Biographies - Elmira Township

Donald McDonald, born in Shieldag, Parish of Applecross, Rosshire, Scotland, July 20, 1820, is the son of John and Ann (McKenzie) McDonald, and grandson of Finlay and Mary (Frazer) McDonald, descendants of the few brave men of that clan who escaped English treachery at the massacre of Glencoe.

John was married in 1808, and to this union eight children were born, four of whom are living, Finlay, in Marshall county, Kan., Donald, of Elmira, John of Union county, Ore., and Anna Belle, Marshall county, Kan. The father died in 1857 just on the eve of his departure for America. Four weeks later his widow left Scotland forever, and died in Kansas in 1866.

Donald in early years was a fisherman and at one time a postman (letter carrier). He well remembers when the postage on a letter from Carolina to Rosshire was $1.25, and from Nova Scotia, 62 1/2 cents; from Gasgaw, 20 cents, and from Inverness to Sheldag, 60 miles, 16 cents.

In 1840 he apprenticed himself to a gardener, subsequently worked in Yester gardens, next at Edinburg, and also in several gardens and nurseries in England.

In 1849 he married Miss Ann, daughter of Finlay and Catherine (McLean) Murchison, relatives of Sir Roderick Murchison, secretary of the foreign missionary society of London, England, who died there some time ago.

In 1850 a short time before Mr. McDonald went on the Glasgow police force, one child was born, to them, William, who died December 31, 1851, here as the family left Glasgow for Canada in July, 1851, arrived at Quebec in August, and ultimately settled in Elmira. On the voyage Charley E., who died March 23, 1860, was horn July 26, 1851.

On arriving here he husked corn at fifty cents per day, worked a second month for $10, then started out in search of work, found employment on a railroad at Utica on the R. I. R., at one dollar per day, but not relishing this work moved to Peoria, where he secured a position in a nursery. There he labored over two years, when he purchased a tax title to a quarter section on 19 Elmira, settled there in 1855, and has since been engaged in agriculture and stock-growing. He has raised and educated two nephews, and now has two adopted children, Charley and Tilly.

Mr. McDonald and wife are members of Knox church; he is a school director, Republican in politics, and, as a citizen, is all that one with such experiences should be, useful and intelligent.