New Mexico. Governor (1912-1916 : McDonald)

William C. McDonald was born at Jordanville, New York on July 25, 1858, the son of John and Lydia Marshall McDonald. He was admitted to the bar at Fort Scott, Kansas, in 1880. During 1880 McDonald moved to White Oaks, New Mexico and engaged in civil and mining engineering. He served as deputy mineral surveyor from 1881 to1890, when he became manager of the Carrizozo Cattle Ranch Company. McDonald also held the positions of Lincoln County Assessor (1885-1897), Representative in the Territorial House of Representatives (1891), and Chairman of the Democratic Territorial Central Committee (1910-1911). He married Francis McCourt at Las Vegas, New Mexico on August 31, 1891. McDonald was elected the first Governor of the State of New Mexico on November 7, 1911, and served a four year term from 1912-1916. McDonald died on April 11, 1918.

From the guide to the Governor William C. McDonald Papers, 1880-1968 (bulk, 1912-1916), (New Mexico State Records Center and Archives)

...