John L. MacDonald

John L. MacDonald
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Minnesota's 3rd district
In office March 4, 1887 – March 3, 1889
Preceded by	Horace B. Strait
Succeeded by	Osee M. Hall
Member of the Minnesota Senate from the 21st district
In office January 3, 1873 – January 1, 1877
Preceded by	Robert H. Rose
Succeeded by	William Henry
Member of the Minnesota Senate from the 18th district
In office January 3, 1871 – January 1, 1872
Preceded by	William Henry
Succeeded by	George Washington Batchelder
Member of the Minnesota House of Representatives from the 18th district
In office January 5, 1869 – January 2, 1871
Preceded by	William Henry
Succeeded by	W.V. Sencerbox
Personal details
Born	John Louis MacDonald (1838-02-22)February 22, 1838 Glasgow, Scotland
Died	July 13, 1903(1903-07-13) (aged 65) Kansas City, Missouri
Political party	Democratic
Spouse	Mary Hennessy
Residence	Shakopee, Minnesota
Occupation	Attorney

John Louis MacDonald (February 22, 1838 – July 13, 1903) was a United States representative from Minnesota and a member of the Democratic Party.

Early life

MacDonald was born February 22, 1838, in Glasgow, Scotland.^[1] He immigrated to Nova Scotia, Canada, with his parents. In 1847, the family settled in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They again moved in 1855, to Minnesota, and settled in Scott County, where MacDonald studied law.^[1]

Legal career

MacDonald was admitted to the bar in 1859 and commenced practice at Belle Plaine, Minnesota. He served as a judge of the probate court of Scott County in 1860 and 1861. During the Civil War he was commissioned to enlist and muster volunteers for the Union Army. He also served as prosecuting attorney of Scott County in 1863 and 1864.

Political career

MacDonald served as county superintendent of schools in 1865 and 1866. He was elected to the Minnesota House of Representatives, serving in 1869 and 1870; and then served in the Minnesota Senate in 1871 and from 1873 to 1876.^[2]

He ran unsuccessfully candidate for attorney general in 1872 on the Democratic ticket. He was then elected mayor of Shakopee in 1876. He was elected judge of the eighth judicial district of Minnesota in 1876 for a term of seven years and reelected without opposition in 1883.^[1]

In 1886, he was elected as a Democrat to the 50th congress; he subsequently resigned as judge.^[1] He served in Congress from March 4, 1887, to March 3, 1889. He ran again in 1888, but lost. He subsequently returned to being a lawyer in Saint Paul, Minnesota. In 1898, he moved to Kansas City, Missouri, where he continued to practice law.

Death

MacDonald died from heart disease at his home in Kansas City on July 13, 1903.^[2] He was working as a lawyer until his death. He was buried at St. Mary's Cemetery in Kansas City.

References

• Minnesota Legislators Past and Present

• United States Congress. "John L. MacDonald (id: M000003)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.