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From History of North Washington, published 1903, now in public domain. 
Submitted by Candy L. Grubb March 5, 1997. Both above notices must remain 
when copied or downloaded.

candyg@ieway.com

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DONALD MACDONALD

	Donald MacDonald was born in Post Creek, (in what is now) Montana in 
February, 1851, the son of Angus and Catherine MacDonald, natives of Loch 
Torridon, Scotland, and Montana, respectively. The father was born on 
October 15, 1816, at Craighouse, Rosshire, Scotland, and came to the 
northwest territory as clerk for the Hudson's Bay Company in 1838. He 
operated on the head waters of the Columbia, later at old Fort Colville, 
where his uncle, Dr. A. MacDonald, was in charge; then moved to Fort 
Vancouver, after which we find him in Fort Hall, Idaho. After this, he was 
in Montana and finally returned to Colville, being there promoted to a 
shareholder in the company. In 1871 he sold his interest to the company and 
went to Montana where he devoted himself to stock raising until his death on 
February 1, 1889. The mother died in 1892. They were parents of the 
following children: John, Christie, Duncan, Donald, Annie, Maggie, Thomas
Alexander, Augus P., Archie, Joseph A., Angus C. and Mary. Donald received 
his education from various instructors in Stevens county in Montana whom the 
father hired in his home. At the age of nineteen he stepped forth to assume 
the duties of life for himself and his first venture was as clerk and book 
keeper in the company store in Colville, at the fort, then at Fort Sheppard 
in trading with the miners and Indians. Later he was collector of customs 
under Judge Haynes after which he returned to the Colville valley and began 
farming and stock raising, which he has continued to the present time. Mr. 
MacDonald is also operating a hotel.
	In 1877 Mr. MacDonald married Miss Maggie, daughter of Thomas and 
Julia (Plant) Steinsger. The father came to America with our subject's 
father, and the mother was guide for Governor Stevens in 1855, Six children 
have been born to our subject and his wife: John, deceased; an infant, 
deceased; Emma, Julia, Christie and Thomas A. Mr. MacDonald is a republican, 
and very active. He and his wife are adherents of the Roman Catholic church. 
In addition to his real estate, hotel and other property, Mr. MacDonald has 
a half interest in the Ben Franklin mines, two miles north of Marcus, which 
already show great value.
	Our subject's great-uncle, Dr. Archibald MacDonald, and chief factor
of the Hudson's Bay Company, was the first man to cross the continent, being 
with Governor George Simpson, of the Hudson's Bay Company. It is very 
interesting to note that Mr. MacDonald was one of the first, if not the 
first practicing physician in the west half of North America.