Will County IL Archives Biographies.....MacDonald, William Columbus 
************************************************
Copyright.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://www.usgwarchives.net/il/ilfiles.htm
************************************************

File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Deb Haines http://www.rootsweb.com/~archreg/vols/00003.html#0000719 February 29, 2008, 1:12 am

Author: Past and Present of Will County, IL; 1907

William Columbus MacDonald, who since May, 1888, has filled the office of 
justice of the peace, and has also conducted a real-estate, rental and 
collection agency at Lockport, was born at sea on an English eighteen-gun 
brig, the James Hunt, of which his father was captain and which was then 
laying off the coast of Africa. His natal day was April 13, 1832. His parents 
were Captain Christopher C. and Victoria E. MacDonald, and the father came of 
a family of sailors, for the grandfather of our subject also commanded a 
vessel, while the great-grandfather was captain of a frigate that fought with 
Nelson at Trafalgar and acted as escort when Napoleon was taken to St. Helena. 
For generations the male members of the family have followed the sea, Mr. 
MacDonald of this review being the only one to remain on land for any length 
of time. They came of Scotch ancestry, originally belonging to the Glencoe 
branch of the MacDonald clan of the Highlands. The grandfather after retiring 
from the navy came to America, while Captain Christopher C. MacDonald, 
crossing the Atlantic to the new world, paid a visit to Windsor, Canada, where 
he was stricken and died at the age of sixty-five years. William C. MacDonald 
of this review made his first visit to the new world in 1847. He then returned 
to England, but came again to the United States in 1849, settling in Peoria, 
Illinois, where he became a dealer in land and land warrants and also engaged 
in boat building. At the age of twelve years he was able to navigate his 
father's ship, seemingly inheriting the taste and talent of the members of the 
family for sea-faring experiences. In April, 1865, he removed from Peoria to 
Will county, where he has since resided. It was on the 10th of that month that 
Mr. MacDonald married Miss Abigail Phoebe Sheldon, of Will county, a daughter 
of Michael Sheldon, a farmer, who came from New York, and Sarah (Royce) 
Sheldon, a daughter of Jonathan Royce, who established his home in Will county 
in 1837. Mr. and Mrs. MacDonald became the parents of five sons and four 
daughters, but all have passed away with the exception of William H., of 
Lockport, who is a painter and decorator. He was married December 24, 1878, to 
Miss Caroline Katherine Ernst, and their children are Abigail Minnie, William 
Henry, Caroline Frances, Earl K., Ivan W., Violet Verna and Clifton Max. Of 
this family Caroline E. is the wife of Earl Spangler, a farmer of Lockport 
township. Mr. MacDonald has always voted the democratic ticket, and in May, 
1888, was elected justice of the peace, which position he has since filled 
with honor to himself and satisfaction to all. For thirteen, years he was a 
member of the South Lockport school board. He conducts a real-estate, rental 
and collection agency in connection with the discharge of his official duties 
and has handled some important property. For a quarter of a century he has 
been a member of the Odd Fellows' lodge, No. 23, and also belongs to Eagle 
encampment, No., 139, and Rebekah lodge, No. 553. He is connected with, the 
uniformed rank of Odd Fellows as a member of Joliet camp, No. 52, and for 
twenty-five years he has been a most prominent and active working member in 
the Odd Fellows society, serving as deputy grand master, a representative to 
the grand lodge a number of times, while in the local lodge he has filled all 
the chairs. For forty-two years Mr. MacDonald has lived continuously at his 
present home in South Lockport and is a good citizen. He has been a great 
traveler and is always interested in visiting new-scenes and places, thus 
adding to his knowledge of the country and its people. He has a fine 
collection of Indian relics and also of sea shells, gathered from all parts of 
the globe. He devotes considerable time to gardening and has a large 
collection of tropical plants and flowers, including several varieties of 
cacti, as well as orange and lemon trees. 

Additional Comments:
PAST AND PRESENT OF WILL COUNTY, ILLINOIS By W. W. Stevens President of the 
Will County Pioneers Association; Chicago: The S. J. Clarke Publishing 
Company, 1907

File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/il/will/bios/macdonal2765nbs.txt

This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.net/ilfiles/

File size: 4.7 Kb