Notes for: James McDonald
The names of all of his children and who they are still needs clarifying. I have posited some guestimates for now based on the information that is out there on the Internet. A lot of that information, though, lacks sources and there are contradictions. So take all this with a grain of salt for now.
The following is found in "The History of Racine and Kenosha Counties, Wisconsin":
James McDonald: farmer, Sec. 19, P. O. Rochester; born in County Antrim, Ireland, June 24, 1791. He came to New Jersey in 1840; same year to Dover, and took up 320 acres of Government land in Sections 19, 20. He built the house and barnes he occupies, and also the house is son William occupies, which he gave to him, with 160 acres in Sec. 19. He gave 120 acres to his other son, James, and retains forty acres, with residence, for himself and wife. He married in Country Antrim, Ireland, Belle Grimm, who died in Ireland; married again, in Ireland, Mary Grimm, September, 1836. He is now nearly 88 years of age.
In "Portrait and Biographical Album of Racine and Kenosha Counties, Wisconsin" is the following:
On the 6th of April, 1847, Mr. McKercher was united in marriage to Miss Mary McDonald, who has proved to her husband a true helpmate. She is a daughter of James McDonald, who was born in the north of Ireland but was of Scotch descent. On the Emerald Isle he married Belle Graham, who was also born in that locality, and spent her entire life in her native land. Mr. McDonald emigrated to America in 1841, and after one year spent in Jersey City came west in 1842, casting his lot with the early settlers of what is now Dover Township, Racine County. Upon his farm which he then located, he made his home until his death, which occurred in 1881, at the advanced age of 91. Mrs. McKercher was born in the north of Ireland and came with her father to his country. She is the eldest of a family of five children.