Mini Bios of People of Scots Descent
John Edmund McDougall Biography

JOHN EDMUND McDOUGALL, a representative citizen of Britton, Marshall county, as the name implies, comes of staunch Scottish lineage on the paternal side, and he is a native of Prince Edward Island, having been born in the village of Campbellton, on the 24th of February, 1860. He is a son of John and Grace (Mercerau) McDougall, the former of whom was born on Prince Edward Island, while the latter was a native of New Brunswick. The paternal grandparents of the subject were of pure Scotch lineage, being representatives of the sterling clan McDougall, of the highlands of the fair land of hills and heather. Both were born in Scotland, whence they emigrated to America about the year 1820, settling in Malpeque, Prince Edward Island, and there passing the remainder of their lives. The mother of the subject represented the Scotch, Irish and French strains, her father having been a Scotchman. She died when our subject was but thirteen years of age, and his father subsequently married Miss Jennie McLean, five sons and four daughters having been born of the first union and one son to the latter union. The father died in the month of May, 1902. 

John E. McDougall was reared on the homestead farm and received his educational discipline in the public schools of his native place. He remained at home until he had attained the age of twenty years, having in the meanwhile learned the carpenter's trade. At the age noted he went to Maine and thence to Massachusetts, being absent about nine months, after which he returned home, where he remained a few months, at the expiration of which, on November 23, 1880, he started for the west, locating in Minneapolis, Minnesota, where he engaged in the work of his trade. In November, 1883, he went to Norton, Massachusetts, where was solemnized his marriage to Miss Isabel R. Munro, and six weeks later he returned, with his bride, to Minneapolis. In August, 1884, a son was born to them, Edward James, who was graduated in June, 1904, from Pittsburg Academy, Minnesota, and is now at home. On the 26th of December, 1884, Mrs. McDougall was summoned into eternal rest, her remains being interred in Maple Hill cemetery, Minneapolis. On the 25th of May, 1886, Mr. McDougall left Minneapolis and came to Britton, Marshall county, South Dakota, where he has ever since maintained his home. During his residence in Minneapolis he followed his trade, having been for three years foreman for the firm of McCleary & Quigley, and thereafter having been independently engaged in contracting and building, in which line of enterprise he has successfully continued in Britton, many evidences of his skill and ability being found here. He has ever accorded an unwavering allegiance to the Republican party, in whose ranks he has been an active and valued worker, having been a member of the state central committee for two years, and also having served as a member of the county central committee, while in 1896 he was president of the Republican club of Marshall county. In May, 1904, he was nominated by the Republican party for lieutenant governor. In 1900 he was captain of a Roosevelt rough-rider company, which had a membership of seventy-five and which was much in evidence during the campaign of that year. In November, 1900, Mr. McDougall was elected to represent his county in the lower house of the state legislature, having been the first Republican elected to this office in the county in four years. His record was such that a further manifestation of popular appreciation was given in the election of November, 1902, when he was elected senator from the thirty-second district, comprising the counties of Marshall and Day, being thus a member of the upper house during the eighth general assembly, in I903, and being made chairman of the appropriation committee, while he was also assigned to other important committees, proving an efficient working member of the deliberative body and still farther fortifying himself in popular esteem. On the 14th of October, 1884, Mr. McDougall united with the Andrew Presbyterian church, in Minneapolis, and in 1887 was admitted by letter to the First Presbyterian church of Britton. He organized a Sunday school in the church in January of that year, and continued as its superintendent for the long period of ten years, at the expiration of which he resigned, and during the ensuing four years refused to accept the position again, though urged to do so. In January. 1901, however, he again resumed the duties of the superintendency, and has since continued to fill the office, his earnest and zealous labors being greatly appreciated, while he is also active in the other departments of church work. 

In July, 1883, Mr. McDougall became a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and in January, 1888, he was primarily instrumental in the organizing of Britton Lodge, in Britton, having been its first noble grand and having represented the same in the grand lodge of the state. He is also affiliated with the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, of which he was worshipful master for two years, while he has also served as treasurer and chaplain of the same. He is identified with the Royal Arch Masons, and also with the local organizations of the Ancient Order of United Workmen and Mutual Benefit Association. On the 3d of August, 1901, he was mustered into the South Dakota National Guard and on the same day was elected captain of Company A, Third Regiment, located in Britton, while on the 1st of April, 1902, he was promoted to the office of major of the First Battalion of this regiment, of which office he remains incumbent at the time of this writing. 

On the 13th of June, 1893, Mr. McDougall consummated a second marriage, being then united to Miss Nettie A. Marsh, of Britton. She was born in Kalamazoo, Michigan, and is a daughter of George J. and Amanda Melvina Marsh. Her mother is dead, while her father resides near Kalamazoo, Michigan. Mr. and Mrs. McDougall have two children, Tyrrell Glenn, who was born on the 29th of March, 1894, and Portia Lois, who was born on the 24th of November, 1896.