Uinta County WY Archives Biographies.....McAllister, Donald 1859 - 
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Joy Fisher http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00001.html#0000031 October 23, 2011, 11:15 pm

Source: See below
Author: A. W. Bowen (Publisher)

HON. DONALD McALLISTER.

   A distinguished citizen of Wyoming and the present county clerk of Uinta
county, Hon. Donald McAllister is a native of Scotland and a descendant of a
long line of sterling ancestors. His father, Duncan McAllister was born on May
3, 1834, in Islay, Argyleshire, and became a well-to-do farmer, marrying in
1858, Mrs. Margaret (McDonald) McDougal and following agricultural pursuits in
his native country until 1883, when he came to the United States, settling in
Uinta county, Wyo., where he is now living a retired life in the home of his
son. Duncan McAllister is the son of Donald and Mary (Currie) McAllister, both
of whom lived and died amid the romantic scenes of their native land, and the
father of Donald was Hector McAllister, who married Catherine McPhie, and to
Murdock McAllister, the father of Hector is about as far back as the paternal
lineage can be traced with accuracy. The McDonalds from whom the subject's
mother is descended were also an old and highly respected Scotch family, the
name occurring frequently in the early annals of various parts of the highlands.
She bore her second husband two sons, Donald and John McAllister. Donald
McAllister was born in Islay, Argyleshire, Scotland, on October 16, 1859. Reared
amid bracing airs and active duties he early developed the strength of body and
independence of spirit-characteristic of the sturdy Scottish youth and was early
imbued with the understanding that man should work out his destiny by honest
toil and honorable endeavor. Completing the public school course he engaged in
teaching and after following that profession for three years and being employed
seven years in a commission broker's office at Glasgow, he came to the United
States in 1882, locating in Uinta county, Wyo., where during the ensuing four
years he was engaged in cattleraising, at the expiration of that period
disposing of his stock and becoming associated with the mercantile firm of
Blythe & Fixley at Evanston. After remaining four years with that house he
entered the employment of Beckwith, Quinn & Co., of the same place with which
firm he was connected about the same length of time. Mr. McAllister next engaged
with Beeman & Co. as a salesman. Remaining two years in that capacity and
becoming familiar with the details of commercial life, he then engaged with the
Diamond Coal and Coke Co. as manager of their large store at Oakley and
superintended it with credit to himself and satisfaction to his employers until
January, 1903. In 1900 he was appointed postmaster at Diamondville, which office
he held until January, 1903, discharging its duties in connection with his
regular business and proving a most capable and popular official. Mr. McAllister
has been a factor in local and state politics for years and enjoys distinctive
prestige as one of the Republican leaders in his part of the state. In 1898 he
was elected to represent Uinta county in the lower house of the General
Assembly, serving in that capacity two years and his record as a legislator
fully met the expectation of his constituents and he retired from the office
with the hearty good will of the people of the county, irrespective of party
ties. In the fall of 1902 he was the candidate of his party for the office of
county clerk and after a close and hotly contested campaign defeated his
opponent, who had held the office several terms and was considered one of the
most popular men in the county. In local affairs he has ever manifested a lively
interest, aiding to the full extent of his ability all enterprises and measures
for the public welfare. Especially interested in the cause of education, he has
done much to promote the efficiency of the schools of Diamondville, serving
several years as treasurer of the school board. He has also been much interested
in military affairs and for three years was a member of Co. H, of the state
militia. Mr. McAllister is a prominent Odd Fellow, at the present writing
holding the position of deputy grand master for the western district of Wyoming.
He is equally active in the councils of the Woodmen of the World at Diamondville
and has been instrumental in greatly strengthening that order in his own town
and elsewhere. On July 2, 1890, Mr. McAllister was joined in marriage with Miss
Mary Hotchkiss, a daughter of Richard and Agnes Hotchkiss of Scotland, a union
blessed with seven children: Duncan, Agnes, deceased, Donald, Richard, William,
Margaret and one that died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. McAllister have long been
faithful and devoted members of the Presbyterian church. As a business man Mr.
McAllister is in the front rank of his companions and as a citizen he has won by
his courteous manner and equitable dealing the respect and esteem of his
fellowmen. His intercourse with his family and friends is kind and considerate,
securing for himself their love and admiration. He is a man of intelligence, who
has strong convictions of right, and in civil and official life he has adorned
every position in which his talents have been exercised. He has a great
antipathy for ostentation or offensive display of knowledge and in every
relation of life his conduct has been utterly without pretense. He is one of the
representative men of Wyoming and a kind and courteous gentleman.


Additional Comments:

Extracted from:

PROGRESSIVE MEN OF THE STATE OF WYOMING
ILLUSTRATED

CHICAGO, ILL.
A. W. BOWEN &CO.
PUBLISHERS AND ENGRAVERS
1903


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