M.L. McDonald Sr.
Melva Lawson McDonald Sr. was a postmaster and politician who served as superintendent of schools in Scott County in the 1910s.
See Also: Scott County School Superintendents
Preceded By: S. Marion Foster • Succeeded By: Willard W. Walker
Biography
Born in April 1867, McDonald was a lifelong resident of Huntsville. He was the son of Newton McDonald (1842-1913) and Phereba Jane Cecil (1844-1929). His grandfather, James McDonald, served in the Union army during the Civil War and died after being one of many Scott Countians captured by Confederate forces at the Battle of Rogersville in 1863 and imprisoned at the infamous Belle Isle Prison. His great-grandfather, James McDonald, was a veteran of the Revolutionary War.
McDonald was a distant relative to Raymond Jeffers, who would serve as superintendent of schools in the 1960s. McDonald’s grandfather, James McDonald, and Jeffers’ second great-grandfather, Allen McDonald, were brothers.
Family
McDonald married Bertha Clarence Baird (1885-1958). They had eight children: Grace Cecil (1902-1989), Everett Clayton (1904-1988), Ernest Gibson (1907-1955), Bessie May (1909-1996), Newton Boyd (1912-1977), Willard Pershing (1917-1998), Miller Baird (1920-2005) and Melva Lawson Jr. (1926-1999).
Professional Life
McDonald was elected to the Tennessee General Assembly in 1902, at the age of 35. He represented Scott, Campbell and Union counties in the state House of Representatives for a single, two-year term.
Afterwards, McDonald was appointed postmaster at Huntsville Post Office. He held that position for six years before resigning to serve as Scott County School Superintendent.
Scott County School Superintendent
McDonald was appointed superintendent of schools by the Scott County Quarterly Court in 1909, replacing S. Marion Foster. He served four, two-year terms in that position before being replaced by Willard W. Walker in 1917.
A newspaper article at the time of his death noted, “During that time, due to his devotion to duty and his labor, the public schools made marked progress in Scott County.” (Chattanooga Times, Aug. 1, 1927).
Later Life
McDonald volunteered for service in the U.S. Army during World War I, but was rejected due to his age. He instead served as chairman of the draft board in Scott County for two years, after which he took a position with the U.S. Veterans Bureau.
Death
McDonald died at his Huntsville home on July 30, 1927, following several months of illness. He was 60. He was buried at Huntsville Cemetery.
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