Three generations of Alexander MacDonalds have resided in Glengarry county, Canada. The family is of Scotch ancestry.
(I) Alexander MacDonald was a farmer of Glengarry county, Canada. He married Marjorie Kennedy, and had issue.
(II) Alexander (2), son of Alexander (1) and Marjorie (Kennedy) MacDonald, was born in Glengarry county, Canada, 1840, died 1872. He was first lieutenant in the Ninety-seventh New York Volunteers during civil war, and after he was in lumber business at Pay City, Michigan. He married Caroline Alexander, born 1844, daughter of William and Elizabeth (Clark) Alexander. Children:
- William Alexander;
- Wallace Roderick Joseph, died in infancy.
(III) William Alexander, son of Alexander (2) and Caroline (Alexander) MacDonald, was born in the town of Floyd, Oneida county, New York, February 25, 1868. He came to Gloversville in 1873. He graduated from the Gloversville high school in 1886, and the following year entered Union College, whence he was graduated, class of 1891, with the degree of A. B. Later the degree of A. M. was awarded him. He was admitted to the bar September 14, 1893, and in that year established law offices in Gloversville, where he continues in the general practice of his profession. He is a member of the state, county and city bar associations, and has served as corporation counsel of the city of Gloversville from 1902 to 1909. He is a member of the board of trustees of the Gloversville Free Library. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and a trustee. He is a Free Mason, affiliated with Gloversville Lodge, No. 429, Free and Accepted Masons; Johnstown Chapter, No. 78, Royal Arch Masons; Holy Cross Commandery, No. 51, Knights Templar. He married, September 4, 1894, Minnie E. Baird, born October, 1868, daughter of Stephen and Ann (McAllister) Baird. Children:
- Marjorie Baird, born April 11, 1904;
- Marion Alexander, October 30, 1908.