THOMAS McDONALD

Foreign countries have bequeathed to America some of her best and most brilliant citizens, and the Emerald Isle has not been behind in the quality of her contribution to the strong and vigorous growth of this country. To her Shelby County is indebted for her greatest benefactor and best beloved citizen, Thomas McDonald, now at rest, the rest won by a life of tireless activity in the interests and welfare of those whose lives touched his; and these were not few, as will be attested by numbers of citizens of western Iowa. Thomas McDonald was a most remarkable man; to meet him was to be attracted to him; to know him was to be won as a fast friend, and hearty admirer. He was kind and obliging, and possessed the faculty of adapting himself to all sorts and conditions of men, who always found in him the satisfaction of their pressing needs. He had within him a strong public spirit, ever willing to sacrifice his own interests to those of the majority, in his home he was all that a wife and children could desire, and only those who have been blessed by the association of such a beautifully rounded and perfect character can know the loss of the family in his death.

Thomas McDonald was born in Bandon, twenty miles southwest of the city of Cork, Ireland, July 20, 1843. His parents came to America when he was four years old. They settled in Massachusetts, but remained there only a year; they then went to La Salle, Illinois, where Thomas resided with his parents until he was nineteen years old, when he enlisted in the army, pledged to defend the flag of his adopted country; he joined the Ninetieth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, of which he was Sergeant Major. He served through the entire war and was honorably discharged at its close. After the close of the war he joined the famous detective service of Allen Pinkerton, of Chicago; he spent most of his time when in Pinkerton's employ in eastern cities, and gave eminent satisfaction. He quit the service upon his marriage, April 24, 1867, in Chicago, to Miss Mary T. Corley, of Arlington, Bureau County, Illinois. He then came to Iowa and settled in Dunlap, Harrison County, where he resided six years; he then settled on his farm of 600 acres, six miles south of Harlan, and lived there until his death. During his residence in the county he filled various offices of honor and trust. He was elected county treasurer in 1875, and re-elected in 1877. It was due to his untiring energy and good management that the A.H. & N. R. R. was secured to Harlan; he was president of the company. He laid out the village of Corley, his wife's maiden name, in 1873. His death occurred at his residence in Corley, December 16, 1881. Mrs. McDonald was born in Rochester, New York, and educated in St. Vincent's Academy, La Salle, Illinois. She is a daughter of Martin and Sarah (Bigelow) Corley. She and four children survive Mr. McDonald. The children are - Agnes D. Brewer, wife of George D. Brewer; Martin E., Thomas C., and Martina V.

Source: 1889 Biographical History of Shelby County, Iowa, pp. 308-309. Transcribed by Marthann Kohl-Fuhs.