Mr. McDonald was born in the City of Rock Island, Illinois, November 13, 1862, the son of H. A. J. and Sarah J. McDonald, of Scotch-Irish descent. He was married to Mary C. Gall June 5, 1889, in Rock Island, Illinois. The offspring of this union are Hugh Earl and George Hobart McDonald, both resident in Rock Island.
Mr. McDonald was a member of the State Infantry of Illinois, Company A, Sixth Regiment, from 1884 until 1893, when he resigned with the rank of Captain, which he had held during the last eighteen months of his service.
He was manager of the business of David Don from 1882 to 1902.
On November 13, 1902, he was appointed by Governor Yates as Chief Clerk of Illinois Western Hospital for the Insane, which position he held till March 1, 1906. During this period, for the space of one year-1903 to 1904-he was Captain and Adjutant of his old Regiment, the Sixth Illinois Infantry.
For a period of two years Mr. McDonald was City Collector of Rock Island, resigning the position in 1895, on account of increasing duties in other directions.
Appointed as postmaster at Rock Island, by President Roosevelt, on February 1, 1906, he took charge on March 1.
Mr. McDonald’s education was acquired in the public schools and in the International Business College, at Davenport, Iowa.
He is Past Commander of Rock Island Commandery Knights Templars, member of Trio Lodge No. 57 Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, member of Rock Island Chapter No. 18 Royal Arch Masons, Kaaba Temple Nobles of Mystic Shrine, etc.
Mr. McDonald is a member of Central Presbyterian Church. In politics he is a Republican.