William C. McDonald (governor)

William C. McDonald
1st Governor of New Mexico
In office January 14, 1912 – January 1, 1917
Preceded by	William J. Mills as Territorial Governor
Succeeded by	Ezequiel Cabeza De Baca
Personal details
Born	July 25, 1858 Jordanville, New York
Died	April 11, 1918 (aged 59) Santa Fe, New Mexico
Political party	Democratic
Spouse(s)	Francis McCourt
Residence	White Oaks

William Calhoun McDonald (July 25, 1858 – April 11, 1918) was an American politician, and the first Governor of the State of New Mexico.

Biography

McDonald was born in Jordanville, New York and was raised in New York. He attended Cazenovia Seminary. In New York, he studied law and taught primary school.^[1]

Career

In 1878, McDonald moved to Fort Scott, Kansas where he served as an apprentice at the law offices of Joseph S. Lorrence. He was admitted to the bar in 1880. McDonald then moved to the White Oaks, New Mexico Territory in 1880 and settled in Lincoln County. Staking out mining claims and working as a mineral surveyor, he managed and later purchased the Carrizozo Cattle Ranch Company. He became a United States deputy mineral surveyor for New Mexico in 1881. He became active in Democratic politics.

McDonald was Lincoln County Assessor from 1885 to 1887. In 1891, he was a member of the New Mexico Territorial House of Representatives. He married Francis J. McCourt on August 31, 1891.^[2] The couple had five children. He chaired the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners from 1895 to 1897. A member of the New Mexico Cattle Sanitary Board from 1905 to 1911, he also chaired the 1910 Democratic Territorial Central Committee.

Securing the Democratic nomination, McDonald was elected the first Governor of the state of New Mexico on November 7, 1911.^[3] During his tenure, the state's government was structured while raids by Mexican bandits were dealt with.

After his governorship, McDonald was appointed and served as New Mexico Fuel Administrator, an office he held until his death.

Death

McDonald died on April 11, 1918 and is interred at Cedarvale Cemetery in White Oaks.^[4]

References

1. "McDonald, William Calhoun". New Mexico State Record Center and Archives. Retrieved 2012-07-14.
2. "William C. McDonald". The Political Graveyard. Retrieved 9 October 2012.
3. "William C. McDonald". National Governors Association. Retrieved 9 October 2012.
4. "William C. McDonald". Find A Grave. Retrieved 9 October 2012.

External links

• Bio at Rootsweb
• National Governors Association
• The Political Graveyard