My Genealogy Hound

JOHN F. McDONALD, farmer, post office Ross, was born May 25, 1824, in Fayette county, Pa., a son of James McDonald a native of Fayette county, where the family were old pioneers. James was a shoemaker by trade, was highly respected, and attained to the venerable age of eighty-two years; he died in Allegheny City. His wife, Margaret McGinley, died in the same place, aged sixty-seven years. They reared a family of twelve children, of whom John F. is the youngest. He received a common-school education in his native county, and April 10, 1845, removed to Pittsburgh, where he learned the bricklayer’s trade. In March, 1865, he raised a company in the Second ward, Allegheny City, was elected captain and served until the close of the war. In 1866 he came to Ross township, purchased a farm of ninety-eight acres, and engaged at his trade as well as farming. He married Hannah, daughter of Joseph and Hannah (George) Brown, old settlers of Plum township, and by her has children as follows: Hannah S., Ollie N., Jennie M., John F., Jr., Mary L., Eva S., Anna M., Ada B., Edith R., Susie B. Mr. McDonald is a republican, and has been school director for nine years, and secretary of the board for the last six years. He and wife are members of Hiland Presbyterian Church, of which he is an elder.