Donald A. Sinclair Biography


	This biography appears on pages 1143-1144 in "History of Dakota 
	Territory" by George W. Kingsbury, Vol. V (1915) and was 
	scanned, OCRed and edited by Maurice Krueger, mkrueger@iw.net.

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				DONALD A. SINCLAIR

	Donald A. Sinclair, conducting an abstract business at Winner, 
where he is also tilling the position of mayor, is never so engrossed 
with individual interests that he neglects public duties. On the 
contrary, his is a well balanced character and he gives to each 
activity its due relative proportion of time. Advancement has been his 
watchword and he has contributed no less to public progress than to 
individual success. He was born in Charleston, West Virginia, March 31, 
1872, a son of Peter and Margaret (McPherson) Sinclair, who in the year 
1883 removed with their family to Nebraska, where the father 
homesteaded, securing hand which he converted ante productive fields, 
thereon spending his remaining <lays, his death occurring April 3, 
1895. His wife has now survived him for twenty years, and is living at 
Winner, South Dakota.  

	Donald A. Sinclair entered upon clerking after acquiring a 
public-school education, spending his time in that manner until called 
to public office in 1903, when he became county clerk of Boyd county, 
Nebraska, which position he filled for four years. When the Tripp 
county lands of the Rosebud reservation were opened for settlement in 
1908 he came to south Dakota and established his home in Winner, aiding 
in the early settlement, development and upbuilding of the town. He was 
appointed its first postmaster and served in that capacity until 1914, 
when he resigned. However, his friends were loath to give up his 
service in office and in May, 1914, elected him mayor of Winner for a 
term of two years. Already his administration has been characterized by 
marked advancement, for during his term of office the waterworks have 
been installed, wells being located seven miles from the town to which 
the water is conveyed by the gravity system. An adequate supply of 
pure, sparkling water has been secured and the system is unsurpassed in 
the state. Mr. Sinclair is now concentrating his efforts upon securing 
a sewer system and will no doubt succeed, for it is his custom to carry 
forward to successful completion whatever he undertakes.  

	On the 20th of September, 1899, Mr. Sinclair was united in 
marriage to Miss Rose Davis, a daughter of Clement Davis, of Clay 
county, South Dakota. To them were born four children, namely: 
Margaret, Jessie, Roy D. and Donald, Jr. The wife and mother passed 
away September 10, 1911, to the deep regret of many friends as well as 
her immediate family, for her good qualities of heart and mind had 
endeared her to all with whom she was associated.  

	Mr. Sinclair attends the Episcopal church and is an exemplary 
representative of the Masonic fraternity, the Modern Woodmen of America 
and the Woodmen of the World. He has given his political allegiance to 
the republican party since age conferred upon him the right of 
franchise and at all times keeps well informed concerning the questions 
and issues of the day. At local elections, however, he subordinates 
partisanship to the general good and at all times is recognized as a 
public-spirited man who regards a public office as a public trust and 
who is never negligent of his duties. On the contrary, he is watchful 
of opportunities to advance the general welfare and his efforts have 
been far reaching and beneficial.