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Duncan McDonald was born in Union county on December 3, 1865, to John and Jane (Grant) McDonald, pioneers to the Grande Ronde valley in 1863. When they came they settled on a homestead twelve miles north from Lagrande and there they are passing the goldenyears of their faithful lives in quiet enjoyment of the fruit of their labors, while they are highly respected by all. Our subject, when he had reached sufficient age, attended the district schools, and then completed his education in Bishop Scott's Academy, of Portland. He remained at home with his father until 1892, and then purchased his present place of four hundred acres, situated three miles northwest from Alicel. The farm is all under cultivation and is skillfully handled and returns abundant crops of the cereals while also there is a fine orchard of two acres of selected varieties of fruit. Mr. McDonald gives much attention to horses, handling many each year and producing excellent specimens. In 1882 he bought two registered mares of Clydesdale stock, importing them from Illinois, and the same year he purchased an imported stallion, shipping him from Canada, but he is registered in Scotland. Mr. McDonald is a member of the firm of McDonald Brothers, who make a specialty of raising and handling thoroughbred stock, having headquarters both in Union and Wallowa counties.

Mr. McDonald was married to Miss Flora, daughter of alexander and Margaret (McLean) McLennan, on February 6, 1892, and to them have been born the following children: Alexander Grand and Lily Jane, both at home. Mr. McDonald is chairman of the board of school directors and manifests a comendable interest in the matters of education. He is a member of the A.O.U.W. in Lagrande, and is popular and esteemed among all, while he is to-day one of the most substantial and progressive citizens of the county.

To Noah and Malinda (Jones) McDonald, on February 17, 1834, in Chariton county, Missouri, the subject of this sketch was born, and while he was still a child he was bereft of his mother by death. At the age of twelve, he went with his father to Linn county in the same state and thence to Sullivan county in 1854, remaining in that place until 1864. In the year last mentioned, he prepared the ox team conveyance and started across the plains for the regions of the west, being in a train of seventy-five wagons. No serious trouble occurred en route except the necessary hardships and deprivations of this weary and arduous journey and they landed in Linn county, Oregon, in due time, where our subject was numbered with the prosperous residents until the fall of 1872, when he migrated to Umatilla county in this state, one year later coming to the Grande Ronde valley, settling near his present place. It was in 1873 that he purchased the right of settler and took the land where he now lives, three miles north from Summerville. The original quarter section was the nucleus of an estate that was added from time to time and is now of the generous proportion of five hundred and twenty acres. It is well improved and he has one of the best orchards in the county, consisting of twenty acres of fine trees of every kind adapted to this section. The estate is embellished by a fine eight room modern dwelling, a commodious barn, and becoming out buildings with all the conveniences requisite to a first class farm.

On June 29, 1856, Mr. McDonald married Miss Margaret R., daughter of Peter and Permelia Taylor, and they have been blessed by the advent of the following children: Susan Elizabeth, wife of Fred Becker, of Prescott, Washington: Sarah J., wife of Enos Fisher: Mary, deceased: Annie, deceased: George W., married to Annie Smith; Lee, deceased; John, deceased: Ellen, wife of Charles Oswell, of Summerville. Mr. and Mrs. McDonald have borne their share of the hardships incident of the life of the pioneers wherein they have labored so faithfully and they are richly deserving, in these, the golden days of their career, to quietly enjoy the fruits of their wisely and assiduously bestowed efforts.

He was born in Scituate, Rhode Island, in 1825, a descendant of McDonald of Revolutionary fame, and also of Lieutenant Phillips, who took part in the battle of Bunker Hill.

During his youth he studied architecture, and upon coming to California, in 1849, devoted his time to contracting and building, erecting Bugoine's Bank building, completing government work under Lieutenant (now General) Sherman, and constructing the first theater and the first Protestant church in San Francisco. Arriving in Portland in August, 1850, he was at once sought to put up first-class buildings, - the first Academy building, and many others of a substantial character still standing in Portland; the first Congregational church, and the first water works. He also built the first steamboat launched at this point, the Hoosier, which was set afloat in September, 1850, and was completed by the following February. He constructed the first brickyard in Portland, and furnished the material for the brick building now standing on the corner of Stark and Front streets, and for the Holman building, and for many minor used, such as foundations and chimneys.

Upon a vacancy being made by the resignation of Mr. Hastings in the first city council of Portland, Mr. McDonald was chosen by that body to fill the place, but resigned shortly afterwards in order to return to the East to bring his wife and son William H. to his Oregon home. The second trip to this coast was performed on the new clipper ship Hurricane, of New York, sailing around the Horn. For a number of years life was continued at Portland, Forest Grove and Salem subsequently became his places of residence; and a few years were spent temporarily near Willamina in Yamhill county, in the foothills of the Coast Mountains. Forest Grove has been his home of late years, although he has personally made numerous temporary sojourns at various points according to the requirements of his business.

Among the buildings which now stand outside of Portland, as monuments of his skill, may be mentioned the Congregational church at Forest Grove, the Congregational church at Salem, and the first railroad stations on the line from Portland to Albany. He has also recently erected a very neat church in Hillsboro, the acoustic arrangements of which are without a parallel for excellence on this coast. The First National Bank building at la Grande, Oregon, was also built from his plans and under his superintendency. Although now for forty-five years having been in charge of building, he has never suffered an accident either to his men or work, and has never failed to accomplish an undertaking.

His wife, Betsey M., the daughter of Abial N. Sampson, of Providence, Rhode Island, to whom he was married in1847, is a lady whose memory will always be cherished, as she has always surrounded herself with a circle of friends in whatever place she has been located. Eight children have blessed their home: William H., a banker of La Grande, whose biographical sketch will be found in this work; Charles H.; Ella F. Hinman, of Ellensburgh; Lulu A. Imbrie, deceased; Edwin S.; John C.; and Lela Berta and Lillie Anna, twins.

     Mordo McDonald, one of the prominent men of Walla Walla county, is not only successfully operating large tracts of land but is also in public affairs, his energy and capability enabling him to accomplish much. He was born in Stark county, Illinois, February 18, 1863, the son of John and Jane (Grant) McDonald, both natives of Scotland, the former being born in the village of Sheldaig, Apple Cross parish, in the northern part of Scotland, July 10, 1823. The parents were reared and married in their native country and the father followed the career of a sea captain. in 1857 they came to the United States and, continuing their journey, traversed the continent as far as Stark county, Illinois, where they located. The father farmed there until 1863, when he removed with his family to the far west, crossing the seemingly illimitable plains with one yoke of oxen and one yoke of cows, which they milked every day of the journey. Under the most favorable conditions the long trip overland to the coast was fraught with many hardships, but the difficulties of the journey were increased by the fact that the father broke his leg on the second day out. However, he was confined to his bed but eighteen days, and then he was able to walk on crutches. At length Oregon was reached and he took up a homestead not far from the town of La Grande. He brought the place under cultivation and met with gratifying success in his farming operations, continuing to reside upon the homestead. He passed away November 17, 1903, and his wife died two years later, November 16, 1905.

     Mordo McDonald was but an infant when brought by his parents to Oregon and was reared at home with the usual experiences of the boy brought up in pioneer surroundings. His education was that afforded in the district schools but he received thorough training in farming through assisting his father. In early manhood he was associated with his brothers and his father in the operation of the home place. When he was twenty-five years old he and his five brothers bought a tract of land, which they cultivated in addition to operating the homestead. This partnership was maintained until 1895, when Mr. McDonald of this review removed to Walla Walla county, Washington. For a year he conducted a butcher business in partnership with Chris Ennis, and then, with three other men, went into the horse business, furnishing eight thousand horses to the government for service in the Philippine islands. He became interested in raising horses and for a number of years devoted his time to that work, becoming well known as a horse dealer and breeder and confined his business entirely to handling government horses. In 1908, however, he gave up that work and began cultivating his present home farm of one hundred and sixty acres on section 8, township 6 north, range 36 east. He raises the crops best suited to the soil and climate of this section and receives a good profit from his labors.

     On December 24, 1889, Mr. McDonald was united in marriage to Miss Belle Cameron, a daughter of Alex Cameron, who came to Oregon on the same emigrant train of which the McDonald family were a part. To this union were born two children: Jesie, the wife of W.C. Marsh, a resident of Los Angeles, California; and Hector, at home. The wife and mother died in 1906 and on June 2, 1909, Mr. McDonald was united in marriage to Miss Florence Halvor, of The Dalles, Oregon.

     Mr. McDonald is well known as an active worker in the republican party and in the fall of 1906 he was elected to represent his district in the state legislature, in which connection he made a record creditable alike to his ability and public spirit. For several years he served as chairman of the republican central committee and at one election in that period every man on the ticket was successful with the exception of the candidate for constable, who was sick in the hospital and was, therefore, unable to canvass the county. Mr. McDonald was a member of the board that had charge of the Walla Walla county exhibit, held in Portland, and the fact that the exhibit won many prizes is proof of the energy and efficiency which the board brought to their task. The other members were, Dr. N.G. Blalock and C.L. Whitney. Mr. McDonald's fraternal connections are with Blue Mountain Lodge, No. 13, A.F.&A.M.; Walla Walla Chapter No. 1, R.A.M.; Washington Commandery, No 1, K.T.; and El Katif Temple, A.A.O.N.M.S., of Spokane. He is thoroughly western in spirit and interests and has full confidence in the prosperous future in store for Washington.

Mr. McDonald was born in Stark county,Illinois, on August 28, 1862, being the son of John and Jane (Grant) McDonald. The following year after the birth of our subject the father brought his family across the plains to the Grande Ronde valley, being favored witha providential journey amid the dangers and trials of the road. The father became one of the worhty builders of Union county and reared a family that have followed his good example. The son was educated in the district schools of the county and also sent some time in the Blue Mountain University. Until 1882 he remained at home with his father and, being twenty years of age, rented a farm for himself, soon acquiring title to a half section of land, which is increased by the addition of another quarter. His estate lies one and one-half miles west from Alicel, and is in a high state of cultivation, producing abundant crops fo the cereals, while also he handles about fifty acres in beets. He is numbered among the most prosperous and progressive agriculturists of the county, and in addition to that industry,he has gained  more distinction in the line of raising and handling stock. He is a member of the firm of McDonald Brothers, which consists of Peter and Duncan, living in Union county, and John and Hector, living in Wallowa county. They do a general stock business, raising and buying and selling, also importing and exporting. Their annual handlings aggregate a large amount and they are one of the most powerful and capable firms of Union and Wallowa counties. At the present time they are engaged in buying horses for the British government, and are handling hundreds of horses, exporting them all. They make a specialty in handling good stock and have the finest Clyde horses in the state. Our subject has improved his estate until it is a comfortable and elegant rural abode, being supplied with fine orchards, substantial and commodious buildings and a modern residence of eight rooms and all conveniences that recent architecture can supply.

Mr. McDonald married Miss Emma, daughter of George and Phoebe Kroh, from Ohio; the wedding occuring on December 15,1895, and two children are the fruit of the union, namely, Helen and George. Mr. McDonald is always displaying the interest and activity that are demanded of the intelligent citizen in political matters, but is never desirous of nor does he allow to be given him any political preferment, although he is eminently worthy to occupy positions of trust. It has been his constant motto, however, to work always for the general welfare of the citizens and be ever on the side of the advancement of development, but to allow others to take the places of public honor. His fellows will not allow him altogether to thus give to others, for they have made him road supervisor for eight years and school clerk for six years, thus utilizing his wisdom and good judgment for the public good. Fraternally he affiliated with the Masons, Ldge No. 67, at Summerville.

While still young, he entered the service of the old Oregon Steam Navigation Company, and, soon gaining a reputation for ability and fidelity, was rapidly promoted, attaining at length the position of general shipping agent of the Upper Columbia and Snake rivers, - one of high responsibility. He was in the employ of that company thirteen years, followed by two years' service in the general office of Wells, Fargo & Company's express in San Francisco, four years as chief clerk of the construction department of the railway branch of the Oregon Railway & Navigation Company, and two years as cashier of the First National Bank of Island City, Oregon.

In 1887 he located at La Grande, and, in company with several of the leading citizens of that place, organized the La Grande National Bank. Prominent capitalists of Portland, - Henry Failing, H.W. Corbett, James Steel and J. Lowenberg, - were also largely identified with Mr. McDonald in the enterprise, which, through the efficient management of Mr. McDonald, already enjoys a high-credit rating in banking circles, and is considered on of the most sound and active banks in the state. During the entire period of five years of Mr. McDonald's experience as a bank cashier, it is a matter of record, that he never has been obliged to charge off a cent to profit and loss, nor to place a note in the hands of an attorney for collection, - a record of which Mr. McDonald is justly proud.

Mr. McDonald enjoys the implicit confidence of the community in which he resides, and is esteemed by his acquaintances there and elsewhere throughout the state as a high-minded, upright gentleman, honorable and conscientious in his dealings, and one who is proud of being a pioneer.