William S. McDonald, M. D., one of the best known and most successful physicians and surgeons of Fort Scott, was born on Prince Edward's Island, March 21, 1854, but when very young removed with his parents—Archibald and Mary (Higgins) McDonald—to their native State of Maine. The family located on a farm near the city of Portland, and there the father followed the occupation of a farmer the remainder of his life, also doing considerable business as a contractor and builder. Dr. William S. McDonald received his elementary training in the public schools, after which he entered Kent's Hill Academy, at Redfield, Me., where he was graduated in 1878. He then completed his literary education in the Wesleyan University, of Middleton, Conn., graduating with the class of 1883. For the next three years he taught at Bucksport, Me., during which time he studied medicine as opportunity offered, and after due preparation entered the celebrated Jefferson Medical College at Philadelphia, Pa. In 1888 he received the degree of Doctor of Medicine from this historic institution, and it is worthy of note that he stood at the head of his graduating class of 235 members, receiving first honors and a beautiful medal from the Penn Hospital for his excellent standing. On a competitive examination he was made interne at Jefferson Hospital, which position he filled with credit about one year, and in April, 1889, he became a resident of Fort Scott. Here he has been universally successful in his professional work, commanding alike the respect and confidence of the public and his brother practitioners. Dr. McDonald is a member of the Kansas State Medical Society; the Southeastern Kansas and the Bourbon County Medical Societies; and the National Association of Railway Surgeons, being eligible for membership in the last named organization through the fact that he is the local surgeon for the Frisco system of railroads. He is also president of the Fort Scott and Bourbon County Historical Society, and takes a commendable interest in its work. His church affiliations are with the Methodist Episcopal denomination. For some time he was a member of the United States pension examining board of Fort Scott, and he is always a ready and willing helper in any movement for the moral and material uplifting of the people and institutions of his adopted city and county. Dr. McDonald is an enthusiastic student of Kansas history, especially of that concerning the eastern portion of the state, and he has been largely influential in founding the Fort Scott and Bourbon County Historical Society, of which he is president. By his efforts a vast amount of valuable historical matter has been collected and relics preserved pertaining to a time in the great Civil war when Fort Scott was a pivotal point in the sanguinary conflict in Kansas. Dr. McDonald is somewhat prominent in fraternal circles, being a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Scottish Rite Consistory of the Masonic fraternity, and a noble of the Mystic Shrine. On Sept. 25, 1891, he was united in marriage with Miss Flora Rice, a daughter of the late Gen. John Holt Rice (see sketch).