D. A. MACDONALD

San Francisco County

Biographies

D. A. MACDONALD

D. A. MACDONALD, President of the Enterprise Mill and building Company, 217 to 225 Spear street, San Francisco, was born on Prince Edward island, in 1825. His father was in early life a sea captain, was connected with the merchant service, owned his vessels, and did an extensive business. In later life he engaged in agricultural pursuits. He was a native of Scotland, and his wife was of Scotch descent.

The subject of our sketch was educated on his native isle, and then gave his attention to the carpenter trade, which he followed until 1851. That year he came to California. At Boston he took passage on the Samuel Appleton, made the voyage via Cape Horn, and after being out 140 days landed at San Francisco, July 20, 1852. He obtained employment in that city, at $8 per day, as foreman for B. T. Chase, a prominent contractor and builder. The latter was a native of Providence, Rhode Island, and a California Forty-niner. After three years as foreman, Mr. Macdonald bought an interest in the business, which was then continued under the firm name of B. T. Chase & Co. They purchased a little mill at the corner of market and Beale streets. This mill was two stories, but had no roof and contained only one planer and a saw. A fire had just visited San Francisco, and this was the only mill in town. They immediately enlarged it, put in new machinery and increased its capacity, and henceforth devoted themselves to furnishing building materials, retiring from the actual work of construction. In 1860 J. H. Macdonald entered the firm, and at the death of Mr. Chase, about 1863, the business was organized under the firm of Macdonald Bros., who remained in the same location until 1870, when they purchased their present property , 91-2/3 feet frontage on Spear street, by 275 feet extending through to Stewart. Here they erected a two-story building, fitted it up with improved machinery, and continued to conduct the same until 1873. At that time the partnership merged into to the Enterprise Mill and Building Company, with a capital of $150,000. At this writing D. A. Macdonald is president and P. Amiraux secretary of the company, Mr. Macdonald being principal owner. They manufacture all kinds of builders’ supplies, such as frames, doors, sashes, blinds, mouldings, etc., and do a general milling business. This company furnished all the mill work for the Palace Hotel.

Mr. Macdonald was married in San Francisco, in 1859. Of three children born, two are living.

Mr. Macdonald has been connected with all the leading building associations here, and has been a potent factor in advancing the building interests of the city. He has been a member of the Mechanics’ Institute from its inception, and in 1856, when they voted to disband, by his earnest efforts he helped to organize a stronger enthusiasm which carried the society through its days of financial depression. He has been a director of this institute for about fifteen years, and has proved himself a wise adviser in their several building enterprises. He has been a member of the Caledonia Club and the St. Andrews Society since their organization; was instrumental in building the Scottish Hall, 111 Larkin street. For nine years he served in the San Francisco Hussars, entering as private and at the time of his discharge being Captain of his company. He has since been a member of the Veteran National Guard.

Mr. Macdonald has also been quite active in political affairs. In 1873 he was elected Supervisor by the taxpayers, and in 1875 was re-elected by the Democratic party, although he is independent in his views. In all public enterprises advancing the city’s growth and prosperity, Mr. Macdonald is found giving his support. He is genial and kind in social life; all business in business hours.

Transcribed7-7-06 Marilyn R. Pankey.

Source: "The Bay of San Francisco," Vol. 2, Pages 420-421, Lewis Publishing Co, 1892.

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