Mordo McDonald, one of the prominent men of Walla Walla county, is not only successfully operating large tracts of land but is also active 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 on 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: Jessie, 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.
JOHN B. DUNHAM.
No matter in how much fantastic theorizing one may indulge as to the cause of success, he must eventually reach the conclusion that prosperity is the outcome of persistent effort and indefatigable industry combined with close application. This statement finds verification in the life record of John B. Dunham, a prosperous stock dealer now residing in Walla Walla. He was born in Logansport, Indiana, November 13, 1842, a son of John and Matilda (Griffin) Dunham, both of whom were natives of the Hoosier state, where they were reared and married. The father, attracted by the discovery of gold in California, was among those who made their way to the Pacific coast over the Isthmus route in 1849. He was reasonably successful in his search for the precious metal and in 1850 he returned to Indiana with the rewards of his labor. Soon afterward he removed to Champaign county, Illinois, where he was engaged in farming up to the time of his death.
John B. Dunham spent his youthful days under the parental roof and acquired a district school education. When not busy with his textbooks his attention was given to the work of the farm and he assisted in the tasks of plowing, planting and harvesting. In June, 1864, when in the early twenties, he responded to the country's call for military aid, enlisting as a member of Company A, One Hundred and Fifty-fourth Illinois Infantry, with which he served until the close of the war, being mustered out in September, 1865. When the country no longer needed his aid he engaged in farming in Champaign county, Illinois, there remaining until 1888, when he came to the coast, settling first at Roseburg, Oregon. There he engaged in the feed business for three years and afterward removed to Eugene, Oregon, where he was engaged in merchandising for five years. In 1896 he came to Walla Walla, where he has since made his home and during the period of his residence here, covering twenty-one years, he has been successfully engaged in the livestock business. Persistency of purpose has ever been one of his marked characteristics and, guided by sound judgment, has brought him a very substantial measure of prosperity.
On the 19th of December, 1883, Mr. Dunham was united in marriage to Miss Eliza J. Hull, a daughter of John Hull, of Champaign county, Illinois. They have become the parents of four children, as follows: Lena E., who is the widow of W. G. Osborne and resides in Los Angeles, California; Charley, who makes his home in Baker, Oregon; Fannie M., the wife of John Shaddick, who is proprietor of an automobile garage in Walla Walla; and Victor B., a resident of Montana.
In his political views Mr. Dunham is a stalwart republican but has never been an office seeker. For the past three years he and his wife have spent the winter seasons in southern California but return to Walla Walla for the summer months. They have gained many friends during the period of their residence in this city and the hospitality of their home is greatly enjoyed by their associates. In business affairs Mr. Dunham sustains an unassailable reputation for integrity as well as enterprise and in matters of citizenship he has always been as true and loyal to his country as when he followed the nation's starry banner on the battlefields of the south.