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Below is a family biography included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of St. Francis County, Arkansas published by Goodspeed Publishing Company in 1890.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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James P. McDonald was born in Kingston, Canada, in the year 1830, and is of Scotch-Irish descent. When quite a young man he left the parental roof, engaging in the lumber business, some little distance from home, and afterward worked on the Erie Canal, in 1854 going to sea. He next went to New Orleans, and having commenced boating on the Mississippi, followed that occupation until 1857, only discontinuing to accompany Albert S. Johnston to Salt Lake City. After sojourning in the land of the “Mormons” for a while the spring of 1859 found him in California. Later he went to Leavenworth, Kas., and from there to Hagerstown, Md., where he accepted the position of wagon master in the Federal service, gaining the approbation of his superior officers for his faithful attention to every detail of his business. In 1864 Mr. McDonald moved to Memphis, Tenn., and remained until 1866, leaving to take up his permanent abode in St. Francis County, Ark. In 1870 he was united in marriage with Mrs. Williams, who died two years later. In 1874 Miss Lucy Halbert became his wife, and by her he had two children, who have since died: Rosie A. and Sallie Baker. Mrs. McDonald closed her eyes to the scenes of this world in 1876, and in 1881 Mr. McDonald was united in matrimony with Mrs. Lane, his present wife. Mrs. McDonald is a very estimable lady, and enjoys the respect of a wide circle of acquaintances and friends. In secret organizations Mr. McDonald is identified with the Masonic order, and is also a member of the Wheel. In politics he votes the union labor ticket, and with his wife attends the Baptist Church, in which they have been members of many years standing.

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This family biography is one of 87 biographies included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of St. Francis County, Arkansas published in 1890.  For the complete description, click here: St. Francis County, Arkansas History, Genealogy, and Maps

View additional St. Francis County, Arkansas family biographies here: St. Francis County, Arkansas Biographies

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