Rev. George McDonald and Martha S. Blayney

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Husband Rev. George McDonald ¹

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           Born: 25 Feb 1825 - Donegal Twp, Washington Co, PA 1
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         Father: John McDonald (1788-1868) 2
         Mother: Margaret Byers (1794-1867) 3

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       Marriage: 20 May 1858 4

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Wife Martha S. Blayney ⁴

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           Born: 
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           Died: Aft 1910
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         Father: Charles Blayney (      -1860) 5 6
         Mother: Nancy Farris (      -1880) 6

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Children

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1 F Nannie Maggie McDonald ⁴

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         Spouse: Elmer Ellsworth Miller (      -      ) 4

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2 M John M. McDonald ⁴

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           Born: 
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         Spouse: Ada C. Baker (      -      ) 4

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3 M Rev. Charles H. McDonald ⁴

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           Born: 
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         Spouse: Mary M. Bell (      -      ) 4
           Marr: 24 Nov 1892 4

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4 F Mary Elizabeth McDonald ^{4 7}

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           Born: 
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         Spouse: Frederick W. Moore (1870-      ) 7

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General Notes: Husband - Rev. George McDonald

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He labored on the farm with his father until entering his life's work. He was educated in the West Alexander (Pennsylvania) Academy, in the branches belonging to the college course, and after having completed the classical course pursued in college, engaged for some years in teaching in the public schools, and afterward taught two and a half years in the academy of West Alexander. During this period he commenced the study of theology under Dr. John McCluskey, his pastor, and completed the course of study under Rev. William H. Lester, D. D., Dr. McCluskey's successor. In April, 1857, he was licensed to preach the Gospel by the Presbytery of Washington. Soon after licensure he received a call to the Presbyterian Church of Beallsville, Ohio, where he continued to labor more than twenty-five years, giving a portion of his time to the churches of Woodsfield and Powhatan, Ohio. In the winter of 1883, he received and accepted a call to the church of Upper Ten Mile, Prosperity, Pennsylvania, and continued his labors till May 20, 1890. After his resignation of the pastorate at Ten Mile he resided at West Alexander, and was interested in evangelistic work, not feeling sufficiently vigorous to assume the full responsibility of pastoral work.
He was an instructor of music, and led the choir of the old home church for several years. His children all took great delight in music, and were blessed with great power of voice.

Of him a friend (Rev. W. H. Lester, Sr.) writes: "Mr. McDonald's ministry was marked by faithfulness in labors, and witnessed precious ingatherings. Thoroughly evangelical in spirit, and Biblical in his pulpit ministrations, his aim has been the conversion of souls and the building up of Christians in the faith. He has also been a self-sacrificing and faithful pastor, thus making full proof of his ministry. Seldom was his seat vacant in the church courts. In each of the congregations to which he ministered, he left the testimonials of a truly devoted minister of the Gospel." And another friend thus says of him: "Rev. George McDonald inherited (as did also his wife) the sturdy character of their Scotch and Scotch-Irish ancestry, and in early life received careful religious training. At the age of twenty-one he made profession of his faith in Christ. At nine-teen years of age he entered on his classical course in West Alexander Academy, and after completing the full course of study, he was for some time actively engaged in the public school department; later was for two years and a half a teacher in the West Alexander Academy. In 1853 he commenced the study of theology under Rev. John McCluskey, D. D., licensed by the Presbytery of Washington in 1857, and was ordained by the Presbytery of St. Clairsville in April, 1860. Soon after licensure he took charge of the congregation of Beallsville, Ohio, of which he was the installed pastor till April, 1883, giving for most of that period a por-tion of his time to the congregations of Woodsfield and Powhatan as stated supply. In 1883 he was called to the church of Upper Ten Mile, Penn., where he labored more than seven years. He how resides in West Alexander, his native place, with his noble wife, who has always been a source of strength and comfort to him in his work. They were both fine singers, and led the choir of West Alexander Presbyterian Church for a number of years. Their musical talent was valuable to them, especially in the Sabbath-school, where they were always prominent and active, he as superintendent and Bible teacher, and she in charge of the infant department, until the loss of her hearing compelled her in later years to give up the work she so dearly loved. She had peculiar tact for winning and interesting little ones, and was never more at home than when surrounded by her little flock. Her memory will always be green in the hearts of the many she had taught, who will see her no more in this world. Her faithful sowing will cause many, besides her children, to rise up and call her blessed. Mr. McDonald was accustomed to instruct, free, the Sabbath-school and any others who wished, in music, and thus was instrumental in having exceptionally good singing in the school. He was also very successful in training for special exercises, and had much executive ability. Always deliberate, being firm in his convictions and of unalterable purpose, with careful outlook, he seldom failed to accomplish what he undertook.
"His ministry was richly blessed with signals of Divine approval, by several revivals occurring under his pastorate. The influence of his preaching and example was for righteousness, in building up a moral, God-fearing and Sabbath-loving people. Several ministers have gone out from under his pastorate. His labors, particularly in his first field, were arduous and exposing, but were performed cheerfully in honor of Him whom he served. The seed thus faithfully sown will bring forth fruit to be gathered by other reapers, He still takes delight in Evangelistic work, and rejoices in any opportunity to do service for the Master. He has been a faithful and unobtrusive minister of Christ, and is regarded universally, by those who know him, with marked esteem and love."

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General Notes: Wife - Martha S. Blayney

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from West Virginia

1 —, Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago, IL: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893), Pg 233.

2 —, Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago, IL: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893), Pg 233, 804.

3 —, Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago, IL: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893), Pg 804.

4 —, Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago, IL: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893), Pg 234.

5 —, Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago, IL: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893), Pg 923.

6 Joseph F. McFarland, 20th Century History of Washington and Washington County, Pennsylvania and Representative Citizens (Chicago, IL: Richmond-Arnold Publishing Co., 1910), Pg 804.

7 Joseph F. McFarland, 20th Century History of Washington and Washington County, Pennsylvania and Representative Citizens (Chicago, IL: Richmond-Arnold Publishing Co., 1910), Pg 823.