Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1891-06-25

TyDIlNhPoIIs, IND, June Ex-senator
Mcdonald died at LBS last night. He
oassed away very peacefully without a
Struggle, surrounded by his family, who
we're ali in attendance at his bedside.
Indiana has many distinguished sons who
have rendered conspicuous service to the
country Not the least prominent OF these
WAS the Hon. Joseph E. Mcdonald, whose
rame was often mentioned as the probable
randidate of the Democratic party in presi-
Dental contests.
Joseph Ewing Mcdonald was descended
from Scotch and Huguenot parentage and
was born in Butler county, Ohio, on the
!9lh of August, 1919. To the careful train
ug which he received in his youth from
his mother Mr. Mcdonald was largely in
4eNed for his superior qualities. His
tathe! died when he was yet small boy,
and until he was twelve years OF
ace Young Mcdonald spent his time on the
farm receiving instructions from his
mother he early expressed desire to
study law. but il was thought advisable for
lim 10 learn u trade before committing
aimsolf 10 a professional career. Accord
lucIv be was apprenticed to the firm of An
lrews & Nichol saddlers and harness max
.rs at Lafayette, Ind. for term of SIX years.
He applied himself with great diligence to
Inc task of acquiring skill and efficiency in
he craft with so 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 he resolved to prepare himself for a
sphere OF nobler action than was offered by
the saddlery business. He entered Wabash
college at CrawfordvilIe, Ind, sup
porting himself by working at
Ills trade night and morning and be-
tween terms. In 1910 he left this in.
.titution and entered the Asbury university
al Greencastle, Ind, of which Bishop Simp-
son was the president If reports are re-
liable young Mcdonald was a most exem-
plary student during his career in college,
ing al Greencastle was more than ordinar-
liz proficient in his studies. He
began the regular study of law soon after
leaving college, in the office of the
late Zebulon Baird at Lafayette, Ind, who
took kindly interest in the young aspirant
ard devoted much time to instructing him
in the principles of law, On his admission
10 the bar young Mcdonald had quite
p-ufund knowledge of the practice and
match for many old practitioners. He was
soon elected prosecutine attorney. in
which capacity he was so successful as
to be reelected in 1s45 During that year
he removed 10 Charlottesville where he
tli.t up large and lucrative practice and
achieved position in the first rank ut the
bar Of the state. In 1885 he was elected
attorney general of Indiana and it is said
that the position was never filled in more
satisfactory manner Three years later he
removed 10 indianapolis and entered into
partnership with Addison l.. Roache, eX-
Judge of the supreme court. This connec-
ion lasted until 1869, when Mr.. RoaChe re-
tired. and MIR. Mcdonald formed another
partnership with the Hon. John NJ. Butler.
They at once assumed position among the
leading firms of the state, and had hand
in some of the most important cases ever
contested at the bar of Indiana.
Mr. Mcdonald was ever faithful and
devoted ally of the Democratic party. In
1919 he vas elected TO the Thirty-iirSt con-
gress. but was defeated in his next candi-
oacy. In 1854 he was nominated for gov
ernor his opponent being the late Oliver p.
Morton, but suffered defeat in the general
Republican victory of that year, although he
pO.ed a much larger vote than the candidate
OF the last campaign preceding. The re-
organization of abe Democratic party in
lldiaua after the disastrous election Of
l>;2, was largely due to Mr.. McDonald's
labor and sagacity. He was chosen
chairman of the Democratic state CEN
tral committee, and TO him the success
VI the party in 1874 was largely attribut-
able. He was elected United States
senator in 1874 against strong opposition,
Que to his hard money theories. During
the campaign he declared that he would not
Eter word in his record on the
financial question to be made a
senator for life He took his seat
March ;. 1873, and retained it until
1851, making most honorable record dur
lug his term of service. He has been three
times married, his present wife being one
u the most handsome and accomplished
gdies In ludiann