History of Millersburg, (Bourbon County) Kentucky United States of America

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Biographies:

A Short Biography of David McDonald

David McDonald, jurist, was born near Millersburg, Ky., 1803. His parents removed to near Washington, Daviess county, Ind., in 1817, and he received a very limited education at the school of the Rev. Cyrus McIntire. He became a "New Light" preacher in 1820, was married in 1828 to Mary R. Miller of Lawrence county, Ill., and in 1830 left the ministry to engage in the practise of the law, and incidentally in teaching school. He was a representative in the Indiana legislature, 1834; prosecuting attorney for the 7th judicial district, 1834-38; circuit judge, 1838-52; professor of law in Indiana university, 1841-52; and was the defeated Whig candidate for judge of the supreme court in 1852, although recovering 5000 more votes than any other candididate on the ticket. He practised law in Indianapolis, 1853-64; became a member of the M.E. church in 1854; and declined the presidency of Indiana Asbury university and the honorary degree of LL.D., offered by the Indiana university in 1856, on the ground that he had not received a collegiate education. He was judge of the U.S. district court for Indiana, 1864-69. He was the author of: McDonuld's Treatise, and of opinions in "Bissell's Reports of the U.S. Courts for the Seventh Circuit." He died in Indianapolis, Ind., Aug. 26, 1869.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor