Lincoln County NeArchives Obituaries.....McDonald, Charles April 20, 1919 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/ne/nefiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Debra Crosby http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00010.html#0002467 September 12, 2018, 10:42 am The North Platte Semi-Weekly Tribune Fri Apr 25, 1919 The North Platte Semi-Weekly Tribune Fri Apr 25, 1919 THE PASSING OF A PIONEER The career of a central figure in the development and history of Nebraska and particularly of Lincoln county, ended at 8:30 Tuesday evening when Charles McDonald passed away at his home in this city. Death came after an illness of five days due to the contraction of a cold which developed into pneumonia. Few living have longer made Nebraska their home than had Mr. McDonald, for he came to the state in 1855, and to Lincoln county in 1860. He was not only Lincoln county's oldest citizen both in years and residence, but he was Nebraska's oldest banker in point of service, and one of the oldest members of the Masonic fraternity in the state. Though he had passed his ninety-second year, Mr. McDonald retained his mental faculties to a wonderful and unusual degree, and until Thursday of last week daily occupied his desk at the bank. His constitution was rugged and his vitality strong for one of his years, and had he not been stricken with the trouble which marked the end of life, his existence might have continued for another decade. In the public affairs of the state and county, and particularly in the pioneer days, Mr. McDonald was an important figure, for he was one of those who helped pass Nebraska from a territory to statehood, and among those who organized the present county of Lincoln. In those days, as in all the after years, Mr. McDonald commanded the confidence of the people. Before coming to Lincoln county he served in the legislative assemblies; after his arrival here he held county offices. In banking and Masonic circles Mr. McDonald had a state wide aquainance, and commanded respect for his ability as a financier and the interest he displayed in fraternal work. Mr. McDonald was always on of the most prominent citizens of this community, having been identified with all the enterprises looking to the up-building of a strong community. He was intensely patriotic and in all of the war work activities he donated liberally and in the purchase of Liberty bonds and War savings Stamps he was the heaviest investor. Religiously, Mr. McDonald had always been a Cumberland Presbyterian in faith having united with that church in early manhood. That denomination not being represented here he attended the Methodist church, of which his wife was a member. Funeral services were held at the Methodist church yesterday afternoon at 2:30 conducted jointly by Rev. Curry, of the Presbyterian church and Rev. Hess, the former delivering the sermon. The seating capacity of the auditorium, annex and gallery were taxed to accommodate the fiends assembled to pay this last respect to the deceased. During the funeral hour the business houses and county offices were closed. The funeral was in charge of the Masonic bodies. A wealth of floral tributes banked the chancel and covered the casket. ------------------- Mr. McDonald was born near Morristown, Tenn., October 25th, 1826. He was the son of Alexander and Mary (McClister) McDonald, who came from a long line of distinguished ancestors. He remained with his father until his majority, working upon the farm in the summer and attending the district schools in the winter, which was his only opportunity of getting an education. When he was twenty-three years of age he began farming for himself. He came to Nebraska in 1855. On July 4th, 1855, Mr. McDonald located a claim on Turkey Creek in Pawnee county. On part of this claim he platted the towsite upon which has been built the splendid town of Pawnee City. From here he moved to Salem in Richardson county, where he took a prominent part in the political affairs of the territory. He was a member of the house in the second territorial assembly of 1855 from Pawnee and Richardson counties, and in 1856 was a member of the territorial council, serving two terms. He was also elected to the fifth territorial council from which he resigned. In 1860 he came to Lincoln county, which he helped to organize, then called Shorter county, and afterwards was properly organized and renamed Lincoln county. At this time he lived at Cottonwood Springs where he operated an overland ranch and store where Fort McPherson was afterwards built. He was the first county official, being elected judge of the county immediately following it's organization. Only [sic] July 10, 1861, he issued a license and performed the first marriage ceremony recorded in Lincoln county. He also held the office of county clerk for one term. Mr. McDonald then sold the government his property at Cottonwood Springs and moved to North Platte where he had since resided. After moving to North Platte he was elected county superintendent of schools and served for two years and afterwards held the office of county commissioner for one term. In 1873 he opened a general merchandise store and continued in this business until January, 1899. In 1878 he started in the banking business at North Platte, operating a private institution under the name of Bank of Chas. McDonald. The bank was in corporated in 1902 as the McDonald State Bank, of which he was president. In point of active service he was one of the oldest bankers in the state. Mr. McDonald was married in Omaha, October 14th, 1859, to Miss Orra B. Henry, a native of Hamilton, N. Y. Mrs. McDonald accompanied her husband to Lincoln county and was the first white woman to locate in this county. Mrs. McDonald died at North Platte, December 28, 1898. Seven children were born to them: Frank, deceased; William H.; Nettie V., wife of William C. Reynolds; Charles A. and George W., both deceased.; James B., of Omaha; and Callie S., deceased, wife of Frank L. Mooney. He had four grand children: Charles McDonald Reynolds, of Omaha, Mrs. William Daub, of Fostoria, Ohio, Miss Janet McDonald and Master Frank A. Mooney, also two great grand children, Charles McDonald Reynolds, Jr., and Ruth Daub. Mr. McDonald was a member of the Masonic fraternity having been made a Mason at Rogerville, Tenn., in 1851 and at the time of his death was the oldest Mason in the state of Nebraska, and was the wearer of the Jordan Jewel presented to him by the Grand Lodge of Nebraska. He was one of the prime movers in the organization of Platte Valley Lodge No. 32, A. F. and A. M., at Fort McPherson in 1870. For six years he was Worshipful Master and for thirteen years was the treasurer. He was also a member of Euphrates Chapter No. 13, Royal Arch Masons and of Palestine Commandery No. 13, Knights Templar. He was also a 32d degree Scottish Rite Mason and a member of the North Platte Lodge No. 985, B. P. O. Elks. Additional Comments: 1910 North Platte, Lincoln, NE 215 W. 5th st. Chas Mcdonald 83 TN VA PA Banker F L Mooney 57 IL NY IN son in law Frank A Mooney 4 NE IL NE nephew James B Mcdonald 40 NE TN NY son Lizzie Miller 27IN IN KY roomer 1900 North Platte, Lincoln, NE Charles Mcdonald 73 Oct 1826 TN VA PA widow Banker Callie E Mooney 24 Oct 1875 NE TN NY Frank L Mooney 27 Dec 1872 IL NY IN son in law 1885 Nebraska State Census North Platte, Lincoln, NE Chas. Mcdonald 53 TN VA PA banker Ora B. Mcdonald 40 NY NH MA William H. Mcdonald 18 NE TN NY Chas A. Mcdonald 13 NE TN NY James B. Mcdonald 10 NE TN NY George W. McDonald 13 NE TN NY Callie E. Mcdonald 4 NE TN NY 1880 North Platte, Lincoln, NE Chas. Mcdonnald 53 TN VA PA Merchant banker Orra B. Mcdonnald 40 NY NH MA William H. Mcdonnald 18 NE TN NY Nettie V. Mcdonnald 15 NE TN NY Charles A. Mcdonnald 13 NE TN NY James B. Mcdonnald 10 NE TN NY Callie E. Mcdonnald 4 NE TN NY 1870 Lincoln, NE Ora Mcdonald 30 NY? William Mcdonald 9 NE Nettie Mcdonald 5 NE Charles Mcdonald 3 NE James Mcdonald 1 NE in a separate house 1870 Lincoln, NE Houwood? Springs Charles McDonald 43 Store keeper Tennessee 1860 Shorter, Nebraska Territory Charles McDonald 32 TN Trader Orra B McDonald 20 NY James McDonald 4/12 NE George Miller 24 PA Clerk Nebraska Marriages, 1855-1995 Name Charles Mcdonald Event Type Marriage Event Date 15 Oct 1858 Event Place Douglas, Nebraska, United States Spouse's Name Ora B. Henry Spouse's Age 17 1850 Hamilton, Madison, New York Alvan Henry 50 NY Shoe Maker Lydia Henry 44 MA Charles A Henry 18 NY Orra N Henry 10 NY Orpha H Henry 10 NY Ann H Henry 9 NY Sarah G Henry 2 NY Tennessee, County Marriages, 1790-1950 Name: Alexander McDonald Event Type: Marriage Event Date: 02 May 1814 Event Place: Jefferson, Tennessee, United States Gender: Male Marital Status: Married Spouse's Name: Polly Mcclister Spouse's Gender: Female Submitter is not related and has no further information. File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/ne/lincoln/obits/m/mcdonald826gob.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/nefiles/ File size: 9.3 Kb