Biographical Sketch of W. A. P. McDonald, St. Joseph, Buchanan County, MO >From "History of Buchanan County, Missouri, Published 1881, St. Joseph Steam Printing Company, Printers, Binders, Etc., St. Joseph, Missouri. ********************************************************************** W. A. P. McDonald was born in Plattsburg, Clinton County, Missouri, August 17, 1847. His father, D. M. McDonald now a prominent lumber dealer of St. Joseph, soon after removed to Stewartsville, DeKalb County, where he was engaged in general merchandising till the break- ing out of the civil war, when he sold out and entered the Confederate service. The subject of this sketch was the third son of a family of seven children, four of whom are living. He completed his education in Stewartsville Academy, an institution presided over by Rev. W. O. H. Perry. From his earliest boyhood he worked in stores and was bred to mercantile pursuits. In early youth he also had a varied experience acquiring a knowledge of several trades, among which were sign painting and printing. He was also at one time a railroad agent and telegraph operator. In 1865 he was employed by R. L. McDonald & Co., now the largest wholesale dry goods house in St. Joseph. He was soon promoted to the position of entry clerk, and subsequently to that of book keep- er, which position he filled until 1870, when he engaged as traveling salesman, continuing in this latter place until 1872, when he was appointed general salesman in the house. In 1873 he left the dry goods business, and engaged with the Merchants' Insurance Company. He re- mained general agent of this company for the space of four years. In 1877 he again associated himself as a partner in the firm of R. L. McDonald & Co. In January, 1872, W. A. P. McDonald was married to Miss Forrestine Gower, daughter of Col. A. G. Gower, a prominent railroad man, and the builder of several roads through Buchanan County. By this marriage they have two daughters: Forrestine, aged eight years and R. L., age seven. ==================================================================== USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or for presentation by other persons or organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for purposes other than stated above must obtain the written consent of the file contributor. This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: Penny Harrell ====================================================================