My Genealogy Hound

Prof. J. R. McDonald is a son of Samuel P. and Cassie (Moore) McDonald, and was born in Gadsden in 1839. His father was of Scotch ancestry, and was born in North Carolina about 1805, and married a Miss Moore, who died about 1834, having borne two daughters, one living. Mr. McDonald then married Cassie Moore, who is still living. Mr. McDonald came to Madison County in 1832, and farmed and taught school. He died September 18, 1852, while holding the office of magistrate. Our subject remained at home until his father’s death, and was educated at Mason’s Grove Masonic Academy and Bluff Springs Seminary. When about sixteen years of age he entered the printing office of the Jackson Democrat, where he remained four years. He then followed the same business in Dyersburg, Troy and Brownsville, and in the meantime was attending school. He has made teaching his principal business through life, and has taught in the Gadsden schools since 1873, with the exception of 1883, when he was at Bell’s Depot. In December, 1865, he married Sallie E., daughter of Hardy and Elizabeth (Jenkins) Moore, and by her became the father of eleven children, eight of whom are living - Eleanor H (Mrs. C. M. Williams), Percy E., Ora Lou, Bettie, Samuel E., Theophilus M., Robert C., Mary L. and Ida. Mr. McDonald is a Republican, and belongs to the I. O. O. F. He owns 140 acres of land, and he and wife are members of the Christian Church. Mrs. McDonald was born in Haywood County in 1847. W. P. McDonald, brother of our subject, graduated at Bluff Springs Seminary in 1861, and went to California, where he was a successful teacher, and was county superintendent of Los Angeles County. He died in 1883. Benjamin F., another brother, went to California in 1877, and is now teaching there. Lou T., a sister, and wife of Dr. T. J. Evans, of Martin, Tenn., is principal of Central College in Weakley County. Mollie, wife of W. A. Brummett, resides near Bell’s Depot.