Edward McDonald (Term 1902 to 1906)

Edward McDonald (August 6, 1844 – April 25, 1922) was a businessman, accomplished leatherworker, baseball player, civil servant, and Mayor of Deadwood.  Known to many as “Mac the Saddler”, he was born on August 6, 1844 in New York and was the oldest of nine siblings.  During his formative years, McDonald learned the harness and saddle trade in New York.  In 1878 at the age of 34, McDonald moved to Helena, Montana Territory and later Mile City, Montana Territory where he ran a saddlery business in both communities.  Within a year, McDonald relocated his business to the booming Deadwood Gulch in October of 1879.

Over the remainder of his life, McDonald became a pillar of the Deadwood community through his countless hours as a civil servant.  McDonald served five terms as the fire chief for the Homestake Hose Company in Deadwood.  In the 1880s, McDonald helped organize and played on Deadwood’s first professional baseball team.  In 1887 McDonald entered the political arena when he was elected alderman for the City of Deadwood.  He is also accredited with being a staunch supporter of the horse drawn trolley system that operated along Deadwood’s Main Street.  In addition to being the first paying customer, McDonald also supplied the harnesses and tac used by the horses.

In 1892, McDonald was elected Lawrence County Sheriff and served one term in this position.  In 1902, McDonald was elected Deadwood Mayor and served two terms in this position.  In his later years, McDonald was appointed Deadwood Postmaster in 1916 and served in this position until his death in 1922.  Despite spending most of his life in Deadwood, upon his death, McDonald’s remains were interred beside his wife at the Calvary Cemetery in New York City, New York.