Archibald McDonald 1848-1909

MCDONALD, REHKOPF, DUNN, BROWN, TADE, RAU

Posted By: Volunteer - Rich Lowe
Date: 3/26/2005 at 05:54:01

Archibald McDonald.

Archibald McDonald, the oldest son of Charles and Martha McDonald, was born in Ft. Madison, Lee county, Iowa, Dec. 1, 1844. In 1848 the family moved to a farm in Harrisburg township, Van Buren county, was raised on the farm and attended the schools of the rural districts. When older he was sent by his parents to the high schools of Mt. Pleasant and Oskaloosa, Iowa.

Afterward he began teaching in the common schools of Van Buren county and after teaching a number of terms here went to California and taught while there. He returned to Iowa and taught in the graded schools of Bonaparte, Bentonsport, and Vernon. In 1873 he was elected county superintendent of schools of Van Buren county and served one term of two years.

He was married to Miss Mary L. Rehkopf in Bentonsport, Iowa, Nov. 10, 1874, in Baraboo, Wisconsin. To this union one daughter was born, now Mrs. Madeline Dunn of Kansas City, Mo. Sept. 25, 1876, his wife died in Bentonsport, Iowa.

In 1877 he spent a part of the year in Texas. In 1878 he went to Colorado and taught in that state for two years, returning to Bonaparte, Iowa, in the spring of 1881.

Dec. 6, 1881, he bought out the interest of Mr. William Johnson in the well known firm of Christy & Johnson, merchants of Bonaparte. Then the firm name became Christy and McDonald and remained such until the death of Mr. Thos. Christy which occurred July 11, 1877 [1887]. The business was continued under the firm name until Feb. 1, 1888, when Mr. Robt. Elmer Meek purchased the interest of the estate of Mr. Christy, deceased. The firm name became McDonald and Meek and has remained such.

He was married the second time to Miss Cora L. Brown of Bentonsport, Iowa, Feb 6, 1882. To this union three children were born, Brown Archibald of Des Moines, Iowa, Mrs. Gertrude Alston Tade of Harrisburg township, and Martha E. who died in infancy.

He belonged to a family of 10 children, six sisters and three brothers. Those of the family who have gone to that [cannot read line in fold] bourne no traveler ever returns, are four sisters and one brother. The father died July 8, 1876, age 64 years. And the mother died Nov. 19, 1899, aged 82 years.

He is survived by his wife, one son, two daughters, and two grandsons; also two sisters, Miss Mattie McDonald and Mrs. Chas. E. Rau of Mason city, two brothers, Chas W. McDonald of Council Bluffs, and Robert E. of Harrisburg township, Van Buren county.

He became a member of Bonaparte Lodge, 73, A. F. & A. M. Sept 1, 871 and has served the lodge in all stations from Junior Deacon to Master of the lodge.

He joined LaFayette Chapter, No. 61 Royal Arch Masons, Feb. 29, 1872 and served as secretary a number of years.

He became a member of the E* *hanon? Commandery, No. 28, Knights of Templar of Keosauqua, Feb. 20, 1877.

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The above is the obituary sketch of Archibald McDonald as written by himself more than 4 years ago. The following also might well be added at this time.

He was also a member of Magnolia Chapter No. 276, O. E. S. He became a member of the Presbyterian church at Bentonsport, March 16, 1873, transferred to the church at Bonaparte in January 1903, and was a regular attendant at church sevices.

There is also no mention made of the dissolution of the McDonald and Meek firm when Mr. Meek was elected County Treasurer. Mr. McDonald has recently been manager of the Boston store.

Funeral services were held at the Bonaparte Presbyterian church Thursday afternoon, Rev. Geo. H. Duty of Oxford, Iowa, a former pastor, officiating. The services at the tomb were in charge of the Masons, many of whom were in uniform and accompanied the remains of their brother from the home to the grave. The church was not large enough to accommodate those who attended the service.

Source: Entler Scrapbooks, vol. 5, Iowa Historical Library, Iowa City, IA