Bio of MCDONALD, Donald A. (b.1864 d.1921), Hennepin Co., MN
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EXTRACTED FROM: History of Minneapolis, Gateway to the Northwest; 
Chicago-Minneapolis, The S J Clarke Publishing Co, 1923; Edited by: Rev. 
Marion Daniel Shutter, D.D., LL.D.; Volume I - Shutter (Historical); 
volume II - Biographical; volume III - Biographical
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Vol II, pg 665-666
DONALD A. MCDONALD
Donald A. McDonald, deceased, who for almost a third of a century was associated
with the grain trade of Minneapolis, was born October 21, 1864, at Ripley,
Ontario, a son of Donald and Catharine (McDonald) McDonald, both of whom were
natives of Scotland. It was in the year 1853 that they crossed the Atlantic to
Canada with their family of four children, settling at Ripley, Ontario, where
they continued to reside throughout the remainder of their lives. The father
became a pioneer agriculturist of that province and successfully carried on the
work of the fields during his active business career.
Donald A. McDonald obtained his education in the public and high schools at
Kincardine, Ontario, and later attended the Collingwood Collegiate Institute at
Collingwood, Ontario. He next entered the Toronto Normal School, from which in
due course of time he was graduated, after which he attended the University of
Toronto for two years. A course in higher mathematics well qualified him for the
duties which he assumed as a teacher of mathematics at Kincardine. While
attending the Toronto Normal School and later as a college student he won
distinction as an athlete and was awarded many medals. He became mathematical
master of the high school at Kin­cardine, remaining in that connection for
several terms. He manifested marked ability in imparting clearly and readily to
others the knowledge that he had acquired, and gained a well deserved reputation
as an able educator.
In 1890 Mr. McDonald arrived in Minneapolis, where he entered the employ of the
Sawyer Grain Company as bookkeeper, remaining with that firm for about two
years. On the expiration of that period he established business on his own
account as a grain merchant, under the name of the D. A. McDonald Grain Company,
while later the firm style of McDonald & Wyman was assumed, the partnership
being formed in 1912. Mr. McDonald continued as president of the new
organization to the time of his death, which occurred January 25, 1921, at the
age of fifty-six years, so that he had almost rounded out a third of a century's
connection with the grain trade. He became recognized as a barley expert in the
Chamber of Commerce, of which he had become a member in 1893. He was very
prominent and active in the Chamber, filling the position of chairman of the
board of arbitration for many years and also that of chairman of the
investigating committee. These positions he held by reason of his fairness to
all, for he was strictly impartial in his decisions, never allowing friendship
nor enmity to influence him in his rulings. He was likewise the president of the
United States and Canada Land Company and his position in the business circles
of his adopted city was an enviable one.
In 1904 Mr. McDonald was united in marriage to Miss Zella Margaret Dobbin, a
daughter of J. J. and Martha A. (McKinnon) Dobbin, who were likewise natives of
Ontario, whence they came to North Dakota in 1884, and to Minneapolis in 1897,
where the father entered the real estate business. Mr. and Mrs. McDonald became
the parents of one son, Donald Jefferson McDonald. In athletic affairs Mr.
McDonald was keenly interested, belonging to the Minneapolis Athletic Club. He
also had membership in the Curling Club and was a member of Khurum Lodge, A. F.
& A. M. He attended the Westminster church and his aid and influence were always
on the side of right, progress and improvement. In politics he was a lifelong
republican and a warm admirer of Theodore Roosevelt, "the foremost American." A
man of scholarly attain­ments, a thorough gentleman by nature and a true
Scotchman, the sterling traits of his character were many and commanded for him
the respect of all who knew him. While extremely charitable, he wanted no
publicity concerning his benevolences and kindly deeds, content that his
generosity should be known only to himself and the recipient. He found his
greatest happiness at his own fireside, his interests centering in his home, and
there his friends delighted to gather, finding in his comradeship both pleasure
and inspiration.