My Genealogy Hound

Mrs. Julia G. McDonald, who is managing one of the best private boarding-houses in Carthage, was born in Union County, Ky., in 1817. Her parents were Abner and Charlotte (James) Davis. The father was also a native of Union County, a merchant and a farmer by occupation, and a prominent politician. He represented his district in the State Senate one term. He died in 1880, at nearly eighty years of age. His wife was born in Davidson County, Tenn., and died in Kentucky in 1817, when our subject was but eighteen days old. She was raised by her grandfather, Thomas James, with whom she remained until her marriage in 1835. She wedded Edmond L. Powell, a native of Smith County, born in 1811, by whom she had four children. The only surviving one is James L., who resides in Nashville. Mr. and Mrs. Powell settled in Davidson County, where he owned about 250 acres of fine land. He died in 1841, and in 1846 Mrs. Powell married Col. Henry B. McDonald, who was born in 1793, in Chester District, South Carolina. He was a soldier in the war of 1812; was also in the battle of New Orleans, with Gen. Jackson. He settled in Smith County on a farm; about 1850 moved to Carthage, where he engaged in the practice of his profession — law. By this union Mrs. McDonald became the mother of four children, three of whom are living: Mary, wife of Col. Thomas Waters; Julia D., wife of John B. Robinson, a lawyer of Smithville, and David N., a graduate of West Point and second lieutenant in the regular army. Previous to his marriage with our subject Col. McDonald was a widower. Of his first union there are five children: Darthula, widow of Matthew McKinley; Melvina, wife of Dr. Lemons, of Texas; James, a resident of Anderson, Tex.; Dr. Henry C., of Carthage, and William H. H., a lawyer and professor. The Colonel died in 1872. He was an honorable, respected man, and one of Smith County’s most distinguished citizens. Mrs. McDonald, since the war, has been engaged in keeping a boarding house, one of the best and most extensively patronized in the section. She is a devout member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South, and one of the most estimable and best known, ladies in the county.