864, having served a three years' term. At the battle of Mission Ridge, he was severely wounded in the left arm, from the effect of which he has since suffered. After returning home, Mr. Withrow engaged with his father in farming and stockraising for five years. He then purchased 100 acres of the home farm, where he has since been engaged in farming. He also raises and deals in live stock. In December 1880, he removed his family to London, where he resides. He is Republican in politics, but has never been an active politician. He was married, October 2, 1865, to Clara, daughter of Gideon and Deborah Kilgore) Peck, the former a native of Ross County, Ohio, died in September 1879, latter of Fayette County, Ohio, now living in her sixty-seventh year. Mr. and Mrs. Withrow had three children born to them, two living - Addie and Sarah; Jennie is deceased. Mr. Withrow wife and family are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

David M. Withrow farmer and stock-raiser, on the Danville pike, was born on the Washington & Charleston pike, and has resided in Paint Township during his life. He grew to manhood on the home farm, and in early life attended the district schools, and subsequently the National Normal University at Lebanon, Ohio. He is now residing on a portion of the old homestead, and succeeding admirably in life. Mr. Withrow is a Republican in politics. He was married in March 1874 to Miss V. H. Ham, native of this county. Her grandfather, John Ham, was a native of Maryland, and died in 1859. They have one daughter. Mr. and Mrs. Withrow are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

2: Madison County History

The following is a citation from page 571 of Madison County History, published 1915. (Copyright has expired.)

JOHN McDONALD, III

John McDonald, III, who died in Madison county more than a quarter of a century ago, was a representative of the third generation of the McDonald family in this county, and both his father and grandfather were named John McDonald. The McDonald home is situated on the West Jefferson pike, five miles east of London, in Deer Creek township.

The original John McDonald, of Madison county, who may be designated as John McDonald, I, was reared in Scotland and received an excellent education. He came to Ohio with his son, John, II, from southern Tennessee, about 1800, and they settled in a log house, near which the railroad later passed. John McDonald, I, who died in 1811, and his son, John, II, are both buried in the Glade cemetery.

John McDonald, II, acquired four hundred acres of land, and in 1807 built a brick house that is still standing and still in a good state of preservation. The present brick front of the house was built by a later owner, but the rear part was a part of the original house. It was John McDonald, II, who donated the church site and the cemetery near the farm. He was a splendid figure of the sturdy Scot, tall, straight, portly and dignified in appearance. He was a believer in "water witches," and often acted as one himself, locating veins of water for his pioneer neighbors. He was also accustomed to bleed members of his family for various ills, and, although somewhat superstitious, was a strong churchman and well versed in the Scriptures. He believed implicitly in the Bible and in the actuality of a lake of burning fire and brimstone, reading the Word literally. John McDonald, II, who died in January, 1853, was honest by nature and adhered strictly to the Golden Rule. A grandson tells that as a lad he had a swelling in his side and his grandfather lanced the wound, assuring him it would not hurt. His pain was frightful and he lost all confidence in his grandfather's truthfulness, and, in fact, could not behold him for years afterwards without the thought arising that the grandfather was a "liar."

John McDonald, III, the subject of this sketch, was born in Deer Creek township, this county, the son of John McDonald, II, and the grandson of John McDonald, I, one of the original settlers of Madison county. John McDonald, I, had a large farm of one thousand acres, which extended from the West Jefferson pike to the national road, a distance of two miles, his house being on the cross road, now the Simpson road. The old frame house is still standing.

Joseph McDonald, one of his sons, received one hundred and eight acres of the one-thousand-acre tract, and later added to this farm until he owned two hundred and eight acres. In 1883 he built the house in which Howard McDonald now lives, and there he died, about eighteen months after completing the house, at the age of [seventy]* years. Practically all of his married life was spent on that farm, except a few years spent in Iowa. He married Mary A. McCoy, a foster child of William McCoy, of Deer Creek township, and to this union three children were born, William M., a business man of London, this county, engaged in the retail sale of feed and farm implements; Olive M., who is the wife of Frank Melvin, of London, and Howard, who now occupies the home farm. Another son, Frank, born to a previous marriage, a mail clerk, died as the result of injuries received in a railroad accident.

In his farming operations, Joseph McDonald was an extensive sheep and horse dealer, and bought horses and sold them during the Civil War. He was not interested in public service, and never aspired to office. His widow, who had remained on the farm after his death, died in 1913. At her death, Howard McDonald purchased the interests of the other heirs and owns all of the farm except a one-twelfth interest.

Notes:
* According to family history, Joseph McDonald, son of John III McDonald, was born about 1830. This would have made him about 55 when he died and not 70 as indicated here.

3: Biographical and Historical Record of Ringgold and Decatur Counties, Iowa

The following is a citation from pages 395 to 396 of Biographical and Historical Record of Ringgold and Decatur Counties, Iowa, published in 1887. (Copyright has expired.) Click on the thumbnail images below to see scanned images of the original text (with thanks to Scott Messinger).

MALAY McDONALD, retired farmer, was born in Madison County, Ohio, May 16, 1823. His father, James C. McDonald, was a son of [Thomas]* McDonald, a native of Scotland, and was born in Botetourt County, Virginia. He married in Tennessee, Mary Ann Melvin, also a native of Virginia, and they removed to Kentucky. About the year 1806 they removed to Ross County, Ohio, and three or four years later to Madison County. They had a large family of children, seven of whom lived to be grown - Mary, born in 1801; George, born in 1803; Phebe, born in 1805; Elizabeth, born in 1808; Charity, born in 1811; John, born in 1814; and Malay, the subject of this sketch.

Mr. McDonald's early life was spent in assisting his father on the farm and in obtaining his education at the subscription schools. He was married March 9, 1843, to Miss Mary Ferguson, born in Franklin County, Ohio, November 13, 1824, daughter of Thomas and Mary (Biggert) Ferguson. He resided in Madison until 1850, when, with wife and three children he started for Iowa. The first winter he spent in Muscatine, and the following spring moved on a farm five miles west of the city, where he resided four years. May 22, 1855, he arrived in Bloomington Township, Decatur County, and bought a claim of Matthew McClain, paying $200 for the pre-emption. The land is described as follows: South half section 29, southwest section 28, south half northwest 28, west half southeast, south half northeast 28, township 60, range 27 west. There were living in Bloomington Township at that time about seven families: Mr. McClain, John Mercer, Aaron Myers, F. M. Scott, Widow Scott's family, W. M. McDonald, John Wion and J. K. Tapscot. Mr. McDonald commenced immediately to make permanent improvements. The first house was a log cabin, 16 x 16 feet, with sod chimney, that had been erected by Mr. McClain. He improved from time to time until the McDonald farm was known as one of the best improved farms in Decatur County. At one time he owned 1,000 acres. His house was built in 1866 and was sided with black walnut; it was one of the best buildings in the township. He was extensively engaged in stock-raising, feeding and dealing in stock.

He resided on the old homestead in Bloomington Township until October 29, [1855]**, when he removed to Kellerton where he has 158 acres of improved land adjoining the town plat. He has a nice residence, built in modern style and well furnished. Mr. and Mrs. McDonald have had four children - Margaret Ann, of Tuskeega; George, deceased; E. W., of Tuskeega, and an infant not named. Mr. McDonald has served one term as county supervisor under the old law, and three terms as township trustee and assessor. He is a member of the Odd Fellows order of Decatur City, and politically is an independent Republican. He started in life without means, but by industry and good management has acquired a fine property. Among the enterprising and successful pioneers of Decatur County, none is better known or more highly esteemed than is Mr. McDonald, and he is classed among the leading citizens of Ringgold County.

Notes:
* According to family history, James C. McDonald was the son of John McDonald and not Thomas McDonald as indicated here.
** This date should read 1885. Malay and Mary were recorded in the 1885 Iowa State Census still living in Bloomington. Furthermore, Mary Ferguson McDonald's obituary states they moved to Kellerton in 1885.

4: The History of Decatur County, Iowa

The following is a citation from pages 216 to 217 of The History of Decatur County, Iowa, Volume II, published 1915, edited by Prof. J. M. Howell and C. Heman. (Copyright has expired.) Click on the thumbnail images below to see scanned images of the original text (with thanks to Scott Messinger).

Page 216 - 217:

MALAY McDONALD, who was one of the most prominent and influential of the early settlers of Bloomington township, was at one time the owner of one thousand acres of fine land. His birth occurred in Madison county, Ohio, on the 16th of May, 1823, and he was a son of James C. McDonald, who was in turn a son of [Thomas]* McDonald. The last named was born in Scotland and on emigrating to the United States settled in Botetourt County, Virginia, where his son James C. was born. The latter was married in Tennessee to Miss Mary Ann Melvin, also a native of the Old Dominion, and they took up their residence in Kentucky, whence, about 1806, they removed to Ross county, Ohio. Three or four years later they settled in Madison county, that state, where they lived for many years. They had a large family, of whom seven grew to maturity.

Malay McDonald, who was the youngest child, was educated in the subscription schools in Madison county and early in life became familiar with agricultural pursuits. He continued to reside in his native county until 1850, when, with his family, he removed to Iowa. The first winter was spent at Muscatine, but in the following spring the family removed to a farm, where they resided for four years. On the 22d of May, 1855, they arrived in Bloomington township, Decatur county, and the father purchased several hundred acres of land from Matthew McClain. At that time there were only about seven families in that township and the greater part of the land was yet unbroken. Mr. McDonald acquired more land and accumulated altogether about one thousand acres, upon which he engaged in stockraising and feeding on an extensive scale. He owned a fine farm adjoining Kellerton and at length he took up his abode in that town. He passed away September 8, [1895]**, and his demise was sincerely regretted by all who knew him.

Mr. McDonald was married on the 9th of March, 1843, to Miss Mary Ferguson, whose birth occurred in Franklin county, Ohio, on the 13th of November, 1824, and who is a daughter of Thomas and Mary (Biggert) Ferguson. To this union were born the following children: Margaret Ann; George, who was a soldier in the Civil War and who died while at home on furlough from the effects of a wound received in battle; E. W.; and one who died in infancy. Mr. McDonald was an independent republican and served for one term as county supervisor and for three terms as township trustee and assessor. He belonged to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Decatur City. He was a man of much force of character and energy and also possessed excellent business ability, and it was but natural that he should be one of the foremost citizens of Decatur county. After removing to Kellerton he was recognized as one of the leaders in Ringgold county and his death was the occasion of much sincere grief.

Notes:
* According to family history, James C. McDonald was the son of John McDonald and not Thomas McDonald as indicated here.
** Malay McDonald's headstone says he passed away in 1894.

Page 255:

GEORGE R. BATHE

George R. Bathe, who for many years operated the Eagle Grove farm, on section 29, Bloomington township, removed to Kansas the winter of 1890-1 and subsequently became a resident of Oklahoma, where he still resides. His birth ocurred in Moultrie county, Illinois, on the 20th of March, 1842, and he is a son of James and Melinda (Powell) Bathe, both natives of Illinois, the former born in Vermillion county.

George R. Bathe was left an orphan when but ten years of age and when fourteen years old came to Decatur county, Iowa, with his brother-in-law, A. J. McClain, with whom he made his home for years. He received a good common-school education but on the 15th of August, 1861, when nineteen years of age, he enlisted in Company M, Third Iowa Volunteer Cavalry, for service in the Civil war and participated in all of the engagements in which that regi-

Page 256 (continued):

ment took part. Although he was once slightly wounded he never missed a roll call and because of gallant conduct was made sergeant major in 1863. On the 9th of August 1863, he was honorably discharged with his regiment at Atlanta, Georgia, and on the 20th of that month he was mustered out at Davenport, Iowa. He returned to Decatur county and in the fall of 1863 took up his residence in Decatur City, where he remained for three years, removing to Bloomington township in the spring of 1868. He settled upon his farm which was known as Eagle Grove farm, on section 29, that township, near Tuskeega. He also owned five hundred acres of land on sections 22 and 23 and was an extensive breeder of thoroughbred shorthorn cattle. He sold many head of registered stock and did much to improve the grade of cattle raised in Bloomington township. There were many who regretted his departure, when in the winter of 1890-1 he removed to Kansas, whence he went to Oklahoma.

Mr. Bathe was married on the 13th of October, 1865, to Miss M. A. McDONALD, a daughter of Malay and Mary (Ferguson) McDONALD. To this union were born six children: Mrs. Nora Morris of Denver, Colorado; Mrs. Charles T. Rhodes; Irvin L., a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work; Avon, who is married and who lives in Lenapah, Oklahoma; Carrie, the wife of Ernest Shepherd, of Pueblo, Colorado; and Charles W., of Coffeyville, Kansas.

Mr. Bathe is a republican and has been quite prominent in local public affairs. He has been a devoted husband and father and the family are closely bound together by ties of mutual affection. His genial nature and great-hearted generosity have endeared him to those whom he has come in contact, while his unswerving integrity and strict honesty have won the sincere respect of all who know him.

5: Down One Hundred Years

The following is a citation from page 261 of the Decatur history book Down One Hundred Years by L. Dale Ahern.

McDONALD, MALAY - born 1823, Madison co., Ohio; parents James and Mary McDonald; wife Mary Ferguson; came to Decatur County 1855; children Margaret, George, E. W.; occupation farmer; member of I.O.O.F. lodge; died [1895]*.

Note:
* According to his headstone in Maple Row Cemetery, Kellerton, Decatur County, Iowa, Malay McDonald died 8 Sep 1894 age 71 years, 3 months, 23 days.

6: Kellerton, Iowa, A History to 1881

The following is an excerpt from Kellerton, Iowa, A History to 1881, published in 1887. (Copyright has expired.) This text was transcribed by Pauline Stubbs on 25 Jul 2001 for the Rootsweb Decatur County, Iowa Message Board.

MALAY McDONALD FAMILY

Malay McDonald, retired farmer was born in Madison County, Ohio, May 16, 1823. His father, James C. McDonald was a son of Thomas* McDonald, a native of Scotland, and was born in Botetourt County, Virginia. He married in Tennessee, Mary Ann Melvin, also a native of Virginia, and they removed to Kentucky. About the year 1806, they removed to Ross County, Ohio, and three or four years later to Madison County .They had a large family of children, seven of whom lived to be grown--Mary , born in 1801; George, born in 1803; Phebe, born in 1805; Elizabeth, born in 1808; Charity born in 1811; John , born in 1814; and Malay, the subject of this sketch. Mr. McDonald's early life was spent in assisting his father on the farm and in obtaining his education at the subscription schools. He was married March 9, 1843, to Miss Mary Ferguson , born in Franklin County, Ohio, November 13, 1824, daughter of Thomas and Mary (Biggert) Ferguson. He resided in Madison until 1850, when, with his wife and three Children started for Iowa. The first winter he spent in Muscatine and the following spring moved on a farm five miles west of the city, where he resided four years. May 22 , 1855, he arrived in Bloomington township, Decatur County , and bought l claim of Matthew McClain, paying $200 for the pre-emption. The land is described as follows: South half section 29, southwest section 28, South half northwest 28, west half Southeast, south half northeast 28, township 60, range 27 west. There were living in Bloomington Township at that time about seven families. McClain, John Mercer, Aaron Myers , F.M. Scott, Widow Scott's family, W.M. McDonald, John Wion and J. K.Tapscot.

Mr. McDonald commenced immediately to make permanent improvements.The first house was a lot cabin, 16x16 feet, with sod chimney, that had been erected by Mr. McClain. He improved from tine to tine unti1 the McDonald farm was known as one of the best improved farms in Decatur County .At one time he owned 1,000 acres. His house was built in 1866 and was sided with black Walnut; it was one of the best buildings in the township. He was extensively engaged in stockraising, feeding and dealing in stock. He resided on the old homestead in Bloomington Township until October, 29, 1855, when he removed to Kellerton where he has 158 acres of improved land adjoining the the. town plat. He has a nice residence, built in modern style and well furnished. Mr .and Mrs. McDonald have had four children; Margaret Ann, of Tuskeego, George, deceased; E. W., of Tuskeego, and an infant not named.

Mr. McDonald has served one term as county supervisor under the old law, and three terms as township trustee and assessor. He is a member of the Odd Fellows order of Decatur City , and politically is an independent Republican. He started in life without means, but by industry and good management has acquired a fine property. Among the enterprising and successful pioneers of Decatur County, none is better known than is Mr. McDonald, and is classed among the leading citizens of Ringgold County.

Notes
* James C. McDonald was the son of John I McDonald (not Thomas as suggested here). See separate pages for James C. McDonald and John I McDonald, including census and headstone proof.

7: History of Union County, Ohio (1883)

The following is a citation from the History of Union County, Volume II, Part V: Township Histories, published by W.H. Beers & Co., Chicago, 1883 (Copyright has expired.) The text appears online at www.heritagepursuit.com/Union/Untitle.htm.

page 3:
Chapter I: Paris Township - Marysville
The original plat of Marysville was laid out in 1819, and the following description thereof is from the records of Delaware County, which then included the site:... August 10, A.D. 1819.

page 4:
Marysville having been fixed upon as the seat of justice for the county of Union, David Comer was, on the 10th day of July, 1820, appointed Director of said town, with Thomas McDonald and George Harris as his bondsmen.

page 46:
Paris Township Schools
Teachers in the schools at that time (January 1876), with the enrollment in the various grades, were as follows: Miss Nellie S. McDonald, Principal Highest Department, 80; Mrs. Mattis A. Robinson, Assistant Highest Department; Miss Alice S. Pierce, teacher first Grammar Department, 38; ...

page 167:
Chapter II: Union Township - Pioneers
Thomas McDonald, a native of Tennessee, settled on Darby Creek on Survey 6,602; he married a Miss Teeters, and remained a resident here through life. Their children were John, who married Philomelia Miller, and removed to Champaign County, where he died; Betsy, married David Burnham, both died in Milford; Polly, married James Biggs, and died near Milford; Susan, married a Mr. Davis and removed to Dayton, Ohio, where they died; Nancy, married William Howard, and died in this township; Samuel, married Rachel Comer, and resided here till his death; James, married Adaline Stewart, he subsequently emigrated to California; Charity, unmarried; George, married Roxie Fairfield, she died and he married Mrs. McDonald, nee Comer, and now resides in Woodstock; Julia, married James Biggs; and Duncan moved West. Mr. McDonald was an excellent neighbor and citizen, and possessed great honor and integrity throughout his business life.

page 191:
Union Township Cemeteries
Teeter's or McDonald Cemetery.- This was a family burying place. It is situated about two miles northwest of Milford Center, and contains one-half acre. E.C. March now owns the farm upon which it is located. The ground was deeded to the Township Trustees by George McDonald, May 4, 1874, and is now under their care and supervision.

page 195-196:
Township Officials
The first election of Union Township, after the organization of Madison County, and its formation into townships, was held at the house of John Mathers, in Milford, October 10, 1820. John McDowell, Andrew Gill and George Reed acted as Judges. Hugh Porter and Richard Gabriel served as Clerks. Number of votes cast, 91. Ethan Allen Brown received 64 votes and Jeremiah Morrow 27 for Governor; Joseph Vance 46, Orris Parrish 24 and Daniel Smith 12 votes for Congress; scattering, 9; Gustavus Swan 58, and Joseph Foos 32 for Senator; Nicholas Hathaway 90 for Representative; Joseph Kennedy 32, James Biggs 21, James Ewing 30, George Brown 2, James Reed 1 and Nathaniel Kazer 1 for Sheriff; David Comer 79, Samuel Reed 44, Robert Nelson 75, Henry Sager 33, and Thomas McDonald 10 for County Co Commissioner; Joel Frankelberger 20, Nathaniel Kazer 41, Joseph Kennedy 8, Robert Branson 6 and Anson Howard 1 vote for Coroner. Number of votes cast in 1.876 was 396; in 1880, was 404.

Trustees
1819: Thomas McDonald, William Gabriel and John Porter
1836: Jacob Fairfield, Thomas McDonald and John Parthemore

page 198:
Overseers of the Poor...
1822: Thomas McDonald and Davis Reed

page 198 to 201:
JOSEPH BAKER, deceased, was born in Mechanicsburg, Ohio, in 1819 and was a son of Ferrill Baker. His early life was passed in the place of his nativity. He studied medicine, and after graduating in 1844, located in this township, where he practiced for a number of years. He was a skillful physician, and as a man was universally respected. He was married to Phoebe, daughter of David Burnham; he was an acceptable member and an honored brother of the Masonic, Lodge; he died March 15, 1880. David Burnham, and Nancy Gabriel, his wife were the parents of Mrs. Baker; the former was born in Connecticut and settled in this county in about 1820. He was a man of fine business attainments and a Justice of the Peace for twenty years. His first wife died in 1829, and he was married the second time to Elizabeth McDonald, who was born in Ross County, Ohio, in 1804, and was a daughter of Thomas McDonald, an old settler. His first wife was born in this township in 1806, and was a daughter of William Gabriel. His second wife died in 1881.

page 207:
WILLIAM McDONALD HOWARD, farmer, P. O. Irwin, was born on the farm now occupied by him, on October 20, 1839. His father, William Howard, was a native of Connecticut , who came to Ohio when a young man, and married Nancy McDonald, by whom he had three children, viz.: Nathan, Harriet, deceased, and William. The father died before our subject was born, and he was raised on the farm by his mother, who died in February, 1876. He was educated in the common schools of this county, and at Antioch College, Delaware, Ohio. In 1866, he married Lucy McMullan, daughter of John and Lucy (Matthews) McMullen. By this union four children were born, viz.: William, John, Walter and Ancie. Mr. Howard is a Republican in politics, but he takes no part in party struggles, and devotes his time entirely to his farm. He owns a large amount of land in this and Madison County, and is extensively engaged in stock-raising and dealing. His farm is one of the pleasantest, neatest and best regulated in the county.

page 284 - 287:
List of Union County marriages 1825
Samuel T. Hovey and Rachel Comer*
David Burnham** and Nancy Gabriel
John McDonald*** and Philomela Miller

List of Union County marriages 1827
Ralph Cherry and Rachel Comer*

Notes
* Rachel Comer later married Samuel McDonald (son of Thomas McDonald and Charity Teeter) in 1834 and married again after his death to his brother George McDonald.
** David Burnham later married Betsy McDonald, b. 1804, daughter of Thomas McDonald and Charity Teeter.
*** John McDonald, born c. 1802, (son of Thomas McDonald and Charity Teeter) was married on 20 Dec 1825.

page 476:
Chapter IX: Allen Township - Biographical Sketches
NATHAN HOWARD, farmer, P. O. Milford Center, was born in Union Township, Union County, September 21, 1831. His parents, William and Nancy (McDonald) Howard, were natives of Windham, Conn*. His father was born June 18, 1802, and his mother June 10, 1807. They were married in Union County in 1830. His parents, William and Phebe Howard, were also natives of Windham, Conn.; the former was born January 18, 1749, and died July 18, 1822, and the latter born July 15, 1759, and died December 3, 1806. John and Sarah (Bennett) Howard parents of the last named William Howard, were born in Ipswich Mass., February 15, 1715, and October 21, 1722. They were married in Hampton, Conn., January 8. 1840; he died June 16, 1789, and she March 19, 1812. John Howard was the eldest son of John and Mary (Martin) Howard, also natives of Ipswich. John was born in 1683, and his wife February 22, 1713. They settled in the Howard Valley, near Hampton, Conn., in 1733. This John Howard was a son of William Howard who was born in Ipswich in 1634 and died in the same place, July 25, 1709. His father, Thomas Howard, was born about 1600, and emigrated from England to America only fourteen years after the landing of the Pilgrim Fathers, and died near Ipswich, Mass., April 15, 1686. William and Nancy Howard, the parents of the subject of this sketch, emigrated West and settled in Union Township, Union County, in 1830. Mr. Howard died June 10, 1839, and his widow, February 15, 1876. They were the parents of three children - Nathan, the subject of this sketch; Harriet L. and William. Mrs. Howard was a daughter of Thomas McDonald, who moved from Ross County, Ohio, to Union in 1808, and settled a mile and a half north, above Milford Center, on the north side of Big Darby, and there cleared a large farm and reared a family of thirteen children, of whom Mrs. Howard was the fifth child. Mr. McDonald - died March 26, 1855, aged eighty-five**. Mrs. Howard was left a widow with three children in 1839. The farm contained 500 acres, but was all wild land and 200 acres were not yet paid for. She was a lady of unusual business qualifications and judgment, and conducted the farm successfully till her children were grown. Our subject was reared to manhood on the farm and received the rudiments of his education in the common schools. When of age he was given the business of the farm, which he managed till 1859, when the farm, which contained 600 acres, was divided between him and William, the daughter, Harriet L., having died a short time before. In 1860, he moved to a log cabin which had been erected by Thomas McDonald, and lived in it six years: then occupied a frame till 1876, when he built his present large and commodious brick residence at a cost of $6,000. The homestead farm is known as the "Indian Field Farm," and is one of the best improved on the creek. Mr. Howard has continued to buy and add land to the homestead till he now owns a tract of 1400 acres, ranking at the present time as one of the wealthiest and largest land owners in Union County. He was a member of the company that imported among the first French and Clydesdale horses to the United States. Mr. Howard has been extensively engaged in breeding and rearing French horses and thoroughbred short-horned cattle. For the last five years he has kept Shropshiredown sheep for mutton purposes. He is a regular exhibitor of fine stock at the annual fairs, of which he served as member of the Agricultural Board ten years and Vice President two years. He was Assessor of Allen seven years and in 1880 was elected to the Board of County Commissioners. Mr. Howard is a successful business man. He was married September 21, 1859, to Helen M. Hathaway, daughter of Ebenezer and Mary A. (Hopkins) Hathaway. Mrs. Howard was born in Union Township May 17, 1839. Four children were born to this Union; of them three are living, viz., Charles M., Corrie and Otto N.; Hattie C. is deceased.

Notes
* Nancy McDonald was not a native of Wyndham, Connecticut. She was born 10 Jun 1807 in Ohio (see her 1850 census return).
** Thomas McDonald was born 23 Sep 1774 and died 26 Mar 1855, i.e. he died at the age of eighty, not eight five. (See Thomas McDonald page, including headstone transcription.)

page 680:
Chapter XIV: Taylor Township - Schools
The following persons constitute the present Board of Education: Subdistrict No. 1, W.H. Ford; No. 2, J. McDonald; No. 3, S. McAdow, No. 4, S.B. Scott; No. 5, S.R. Griffin; No. 6, J.M. Hamilton; No. 7, J.A. Welch; No. 8, J.B. Warner; No. 9, J.C. Hull (President of Board); No. 10, I.F. Gates; No. 11, C.E. Morris; with P.J. Wyeth, Clerk.

8: Goodspeed's Newton, Lawrence, Barry and McDonald Counties History

The following is a citation from pages 224 to 225 of the Lawrence County section of Goodspeed's Newton, Lawrence, Barry and McDonald Counties History, (Missouri), published by The Goodspeed Publishing Co., 1888. (Copyright has expired.) The text appears online at www.rootsweb.com/~molawre2/bio/mcdonald.html, transcribed by JJR.

DUNCAN McDONALD

Duncan McDONALD, one who is closely connected with the farming interests of Lawrence County, is the grandson of [Thomas McDonald]*, who was from the [Highlands]** of Scotland and of the Highland clan of McDonalds. Thomas settled in Virginia near the Tennessee line, and here followed farming. He was a first-class accountant and a very fine penman. He went security for the sum of $1,200, which he had to pay. After this he went security for $8,000 more, and lost this, which crippled him financially. He had been a prosperous merchant in Scotland. He lived to be [ninety]*** years of age. His wife was a Miss [SCHULER]4*, whom he had married in [Scotland]5*. They were the parents of [five]6* children: Thomas, John, James, George, and one daughter, whose [name]7* is forgotten, who went to Alabama, and whose sons are Methodist ministers.

Thomas McDonald, Jr., father of the subject of this sketch, was a native-born Virginian, and was reared in Tennessee on a farm. He married Miss Charity TEETERS, who was the daughter of Capt. TEETERS, and to them were born thirteen children: John, Samuel, James, Thomas, George, Duncan, Mary, Elizabeth, Susan, Nancy, Charity, Julia A. and Angelina. Mr. McDonald was with Gen. MASSEY, and assisted in laying out the city of Chillicothe, Ohio. He first settled in Ross County Ohio, and bought 640 acres of land in Union County. The gold coin was weighed instead of counted that was paid for the farm. He began with but little other property, but finally owned 1,300 acres of land. He was a prosperous farmer and a good liver. He was a member of the Universalist Church, but was very liberal to all churches. He died in Champaign County, Ohio, at the age of seventy-five years. He was a man of powerful build, and was one of the strongest men of his day, possessing an iron constitution. He was a soldier in the War of 1812.

His son, Duncan McDonald, was born on his father's farm in Ohio in 1818, and was named by Gen. McARTHUR, who was in the War of 1812, and who lived near Chillicothe, where he was a prominent man. He was the father-in-law of Gov. William ALLEN, of Ohio. Mr. McDonald was reared on the farm, and received a meager education in the common schools. When a young man he went to Green County, Wis., and mined for lead in this county. He here married Miss Jane A. GREEN, daughter of William C. and Joanna (PHILLIPS) GREEN. Both the Green and Phillips families were early settlers of Rhode Island, and of English descent. They were also early settlers of Green County, Wis. Mr. and Mrs. McDonald are the parents of two children: Charity, born January 1, 1849, and Bron H. who was born October 27, 1855. After marriage Mr. McDonald and family moved to the old McDonald homestead in Union County, Ohio, and there remained for five years. They then went to Iowa, and purchased 1,200 acres of land. After living on this farm for seventeen years, they came to Lawrence County, Mo., in 1887, and here purchased a farm of Judge Richard H. Landrum, consisting of 260 acres of fine farming land. Both Mr. and Mrs. McDonald are Universalists in religious belief, and Mr. McDonald is a staunch Republican in his political opinions. He is a man of property, owning 670 acres of land, besides other real estate and business interests. He is a self-made man, and although seventy years of age still works on his farm. Mrs. McDonald was born near Buffalo, N.Y., in 1827, and is an active, intelligent woman. Their son, Bron H. McDonald, is secretary of the Home Lumber Company of Nevada, and is a prosperous man; he was married to Ada BANKS, of Virginia, and is the father of one child, Fred B. The daughter, Charity, married William HARRIS, and is now living in Iowa. They have four children: Herman H., Bertha J., Edith D. and Edna E.

Notes:
* Should read John I McDonald (see McDonald main page for details) and NOT Thomas McDonald.
** John I McDonald was from Argylshire in the lowlands, NOT the highlands.
*** John I McDonald was born in 1736 and died in 1811. According to his headstone he was 74 years and 4 months old when he died and not 90 as indicated here.
4*, 5* John I's wife's name is usually spelled as Miss SCHUYLER (not Schuler) and they were married in Virginia.
6* There were more than six children: see McDonald main page.
7* The daughter was Elizabeth "Betsy" McDonald who married Peter Foust.

9: History of Green County, Wisconsin

together with sketches of its towns and villages, educational, civil, military and political history; portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of representative citizens

The following extracts are from the book named above, published by the Union Publishing Company, Springfield, Ill., 1884. (Copyright has expired.) The text appears online at
http://www.scls.lib.wi.us/lud/green2/Index.pdf

Copies of the pdf files of several chapters of interest are available on this website here:

• Cover, Preface
• Table of Contents, Historical
• Table of Contents, Biographical
• Chapter 04: First Settlement of the County
• Chapter 11: Territorial, State and Congressional Representation (file size exceeds rootsweb limit)
• Chapter 19: Election Statistics
• Chapter 20: The War for the Union (file size exceeds rootsweb limit)
• Chapter 27: Adams Town

cover page	p. 153 Ch. IV	p. 282 Ch. XI	p. 286 Ch. XI
p. 467 Ch. XIX	p. 468 Ch. XIX	p. 471 Ch. XIX	p. 520 Ch. XX
p. 644 Ch. XXVII	p. 648 Ch. XXVII

page 153:
Chapter IV: First Settlement of the County

In the spring of 1834 James BIGGS and wife moved from Union Co., Ohio, to Wiota, in what was then Iowa county (now Lafayette). They staid there one year and then moved to what is now the town of Adams, Green county. This was the middle of June, 1835. They settled on section 8. They had not a neighbor at that time within ten miles. The first one who followed Mr. Biggs was William Brazel. Mr. Biggs was the first settler in Adams; and Mr. Brazel, the second.

page 208:
Chapter VII: Pioneer Life

Note: the following has no biographical content, but gives a remarkably detailed descripton of the living conditions of the early settlers.

THE LOG CABIN.

The first important business of the pioneer settler, upon his arrival in Green county, was to build a house. Until this was done, some had to camp on the ground or live in their wagons- perhaps the only shelttr they had known for weeks. So the prospects for a house, which was also to be a home, was one that gave courage to the rough toil, and added a zest to the heavy labors. The style of the home entered very little into their thoughts-it was shelter they wanted, and protection from stress of weather and wearing exposures. The poor settler had neither the money nor the mechanical appliances for building himself a house. He was content, in most instances, to have a .mere cabin or hut. This was made of round logs light enough for two or three men to lay up. The house would generally be about fourteen feet square-perhaps a little larger or smaller-roofed with bark or clapboard, and floored with puncheons (logs split once in two and the flat side laid up). For a fire-place, a

page 209 (continued):
wall of stones and earth was made in the best practicable shape for the purpose, in an opening in one end of the building, extending outward, and planked on the outside by bolts of wood notched together to stay it. Sometimes a fireplace of this kind was made so large as to occupy nearly the whole width of the house. In cold weather when a great deal of wood was needed to keep the proper warmth inside, large logs were piled in the fire-place. To protect the crumbling back wall against the heat, two back-logs, one on top of the other, were placed against it.

For a chimney, any contrivance that would carry up the smoke would do. They were usually constructed of clay and sticks. Imagine a cold winter's night when the storm of wind and snow was raging without, the huge fire blazing within, and the family sitting around! It might be cozy enough if the cold was not too intense; and, in reality, before those fi e-places there was often something of cheer, as the farmer sat smoking-if he had any tobacco; and the wife knitting-if she had any yarn and needles.

For a door to his log cabin the most simple contrivance that would serve the purpose was brought into requisition. Before a door could be made, a blanket often did duty in guarding the entrance. But, as soon as convenient, some boards were split out and put together, hung upon wooden hinges, and held shut by a wooden pin, inserted in an auger-hole.

PIONEER FURNITURE.
In regard to the furniture of the pioneer's cabin, it may be said that it varied in proportion to the ingenuity of the occupants, unless it was where settlers brought with them their old household supply, which, owing to the distance most of them had to come, was very seldom. It was easy enough to improvise tables and chairs; the former could be made of split logs; the latter were designed after the three-legged stool pattern, or benches served their purpose. A bedstead was a very important item in the domestic comfort of the family; and the fashion of improvising them was as follows:

A forked stake was driven into the ground diagonally from the corner of the room, and at a proper distance, upon which poles reaching from each side of the cabin were laid. The wall ends of the poles were either driven into auger-holes or rested in the openings between the logs. Bark or boards were used as a substitute for cords. Upon this, the wife spread her straw tick; and if she had a home-made feather bed, she piled it up into a luxurious mound and covered it with her sheets and bedquilts. Sometimes sheets were hung against the wall at the head and side of the bed, which added much to the coziness of this resting-place -this pioneer bed-room. The sleeping arrangement was generally called a "prairie bedstead."

Page 282:
Chapter XI: Territory, State and Congressional Representation

MEMBERS WHO REPRESENTED GREEN COUNTY IN THE CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTIONS.
The first constitutional convention assembled at Madison on the 5th day of October, 1846, and adjourned on the 16th day of December, 1846, having framed a constitution, which was submitted to a vote of the people on the first Tuesday in April, 1847, and the same was rejected. The members of this convention from Green county were: Davis Bowen, Noah Phelps, William C. Green and Hiram Brown. The second convention assembled at Madison on the 15th day of December, 1847, and adjourned on the 1st of February, 1848, having framed a constitution, which was submitted to a vote of the people on the second Monday in March following, and the same was adopted. Green county's representatives in this (the second) constitutional convention were: James Biggs and William McDowell.

Note: William McDowell is no relation, he was descended of an Irish family.

Page 286:
JAMES BIGGS.

James BIGGS was born in 1799, in what was then the Northwest Territory, now the State of Ohio. He was married in what was at that time Delaware Co., Ohio, to Mary McDonald. Of this marriage there were three children born. He was married the second time, after the death of his first wife, to Angeline Robinson. This event took place Dec. 8, 1833, in Milford, Union Co., Ohio. The next spring they moved to Iowa Co., Wis., settling first at Wiota and in June, 1834, moving to what is now the town of Adams, in Green county, where Mr. Biggs died, June 27, 1870. He had five children by the second marriage, all of whom, together with Mrs. Biggs, are now (1884) living. Mr. Biggs was postmaster twenty-three years at Walnut Springs, in the town of Adams. He finally resigned and the office was discontinued. Mr. Biggs during all his residence in Green county was a farmer. He was a member of the second constitutional convention, but took no important part in the proceedings of that body, but nevertheless ranked among its most worthy and intelligent members. . He was a gentleman of fine culture and first class abilities, well read, of large and varied frontier experience, a sound adviser, and steadfast friend. Ill health alone prevented his taking a conspicuous position.

Page 467:
Chapter XIX: Election Statistics.

ELECTION, SEPTEMBER, 1846
Legislative Council.
Daniel Baxter..............290
A.L. Collins...............270
Jacob Ly Brand.............60
James Biggs................2

Representatives.
James Biggs................217
J.W. Stewart...............250
Isaac Biggs................246
William A. Wheeler.........332
Charles Lum................333
D.R. Baxter................301
Ezra Combs.................70
Oliver H. Reed.............70
Joseph Knight..............69

Page 468:
Chapter XIX: Election Statistics (continued)

ELECTION, SEPTEMBER, 1847
Commissioners.
Henry Adams................361
William Boyls..............366
James Biggs................355
John Moor..................349
R.D. Derrick...............356
William Brown..............411
Daniel Harcourt............49
John Cain..................43
H.W. Button................39

Senate.
E.F. Gardner...............485-- 89
James Biggs................396
Jacob Rogers...............8
Hallis Button..............1

Page 471:
Chapter XIX: Election Statistics (continued)

ELECTION, NOVEMBER, 1848
Surveyor.
Samuel Spangler............361
James Biggs................472
David Johnson..............200
J.V. Richardson............1

ELECTION, NOVEMBER, 1850
Surveyor.
Samuel Spangler............571-- 136
James Biggs................435

Page 520:
Chapter XX: The War for the Union.

Men in the Thirty-first Regiment from Green County.
..., James McDonald, ...

Relationship, if any, unknown.

page 644:
Chapter XXVII: Town of Adams

James BIGGS, of Ohio, made the first settlement within the limits now comprising the town of Adams. He came here before the Black Hawk War, intrusted by the government with the work of surveying and subdividing range 6. He finished this work in 1834. While prosecuting his work he discovered on section 8, in this town, a rank growth of what is termed "lead-weed," or more properly "leadplant," called masonic in an early day, whose roots are said to extend forty feet below the surface. Gen. Biggs knew that both scientists and Indians regarded a line of this weed on the surface as an indication of a fissure that might contain lead, and at odd moments he began to dig there. In 1835 he settled here, but for several years his family spent much of the time at "Hamilton Diggings."

Notes:
James Biggs (1798-1870) was the husband of Mary McDonald (1801-1824), daughter of Thomas McDonald. He remarried in 1833 to Angeline Robinson and moved from Union County, Ohio to Green County, Wisconsin.

page 648:
Chapter XXVII: Town of Adams (continued)

William E. Bailey was born in Vermilion Co., Ill., in January, 1836, and was ten years of age when he came with his parents to Green county. He grew to maturity in the town of Adams, receiving his education in the district school. He was married in April, 1857, to Jane McDonald, and settled on his father's farm. In September of the same year, his wife died. He was again married in 1859, to Synthia Long, who died April 10, 1870, leaving three children - William G., John R. and Priscilla. His third wife was Lydia Shrake, and they were married in October, 1874. Five children have been born to them-Elsie, Edith, Florence, Alma and Adam. Florence died in infancy.

Relationship, if any, unknown.

10: An Illustrated History of the Big Bend Country,

embracing Lincoln, Douglas, Adams and Franklin Counties, State of Washington

The following extracts are from the book An Illustrated History of the Big Bend Country, embracing Lincoln, Douglas, Adams and Franklin Counties, State of Washington, published by the Western Historical Publishing Company, Spokane, 1904. (Copyright has expired.) The text appears online at http://www.secstate.wa.gov/history/publications_detail.aspx?p=36

cover page

p. 563

p. 636

p. 637

p. 653

p. 654

p. 711

p. 712

Part III: Douglas County, Chapter III: Cities and Towns

page 563 (Hartline):

In 1893 JOHN and GEORGE McDONALD established themselves in the grain business in Hartline and Coulee City, building a warehouse in each place. John looked after the firm's interests at Hartline; his brother attended to the Coulee City business. In 1894 Mr. Reeves died and the store building and goods were purchased by McDonald Brothers, who continued the business for eight years. The next store to be opened in Hartline was erected by Patrick Kane in 1898.

Until 1902 Hartline did not accomplish much in the way of improvement. It was a trading point for the few settlers in the vicinity; only this and nothing more. Two warehouses conducted by John McDonald and George R. Roberts took care of the wheat raised in the vicinity, while the stores of Mr. McDonald and Patrick Kane comprised the business houses of the place.

Chapter "Biographical Sketches, Douglas County"

page 636-7:

GEORGE M. McDONALD has won a brilliant success in the mercantile world in Douglas county and it is with pleasure we accord him representation in the work which chronicles the history of this interesting political division. He has come to the front, not by reason of any "streak of luck," as is so often hurled at leading men, but has won the present position by dint of hard labor, steady application to business, and display of keen discrimination and business sagacity. He has always shown uprightness and integrity in his dealings and has thus won the confidence of the people, which is richly deserved.

George M. McDonald was born in Decatur county, Iowa, on February 26, I857 being the son of William McDonald, who was born in Ohio but came as a pioneer to Iowa. Before coming to the Hawkeye State he married an Ohio girl, Neoma Montgomery and when the awful Rebellion broke out he tore himself from his home and enlisted in the Twenty-fourth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, to fight for his country. He was put in the hospital later and there died, giving his life for his flag. Our subject was educated in Iowa and there remained engaged variously until 1881 when he came to Harrington, Kansas. For two years he did a livery business there and then sold and traveled until 1887, when he settled at Medical Lake, Washington. One year later he did building in Spokane, whence he came to Almira and opened a lumber yard and feed store. One year later Mr. McDonald located in Coulee City and started a feed and implement store. For two years this engaged him and then he added a general stock of merchandise and at once began to do a large and thriving business. For eleven years he has continued in this business (a)nd has come to be second to no mercantile house in the county. Early in 1903, Mr. McDonald sold the hardware and grocery departments of his business to DeBolt & McCann, and continued handling dry goods and gents' furnishings together with boots and shoes until recently he added a grocery and hardware departments. Mr. McDonald has shown excellent wisdom in selecting and buying his goods to meet the needs of this section and therein lies much of his success. In addition to the enterprises mentioned, Mr. McDonald buys much wheat independently and does well in selling to the general market. Politically, he is decidedly independent and although often solicited to hold office he has absolutely refused to allow his name to appear on any ticket.

Mr. McDonald has two brothers, Albert T., and John W., and one half-sister, Mary L.

At Spokane, in. 1900, Mr. McDonald married Miss Josephine Bonner, a daughter of Peter and Margaret (Whalan) Bonner, the former a native of Holyoke, Massachusetts, and the latter of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She has the following named brothers and sisters, Mrs. Mary Marlow, Thomas James, Mrs. Nellie Sprague, William S., Mrs. Isabella Carr, Mrs. Catherine Hagey, Fred M., Frank R., and Grace. Mr. and Mrs. McDonald have no children of their own, but one adopted daughter, Beulah D., born May 26, 1900.

Mr. McDonald is fraternally connected with the A. F. & A. M. and the I. O. O. F. and is a leading spirit in the county.

page 653-654:

JOHN W. McDONALD, who stands at the head of a very prosperous business as commission merchant in grain and dealer in agricultural implements, is also president of the Hartline bank, in the organization of which he was the moving spirit. The enterprise, adaptability, and good judgment of Mr. McDonald have established him in the esteem of the people and without doubt he has done a great deal towards building up this thriving village.

John W. McDonald was born in Decatur county, Iowa, on July 7, 1862, being the son of William and Neoma (Montgomery) McDonald, natives of Ohio, and pioneers of Iowa. John W. McDonald was well educated in the schools in Decatur county and there grew to manhood. At the age of twenty, he went to Kansas where he operated a livery stable and later opened a drug store. For five years he resided there, then came, in 1888, to Medical Lake, Washington and there did contracting and building, having become efficient in this line of industry in later days. After the fire in Spokane, he went there and assisted to rebuild that stricken city. Later, he removed to Almira and opened a feed and lumber business where he continued for one year and then began buying grain for the Northern Pacific Elevator Company. In 1893 , Mr. McDonald launched out in this enterprise for himself, feeling his way cautiously. He has succeeded well and is now one of the large grain buyers of Douglas county. In 1894, he bought out D. E. Reeves, the pioneer merchant of Hartline, and who owned the only stock of merchandise in the town at that time. Mr. McDonald operated the business six years. After becoming established in the grain buying business, Mr. McDonald added farming implements and later began handling all kinds of vehicles. He carries now, a most complete stock and does a very large business. Seeing the need of a financial institution in Hartline, Mr. McDonald took upon himself the organization of the same and was successful in securing sufficient local capital to establish the Hartline bank, which began to do business in 1903. Mr. McDonald is the president and moving spirit, in the institution and his success in the financial world, together with keen discrimination and business integrity, have given him the confidence of the people. Mr. McDonald has two brothers and one sister, Albert, George, and Mrs. Mary Lilly.

At Spokane, on August 9, 1894, Mr. McDonald married Miss Ella, daughter of Andrew and Julia Hagey, natives of Iowa. Mrs. McDonald was born at Walla Walla, on February 16, 1872 and has one brother, Thomas, and two sisters, Mrs. Clara Yelton and Mrs. Katie Sager. Two children have been the fruit of this union: Clive W., born on July 7, 1895; and Darrell W., born on September 15, 1900; both being natives of Douglas county.

Mr. McDonald is a member of the A. F. & A. M. and is progressive and broad-minded.

page 711-712:

MARK NOBLE resides just west from Baird and has one of the choicest estates in Washington. It is said that Mr. Noble displays the best skill, judging from results obtained, of any farmer in the country. Surely it may be said, that he has a model farm and one in which a pardonable pride can be taken.

Mark Noble was born in Darby, England, on May 9, 1852, the son of Mark and Mary (Graves) Noble, also natives of England. The father was a miner and later came to the United States with his family and made settlement in Ohio. Later he removed to Iowa and there he remained until his death. Our subject was educated in the parochial schools of the Episcopal church in England and in 1870 came to the United States. His younger brother came with him and they stopped for a time at Letona, Ohio, and wrought in the iron and coal mines. Several years were thus spent in different sections of that state and Pennsylvania, when Mr. Noble secured a team and wagon and traveled to Centerville, Iowa. In 1873, he went to Kansas, but was eaten out by grasshoppers and returned to Iowa. Previous to this return, however, he spent some time in Colorado hunting buffalo. He opened a coal mine in Adams county, Iowa, and operated it for fourteen years. Then he purchased a farm tem miles out from creston, Iowa, and soon thereafter a cyclone tore all the buildings to pieces. Again we find Mr. Noble in Kansas, after that in Iowa, and later in Missouri as manager of the Santa fe coal mines. Finally he turned his face to the west and landed in Washington. Stopping a time in Rockford, he then came to Spokane and did various work until he located in Douglas county, where he lives now. In 1892, he brought his family here and since then he has given every effort to make his farm one of the best to be had. In the winters he would go to Roslyn to earn money in the coal mines to continue his improvement. The first winter he lost all his horses and this was a great set back as it delayed him more than a year. However, Mr. Noble was possessed of the grit that never gives up and he continued although the odds were all against him. The result is that today he has a section and one-half of choice wheat land, the best of improvements, plenty of cattle and horses and everything that makes comfortable a first class Washington ranch. He is one of the eminently successful men of the entire Big Bend country. Mr Noble has the following brothers and sisters, Samuel, Thomas, Mrs. Elizabeth Maybe, Mrs. Mary A. Warr, Mrs. Rose Adams, and Mrs. Jemima Lynam.

The marriage of Mr. Noble and Miss Elizabeth A. Barrow occurred at Red Oak, Iowa, on September 10, 1873. Mrs. Noble is the daughter of Richard and Elizabeth Barrow, natives of England, and she was born in Lancastershire, England, on January 29, 1856. To Mr. and Mrs. Noble, the following named children have been born; Emma W., the wife of Robert G. Fraser, living in Spokane; Harriet L., wife of R. Leighton, living near by; Minnie, wife of L. McDONALD, near Baird; Mark C.; Daisy; Elizabeth A.; Jesse*; Myrtle B., and George S. The last named died in Baird, in 1899. Mr. and Mrs. Noble are both members of the Episcopalian church and are esteemed people. Mr. Noble constructed all the irrigation ditches on the large Blythe ranch.

Notes:
* In 1910, Jesse Noble married Zelma McDonald, younger sister to Lenny Mcdonald (who was already married to Jesse's sister Minnie).

11: Coulee City Newspaper, 1907

The following article appeared as the front page of a local newspaper in 1907. (Copyright has expired.) A reprint appeared on 27 July, 1972 in the Coulee City News & Hartline Standard, which is online at http://www.worldvitalrecords.com

FRIDAY, MAY 10, 1907
COULEE CITY INCORPORATED
MEMBERS OF COULEE CITY"S FIRST COUNCIL

On the first page of the News of this week may be found half tones of A.W. DeBolt, A.L. Tucker, H.H. Hutton, Thomas Parry, D.J. Jolly and George M. McDonald, all of whom were elected members of Coulee City's first council at last Saturday's election for incorporation.

A.W. De Bolt, who was unanimously chosen for mayor, is one of the most successful business men of this city. He was born...

GEO. M. McDONALD, another of Coulee City's newly-elected councilmen, is one of the oldest and most successful merchants of this town and has ever taken great interest in the upbuilding of eastern Douglas county. He came to Coulee City 18 years ago and ever since has been in the mercantile business. He was born in Decatur county, Iowa, in 1857, moved to Kansas when 27 years of age, lived there five years and came to Washington 18 years ago - 16 years of this time he has lived in Coulee City. He is the senior member of the firm which is known as George M. McDonald & Co., dealers in general merchandise, and he is also heavily interested in the stock business and grain buying.

12: Portrait and Biographical Album of deWitt and Piatt Counties, Illinois, 1891

This biography of John McDonald, son of Thomas McDonald (b. 15 Oct 1801) appears in the Portrait and Biographical Album of deWitt and Piatt Counties, Illinois, published in 1891 by Chapman Brothers Publishing Company, Chicago. (Copyright has expired.) It appears online courtesy of the DeWitt County chapter of Illinois GenWeb:
http://dewitt.ilgenweb.net/portrait-biographical-album.htm

Page 242:

JOHN McDONALD, a well known and highly respected resident of Farmer City, is the leading florist of this part of DeWitt County. He is also otherwise identified with the industrial interests of this section and a painter and paper-hanger. He was born in Madison County, Ohio, October 1, 1837. His father, Thomas McDonald, was a native of Tennessee and a son of John McDonald who was of Virginia birth and was in turn a son of Samuel* McDonald, who was born in the vicinity of Glasgow, Scotland. It is thought that he was a young man when he came to America and settled in Virginia before the Revolution where the most of his life was passed, his death occurring either in that State or in a Tennessee.**

John McDonald must have been married in Tennessee and the maiden name of his wife was Mary E. Melvin. She died either in Tennessee or Ohio. The father of our subject was born October 15, 1801, and was seven years old when his father removed to Madison County, Ohio, of which the latter was a pioneer. He lived to improve a farm and to see the development of the country quite well advanced before he died in the winter of 1853 at the advanced age of seventy-five years. He had been four times married and had children by his first, third and fourth wives, the latter of whom survived him some twenty years. He and all his wives were devoted Methodists and his brother James was a minister of that denomination in Ohio for many years.

Thomas McDonald was the second child born to his mother and he grew to manhood amid the pioneer environments of Madison County, Ohio, and early in life acquired a knowledge of farming which he adopted as his life work. He was there first married to a Miss Simpkins, an Ohio lady who died in the prime of life in Madison County, leaving two children one of whom is now living - Jane, wife of Samuel Adair, of California. Thomas McDonald was married a second time in Madison County, taking as his wife Miss Rebecca J. Erwin who was born and reared in Newark, Licking County, Ohio, and came of Virginia parents who were of Irish descent. The parents of our subject continued to live in Madison County, Ohio, until after the birth of all their children, six in number, when they came to Illinois, making the journey with wagons and camping out by the wayside at night until they arrived at their destination in Santa Anna Township. They settled on a farm near Farmer City and there the father devoted his time to agricultural pursuits until his death which occurred in Farmer City June 16, 1888. He was a good man and a good citizen who was highly respected by the entire community where he had many friends. Religiously, he was a firm believer in the Methodist Episcopal faith, and politically was an old line Whig in his early days and later became a Republican. His widow is yet living, making her home with her daughter, Mrs. Margaret Welsh. Though she is seventy-six years old she retains her mental faculties and is still quite active. She is a devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Our subject is the second of the six children born to his mother and he was a boy when he came with his parents to Illinois. He was reared and educated in this township and county and here learned his trade as a painter and paper-hanger, which he followed quite extensively until within a few years. He is now devoting much attention to his business as a florist. He has met with great success in this calling and is doing a large business which has grown from a small beginning. He has a fine greenhouse that is large and well arranged, is 21 x 66 feet in dimensions and here he has a large and choice variety of rare flowers. His conservatory is heated by the hot water or circulatory system, as it is generally called, and has every convenience for propagating plants, of which he has made a careful study, and is eminently successful.

Mr. McDonald has lived in Farmer City since 1852 and was married here February 24, 1859, to Miss Mary E. Johnson. Mrs. McDonald was born in Rutledge Township, June 12, 1843, and is the elder of the two children, both of whom are living, born to Elias and Lydia M. Johnson. She was reared in this county and is an active, intelligent woman of much refinement of character. She is the mother of four children of whom two are deceased - Laura and Stella. Those living are: Zua, wife of J. R. Boyington, of Chicago (where he has charge of a livery establishment), and Addie at home. Both daughters were given excellent educational advantages and are graduates of Farmer City High School.

Mr. McDonald is a man of unswerving integrity of character, of an unblemished reputation and high principles. He is a temperance man in deed and word and is a strong advocate of the Prohibition party. Both he and his amiable wife are among the leading people of Farmer City and have drawn to themselves many warm friends. Mr. McDonald was a member of Company F, Forty-first Infantry, commanded by Col. I. C. Pugh, in which he was a Sergeant and participated in all the engagements with his regiment and was twice wounded, first at Pittsburg Landing in the leg and again at Jackson, Miss., in the same leg. He was honorably discharged at Springfield, Ill., August 20, 1864.

Notes:
* John McDonald's father was actually John I McDonald, not Samuel. See family history on McDonald main page including census docs, headstone transcription, etc.
** John II McDonald died 17 Jan 1853 in Madison County, Ohio, not Virginia or Tennessee. See headstone transcription on McDonald main page.

---

Other Family Pages

• McDonald main page
• Thomas McDonald, born 1774
• James McDonald, born 1776
• Malay McDonald, born 1823 (son of James C. McDonald)
• John McDonald III, born 1803 (son of John II McDonald)
• McDonald Obituaries: from old newspapers
• Annemarie's Dutch family: the Bruinsma, De Vet and De Leeuw families of Friesland, The Netherlands.

---

email to Annemarie Bruinsma Hanlon / Copyright © 2005 - 2009 / Last updated 22 Jan 2009