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Transcribed from "An Illustrated History of The Big Bend Country, embracing Lincoln, Douglas, Adams and Franklin counties, State of Washington",  published by Western Historical Publishing Co., 1904.


     JOHN W. McDONALD, who stands at the head of a very prosperous business as commission merchant in grain and dealer in agricultural implements, is also president of the Hartline bank, in the organization of which he was the moving spirit.  The enterprise, adaptability, and good judgment of Mr. McDonald have established him in the esteem of the people and without doubt he has done a great deal towards building up this thriving village.
     John W. McDonald was born in Decatur county, Iowa, on July 7, 1862, being the son of William and Neoma (Montgomery) McDonald, natives of Ohio, and pioneers of Iowa.  John W. McDonald was well educated in the schools in Decatur county and there grew to manhood.  At the age of twenty, he went to Kansas where he operated a livery stable and later opened a drug store.  For five years he resided there then came, in 1888, to Medical Lake, Washington and there did contracting and building, having become efficient in this line of industry in later days.  After the fire in Spokane, he went there and assisted to re-build that stricken city.  Later, he removed to Almira and opened a feed and lumber business where he continued for one year and then began buying grain for the Northern Pacific Elevator Company.  In 1893, Mr. McDonald launched out in this enterprise for himself, feeling his way cautiously.  He has succeeded well and is now one of the large grain buyers of Douglas county.  In 1894, he bought out D. E. Reeves, the pioneer merchant of Hartline, and who owned the only stock of merchandise in the town at that time.  Mr. McDonald operated the business six years.  After becoming established in the grain buying business, Mr. McDonald added farming implements and later began handling all kinds of vehicles.  He carries now, a most complete stock and does a very large business.  Seeing the need of a financial institution in Hartline, Mr. McDonald took upon himself the organization of the same and was successful in securing sufficient local capital to establish the Hartline bank, which began to do business in 1903.  Mr. McDonald is the president and moving spirit in the institution and his success in the financial world, together with keen discrimination and business integrity, have given him the confidence of the people.  Mr. McDonald has two brothers and one sister, Albert, George, and Mrs. Mary Lilly.
     At Spokane, on August 9, 1894, Mr. McDonald married Miss Ella, daughter of Andrew and Julia Hagey, natives of Iowa.  Mrs. McDonald was born at Walla Walla, on February 16, 1872 and has one brother, Thomas, and two sisters, Mrs. Clara Yelton and Mrs. Katie Sager.  Two children have been the fruit of this union: Clive W., born on July 7, 1895; and Darrell W., born on September 15, 1900; both being natives of Douglas county.
    Mr. McDonald is a member of the A. F. & A. M. and is progressive and broad-minded.
 
 

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