This biography appears on pages 1382-1384 in "History of South Dakota" by Doane Robinson, Vol. II (1904)
JOHN EDMUND McDOUGALL, a representative citizen of Britton,
Marshall county, as the name implies, comes of staunch Scottish lineage on the paternal side, and he is a native of Prince Edward Island, having
been born in the village of Campbellton, on the 24th of February, 1860. He is a son of John and Grace (Mercerau) McDougall, the former of whom
was born on Prince Edward Island, while the latter was a native of New Brunswick. The paternal grandparents of the subject were of pure Scotch
lineage, being representatives of the sterling clan McDougall, of the highlands of the fair land of hills and heather. Both were born in
Scotland, whence they emigrated to America about the year 1820, settling
in Malpeque, Prince Edward Island, and there passing the remainder of their lives. The mother of the subject represented the Scotch, Irish and
French strains, her father having been a Scotchman. She died when our subject was but thirteen years of age, and his father subsequently
married Miss Jennie McLean, five sons and four daughters having been born of the first union and one son to the latter union. The father died
in the month of May, 1902.
John E. McDougall was reared on the homestead farm and received
his educational discipline in the public schools of his native place. He
remained at home until he had attained the age of twenty years, having in the meanwhile learned the carpenter's trade. At the age noted he went
to Maine and thence to Massachusetts, being absent about nine months, after which he returned home, where he remained a few months, at the
expiration of which, on November 23, 1880, he started for the west, locating in Minneapolis, Minnesota, where he engaged in the work of his
trade. In November, 1883, he went to Norton, Massachusetts, where was solemnized his marriage to Miss Isabel R. Munro, and six weeks later he
returned, with his bride, to Minneapolis. In August, 1884, a son was born to them, Edward James, who was graduated in June, 1904, from
Pittsburg Academy, Minnesota, and is now at home. On the 26th of December, 1884, Mrs. McDougall was summoned into eternal rest, her
remains being interred in Maple Hill cemetery, Minneapolis. On the 25th of May, 1886, Mr. McDougall left Minneapolis and came to Britton,
Marshall county, South Dakota, where he has ever since maintained his home. During his residence in Minneapolis he followed his trade, having
been for three years foreman for the firm of McCleary & Quigley, and
thereafter having been independently engaged in contracting and building, in which line of enterprise he has successfully continued in
Britton, many evidences of his skill and ability being found here. He has ever accorded an unwavering allegiance to the Republican party, in
whose ranks he has been an active and valued worker, having been a member of the state central committee for two years, and also having
served as a member of the county central committee, while in 1896 he was
president of the Republican club of Marshall county. In May, 1904, he was nominated by the Republican party for lieutenant governor. In 1900
he was captain of a Roosevelt rough-rider company, which had a membership of seventy-five and which was much in evidence during the
campaign of that year. In November, 1900, Mr. McDougall was elected to represent his county in the lower house of the state legislature, having
been the first Republican elected to this office in the county in four years. His record was such that a further manifestation of popular
appreciation was given in the election of November, 1902, when he was elected senator from the thirty-second district, comprising the counties
of Marshall and Day, being thus a member of the upper house during the eighth general assembly, in I903, and being made chairman of the
appropriation committee, while he was also assigned to other important committees, proving an efficient working member of the deliberative body
and still farther fortifying himself in popular esteem. On the 14th of October, 1884, Mr. McDougall united with the Andrew Presbyterian church,
in Minneapolis, and in 1887 was admitted by letter to the First Presbyterian church of Britton. He organized a Sunday school in the
church in January of that year, and continued as its superintendent for the long period of ten years, at the expiration of which he resigned,
and during the ensuing four years refused to accept the position again, though urged to do so. In January. 1901, however, he again resumed the
duties of the superintendency, and has since continued to fill the office, his earnest and zealous labors being greatly appreciated, while
he is also active in the other departments of church work.
In July, 1883, Mr. McDougall became a member of the Independent
Order of Odd Fellows, and in January, 1888, he was primarily instrumental in the organizing of Britton Lodge, in Britton, having been
its first noble grand and having represented the same in the grand lodge
of the state. He is also affiliated with the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, of which he was worshipful master for two years, while he has
also served as treasurer and chaplain of the same. He is identified with
the Royal Arch Masons, and also with the local organizations of the Ancient Order of United Workmen and
Mutual Benefit Association. On the 3d of August, 1901, he was mustered into the South Dakota National Guard
and on the same day was elected captain of Company A, Third Regiment, located in Britton, while on the 1st of April, 1902, he was promoted to
the office of major of the First Battalion of this regiment, of which office he remains incumbent at the time of this writing.
On the 13th of June, 1893, Mr. McDougall consummated a second
marriage, being then united to Miss Nettie A. Marsh, of Britton. She was
born in Kalamazoo, Michigan, and is a daughter of George J. and Amanda Melvina Marsh. Her mother is dead, while her father resides near
Kalamazoo, Michigan. Mr. and Mrs. McDougall have two children, Tyrrell Glenn, who was born on the 29th of March, 1894, and Portia Lois, who was
born on the 24th of November, 1896. |