From: A Twentieth Century History of Allegan County, Michigan

By Henry F. ThomasPublished 1907, Lewis Publishing Co.

H. A. McDonald, whose name introduces this record, is the onlv surviving member of the four children born of his father's family. He accompanied his parents on their various removals and was a little lad of six years when a permanent home was established by the family in Saugatuek, H. A. MCDONALD is a prominent representative of commercial activity in Douglas, where he has a well equipped and tastefully arranged mercantile enterprise. He is a native son of Allegan county, his birth having occurred at Saugatuck September 1, 1850.

His parents were Robert A. and Cordelia (Vradenburg) McDonald, the former born in Vermont, while the latter was a native of the Keystone state. They came to Michigan in 1837, the family home being established in Saugatuck, where the father followed his trade as a ship carpenter, while in the summer months he sailed on the lakes, being employed by the Singapore Company. As time passed and he noted the advantages afforded to the agriculturist in this section of the state,, he decided to try his fortune at that pursuit and accordingly purchased one hundred acres of land on a part of which the village of Douglas now stands.

In 1855 the family removed to Iowa, and a year later again took up their abode in Saugatuck and there spent their remaining days.where his birth had occurred. He was educated in the public schools of his native village, and his boyhood and youth were passed upon the old homestead farm, where he remained until he had reached the age of twenty-five years. He then started out upon an independent business career, and thinking to find other pursuits more congenial, in 1875 he embarked in the lumber business, which he followed in Allegan county and also in Newaygo county, Michigan. He continued in this line of trade until 1885, in which year he suffered a severe loss by fire. However, possessing a stout heart and courageous spirit, he was undaunted by this obstacle and at once set to work to once more gain a foothold in the business world.

He now engaged in general mercantile pursuits on a very limited scale, but as he prospered in his undertakings he enlarged the scope of his activities by adding to his stock of goods, and in 1890 he opened his mercantile enterprise in Douglas, where he has since continued with good success. He studies the demands of the general public and in this manner is prepared to meet the varied tastes and needs of all. He has a well equipped store, in which he carries a carefully selected stock of goods and is numbered among the leading merchants of this portion of Allegan county, having now built up a large and lucrative patronage, owing to his reliable business methods and his courteous treatment
of his many patrons.

In 1872 Mr. McDonald was happily married to Miss Abigail Williams, and unto them have been born seven children, namely: Mrs. W. R. Takken, Robert (deceased), Roy, Mrs. J. P. Jacobson, Archie T., Gladys and Esther. He is a worthy and valued member of Dutcher Lodge No. 193, F. & A. M., and also holds membership relations with the Eastern Star Lodge. He is likewise connected with the Maccabees tent and the Knights of Pythias fraternity. Since the establishment of his business enterprise, Mr. McDonald has borne a reputation for his honesty in all trade circles and therefore enjoys the utmost confidence and high regard of all with whom he comes in contact either in a business or social way.