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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.
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