Maley McDONALD, one of the most prominent and influential of the early settlers of Blooming township [Decatur County], was at one time the owner of one thousand acres of fine land. His birth occurred in Madison county, Ohio, on the 16th of May, 1823, and he was a son of James C. McDONALD, who was in turn a son of Thomas McDONALD. The last named was born in Scotland and on emigrating to the United States, settled in Botetourt County, Virginia, where his son James C. was born. The latter was married in Tennessee to Miss Mary Ann MELVIN, also a native of the Old Dominion, and they took up their residence in Kentucky, whence, about 1806, they removed to Ross county, Ohio. Three or four years later they settled in Madison county of that state, where they lived for many years. They had a large family, of whom seven grew to maturity: Mary, born in 1801; George, born in 1803; Phebe, born in 1805; Elizabeth, born in 1808; Charity, born in 1811; John, born in 1814; and Malay, the subject of this sketch.

[Transcriber's note: Maley McDONALD's name has been spelled interchangably as "Maley" or "Malay," sometimes both ways in the same biographical sketch. His gravestone spells his name as "Maley."]

Malay McDONALD, who was the youngest child, was educated in the subscription schools in Madison county and early in life became familiar with agricultural pursuits. He continued to reside in his native county until 1850, when, with his family [wife and three children],he removed to Iowa. The first winter was spent at Muscatine, but in the following spring the family removed to a farm, where they resided for four years. On the 22d of May, 1855, they arrived in Bloomington township, Decatur county, and the father purchased several hundred acres of land from Matthew McCLAIN [paying $200 for the pre-emption and built a simple log cabin of 16 x 16 feet with a sod chimney]. At the time there were only about seven families [Mr. McCLAIN, John MERCER, Aaron MYERS, F. M. SCOTT, Widow SCOTT's family, W[illiam]. M. McDONALD [Maley's cousin], John WION and J. K. TAPSCOT] in that township and the greater part of the land was yet unbroken. Mr. McDONALD [built a home in 1866 which was sided with black walnut] and acquired more land and accumulated althogether about one thousand acres, upon which he engaged in stock-raising and feeding on an extensive scale. He owned a fine farm [of 158 acres of improved land] adjoining Kellerton and at length he took up his abode in that town. He passed away September 8, 1895, and his demise was sincerely regetted by all who knew him.

Mr. McDONALD was married on the 9th of March, 1843, to Miss Mary FERGUSON, whose birth occurred in Franklin county, Ohio, on the 13th of November, 1824, and who is a daughter of Thomas and Mary (BIGGERT) FERGUSON. To this union were born the following children: Margaret Ann [born circa 1844]; George, who was a soldier in the Civil war and who died while at home on furlough from the effects of a wound received in battle; E[mmet]. W. [born circa 1849]; and one [daughter] who died in infancy [on September 13, 1861]. Mr. McDONALD was an independent republican and served for one term as county supervisor and for three terms as township trustee and assessor. He belonged to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Decatur City. He was a man of much force of character and engery and also possessed excellent business ability, and it was but natural that he should be one of the foremost citizens of Decatur county. After removing to Kellerton he was recognized as one of the leaders in Ringgold county and his death was the occasion of much sincere grief. [He started life without means, but by industry and good management acquired a fine property. Among the enterprising and successful pioneers of Decatur County, none is better known or more highly esteemed than is Mr. McDONALD, and he is classed among the leading citizens of Ringgold County.]

NOTE: Maley McDONALD died at the age of 71 years, 3 months, and 23 days on September 8, 1894. He was interred at Maple Row Cemetery, Kellerton, Ringgold County, Iowa. Mary (FERGUSON) McDonald died at the age of 64 years and 26 days on December 9, 1888, with interment at Maple Row Cemetery.

George McDONALD enlisted from Leon, Iowa, as a Private on August 21, 1863, at the age of eighteen. He served with Company B of the 4th Iowa Cavalry. According to the American Civil War soldier database, George was mustered out of service at Atlanta, Georgia, on August 8, 1865. McDONALD family records note that George died of wounds received in battle on September 23, 1865, at the age of 19 years, 9 months and 25 days. George was interred next to his sister, who died in infancy, at Lillie Cemetery, Bloomington Township near Lamoni, Decatur County, Iowa. The Lillie Cemetery is located on land previously owned by Maley and Mary McDONALD.

Margaret Ann McDONALD married on October 13, 1865 to George R. BATHE (1842, Moultrie Co. IL - ?), son of James and Melinda (POWELL) BATHE, natives of Illinois. Margaret and George BATHE were the parents of six children: Mrs. Nora MORRIS of Denver, Colorado; Mrs. Charles T. RHODES; Irvin L., Avon who married and lives in Lenapah, Oklahoma; Carrie, the wife of Ernest SHEPHERD, of Pueblo, Colorado; and Charles W., of Coffeyville, Kansas.

SOURCES:
HOWELL, J. M. & CONOMAN, Heman. History of Decatur County, Iowa, and Its People Vol. II. Pp. 216-17, 255-56. S.J. Clarke Pub. Co. Chicago. 1915.

Biographical and Historical Record of Ringgold and Decatur Counties, Iowa, 1887.

Kellerton, Iowa, A history to 1881 1887

American Civil War Soldiers, ancestry.com

WPA Graves Survey

Transcription and note by Sharon R. Becker, February of 2009

Maley McDONALD, retired farmer, was born in Madison County, Ohio, May 16, 1823. His father, James C. McDONALD, was a son of Thomas McDONALD, a native of Scotland, and was born in Botetourt County, Viriginia. He married in Tennessee, Mary Ann MELVIN, also a native of Virginia, and they removed to Kentucky. About the year 1806 they removed to Ross County, Ohio, and three or four years later to Madison County. They had a large family of children, seven of whom lived to be grown - Mary, born in 1801; George, born in 1803; Phebe, born in 1805; Elizabeth, born in 1808; Charity, born in 1811; John, born in 1814; and Maley, the subject of this sketch.

Mr. McDONALD's early life was spent in assisting his father on the farm and in obtaining he education at the subscription schools. He was married March 9, 1843, to Miss Mary FERGUSON, born in Franklin County, Ohio, November 13, 1824, daughter of Thomas and Mary (BIGGERT) FERGUSON.

He resided in Madison until 1850, when, with wife and three children, he started for Iowa. The first winter he spent in Muscatine, and the following spring removed on a farm five miles west of the city, where he resided four years. May 22, 1855, he arrived in Bloomington Township, Decatur County, and bought a claim of Matthew McCLAIN, paying $200 for the pre-emption. The land is described as follows: South half section 29, southwest section 28, south half northeast 28, west half southeast, south half northeast 28, township 60, range 27 west.

There were living in Bloomington Township at that time about seven families: Mr. McCLAIN, Johnn MERCER, Aaron MYERS, F. M. SCOTT, Widow SCOTT's family, W. M. McDONALD, John WION, and J. K. TAPSCOTT. Mr. McDONALD commenced immediately to make permanent improvements. The first house was a log cabin, 16 x 16 feet, with sod chimney, that had been erected by Mr. McCLAIN. He improved from time to time until the McDONALD farm was known as one of the best improved farms in Decatur County.

At one time he owned 1,000 acres. His house was built in 1866 and was sided with black walnut; it was one of the best buildings in the township.

He was extensively engaged in stock-raising, feeding and dealing in stock.

He resided on the old homestead in Bloomington Township until October 29, 1855, when he removed to Kellerton where he has 158 acres of improved land adjoining the town plat. He has a nice residence, built in modern style and well-furnished.

Mr. and Mrs. McDONALD have had four chilren - Margaret Ann, of Tuskeego; George, deceased; E. W., of Tuskeega, and an infant not named.

Mr. McDONALD has served one term as county supervisor under the old law, and three terms as township trustee and assessor.

He is a member of the Odd Fellows order of Decatur City, and politically is an independent Republican.

He started in life without means, but by industry and good management has acquired a fine property. Among the enterprising and successful pioneers of Decatur County, none is better known or more highly esteemed than is Mr. McDONALD, and he is classed among the leading citizens of Ringgold County.

* Maley McDONALD's name was spelled "Malay" in the Biography & Historical Record of Ringgold County.

Malay McDONALD , retired farmer was born in Madison County, Ohio, May 16, 1823. His father, James C. McDONALD was a son of Thomas (sic, should be James C.) McDONALD, a native of Scotland, and was born in Botetourt County, Virginia. He married in Tennessee, Mary Ann MELVIN, also a native of Virginia, and they removed to Kentucky. About the year 1806, they removed to Ross County, Ohio, and three or four years later to Madison County. They had a large family of children, seven of whom lived to be grown - Mary, born in 1801; George, born in 1803; Phebe, born in 1805; Elizabeth, born in 1808; Charity born in 1811; John, born in 1814; and Malay, the subject of this sketch. Mr. McDONALD's early life was spent in assisting his father on the farm and in obtaining his education at the subscription schools. He was married March 9, 1843, to Miss Mary FERGUSON, born in Franklin County, Ohio, November 13, 1824, daughter of Thomas and Mary (BIGGERT) FERGUSON. He resided in Madison until 1850, when, with his wife and three children [and cousin William McDONALD} started for Iowa. The first winter he spent in Muscatine and the following spring moved on a farm five miles west of the city, where he resided four years. May 22, 1855, he arrived in Bloomington township, Decatur County, and bought 1 claim of Matthew McCLAIN, paying $200 for the pre-emption. The land is described as follows: South half section 29, southwest section 28, South half northwest 28, west half Southeast, south half northeast 28, township 60, range 27 west. There were living in Bloomington Township at that time about seven families: McCLAIN, John MERCER, Aaron MYERS, F. M. SCOTT, Widow SCOTT's family, W. M. McDONALD, John WION and J. K.TAPSCOTT.

Mr. McDONALD commenced immediately to make permanent improvements.The first house was a lot cabin, 16x16 feet, with sod chimney, that had been erected by Mr. McCLAIN. He improved from tine to tine unti1 the McDONALD farm was known as one of the best improved farms in Decatur County. At one time he owned 1,000 acres. His house was built in 1866 and was sided with black Walnut; it was one of the best buildings in the township. He was extensively engaged in stockraising, feeding and dealing in stock. He resided on the old homestead in Bloomington Township until October, 29, 1855, when he removed to Kellerton where he has 158 acres of improved land adjoining the the town plat. He has a nice residence, built in modern style and well furnished.

Mr. and Mrs. McDONALD have had four children; Margaret Ann, of Tuskeego, George, deceased; E. W., of Tuskeego, and an infant not named.

[Upon the death of their unnamed infant daughter in 1861, Maley and Mary decided to bury the child on the land of one of their neighbors, R. P. LILLIE who had recently interred one of his own children there in 1857, located in Bloomington Township of Decatur County, Iowa. Four years later when Maley and Mary's eldest son George died of wounds received in battle during the Civil War on September 23, 1865, the McDONALDS interred him beside their lost infant daughter. This plot was known at the Lillie Cemetery.]

Mr. McDONALD has served one term as county supervisor under the old law, and three terms as township trustee and assessor. He is a member of the Odd Fellows order of Decatur City, and politically is an independent Republican. He started in life without means, but by industry and good management has acquired a fine property. Among the enterprising and successful pioneers of Decatur County, none is better known than is Mr. McDONALD, and is classed among the leading citizens of Ringgold County.

NOTE: Maley McDONALD died September 8, 1894, at his home in Kellerton, Iowa. He was 71 years of age. Mary (FERGUSON) McDONALD died at the age of 64 years and 26 days. Maley and Mary were interred at Maple Row Cemetery, Kellerton, Ringgold County, Iowa.

SOURCES:
Biography & Historical Record of Ringgold County, Pp. 394-95, 1887.

Kellerton, Iowa, A History to 1881 1887

American Civil War Soldiers Database, ancestry.com

WPA Graves Survey

Transcription and note by Sharon R. Becker, March of 2009