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John McDonald

1837 – 1917

American soldier and politician from Maryland

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About John McDonald

Lived 1837 – 1917 (aged 79). John McDonald was an American politician.

John McDonald (May 24, 1837 – January 30, 1917) was an American soldier and politician.

Born in Dingle, County Kerry, Ireland, McDonald attended local schools. He immigrated to the United States and enlisted in the United States Army at Boston, Massachusetts, in 1857. He joined his regiment in Arizona, and served in the Cavalry Corps of the Army of the Potomac throughout the American Civil War. After the war, McDonald was ordered to the West, where he again took part in several campaigns against Native Americans. He retired as a captain of Cavalry on July 1, 1868, for disabilities incurred in the line of service.

After his retirement from the military, McDonald settled in Maryland and was elected as a Republican to the Maryland House of Delegates in 1881. He was later elected to the Fifty-fifth Congress, and served from March 4, 1897, to March 3, 1899. He engaged in agricultural pursuits near Potomac, Maryland, and died in Rockville, Maryland. He is interred in Union Cemetery.

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Important facts

Birth century
Occupation
Positions held
United States representative, Member of the Maryland House of Delegates

People in John McDonald's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped John McDonald's

Frequently asked questions

Who was John McDonald?

American soldier and politician from Maryland (1837-1917)

When was John McDonald born?

John McDonald was born on 24 May 1837 in Dingle/Daingean Uí Chúis.

When did John McDonald die?

John McDonald died on 30 January 1917 in Rockville.

What was John McDonald's occupation?

John McDonald was a politician.

What nationality was John McDonald?

John McDonald was American.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: John McDonald

· Wikidata: Q2514142

· DBpedia: John McDonald (Maryland politician)

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). John McDonald. https://biography.guide/john-mcdonald-politician-1837/

MLA: "John McDonald." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/john-mcdonald-politician-1837/.

Chicago: "John McDonald." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/john-mcdonald-politician-1837/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-21 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

Portrait: Wikimedia Commons · author & licence

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