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Abraham K. McDonald
"gardener and florist of Washington borough, Manor township, Lancaster county, was born Oct. 22, 1877, in the house he still occupies and is a son of Joseph R. and Elizabeth (Ament) McDonald, the former being of Scotch descent.
Joseph R. McDonald was born in Upper Windsor township, York county, Pa., Dec 25, 1834, and was a son of James and Sarah (Reeves) McDonald, also natives of York county. James was a day laborer and died when about fifty-five years old, his wife having passed away when at the age of about fifty years. They were the parents of six children, named as follows: Maria, Jackson, Joseph R., Peter, an unnamed infant and William, all deceased with the exception of Joseph R. The last named was a lad of but eleven years when his parents were called away, but a short time previously he had gone to work for John Moore, a farmer of York county, with whom he made him home, seven years, attending school meanwhile. When eighteen years of age, Joseph R. came to Lancaster county and entered the employ of George S. Mann, a farmer in Manor township, and continued in this employ about 24 years, with the exception of one year spent in the defense of his county's flag. This service was rendered in 1862-1863 with Co. E., 178th P.V.I., chiefly in Virginia, and his muster out took place in August of the last named years.
In 1876, Joseph R. McDonald purchased ten acres of good land just east of Washington borough, on which he made many valuable improvements and conducted general farming two years, and then removed to a farm of 162 acres belonging to George Mann; this he managed four years, then carried on farming on his own ten-acre farm until 1889, and then purchased twenty-one acres adjoining, so that the two tracts may be virtually called the same far. He removed to the new addition in 1899, and has there conducted general farming ever since.
In 1877, Joseph R. McDonald was united in marriage wit Miss Elizabeth Ament, of Manor township, Abraham K. McDonald being the only child. Mr. and Mrs. McDonald are members of the M.E. church, in which he has served as steward and trustee. Fraternally, Mr. Mcdonald is a member of Columbia lodge, No. 80, I.O.O.F.; likewise of Columbia encampment; and is also a member of Chickamauga Tribe, I.O.R.M. Socially he and his wife and son take rank with the best people of Manor township.
Abraham K. McDonald was reared to farming, received his preliminary education in the public school , then attended the State Normal School at Millersville two years, and later took a course at the Pennsylvania Business College at Lancaster City. Until the spring of 1899, Abraham K. assisted his father on the home farm, and then took charge of the place on his own account and carried on market gardening exclusively, until quite recently, when he determined to become a florist and erected a hot-house 30x70 feet, which is well stocked with flowers of every variety, including many rare exotics. The enterprise promises to prove an immense success.
Abraham K. McDonald was most happily married May 4, 1899, to Miss Sue C. Nissley, daughter of Jonas L. Nissley, of Manor township, and this union has been blessed with one child, A. Leroy. [pg 1475-1476]