|
McDonald,
William C., Born at
Jordanville, N. Y., July 25, 1858; son of John and Lydia Marshall
(Biggs) McDonald; educated in public schools in Herkimer County, in
Casenovia Seminary at Casenovia; studied law in his native State; in
1880 was admitted to the bar at Fort Scott, Kans., and the same year
came to New Mexico, locating in White Oaks; engaged in civil and
mining engineering from 1881 to 1890; in 1881 he was appointed
United States deputy mineral surveyor for New Mexico; in 1890 made
manager of the Carrizozo Cattle Ranch Co., finally purchasing it as
his own; operated his livestock under the "Bar W" brand; was in
charge of the "Block" ranch, owned by the El Capitan Land &
Cattle Co., one of the largest cattle companies in New Mexico; in
1885-1887 served as assessor of Lincoln County; 1891 member of the
New Mexico Territorial House of Representatives; chairman of the
board of county commissioners from 1885 to 1897; from 1905 to 1911
member of the New Mexico Cattle Sanitary Board, and in 1910 was
chairman of the Democratic Territorial central committee; was
elected the first Governor of the State of New Mexico, November 7,
1911, and was inaugurated at Sante Fe on January 14, 1912; served
the State five years, retiring from office in January, 1917; fuel
administrator for New Mexico during World War; personally
administered the duties of this position until his death on April
11, 1918; married at Las Vegas, N. Mex., August 31, 1891, to Mrs.
Francis McCourt, daughter of George D. and Matilda Jane (Wilcox)
Tarbell; only child of the late governor is Frances, wife of Truman
A. Spencer, of Carrizozo.
Source: New
Mexico, Mythology - tradition - history.
U. S. Congress, Senate, Serial Set Vol
No. 9210, Session Vol. No. 13, 71st Congress, 2nd Session, Dated
May 13, 1930-Transcribed by C. Anthony.
|
