Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1891-06-23

Among the prominent statesman OF
Indiana there are none to-day who have
attained greater celebrity and rendered
moro conspicuous service, both to the
: and country than Hon. Jos Il.
McDonall. Joseph Ewing Mcdonald
is descended from Scotch and Huguenot
parents, and was born in Butler county,
Ohio, on the Goth OF August 1883. he
early expressed desire 10
study law, but it was thought
advisable for him to learn
trade before committing himself for q
professional career. Accordingly he
was apprentice to the firm Of Andrew
d Nichol, SaddlerS and harness makers,
of Lafayette, Irdiana, for Il term of SIX
wears. He applied himself with great
dill nee 10 the TASK oil acquiring skill
an. Efficiency in the craft, with 50 much
success that he was dismissed from his
apprenticeship three months before the
legal expiration of the same. He was
now eighteen years Of age, and be re-
solved TO prepare himself for sphere
of nobler action then was offered by
the Saddlery business. He entered
Wabash College at Crawfordville, lndi-
ana, supporting himself by working at
his trade night and morn
ing, and between terms. In
1910 he left this institution and entered
the Asbury University, at GreencaStle,
Indiana, of which Bishop Simpson was
the President. If reports are reliable,
young Mcdonald was a most exemplary
student during his career in college, and
when he retired from the seat OF learn
ing at GreencaStle was more than ordi-
narily proficient in his studies. He be-
gan the regular study Of law soon after
leaving college in the Office OF the late
Zebulon Baird at Lafayette, Indiana,
who took kindly interest in the young
aspirant, and devoted much time TO in
Structing him in the principles
of law. On his admission TO
the bar young Mcdonald had
quite a profound knowledge of it's prac-
tice and principles and was more than
match for many old practitioners. lie
was soon elected Prosecuting Attorney,
in which capacity he was so successful
as 10 be reelected in 1S45. During that
year he removed to Crawfordville, where
he built up a large and lucrative prac-
tice, and achieved position In the nrst
rank at the bar Of the State. In 1886
he was elected Attorney General OF In
diana, and it is said that the position
was never better filled in more salts
factory manner. Three years later he
removed to Indianapolis and entered
into partnership with Addison l..
Roach, ex-Judge Of the Supreme
Court. This connection dated until
1869. when Mr.. Roache retired, and Mr..
Mcdonald formed another partnership
with the Hon. John NJ. Butler, with
whom he is still associated. They at
once assumed a position among the
leading firms of the State, and have had
a hand in some Of the most celebrated
and important cases that have ever been
contested at the bar of Indiana. Mr..
Mcdonald has ever been faithful and
devoted ally to the Democratic party.
In lS49 he was elected TO the
Thirty-tirSt Congress, but was defeated
in his next candidacy. In 1854 he was
nominated for Governor, his opponent
being the late Oliver p. Morton, but
suffered defeat in the general Repub-
lican victory of that year, although he
didate Of the last campaign preceding.
The reorganization of the Democratic
party in Indiana after the disastrous
cleo ton of 1872 was largely due to Mr.
McDonad'S labor and Sagacity. He was
chosen chairman OF the Democratic
State Central Committee and to him the
success of the party in 1874 was largely
attributable. He was elected United
States Senator in 1874 against strong
opposition, due to. his hard money
theories. During the campaign he de-
clared that he would not alter a word
in his record on the financial question
to be made Senator for life. He took
his seat March 5, 1875, and retained it
until 1881, making most honorable
record during his term of service. His
speeches in the Senate reveal that he is
in favor of hard money and tariff for
revenue with incidental protection.