Joseph Smith McDonald

Joseph Smith McDonald was born on 15 October 1842, in Crawfordsburn, County Down, Ireland, his father, James McDonald, was 40 and his mother, Sarah Ferguson, was 40. He married Nancy Elizabeth Cummings in 1863, in Heber City, Wasatch, Utah, United States. They were the parents of at least 4 sons and 3 daughters. He lived in Heber City, Wasatch, Utah, United States in 1870 and Charleston, Wasatch, Utah, United States in 1900. He registered for military service in 1866. He died on 15 February 1930, in Daniel, Wasatch, Utah, United States, at the age of 87, and was buried in Heber City Cemetery, Heber City, Wasatch, Utah, United States.

Joseph was 19 years old when he came to the valley. He initially thought he would go north to the gold mines and get rich. He fell in love with Nancy Elizabeth Cummings, built a home a few blocks from his parents home. He served in Black Hawk War and had many experiences that are detailed in his own words. Things he did eventually resulted in peace between Chief Tabby and the Mormons. In 1892 he moved his family to a homestead in Buysville (Daniel) where he became a farmer and went into the sheep business. A portion of their Buysville homestead was donated to the Daniel Ward for a chapel and recreation Hall.