The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1889-01-25

came to Michigan as n railroad laborer about
1868, having previously lived i'm Canada.
his employment which advanced him until
he was roadmaster of the Chicago IL North
western Railroad, the Peninsula Division,
extending from the Menominee River TO
Marquette and Negaunee. Making his
home at Escanaba, the people confided in
| his honest qualities and elected him n JUS
| tice of the peace Fortune came to him in
an unexpected way. While in his humble
employment as section road master. a
land explorer living at Escanaba, knowing
that Mr.. Macdonald had few hundred dol
| lars i'm bank, came to interest him in deal
| for iron mines in the then but little known
Gogebic district of Michigan, The explor-
er had discovered what has since been de-
nominated the Colby mine, one of the
great iron mines of the world, but had not
sufficient means to buy the tract. 1t con-
sisted of $40 acres of land; wild, remote
from the channels of commerce and human
settlements. Believing in the explorer, and
at his solicitation, Mr.. Macdonald invested
5000 and obtained third interest; a neigh
Dor contributed 5000 more and the land was
duly purchased. In year or two wonder
full development set in. The Colby mine,
which is only one mine upon the Macdonald
tract was leased upon royalty that produced
him, aVIo Of N har nm
terprises paid similarly and the erstwhile
railroad labOrer became rich beyond the
dreams of avericc." He retained his SIM
pie habits, nor could any amount of afflu-
ence overthrow his good common sense, his
steadiness of purpose and his quiet life.
Doing, as was befitting, much for the indus
tries of his home and section, he also sought
out poor relatives and made them happy in
his own good fortune.
Backed by the regard which everybody
i'm the Upper Peninsula felt for him, his
friends were supported in their aspira-
tons by his known liberality. Though new
to political fields, the Republican State Con-
vcnton of 1856 nominated him for Lieuten-
ant-GOvernOr. He was elected by plu
ralty of $500. Being renominated for
second term, he was reelected by $4,000
plurality.
He leaves Il widow and two children, the
youngest fully grown to womanhOod.
AT Lansing his simple manners and un-
falling good nature endcared him greatly to
the members of the Legislature. Every
one who had official relations with Lieut.
Gov. Macdonald felt a kindly regard for
him. Though he was deficient in parli- !
mentary requirements, probably 10 one
who ever presided in the Senate held the
affection and the respect of the members in |
so great degree as James III. Macdonald. |
In 1887 beautiful crayon life-size por-
trait of himself was presented him by the |
Senators, and there is no doubt but the |
Senators of 1889 would have been glad to !
honor him as cordially rs their predecessors. |
There are many people at Lansing who
have reason to be grateful to his kindly |
heart, his transformations giving, his attri !
butes of honesty and good nature.
When leaving Lansing last week for the |
Upper Peninsula, he said to Senator Ball, |
who as president pro tempore, takes the |
chair, II think you can get along very |
well without me, but if you have too much |
other work and wish to DC relieved tele- |
graph me and / will at once return" No
one thought as they saw the jovial face, |
with its striking accomplishments of soft |
white hair and grizzled mustache, and |
watched the stalwart figure clad in a long |
mink Overcoat testing and bidding farewell |
to group of Senators as happy in his pres
ence as a lot of school boys that the good |
old Acknowledgement was leaving the |
Capitol never agailytp retun.-Frec Press.