McDonald - Joseph E. - Montgomery InGenWeb Project

Hon. Joseph E. McDonald died at his residence in Indianapolis last night at 11:35 o’clock, after weeks of suffering from what was supposed to be cancer of the stomach. Mr. McDonald was born in Butler County, Ohio, August 19, 1819. When quite young, his father died. His mother married John Kerr and the family moved to this county in 1826. He remained on the farm with his stepfather until he was twelve years old, except two years spent in this city attending school, when he was apprenticed to a saddler and harness maker at Lafayette. He served nearly six years. During his apprenticeship he had access to the library of Dr. Israel T. Canby, the receiver of public moneys at this city.

He entered Wabash College where he remained until 1840 when he went to Asbury University. After six months he returned to Crawfordsville and taught school six months. In 1841 he went to Williamsport and clerked in a store for one year. In 1842 he began the study of law in Lafayette with Zebulon Baird. In 1843 he was admitted to practice and was elected prosecuting attorney.

On December 25, 1844, he was married to Nancy R. Buell, of Williamsport, by whom he had four children. In the fall of 1847 he removed to Crawfordsville, and continuing the practice of law, lived here until 1859. He was elected to the Thirty-first Congress from what was the Eighth District, in 1849 and served one term. In 1856 he was elected Attorney-General of Indiana and was reelected in 1858, making in all four years’ service in the position. In the spring of 1859 he removed to Indianapolis where he formed a partnership with Addison L. Roache.

In 1864 Mr. McDonald was nominated for Governor by the Democratic State Convention and made a joint canvass with Oliver P. Morton, the Republican nominee. He was, however, defeated, for the Republicans were fully aroused, and drew out their entire vote, Mr. Morton being elected by nearly twenty thousand majority. Mr. McDonald’s wife had died on the 17th of September preceding this event. On the 15th of September, 1874, he married Araminta W. Vance, of Crawfordsville, who died February 2, 1875. Mr. McDonald’s last marriage took place in Washington in January, 1881, the bride being Mrs. Josephine F. Bernard, a cultured and refined lady. This marriage has been a most happy one, Mr. and Mrs. McDonald being in every way suited to each other. He served six years in the United States Senate beginning March 5, 1875. He was a prominent candidate for the Presidency in 1880 and doubtless would have been nominated but for Mr. Hendricks and his friends. Such in brief is the history of one of Crawfordsville’s most distinguished citizens. He belonged not only to Crawfordsville, but to the State and the Nation. He was a Democrat, but a man who was better than his party.