My Genealogy Hound

William D. McDonald, who was born in Madison county, Ohio, in 1836, died in this county in 1898. For a long period he had been known here as a leading farmer and stock-raiser, having extensive landed interests, while he carried on the live-stock business on a large scale. Moreover, in all of his dealings he was thoroughly reliable, never taking advantage of the necessities of another in a business transaction, thus winning an unassailable reputation. His father, John McDonald, was a native of Tennessee and was of Scotch-Irish lineage. He followed farming as a life work and in an early day removed to Ohio, where he continued to reside until his life’s labors were ended in death. His business affairs were so capably managed and his work so industriously performed that he became a prosperous man. In early life he married Sarah Davidson, also a native of Tennessee, and both were earnest Christian people, holding membership in the Methodist Episcopal church.

William D. McDonald, the fourth in order of birth in their family of eleven children, was reared in the usual manner of farm lads of the locality and period. He early became familiar with the duties incident to the development of the fields and when not busy with the work of plowing, planting and harvesting he embraced the opportunity of attending the common schools, where he gained a knowledge of the branches of English learning usually taught in such institutions. He displayed special aptitude in his studies and engaged in teaching school in Washington county after his arrival in Iowa. Farming and stock-raising, however, were his real life work. In March, 1869, he arrived in Afton, Iowa, where he engaged in buying and shipping stock. He purchased a tract of land near the town and at one time owned two hundred and fifty acres of rich and arable land there. Upon that place he continued actively in the cattle business until 1880, when he came to Creston and bought two hundred acres near Mount Ayr and four hundred and sixty acres adjoining Creston on the south. He was also given three hundred and twenty acres by his father, this being two miles south of Creston, and thus his landed possessions became quite extensive. He afterward bought and fed cattle on a large scale up to the time of his death. He was energetic in his business and prosperous in more than an ordinary degree. Whatever he undertook he carried forward to successful completion, possessing the spirit of perseverance and determination that enabled him to overcome all the difficulties and obstacles in his path. He was an excellent judge of stock, readily determining the value of farm animals, and was thus enabled to make judicious purchases and profitable sales.

Pleasantly situated in his home life, Mr. McDonald was married on the 7th of January, 1864, to Miss Zura Hukill, who was born in West Jefferson, Madison county, Ohio, in 1848, a daughter of Zebulon and Eliza Hukill. Her father was a hotel proprietor and was of German descent.

Mr. McDonald was devoted to the best interests of his home and was faithful to the ties of friendship. In politics he was an ardent republican, believing firmly in the principles of the party and doing everything in his power to secure the success and promote the growth of the party, for he believed that its platform contained the best elements of good government. National progress and local advancement were both causes dear to his heart and in his home locality he cooperated in many movements for the general good. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and his life, honorable and upright, commended him to the confidence and good will of all and causes his memory to be cherished by those who know him. Mrs. McDonald is also a consistent Christian, belonging to the Methodist Episcopal church. She is well known socially and has many friends in Creston and throughout the county. She now belongs to the Coffee Club, of which she is secretary and treasurer. In 1903 she built a beautiful home at No. 503 West Adams street and has since resided in the county seat.