Omaha daily bee., 1908-10-25

the present spacious banking building was
occupied. Though Mr.. Mcdonald has
grown to be a wealthy man., he has not
been without financial trials and discour-
aKements. he having suffered numerous
losses, one notable one being when he
lost over $4,000 worth Of hay by prairie
fire.
Nj. Mcdonald is a member of the
Masonic fraternity, having been made a
mason at Rogersville, Tenn, IN 1851. Later
he transferred his membership to Covert
lodge, No. II. at Omaha, and when Platte
Valley lodge was organized at Fort Nc
Pherson in 1896 he was one Of the prime
movers In the work. For several years the
lodge room there was in the second story
of his store building and supposedly 1t was
on account of Masonry that he incurred
tho displeasurc OF the commanding officer,
who was bitterly opposed to It and who
made It so unpleasant for subordinate Of
ficers and ~privates who were members
of the Masonic order that the lodge meet
ings were frequently held sub rosa. For
six years Mr.. Mcdonald was master and
for thirteen years treasurer of this lodge.
He was also a member of Euphrates chap
ter, No. 16, and Of Palestine ~commandery,
No. 10. Because of his prominence and
fidelity. as well as because of the esteem
In which he Is held by the entire fra
ternity, his birthday was celebrated last
evening by a surprise gathering in his
honor at the Masonic temple. The spacious
building was crowded with Masons and
their families and a royal good time was
INDUCED in, The program included music,
informal addresses and refreshments. Dur
ing the evening Mr.. Mcdonald was pre-
aaptC1 yuitb q haoYtff11 Io,ytpsy o,n 81,
presentation speech being made by General
Superintendent w. l.. Park of the Union
Pacific railroad and a member Of the
lodge.
Rellgiously Mr.. Mcdonald has always
been a Cumberland Presbyterian in faith,
having united with that church in early
manhood. That denomination not being
represented here, he has attended the
Methodist church, Of which his wife was
a member, and frequently has m
with that body.
Mr.. Mcdonald has always been one of
the most prominent citizens Of this com.
munity having been Identified especially
in early years with all the enterprises
looking to the building up Of a strong COM
munity. During the years Of drouth and
grasshoppers he assisted many worthy, but
helpless people, permitting them to have
groceries from the store and for which
he has never been compensated. He has
been a liberal contributor to local enter
prises. including irrigation canals, cream
cries and the state experimental farm.
Many individuals who have since become
prominent remember him well as a ranch
man while located at Cottonwood Springs,
where he supplied the government with
large quantities of hay and the railroad
company with thousands OF ties during
its construction. on the completion Of the
Union Pacific railroad at Cheyenne he
conducted a large mercantile business and
also had large property interests for many
years.
Mr.. Mcdonald was united in marriage at
Omaha October IA, 1858, to Miss Ora b
Henry, sister OF the wife Of Governor
James E. Boyd. Seven children have been
born to them. namely: Frank. the eldest
dying In infancy; William H., the first
white child born in Lincoln county, cash.
fer OF the Mcdonald State bank: Mrs. w
c. Reynolds; Charles a, who died October
1894; James Boyd, OF the firm OF weingant
& Mcdonald, clothiers; George W, who
died october. 1895. and Mrs. Frank L
Mooney. Mrs. Mcdonald departed this life
December Is, 1895.
Though Mr.. Mcdonald has reached the
end OF his eighty-second year. he Is In
good health, remarkably vigorous and able
daily TO attend 10 his business affairs. In.
deed. II is doubtful II he himself feels as
old as he did more than half a century
ago.