Biographical and Pictorial History of Arkansas
by John Hallum
J.B. McDonough was born November 24, 1858, in Caddo parish, Louisiana, of Scotch-Irish lineage on the father’s side, and English on the mother’s. In 1866 the family moved to Sebastian county, Arkansas. The early education of the boy was derived from his mother and father, who took great interest in him, and learned him to read and wright, and spell well before sending him to the common schools. In 1878 he entered the State University at Fayetteville, Arkansas, and remained there four years, graduating in 1882 with the first honors of his class; the faculty conferred on him the degree of bachelor of arts in 1884. In 1881 the faculty offered a gold medal prize for the best original oration, and threw open the doors of competition to both the junior and senior classes, Mr. McDonough being of the junior class, and to him the prize was awarded. He maintained himself and paid his own way at college by teaching during vacation intervals.
After leaving the university he taught school two years at Buckner College, Sebastian county, and utilized all of his leisure time by reading law and reciting to himself. In November, 1884, he was licensed by the State courts to practice law, and in February, 1885, opened an office in Fort Smith.
In 1886 the democratic party nominated Mr. McDonough, and elected him as one of the representatives from Sebastian county in the State legislature. The author, as one of his warmest and best friends, warned him against the often fatal delusion found in political life and aspirations; and he fears his young friend has made a mistake, but he promises to return to his office and abandon politics hereafter.
He has a fine legal mind, and goes to the root of all questions he investigates; is patient and untiring in research; is a find reasoner; is logical and methodical in argument, without any effort or pretense to the ornate diction of the orator; is better adapted to the latitude of the chancellor and jurist than the popular forum of the fury. As a legislator he was a success, and made a good reputation.
After leaving the university he taught school two years at Buckner College, Sebastian county, and utilized all of his leisure time by reading law and reciting to himself. In November, 1884, he was licensed by the State courts to practice law, and in February, 1885, opened an office in Fort Smith.
In 1886 the democratic party nominated Mr. McDonough, and elected him as one of the representatives from Sebastian county in the State legislature. The author, as one of his warmest and best friends, warned him against the often fatal delusion found in political life and aspirations; and he fears his young friend has made a mistake, but he promises to return to his office and abandon politics hereafter.
He has a fine legal mind, and goes to the root of all questions he investigates; is patient and untiring in research; is a find reasoner; is logical and methodical in argument, without any effort or pretense to the ornate diction of the orator; is better adapted to the latitude of the chancellor and jurist than the popular forum of the fury. As a legislator he was a success, and made a good reputation.