Early Memories of Saugatuck, Michigan : 1830-1930
Author: Heath, May Francis
Publisher: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company; Grand Rapids, Mich: 1930

HENRY A. MCDONALD

Among those engaged for many years in the mercantile business in Allegan County is H.A. McDonald. He was born in Saugatuck in 1850, his father, Robert McDonald, being a native of Vermont, and his mother, Cordelia Vradenburg, a native of the Keystone state; they came to Michigan in 1837, settled at Singapore, the father working at carpenter work or sailing on the lakes, employed by the New York Company of Singapore. He later bought a tract of land on the site which Douglas now occupies.

Henry was the only surviving child of his parents and his boyhood was passed upon the old homestead and he attended the local schools, but in 1875 he started out on a career of his own in the lumber business in Allegan and Newaygo counties and later engaged in general mercantile business in Douglas which business he successfully carried on until a few years prior to his death in 1926.

Mr. McDonald was a man true to his convictions and honorable in all his dealing, and the courteous treatment of all his customers was outstanding.

He was married in 1872 to Miss Abigail Williams who proved a true help-mate in his every venture and he greatly lamented her passing in 1917. Three sons died in early manhood, and Archie, a fine young business man of most sterling character, passing in 1928. The surviving children are Mrs. W. R. Takken, Mrs. C. F. Eddy, Mrs. J. P. Jacobson and Mrs. Morton Heath and Roy A. McDonald.