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ALEXANDER
MACDONALD, contractor and builder,
Brooklyn, N. Y., has played a noteworthy part in building one of the most
attractive sections of the metropolitan district. He was born at Nethy
Bridge, Invernessshire, Scotland, April 17, 1864, the son of Alexander and
Elsie MacDonald, thrifty, hard-working parents, and received a common
school education in the Public School in Nethy Bridge.
Mr. MacDonald came to the United
States, without resources or friends, in April, 1885, and worked first as
a railroad switchman in St. Louis, Mo., and as a hotel and drygoods porter
in Chicago. He learned the painting and decorating trade in Chicago,
removed to California in 1887, and worked at his trade there until he came
to Brooklyn in 1892. In April, 1895, he started in the painting and
decorating business, under the firm name of MacDonald & Weales, and in
1897 branched out into the building business and has erected more than 200
houses in the Flatbush and Kensington sections of Brooklyn.
Mr. MacDonald had few of the
advantages of the young men of today. His remarkable business success is
the result of close application and determined effort, his own energy and
ability. With it all, he is modest and unassuming, of a most genial and
friendly personality and generous in helping any worthy cause. He is a
director of the Kensington & Parkvile Improvement League, a director of
the Caledonian HospitaL and a trustee of the Flatbush Savings Bank. He is
a member of the St. Andrew’s Society of the State of New York, Clan
MacDonald, O.S.C.. Kensington Camp, Modern Woodmen, Brooklyn Bowling
Green, and Long Island Automobile Clubs.
Mr. MacDonald married, March 7,
1895, Martha E. Ball, daughter of John and Martha Ball, of Manchester,
England. They have two sons and three daughters: Alexander Francis, born
January 4, 1896; Frederick James, born March 22, 1898; Elsie Mary, horn
October 9, 1899; Margaret D. born July 18, 1901; and Martha, born January
12, 1906. In the summer of 1915, with his family, Mr. MacDonald visited
the Panama-Pacific Exposition in San Francisco, travelling both ways
(8.600 miles) in his automobile and camping most of the time by the way.
The party touched twenty-nine states and Old Mexico, visiting San Diego,
Cripple Creek, Leadville, Salt Lake City, Lake Tahoe, Grand Canyon, the
Petrified Forest of Arizona, etc. Residence is 735 East 3rd Street; his
business is 114 Ditmars Ave., Brooklyn. |
